GTI Mods

(about every fourth)
Friday Night Is All Right
(for dancing)

This is the third time I’ve been out dancing at the bar that is practically across the street. The Northwest Transit Band has a definite yacht rock vibe and is fun for those of us of a certain age that recognize the songs and that are perfectly suited for shaking around in a haphazard way. It seems like they play at Celebrities about once a month, which is just the right gap for a night on the town and a bit of what some people might call dancing.

This time it was back to just Tere and me; last month’s extra two didn’t join us. Apparently, she and I connected to the music, and the other two did not. Tere’s beau, Jason, asked if it was alright if he didn’t go (of course it was OK), and Donna didn’t go because once was enough for her.

Tere and I have adopted the stance of, “We’ll never see these people ever again,” so we just cut loose. This isn’t exactly correct, as I think I’m starting to recognize a few of the people, but I still don’t care (this comes with the wisdom of age.) The band will back on the 29th of August and we’ll be there.

Red Sox chances of making the Wild Card round in the 2026 playoffs: 81.9%

 

Third Exhaust Pipe

I already have a bike rack, a Bones 2-Bike Trunk Rack, but it is not recommended for use on vinyl wrap like on the GTI, so I bought a rack that goes into a trailer hitch, a Kuat Sherpa 2.0.

Today was my appointment at U-Haul to have a trailer hitch installed. I had an appointment for the first of the day, 9:00am, walked up to the counter, gave them the key, and I was told that it would be about 45 minutes. So I took my morning walk around the giant shopping center that was right next door. Even ducking into a couple of the stores and doing a bit of window shopping.

I was working my way back to U-Haul, and the phone rang; the car was ready. I looked at the time, and it was 9:45. When I did get to U-Haul, there was a line almost out the door. From the door until I made it to a register to pay for the install, that took the same 45 minutes it took them to install it.

Red Sox chances of making the Wild Card round in the 2026 playoffs: 80.5%

 

T.G.I.F.T.

Took the GTI for a spin this afternoon to wear off the tacky residue of the stickers that are on the tires when they are new. And to take some photos of the car showing what the new wheels look like.

My destination was Sandy for lunch. I had no idea where I was going to eat once I got there though. At the start I was thinking that I would go Mexican, and because it was Friday, maybe I could snag some fish tacos. I stopped once I got in town and hit up Google for a recommendation. Oooh, a barbeque place with outdoor seating, so I made my way over to Sandbar BBQ.

I got seated and handed a water and a menu. The waitress asked, “Do you want something besides the water?” I did and asked for iced tea; off she went to get that and looked at the menu. Hmmm, brisket, chicken, or pork…over to the right column I spotted tacos, and they had fish! So I got fish tacos at a barbeque joint, and they were damn good. I guess a return visit is in order so I can actually try the BBQ.

Thank Goodness It’s Fish Tacos

Red Sox chances of making the Wild Card round in the 2026 playoffs: 10.2%

 

The New Bronze Age

The last three wheels and tires for the GTI showed up late afternoon. I got them all mounted, but when I was done, it was too late/dark to get photos. The wheels came with center caps that have a big S on them because the manufacturer is Sparco. The original wheels have the VW logo in them, and I would like that, but the diameters weren’t the same, so I couldn’t swap those center caps from one wheel to the other. I bet I could get my buddy in Albuquerque to custom-make some that have a VW on them. Or maybe make them with GTIs instead.

Red Sox chances of making the Wild Card round in the 2026 playoffs: 9.9%

 

Bye Buds

While chatting with neighbor Tere over the fence several weeks ago, I noticed an odd-looking thing that sort of surrounded her ear. At first I thought maybe they were cochlear implants, so I didn’t ask. I did what anyone would do; I entered long strings of words into Google until I got a picture of what she was wearing. They were bone conduction earphones.

That sounded really good to me because I have several in-ear earbuds that I have trouble keeping in my ears. I have three sets, one for each car and another to use while in front of the PC, and all of them don’t stay in my ears very well. They all came with three different sizes of the flexible cones to allow for a fit in many sizes of ear canals. I’ve tried all three, but none stay put.

I’ve been mulling it around, and then on Saturday the person in front of me in line at the coffee shop had a set on, so I went home and did some research. I searched for reviews and tests, and then I put in “best bone conduction headphones,” and the consensus winner is the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, which retails for $180. Wow, I have to think about that. Of course if you check Amazon for these things, they start at $20 and work their way up to that $180.

The clincher was that just two days later, after the Google and Amazon searches, what should appear in my Instagram feed but an ad for bone conduction earphones. Nice work Internet! I figured instead of getting something via that way, I’d go to a review site and click on an Amazon affiliate link. Instead of the $180 top-of-the-line, I’d just buy the regular OpenRun Pro (no “2” on the end) for 70% the cost of the big boy.

Fedex arrived this afternoon with one wheel and tire for the GTI. Hopefully tomorrow the other 3 arrive…

Red Sox chances of making the Wild Card round in the 2026 playoffs: 14.0%

 

Two Days In The Life

Monday was pretty much a washout as well, but at least I got out of the house for a coffee. I also swapped vehicle order, putting the GTI up front; it is its week to be driven. Also yesterday, I pulled the trigger on dedicated summer tires on new wheels for said GTI. They’ll be here tomorrow.

Today I got out. First was a trip to the ATM to take out some cash, then I went to Fred Meyer for a couple items I should have bought on my regular Friday trip. I know I could have gotten cash out at the grocery store, but I like to take it out in a big chunk, which exceeds what Freddy will let me take out. Plus I needed to take the GTI out for a spin. I needed the practice too; I actually stalled the car taking off from the first light I came to. On the way home I grabbed my usual latte, and even though I had ridden the exercycle for 45 minutes this morning, I walked a mile and a half while sipping on it.

Red Sox chances of making the Wild Card round in the 2026 playoffs: 17.3%

 

I Think I’m Clever


GRN JKT is license plate speak for “green jacket.”
The GTI is a Volkswagen Golf.
The Masters is a big deal Golf tournament.
When you win the Masters, you get a green-colored sport coat.
The black GTI has been jacketed with a green-colored vinyl.
I was shooting for clever.
Or is it too obtuse?