For one thing… Toney’s car. It’s now repaired, but it was an adventure. The first garage gave us an estimate of more than $1200, and I said funk dat. I don’t trust those people. I used to trust them, but not anymore. There’s a new manager, and I get the feeling he doesn’t have our best interest at heart.
We ended up leaving the car in his lot for a few days, because it was supposedly “undrivable,” while we decided what to do. We talked with several private garages, and settled on one, based on positive reports from a couple of Toney’s friends. The guy is supposedly trustworthy, and that’s what we needed: trustworthy, along with skilled, and maybe less expensive. That was our wishlist.
But, how to get it from the first garage to the second? They’re only five miles apart, but the first dude said we’d destroy the engine if we drove it. I didn’t want to pay for a tow, if it wasn’t necessary. But I sure as hell didn’t want to shred the motor, either.
I talked with the owner of the second garage, and he said he’d send “one of his guys” to pick it up. He’d know if it was OK to drive, which sounded good to me. But the dude at the first garage wasn’t amused. I called and told him to hand over the keys to the person who would be showing up in the next few minutes, and he was PISSED.
“Who is this guy?!” he demanded.
Without being a complete dick, I let him know it was none of his concern. I was a little worried he’d try to charge us a storage fee, or go out there and sabotage the car before the other guy arrived. But, I guess we dodged those bullets.
Long story a little less long… the car is now fixed, and we got to part with $975 to make it so. My nipples are exploding with delight. A thousand bucks to get back to where we were two weeks ago.
Also, the new shirts have cost me a little bit o’ stomach lining. I told you the T-Shirt Lady sold her company, right? And the new owner types in ALL CAPS, which automatically disqualifies him? I think I mentioned all this.
Well, it wasn’t easy finding a replacement. There’s no shortage of shirt printers around here, but they all sounded like burned-out potheads to me. Not that I care about such things, in the abstract, but don’t really like the idea of going into business with them. Ya know?
One guy kept getting the fronts and backs mixed up, and God only knows what I would’ve received from him. Both front designs on one shirt, and both back designs on the other? The dude sounded like he was ripping bongloads while we were speaking on the phone.
I eventually found a normal human being to do the shirts, and guess what? One of the production files was unusable. I won’t bore you with the details, but I had to go back to the artist, and ask for some additional formatting work to be done. So, the black shirt hasn’t even been started yet. I apologize, but it’s the way EVERYTHING seems to go for me. I’m largely unfamiliar with the concept of “uncomplicated.”
In fact, there’s no reason why we can’t take a few more orders while we’re waiting for our friend in Fiji to work her magic. If you want one of the black shirts, and missed the original deadline, order away. This window of opportunity will probably close tomorrow, so now’s your chance.
The good news? The gray shirt is in the works. I’ll keep you updated.
What’s been going on with you guys? Any fresh aggravations? Or maybe even some good news? That would be a novelty, huh? Please bring us up to date on it in the comments.
And I’ll be back with a normal update tomorrow.
Now playing in the bunker
Use the Surf Report’s webhost: HostGator!
Uno.
A trustworthy mechanic might be the only thing better than a good barber.
SOS here.
Drove to Idlewild outside of Pittsburgh this weekend. So new aggravations are PA drivers, the turnpike, and stupid PA beer laws.
The only hotel room where we were was a smoking room, not a fan. We smelled like we had been in a bar for three days after about 10 minutes.
I did however get to cross PA off of the states I’ve banged in.
My truck is current;y in an impound lot and will be heading to a mechanic. Radiator/engine issues. Blurgh.
