Month: June 2002

Ninety Nine Cents

5 or so years ago when color copiers started to make their way into the copy & printing places it cost a dollar to make one 8-1/2 x 11 color copy. I have never wanted the services of a color copier until now. I print out the Master’s Miata Club newsletter at work. Always used the laser printer in my area for it, until a year ago. They company bought a color laser printer. I started doing the newsletter on it after hours. I didn’t think the folks at the company minded me running 25 or newsletters off a month, after all the Miata Club is a non-profit organization, so it is kinda like a community service. Well fast forward to now. Business is bad, sales are down, production is down, etc. I’m starting to feel a little like they might not take kindly to me “stealing” there paper, toner, time anymore. For the heck of it I called my friends at the Mail Boxes Etc. and asked how much for a color copy. 99?. Big price drop!?! I guess no one else has made enough copies to bring the price down any, huh? I now print 50 newsletters with just the front page in color. I would need 100 copies, fortunately there is price break at 100, times 78? equals $78. Some how I don’t think the club will want to spend that much on printing every month. August I go back to black & white.

Auto Expressions

Top up during work. When we left work, the skies were really ugly so I suggested leaving it up. My wife then called me a wimp, so I was left with little choice but to put it down. For a second it looked like I was right, but the sprinkles only lasted about 50 yards. She was right and we both enjoyed the drive home more for it.

Made a stop at Mail Boxes, Etc. to make copies of the Aiken Bicycle Club newsletter for mailing out. There is a slightly older woman who works there with a green/tan 2001 Miata. I’ve given her a Master’s Miata Club newsletter a couple of times but she seems reluctant to come out. But today for the first time she noticed the Alley Gator teeth on the front of my car. She thought they were cool and asked me where I got them. I gave her the web address for Auto Expressions, the place I got them and told her if she needed help installing them just call me, I’d be glad to help. We’ll see what happens.

Started down, went up, went down, still down.
Top Transitions sine 02/02/02: 153

Nothing

Today was a nothing day, but I still feel the need to write something here, so this is it. Please deal with it kindly, ’cause I can’t.

Moved An Armoire

The top went up while at work and stayed up on the way home because it was raining. We made a trip to Lowes to pick up some stuff in the evening and we put the top down for a slight drive for that trip. Sitting comfortably in front of the computer when a friend called, he needed help putting some furniture back in the house after today’s carpet install. As I backed out of the garage I realized it was raining, so I put the top up while we moved an armoire, a sleeper/sofa and 2 recliners. By that time it had quit raining so I dropped the top once more for the 1 mile drive home.

Started down, went up, went down, went up, went down, still down.
Top Transitions sine 02/02/02: 151

Boston Red Sox

My prediction of about a month ago came true today, pretty much right on schedule. Sox lost to LA and the Yanks beat San Diego to move a 1/2 game ahead in the American League East. I can now breath a sight of relief and stop reading the box scores. But I’ll still check the standings every few weeks just to see how far down they have fallen and if Baltimore passes them to get into second place.

Don’t Fling Me In That Briar Patch

It’s Sunday, so the Miata sat unloved in the garage all day. About 8 PM my wife said, “Let’s take a drive.” To which I replied, “But please, Brer Fox, don’t fling me in that briar patch.” Off we went for a 45 mile loop along some two lane roads. About 2 miles in it started to sprinkle which then turned to light rain. But we drove on, as long as we didn’t have to stop, we wouldn’t get wet. About 5 miles later it quit. Nice way to wrap up the weekend.

Started up, went down, still down.
Top Transitions sine 02/02/02: 147

Watermelon Festival

There were 5 cars at the Welcome Center for the Miata Club’s trip to Hampton, SC for the Watermelon Festival. Of that number, only 2 made the trip. The weather forecast didn’t look good, rain was predicted and it was already raining in Charleston and heading north. Tony decided to push on and go anyway as we had made a commitment to meet the folks from the Low Country Miata Club for the parade and festivities. Because of the weather in Charleston I figured nobody from there would come, boy was I wrong, they had 6 cars make the trip. Good thing Tony did go. They got wet waiting on the parade, but had a good time anyway. Donna and I did a little shopping and spent a quiet day at home.

Started down, went up, went down, back up again, still up.
Top Transitions sine 02/02/02: 146