…although it seems that my speedometer registers as five mph faster than I’m actually going. In all other respects, though, the car is very very nice and did everything I asked of it on a shakedown cruise up 280 and back down Skyline Drive. Only downside of the drive was the revelation that Sirius really does not do well with complete overhead foliage – but Bama was up by three touchdowns the whole time anyway, so it’s all good.
The temperature appears to finally be breaking – I don’t think there’s a forecast high over 70 for the next week. That is a good thing. I need autumnal conditions – cold nights, crisp cider, leather jacket, the works.
Things continue to develop…
Company just gave us the whole week off at Thanksgiving. This is helpful – but at some point, I’m going to have to burn some of this leave. The tendency to get an entire week at Thanksgiving and Christmas means that I don’t have to use leave for a trip home for a major holiday, and it’s not like I have to fly to California to see my sweetie four and five times a year – so annual leave, for me, tends to get used around Decoration Day and that’s almost it. Well, I also use some on the annual trip to Yosemite, but that’s never more than a couple of days. And I suppose if we go to a bowl game this year, I’d need it then…and hell, let’s be honest, I’d love to take time off and go to New York or New Orleans for a week, or even just back to DC for a trip to the public house formerly known as the 4P’s.
The new car has been pretty good, by the way – day 4 and I’m still getting used to it. I think this weekend pretty much demands an all-day ridearound, hopefully with Bama or Vandy on the radio, so I can get used to the feel of the thing up on Skyline Drive and down around Half Moon Bay. The feel is good, and the new car smell is oddly reminiscent of spring 1993, the last time I took a new car out for a spin…
When it happens, it happens fast
Same story as ever. This time it’s the car – after the first couple of Rabbits fell through, I went looking for another one with even fewer options – and just when I was ready to give up, Jennie threw herself into calling around. What she discovered in 20 minutes was a vehicle in San Rafael with all the options I wanted save one, an option to have that one installed upon delivery, and (even more important) nothing I didn’t want and would be stuck paying for just to get the car.
So this weekend, I’ll be picking up a new gray Rabbit, with sunroof, ESP, eight air bags, and an Alpine stereo system with integrated Sirius sat-radio, an iPod connector in the center console, and ten speakers. For invoice, plus a little extra for the aftermarket radio. Home run. Thanks, sugar. =)
How many chickens is that again?
Looks like the VW guy overestimated his ability to do a deal with the dealership up north. Now it doesn’t look like I will be able to get a Rabbit to spec before January, barring a miracle swap of some sort (which itself would not deliver a car until about December 1). Now that the Dodge Caliber is on the work discount program – at invoice less one percent, no less – I could spec it up and get out for $17,500, with 28 MPG city to boot. I think it may be time to open up the bidding again.
Actually, right now I’d just settle for windshield wipers that wipe properly.
I should be posting more, shouldn’t I?
Every passing day reminds me of how glad I am to be married, how glad I am to have the house, and how glad I am that I got out of the profession of political science. At least in high-tech, you have reason and science and objective truth. There’s a reason the PSCI degree is a BA.
Still waiting to get word on the car – should be a done deal by now, but it may be as long as another week and a half to take delivery. Meanwhile, my casting about for a new phone has run up on the rocky shores of “nothing worth paying for a handset AND reverting to paying for my own service again.” Sure, I’d like a 2-megapixel camera and the ability to moblog and be able to get my e-mail and surf the web anywhere, and maybe play some of my iTunes stuff besides, but for $300 down and another $50 a month? Forget that. I’ll slide by with my iPod and my L2 for nothing down and nothing a month. Especially with a car payment coming soon.
Wish Vandy hadn’t lost to Ole Miss. We needed that one to have any hope for a bowl game. Maybe next year – I think most of the principle figures on the team are back next season. Not counting on Alabama to do much the rest of the way, especially with games left to play against UT, LSU and Auburn. Naturally, the wife is pleased with the fact that if Cal runs the table, they’ll be in the Rose Bowl…