November 29, 2007

Damn Car

Can't sleep. And to make things worse, I'm tired as hell. Eyes burning. My mind just won't shut off...

Yesterday wasn't a bad day, overall, but it sure as hell wasn't one of the better ones.

Car developed a head gasket leak. While it wasn't anything major, it did need to be fixed, and as soon as possible. I was babying the car in an effort to keep it from needing work before I could afford it. Didn't work out that way...

Take it to a shop, and it will easily cost you a grand, if not half again as much. I don't have that kind of ching. The move out here cleaned out the last of my savings, which wasn't much to begin with, and that was with the company paying for the move. Since I started working again, I've been trying to build up a cushion for when things like this happen. Mr. Murphy refuses to cooperate and let the cushion actually exist. Bastard.

A guy that I work with was able to hook me up with his neighbor, who is a shop mechanic. The guy will be able to do the work for cheap... a little over half of what it would cost in the shop. That's still more than I have available, but is in the range of affordable... if that makes sense.

I know, some of you may be thinking, "Dude, you'd be better off going to a shop who guarantees their work. Pay the extra money." Hell, I was kinda thinking the same thing. But the thing is, I don't have the extra money to pay, nor the time to acquire said money. Honestly, that is. (We had overtime scheduled for Saturday, which was a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, but after the car screwed up, OT was dropped. Imagine that.) And once I met this guy, I felt a lot better.

My bro is a mech for Harley, and he does bike work for family and close friends out of his garage. His work is also his hobby, and a matter of pride. Serious pride.

This guy is the same way. Not to mention, as he says, he knows he needs to do a good job when working out of his house... because if someone has a problem, they know where he lives!

Anyway, being a natural born worrier, this has since been rolling over in my mind. Crap like this does little to encourage me, and if Mr. Murphy was an actual person, I would be plotting revenge. I don't think a beating would actually help anything, because he would know who I was, but to strike from a distance... yeah... that'd be the ticket.

Well, I suppose I should try to get some sleep... I've gotta be up in an hour and a half to catch a ride to work.

Wheeee...

Posted by That 1 Guy at November 29, 2007 02:19 AM | TrackBack
Comments

The best mechanics are those that have a "side" business doing the same thing they do for the man during the day.

Posted by: Quality Weenie at November 29, 2007 08:05 AM

That sucks, dude. Still....always look on the bright side of life...

::whistles::

Posted by: zonker at November 29, 2007 08:25 AM

Mr Murphy is a prick.

Posted by: ktreva at November 29, 2007 07:27 PM

You're better off with the side guy. He wants a repeat customer, and you're right: it's a matter of pride. A major mechanic (read: dealership) doesn't give two hoots in hell about their work, or you. And if they screw it up they'll rally round the flag to cover each others' asses. Good luck. I'm on safari for Murphy, BTW. Let you know if I bag him.

Posted by: Velociman at November 29, 2007 08:03 PM

Hey, if we still lived there I'd send the hubby up to work on your car for cheap, too. Divine Supreme Being knows that we need the monies right about now. I can't wait until that friggin GI bill kicks in. How sad is that? hah.

Posted by: Mink at November 29, 2007 09:28 PM

Good luck. If there's anything I can do, LMK.
I hate vehicle fuckups.

Posted by: Smokin at November 30, 2007 08:57 PM