Song for the day Bottle Rockets – 1,000 Dollar Car
My aggravations seem to be money right now (what’s new). Since I got laid off in April I’ve been trying to figure out what it is I want to do with my life (is that a question that can ever be answered?!) and have been coming up with a black hole in my brain. I have a vague idea of what I want to do, which involves starting up my own movie theater (single screen) in a nearby town, but I have $0 to start up with. I have looked at a few locations and get all excited thinking of the possibilities, but know in the end I have no way to make it all happen, so I get bummed out. Now I’m facing the very possible reality that I may be forced to go back to the career I hated (government) just to get money back in my pockets and I can’t stand that thought. I feel like I have a chance to make a life altering change, but have no way to do it. Whoever said money can’t buy you happiness was a fucking prick.
Sounds cool melissa. My hometown had a small single screen theater it was great but it’s been closed and in various states of disrepair since about 1988.
When I lived in virginia this theater (http://roselandonancock.com/) was up the street from me, it was pretty cool. One movie a week usually and not quite second run. More like 1.5 run. I’d buy a little airplane bottle of vodka at the liquor store and a lemonade at the theater and watch away. During the week they sometimes did arty films which is how I saw pan’s labyrinth and loved it.
My wife wanted to start a business utilizing all the stay-at-home Mormon moms she knows. I suggested an escort service. She should call it LDScorts.
Mormoms
Whats your competition? I work with someone on occasion who is the owner of a local Independent Cinema (reopened depression era cinema). They are mostly centered around film festival films, international films and stuff of that ilk. They do alright. The main competition, which I honestly don’t know if they still are open, that has a similar film genre is a national company with lots of advertising dollars, so the battle for customers is always looming. We are a University town, from what I gather, that is a major reason they can keep the doors open. The advantage they have is they can cater to the more obscure films that the big company won’t play due to low customer volume for those. But there have been lean times, hence the reason theres a fulltime job…working for a government entity…
Melissa….DO NOT give up on your dream!!! Even if you have to go back to a shitbag job, put money aside for the theatre. Check into small business associations and loans for women. It is a horrible, defeated feeling to go back to an uninspiring, deadend job. I know. I do it daily. However, I have realize that life is too short for that bullshit. So I have been interviewing like crazy for other positions that will afford me more time for designing my jewelry. Since turning 50, it’s time for a change that is inspiring and creative. I’m tired of being depressed and sick to my stomach over work. Good luck to you!! Don’t give up!!
I agree with bikerchick…however, if you have to meet the bill payments, head to something lie TSA. Seriously, I’m a well paid Fed, and I reallty do work hard, but seriously, I wish I woulda started much earlir. Get out there and do what you do Melissa!
cinco…
I manage a 10 bedroom 13th Century villa in a small hilltop town in Tuscany. I’ve been dealing with French tourists all week. They leave on Saturday morning and another load of Frenchies shows up in the afternoon. That’s right…back to back French fucks. I just got a call from the ones arriving next week. He wanted to know if I knew what the temps would be here next week. I told him I didn’t know but it’s been about 85 this week. Then he wanted to know what the temperature of the rooms are. He said “my cousins are very concerned that there is not air conditioning. We are French”. What the fuck does that mean? I have no fucking idea what temp the rooms are – I just made a wild ass guess and told him the rooms are about 75. “We will need fans. At least two”. Who is this guy??
As you can imagine, I was on the horn to the owner in London faster than you can say ‘cheese eating surrender monkey’.
By this time next week I guarantee you I will have a nervous tick. Fuck these French fucks.
I was thinking about you earlier, when I saw a tornado went through Milan. Had to goggle map to see how close that was.
Rester hors de danger mon ami invisible! Vive le français!
We had one earlier in the year that was fairly close here – near Modena. Close enough for me – thanks for the thought!
There is some weird weather going on here. Last week we had a sandstorm from Africa and everything was covered in a really fine, tan colored sand from the Sahara. I’m above Lucca in Northern Italy – this happens in Sicily from time to time, but not here. They’re telling us not to wash our cars or balconies until Thursday because they’re expecting another one.
Jesus, I hope we don’t have one with that group here. No telling what they’ll want me to go out and buy.
If a tornado is spotted, the French folks will throw up their hands and surrender to it.
Bet your ass it won’t be deodorant.
