The weather has been beyond unseasonably warm lately and I was actually able to open the sunroof this afternoon on my way home. Well, the moonroof.. it was still a bit too chilly to open the sunroof entirely. But I'll take it. After spending the last 2 weeks having anything and everything about the SuperBowl crammed down my throat by every media source, I had no intentions of watching the game last night. Besides, there was an SVU marathon on and in the past few years the commercials sucked just about as much as the games have. But I did find myself flipping back and forth a few times since my mother is a die hard Patriots fan. Me? I'm a Jets fan, so I celebrate every time New England loses. I turned the game back on with a minute to go and was hooked. Then feared what 4am would bring, since mom had gone to bed already. She was PISSED in 2008 when the Giants pulled it off, so I could only imagine flying coffee cups and utensils as I got up to pour my coffee. All she said was "they blew it, they deserved to lose." I was rather speechless. I couldn't wait to rub the loss in her face and she just took the fun out of it. Now the media is cramming my least favorite holiday down everyone's throats--Valentine's Day. Even when I was engaged, my fiance minimalized the day because he knew I couldn't (and still can't) stand the day. This year is no different, except for the first time in 15 years, I'm single. Makes no difference to me.
So I have the Golden Girls on while I try to relax and prepare for tomorrow. Eight hours on campus, I have to drop another class to reduce my stress, make up an exam to start finishing up a class from last semester, and start on a small research project due on Thursday. I was able to get all the reading required for the week done today while I sat in a shop getting my front brakes replaced. Last April, my dealership told me that both my front and rear brakes were dangerously low, especially the rear brakes, and if I didn't replace them immediately, I could risk killing myself or someone else. Right. My car is equipped with front brake sensors to let me know when the front pads require replacement (which hadn't gone one--"it doesn't always work" the service writer explained) and I hadn't noticed anything different while driving, but I did go out and buy new rear pads and changed them in about 45 minutes in the driveway. They looked almost new. Last week the light went on indicating the front pads actually were low and I started getting estimates. I was looking at $375-$500+ for a set of pads. Like any sleazy mechanic, the rotors HAD to be changed too. I found a place that would inspect and give me an estimate for free and if it was acceptable, I could have them fixed there. Turns out the rotors were fine (means next time, they might just be able to be cut) and for a little under $200, great customer service, two hours, my car was fixed. And fixed right. Next month I get to replace at least 2 tires (4 if my tax return comes in) and I should be set for quite awhile.
It's funny how a few long, deep breaths and a little bit of faith can make things turn around. I'm still nowhere near I want to be, but I am changing little things at a time in order to get there. A great poet and philosopher once wrote "You are good when you walk to your goal firmly and with bold steps. Yet you are not evil when you go thither limping." --Gibran It couldn't be more true and has been something that has stuck with me since I first read "The Prophet." I'll get there someday.
No comments:
Post a Comment