Saturday, September 25, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
new car
So I've had a bit of excitement recently. Apologies to those of you that have heard this story.
I had no school two Tuesdays ago because of Rosh Hashana and planned to take my car to the dealer because it still wasn't right (stalling at every stop light, strange warning lights flashing at me etc.) after spending $2,000 since June. So I dropped off the car at 7:45am and planned to wait until they told me what was wrong and try to make a decision then as to whether or not I was going to invest more money. So at 5:00pm after waiting in a room the size of a cubicle and watching horrible cartoons all day, they came back and told me it would be another $1,000 to fix it. It turns out that the part that started all the money dumping was defective - joy. They of course (insert snarky tone of voice) suggested to me that I trade in the car and get rid of it as soon as possible - "would I like to see what they've got on the lot??"
So I looked around the lot, discussed my preferences, what I would use the car for etc and I test drove a 2010 Nissan Versa 4 door hatchback (silver). I really liked it but wasn't about to sign any paper that put me into more debt on the day I was going to get my car fixed - too fast. I told them this was all moving too fast and that I wanted time to think about it. They of course (snarkiness) offered to have me drive it home and bring it back the next evening. I agreed. I drove it to my parents house and my mom had dinner waiting (isn't she the best!) and my parents and I took a test drive together. I drove back home, checked the lock three time to make sure it was secure and went to bed around 10:00pm. What a day!
The next morning I got ready for work and walked out my front door, turned the corner toward the parking lot, and as I walked slowly - very slowly - toward the parking lot, I realized the car was not there - the parking space was empty. I tell you, I actually closed my eyes and took another look, hoping and praying that if I opened my eyes again, the car would be there - that this was some kind of horrible mind trick. Nope. The car that wasn't even mine, that I had practically signed my life away to, was missing in action. Shear panic came over me. My mind began to race and I ran to the Management office to see if anyone was there to report that my car had been stolen. Of course (snark) no one was there and as I repeatedly said, "Oh my God" as if I was some sort of scratchy broken record, I walked back through the parking lot. As I walked I notice a sign, " _________ Towing - strictly enforced." Oh #$%^&*. I never got the parking sticker off my old car (because I never even saw the old car before I left the dealership).
I went back inside, plugged my cell phone (which was dead) into the charger and called the towing company with a shaky voice and weak knees. Yes, they had my car - $220 dollars cash, open 24/7 for my convenience. Yeah, right (complete snarky - my convenience).
I called work, my dept. head came and rescued me and took me to work so I could teach 2nd and 3rd period. My dad drove down and picked me up, took me to the bank, and we went to get "my" car. The towing company just happens to be in the worst part of Baltimore - even in the daylight. It's the kind of place that you have to be buzzed in to, and the people (1 receptionist and 1 cop) working there are behind bullet-proof plexi-glass. I had real high hopes about the car not being damaged. Luckily it wasn't!!!
I paid (let me just say that my management company was great and helped me out), picked up the car, and drove to the Hyaundi dealership to test drive a car very similar. I didn't want to make my decision without at least doing SOME shopping.
In the end, I drove back to the Nissan dealer and bought my new car by 6:00pm. What a couple of 48 hours!! I love it and have no regrets. I feel like the car and I bonded already! We already went through a disaster - it was meant to be, and as I drove her out of that horrid towing parking lot, I felt like I was saving her! :-)
She's cute, and reliable, and safe. Now I just need to give her a proper name. Any ideas?????
I had no school two Tuesdays ago because of Rosh Hashana and planned to take my car to the dealer because it still wasn't right (stalling at every stop light, strange warning lights flashing at me etc.) after spending $2,000 since June. So I dropped off the car at 7:45am and planned to wait until they told me what was wrong and try to make a decision then as to whether or not I was going to invest more money. So at 5:00pm after waiting in a room the size of a cubicle and watching horrible cartoons all day, they came back and told me it would be another $1,000 to fix it. It turns out that the part that started all the money dumping was defective - joy. They of course (insert snarky tone of voice) suggested to me that I trade in the car and get rid of it as soon as possible - "would I like to see what they've got on the lot??"
So I looked around the lot, discussed my preferences, what I would use the car for etc and I test drove a 2010 Nissan Versa 4 door hatchback (silver). I really liked it but wasn't about to sign any paper that put me into more debt on the day I was going to get my car fixed - too fast. I told them this was all moving too fast and that I wanted time to think about it. They of course (snarkiness) offered to have me drive it home and bring it back the next evening. I agreed. I drove it to my parents house and my mom had dinner waiting (isn't she the best!) and my parents and I took a test drive together. I drove back home, checked the lock three time to make sure it was secure and went to bed around 10:00pm. What a day!
The next morning I got ready for work and walked out my front door, turned the corner toward the parking lot, and as I walked slowly - very slowly - toward the parking lot, I realized the car was not there - the parking space was empty. I tell you, I actually closed my eyes and took another look, hoping and praying that if I opened my eyes again, the car would be there - that this was some kind of horrible mind trick. Nope. The car that wasn't even mine, that I had practically signed my life away to, was missing in action. Shear panic came over me. My mind began to race and I ran to the Management office to see if anyone was there to report that my car had been stolen. Of course (snark) no one was there and as I repeatedly said, "Oh my God" as if I was some sort of scratchy broken record, I walked back through the parking lot. As I walked I notice a sign, " _________ Towing - strictly enforced." Oh #$%^&*. I never got the parking sticker off my old car (because I never even saw the old car before I left the dealership).
I went back inside, plugged my cell phone (which was dead) into the charger and called the towing company with a shaky voice and weak knees. Yes, they had my car - $220 dollars cash, open 24/7 for my convenience. Yeah, right (complete snarky - my convenience).
I called work, my dept. head came and rescued me and took me to work so I could teach 2nd and 3rd period. My dad drove down and picked me up, took me to the bank, and we went to get "my" car. The towing company just happens to be in the worst part of Baltimore - even in the daylight. It's the kind of place that you have to be buzzed in to, and the people (1 receptionist and 1 cop) working there are behind bullet-proof plexi-glass. I had real high hopes about the car not being damaged. Luckily it wasn't!!!
I paid (let me just say that my management company was great and helped me out), picked up the car, and drove to the Hyaundi dealership to test drive a car very similar. I didn't want to make my decision without at least doing SOME shopping.
In the end, I drove back to the Nissan dealer and bought my new car by 6:00pm. What a couple of 48 hours!! I love it and have no regrets. I feel like the car and I bonded already! We already went through a disaster - it was meant to be, and as I drove her out of that horrid towing parking lot, I felt like I was saving her! :-)
She's cute, and reliable, and safe. Now I just need to give her a proper name. Any ideas?????
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Balance
I've been thinking a lot lately about a balanced life. I've thought about how hard it is to overcome the entropy or disorder that is natural in life. In scientific terms, entropy is the natural order of things - the way life overcomes it by work. And work requires energy. This is what I explain to my students every year, and somehow it seems like a metaphor for my life.
But what happens when you don't have enough energy (and I also think - time)? That is the foundation for work and ultimately balance - but sometimes you just feel that you work and work and work and it just isn't enough to get to the balance.
How do you find the energy? How do you rejuvenate the spirit? What do you think?
But what happens when you don't have enough energy (and I also think - time)? That is the foundation for work and ultimately balance - but sometimes you just feel that you work and work and work and it just isn't enough to get to the balance.
How do you find the energy? How do you rejuvenate the spirit? What do you think?
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