Maybe the extra fans are spawning the tornadoes? It sounds like good logic to me–and I suspect those Frenchmen will believe it, too!
If they give you any more crap just mention all the war debt we forgave in order to keep their government from collapsing.
If that doesn’t work tell them you double booked a bunch of German tourists for the week and they’ll have to settle with Germans if they want to stay.
Problem solved.
“He said “my cousins are very concerned that there is not air conditioning. We are French”. What the fuck does that mean?”
He means, obviously, that he and his cousins stink to high-heaven of the body odor of the unwashed French, and if it’s greater than 70 degrees in their room, they will stink to such a degree that even a Frenchman (who ordinarily does not notice the stink) will start to get annoyed by the unpleasant scents emanating from under ze arms and ze crotches.
While you’re at the tick, work on a good old case of Tourette’s to go along with it.
Sorry ze French are bustin’ your cannolis Knucklehead….
Sorry if that post sounded like I already had Tourette’s – I had just gotten off the phone with the guy about 5 minutes before I posted that.
The sting was still fresh.
Time to make like Basil Fawlty, that should make the week with the surrender monkeys more pleasurable.
Fans: Make a folded paper fan like you did when you where a kid. After all, they didn’t specify electric…
Brilliant! I just may do that!
“Don’t mention the war”
Does that happen alot? Because I would think if I called a hotel with shitty requests and said “I’m American!” they would take an extra big red white and blue shit under my bed.
No aggravations lately.
And for what it’s worth, I had actually forgotten about the shirts.
I know payment was received (thanks again) and my other shirts have always arrived so I have no casue to be concerned.
It’s like Christmas, it will get here when it gets here.
So don’t go adding any worries on my behalf. I’m completely relaxed here. Take your time, it’s cool.
My aggravation also has to do with cars–we have spongy brakes on our van. I’ve bled the system twice to no avail. Looks like it could be some serious dollar signs which really sucks, since I just dropped $800 in it to change the timing belt last month. On the bright side however, it’s the first time we’ve ever really put any money in it and it’s 11 years old, so I’ll just hush.
This probably wouldn’t have happened if I had Blizzaks!
My car she needed an oil change, which is a problem for me as I am French!
Hahahaha!
I just dumped $500 into my car for new tires. Then I had to see a periodontist for massive bone loss between 2 of my teeth. Was initially told by my dentist I may need a bone graft. But this periodontist guy said he could do laser surgery. So I’m thrilled about that but I have to see what my shithole insurance will pay. I get tapped out at $2000 per year and this surgery is like $2800 so at the minimum it’s $800 out of my pocket.
Went to close my garage door last night and saw movement out of the corner of my eye. Friggin coyote slinking across the field. It stopped and looked right at me so genius, here YELLS at it. It slunk down under a small hill and into the woods.
I’ve been in this new job (same company) for a month now and can’t bring myself to like it. Especially when I’m getting feedback from my old job which I loved, about how much they miss me and want me back. But I had no choice – which really burns my ass – and management can take a flying shitball to the eye.
Since my life is nothing but stress and bad news, I will share one good thing coming up. Going to Ocean City, MD next week for a few days. It will be our daughters first time at the beach. My husband worked his ass off to pay for the trip and I can’t wait to just relax on the beach for a few days and get away from my daily stress.
Nice, TR! Enjoy. Sounds like you could realy use a little R&R.
Or R&B.
Or both!
LMAO thanks, I do need it.
Shoot up to Rehoboth Beach and grab some Dogfish Head
This aggravation is fresh, but not novel. Service technicians from work pestering me for support even though a) it’ 6:00pm and b) I’m supposedly on vacation this week.
Another one: the Paypal “add to cart” link doesn’t seem to work.
For good news, I’ve got pretty much bupkus.
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I replaced the PayPal link, chill. It should work now. See? See how it goes?
Thanks, Jeff. Two shirts on order.
And good fucking god, if it’s not one fucking thing it’s another. RIP Gilda Radner.
