Crush Rings

Bought 5 oil filters and the crush rings from Trussville Mazda on the net this morning. They are just across the Georgia line in Alabama, so If I’m lucky they will get here tomorrow. It is time to change the oil, this I know because the HLA clatter comes up and stays for a 1/2 minute or so before quieting at start up. And it has been more than my usual 3,750 miles between the last change.

Purchased Today: $35.75
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2573.55
Started down, went up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 260

Ride Report

Got nothing much to say tonight, but I do need to make up a ride report from this morning’s ride for the Aiken Bicycle Club’s web site. So in lieu of any bitching and moaning tonight, I present, 20 Miles in the Morning:

When Donna and I rolled to the end of our driveway we almost did a 180. The road looked like it had recently rained and the clouds seemed low enough graze our helmets. We knew that at least 2 of the usual group were not going to be there, so we reluctantly headed to the Odell Weeks center. Someone from out of town had called me on Thursday and said she would be in town visiting and could she ride with us, so someone had to show.

Not long after our arrival at Weeks, Jenny pulled in and started to unload her bike. By 8:30 no one else was there so the 3 of us started out. It was still threatening looking and the roads were damp, but off we went anyway. Glad we did, as each mile clicked off the weather got a little nicer. So much so that the sun actually made an appearance 3/4 of the way through the ride. Right about that time Donna rolled through some glass and flatted. The next 5 minutes were spent chatting while the two ladies watched Brian get his fingers greasy from the chain and knees dirty from the tire. We finished with a nice tailwind down Pine Log.

At the end Jenny thanked us for going for the ride, we thanked her for showing up because if she hadn’t, Donna and I might have just gone back home.

351 Miles

Well, I got my wish, there were 5 cars to make the trip up to Caesar’s Head today. We left the house this morning in the dark at 7:15 AM and arrived home in the dark at 7:30 PM after covering 351 miles. The leaves as expected were not the best we’ve encountered on these trips, but the weather was. The parking area at our destination was so full the 5 of us had to park on the side of the road. Not too far from home the car’s odometer read 123,456. I didn’t stop to take a picture like I did for 100,000 or 111,111 because it wouldn’t have been nearly as interesting as the person on Miata.net that had the foresight to zero the trip odometer at 122,667.

Purchased Today: $14.00
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2537.80
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 259

Naughty Holidays

We went out this evening and got a scoop of ice cream and took a stroll around downtown Aiken. We past by a small women’s clothing boutique and there in the window were some bright red and green bra/panty sets next to a sign that proclaimed Holiday Lingerie. The red ones were crotchless! Santa has been a very good boy this year.

Dust Off

California Duster to the rescue. I brushed off the week’s accumulated dust, emptied the trash bag and we are set to go. Tomorrow is the Master’s Miata Club Leaf Run. We’ve got our route planned and will highlight it tonight copies of both (SC & GA) states maps. I’m hoping for 5 to 6 cars, that makes a nice manageable group. More would be OK, but then you start having to worry about keeping everyone together.

Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2523.80
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 259

Wisk(ey)

We usually buy the cheapest no name brand clothes soap we can. This week because of a store special and a coupon we picked up some Wisk with Stain Dissolving Power. Tonight when I poured some into the cap for dispensing I swear it smelled like some kind of whiskey.

Closure

Well I think that we have finally got some closure on the whole timing belt fiasco. The $61 check from Rader for the towing charge refund came in the mail today. Would have been a lot nicer on their part if they would have given me the check when I picked up the car 13 days ago instead of making me jump through hoops to get it. Coincidentally the first timing belt failed on the 13th day and having made it home safely I can now breathe a sigh of relief. I’m not sure if it the Red Sox fan in me or if it is my disposition that makes me a perfect fan, but part of me hates to say that out loud.

Let me give you an example of my mind set. Last night in game 4 of the World Series they flashed this text along the bottom of the screen: “The team with a 2 to 1 record has won 10 of 11 of the last World Series.” In this case they mean the Yankees. Had it been the Red Sox I would have felt just the very mention of that would ensure that the next year when they showed that stat it would have read 10 of 12. Of course for a Yankee fan it would just affirm what they already believe – next year it will say, 11 of 12.

Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2523.80
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 259