here’s to hot rods
Took a quality nap this afternoon, much needed. Got off work early, plopped into bed, and slept for 4 solid hours. Needless to say, I’m much refreshed (and no longer dizzy, like I was earlier today). Made some highly successful mac and cheese and headed over to the hangar. I’m driving the Datsun instead of Twinkie this week and wanted to fix the shifter which had been wobbly and notchy (in that order). I knew I needed to machine a brass bushing for the shifter mechanism, I just didn’t think I’d be able to find all the parts I needed and have it in in the car within two hours and change. The shifter is much more precise now, with a definite snick-snick-snick feel. The newfound immediacy of the controls inspired me to go for a *cough* spirited drive through the back roads around here, of which there are many. There certainly seems to be a new urgency to the onrush of power when I upshift to second and bury the throttle. The best part, though, came when I was pushing the speed limit just a tad and let up abuptly on the throttle as I passed some houses. I simultaneously saw a flash in the rear view mirror and heard a *POW* like a kid had lit off a firecracker underneath the rear bumper. It happened once again on the drive back to the apartment–hmmmm *lift throttle* POW! :o) I was grinning from ear to ear the whole time, too. I hope to be able to produce the effect with a degree of predictability–it would be a great deterrent to tailgaters.
I think I like that car.
remind me never to follow you in a car ;)
so how’s the cat doing?
are you still gonna sell twinkie?
if you are (and your brother doesn’t want it) you might have an interested buyer (I’m getting desperate for transportation). Just so long as you can even slightly guarantee that I can get it insured/it won’t die between chapel hill and raleigh :)
Either way, thanks for the pics, too (always easily amused when I’m at work). Uck, nearby lady–has–too–(ack)–much–(cough)–perfume!!! ;P They really should outlaw that stuff. Anyhoo, yeah, ciao!
The cat is… outside for the time being. My neighbor is back and he takes much better care of the cat than I did, so I’ve passed the baton (err–feline?) on to him, so to speak.
I don’t know about Twinkie. My dad still hasn’t given me the official go-ahead to assume ownership of the Datsun, and my brother won’t be driving Twinkie legally until December. I can absolutely guarantee that it won’t die between Chapel Hill and Raleigh. I’ve driven that stretch of 40 more than any other road in my life. But it’s not for sale just yet, though, not for a little bit at least.
Perhaps you should take a gas mask to work tomorrow and wear it whilst you type. Maybe the lady will get the hint. Either that or she’ll think you’re some kind of anarchist. In any event, I’m sure the smell of perfume is much more pleasant than the toxic restroom odors your olfactory membrane was subjected to last I came.
:o)
olfactory membranes
well… could I possibly rent/lease Twinkie from your family until December? I know that might be asking a bit much, but its just something to think about when considering all the options :) I might have enough scholarship money to get myself a real car, but I of course won’t know this until december anyways…
does the cat have a name? Or do you just call it Baton?
Well… I dunno about the rental thing, but I’ll be selling the Taurus as soon as I get it running. It’s an ’89 automatic station wagon with leather and a relatively new engine, installed courtesy of yours truly. It’s been taken good care of. It does have a large dent in the driver’s side rear quarter panel and the heater in non-operational at the moment (which I know how to fix and have the parts for–getting the car running has been the priority lately). It’s got cruise control, a nice sound system, and lots of room inside, too. You can check it out this weekend when you come down if you want. If you end up buying it, I’ll throw in very cheap labor (a dollar an hour?) for repairs, too (which includes said heater and dented quarter panel).
The cat’s (un)official name is Evan. I might have to redub him Baton, though. It just sounds cooler.
eek! a taurus wagon?!
you do realize that is, like, my dream car? Eek! Um… assuming it works, I *definitely* want to buy it (although, it’d be nice to know, do you have a guess as to how much it would be?). Eek! :) Ok, sorry.
About the “cheap labor” I’ll even throw in food when you work on it, deal?
About the cat… yeah, Evan is ok or whatever, but wow, I mean, “Baton” is just *so* much cooler ;)
saw this and thought you might want to know…
Dear Doctor Science,
If I teach my cat to poop in the toilet, will she stop drinking from the toilet?
— Data Diva from Silicon Valley, CA
Unfortunately, no. Matters of simple hygiene tend to confound felines, though they are very prissy when it comes to personal grooming. Compared to dogs, cats are the Cary Grant of household pets, while dogs are the Wallace Beery of the same. For those of you who are too young to catch my cinematic allusions, you’re too young to understand what I’m saying, anyway. Why make things harder than they need to be? Let your cat use the catbox, and let it drink bottled water, preferably European spring water chilled to a comfortable fifty-eight degrees.
:o)
Sounds good to me (the free food whilst I work on the car). I’ll let you know when I get it running. Should be either tonight or tomorrow. When are you going to be in town? When I get it done, I’ll be asking about $2.5K for the car. I think it’s reasonable considering its condition (leather, cruise, power everything, nice sound system, cold AC, almost free repairs)
Wow, that’s really, um, helpful. :o) Thank you for that nugget of wisdom, though. I knew the cat wouldn’t accept the 61-degree mineral water. What was I thinking?
that sounds pretty good, the only problem is that I wouldn’t be able to pay for all of it just yet (once I get Fall financial aid, it won’t be a problem). Just so you know…
I’ll be in town from midday friday, then swinging back by on Sunday. Whichever day is good for you, maybe I could come by and look at it?