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I hear these things come in threes. Hope the Belushi boys stay safe.
Your agida is my good luck! Between work and vacation, I missed the original t shirt window, so quickly added my order today!
Got a call from my bank’s fraud group today. Someone stole my debit card number (among thousands) and I was forced to get another card, which means modifying all my information for direct debits. Second time in 3 months. Card thieves deserve a special place in hell…
Apparently, as best as I can tell…I committed suicide about five months ago.
My aggravations are just of the garden-variety tired of living sort.
Jeff is paying to fix ze car and I am paying to fix ze dog.
My little buddy had an ear infection (actually yeast). The vet charges $155 to look in her ear and give me a bottle of Elmer’s Glue to drip in her ear.
Then, my daughter is feeding the dog popcorn. A couple days later, I notice the dog is not eating, looks really sad, and will barely lift her head, very lethargic. Back to the vet.
She broke a tooth, got infected, and needs dental work.
Blood test $244
Anesthesia, remove 2 teeth, tiny bottle of pills $910
Fuck me. This is severely cutting into my booze and drug money.
Famous story of one of the Wise Old Heads of electricity, Charles Steinmetz. A client complains of a generator not working right. Steinmetz investigates, places a chalk X on the generator housing, saying “look under here – this is where the short circuit is”. Steinmetz sends a bill for $5000, which was a lot of money in the 19th century. When the client squawks for an explanation, Steinmetz clarifies that it was $5 for making the chalk mark, and $4995 for knowing where to put it.
This is how experts earn their keep.
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With regard to the “Hugs not Drugs” sentiment expressed in the Bunker Cam photo. I don’t understand their mutual exclusivity.
jtb
Things are going better with me via the job search–I did my usual “angry positive” thing and instead of following advice of how to get people to notice my resume, I just went down and asked the folks about programs that would cause me to leap over the passive waiting for phone calls. There’s apparently some program (thanks gov’mint!) that pays for folks to deal with secretaries (and other folks) who have 20 years of experience and no job (or something like that).
Whatever it is, it sounds good to me–sending out resumes and hearing NOTHING back can fuck with the psyche. Tell me you have no interest in hiring me! I was a music major, I dealt with music juries…I think I can deal with you saying you don’t want to hire me! GAH!
Music Jury? You are guilty of voluntary earslaughter?
When I first read that, I saw “…dealt with music injuries…” I was guessing they might include Sax Lip and Trombone Thumb.
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Major shoulder surgery next week. Two tears in my rotator cuff and detached tendon. Going to be out of commission for 4-6 weeks. Even though my deductible is maxed from gall bladder removal in March, my 10% co-pay is going to be $1100. All this on top of having to replace my laptop after shitting the bed and the daughter’s first semester at college payment due in nine days.
Oh man. Phil, good luck on the shoulder surgery. And all the rest of the stuff but especially the shoulder.
My most recent frustration was finding out I’m the lowest-paid member on my team. And I’ve been here a year longer than four of them. They got hired in for more than I’m making now… FUCK.
Also, I may have to move from Columbus to Chicago to move my way up the ladder at the company. Not sure how I feel about that.
After having spent about 4 hours on the phone with AT&T technical support, the only good thing that has happened to me was being able to order my t-shirt (I let the original deadline slide by). I’m frustrated and happy at the same time, which is a very strange situation to be in.
MAJOR roller-coaster of good/bad news here. Wifey got a job BEFORE graduating school, I’m hopefully looking at a promotion (sp?) at work. We recently moved and 2 days after found out EVERY water faucet leaks like the fuckin Titanic when being used, it rained the first night in here and my son’s room rains internally, and I opened one cabinet to find 3, three, THREE, mice looking back at me! The landlord said every propert of his is HUD approved (even though that’s not us). BOOLSHIT! If HUD just looked at this place they’d laugh him out of approval. We’ve been here 4 days and already are looking for a new place.