Happy Birthday to me

It’s not brand new, but it’s new to me.
And the best birthday present I’ve ever gotten.

The road I drive every day to work, is a tough one. It’s dirt mixed with little pebbles, large rocks, and many dips and holes. There is a section that makes me feel like I’m doing a four-wheeling rock climb, and while that is just cool in itself, the Honda of SS’s I have been driving since my accident in April, just wasn’t cutting it. Plus, with El Nino supposedly coming ten fold this year, SS was determined he wasn’t going to be riding his motorcycle to work every day for the next two years while I finish school. So, he went out and bought me this truck for my birthday. That’s how bad he wanted his Honda back.

So, every day, I drive this Escape down a long, windy, bumpy road, and she gets me there. In one piece. She’s a real good sport about it, because I know that road isn’t very forgiving.

I see camping trips, 4-wheel-drive back road mud days, and a teenage boy that won’t complain about the lack of room in the small car anymore. Score!

Now she just needs an appropriate name. I don’t know why I assume she’s a female. Maybe because she’s not a monster truck with large tires? Who knows. Either way, this baby needs a name.

P.S. I’ve already got the Kyle Busch stickers on order for the back window. And of course, the MsNscr license plate will be on just as soon as we get all the registration stuff from the dmv.  :)

Behind the Wrench.

“I may be a mechanic, but I can’t fix stupid.”

‘67 Corvette Stingray

Today, we’re talking with SS about what it takes to be an Auto Mechanic, and the ups and downs of dealing with machines. And the people that drive them.

Me: How did you decide to become an Automotive Mechanic?
SS: “Growing up, I always helped my dad work on his cars, and I was good at it. When I started at the local community college after high school, I took several different types of courses (accident investigation, EMT, along with general courses), hoping to find something that interested me enough to make it a career. Nothing did. That’s when I decided that since I was so good at working on cars, and I actually enjoyed it, I’d make THAT my career. And off to Phoenix, AZ I went.”

Me: What type of education do you have?
SS: “I have a high school diploma, a few general education courses from the local community college, and an 18-month Auto/Diesel program from Universal Technical Institute.”

Me: Do you feel the education you received prepared you enough for real job prospects?
SS: “No. I think the work experience has been the best teacher for me.”

Me: What certifications do you have?
SS: “No certificates. I’ve found that most employers would rather see your actual work skills, than trust the results of a paper test that anyone can pass.”

Me: What’s your favorite thing about your job?
SS: “The accomplishment of knowing I was able to fix something that was wrong/broken. Knowing I could fix something someone else couldn't.”

Me: What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever worked on?
SS: “There have been so many, but I suppose I’d say a ‘68 Roadrunner and a ‘69 Dart. They were 9-second race cars. Definitely not street legal. That was fun.”

Me: What are some of the duties you do every day as a mechanic?
SS: “Inspect (and repair) vehicles for regular maintenance including belts, hoses, leaks, or any generically worn out parts, to ensure the safety of the customer.”

Me: What is the hardest part about your job?
SS: “The big jobs. The rebuilding of engines that takes days, instead of hours. Making sure you keep track of so many different little parts, and making sure every single one of them goes back. Those can be tough sometimes.”

Me: What are some specific characteristics that make a good mechanic? SS: “Right off the bat, I can say problem solving and creativity. You need to be able to look at a situation, and visualize how to fix it. At times, when you’re supposed to do something a certain way, your creativity and rationalization can come into play, allowing you to do it a little more efficiently. You need to be fast and efficient, not careless.”

Me: How has the Internet affected automotive service? For example, are there more customers trying to self-diagnose their car problems based on something they read online?
Let me interrupt this interview by saying that the amount of eye roll and irritation SS showed while answering this question, proved to me just how difficult this job can be.
SS: “I see it all the time. A person has their car towed to us, in pieces, because they couldn’t get done exactly what the YouTube video was trying to teach them. Either they didn’t have the right tool, or they weren’t strong enough, etc. The worst part about it, is you have to hope they brought you all the parts to put back. YouTube, sometimes isn’t the answer.”

Me: You work for a small, independent auto shop. How does that differ from working for a major automotive manufacturer, like Ford or Chevy?
SS: “Working at an independent shop, means you have to have more general automotive knowledge. If you work for a specific manufacturer, you typically know about that one, not any others. At an independent shop, you work on a variety from German to American to Japanese. And is generally a little more relaxed. Less bureaucracy, and not as many hoops to jump through to get something done.”

Me: Is there something in the Automotive business you would like to do in the future?
SS: “I know there will come a time when I won’t want to wrench anymore, so I just figured I’d move into the management portion of it. Maybe at my own shop. Maybe not.”

Me: If you hadn’t become an Auto Mechanic, what would you have done?
SS: “Ha. I had such a hard time decided what to do, I can’t imagine doing anything else. However, now that marijuana is making it’s legal way into our lives, perhaps maybe I would grow that. I’ve always enjoyed that as a hobby.”

Well, that’s a little look into the Auto Mechanic career. Do you think it’s something YOU could do?

Monday news

It’s Monday, and that means it’s time to start another week. For some, it’s another week of sitting in traffic. Another week of customer or patient complaints. And another week of school. But most importantly, it’s another week I’m alive! And I’m so very grateful for that.

 

 

Kyle Busch - How about that Kyle Busch sweep in Indy this weekend, huh? That guy is on fire! He just can’t do any wrong right now. We’re at a part of the schedule that he normally dominates, so I’m not too surprised, but I am. He was out for three months after a crash that left one leg and one foot broken, and since he’s been back, he’s won FOUR out of the last FIVE races. If that isn’t dominance and pure talent, I don’t know what is. He’s fought incredibly hard to get to where he is today, and I couldn’t be more proud to be a fan. Now all that stands in his way for a chance at winning the Sprint Cup, are those pesky 23 points that are keeping him out of the lineup.

Caitlyn Jenner – Did you watch “I Am Cait” last night? I haven’t watched it yet, but let me just say quickly, that I’m so beyond excited to watch it. I wasn’t a huge Bruce Jenner fan. I mean, I knew who he was, and I thought his incredible talent as an athlete was beyond amazing, but seeing Cait, makes me obsessed. I’m in no way a “girlie girl”, and do not have any desire to ‘be like Cait’, but she has me watching her every move. And I totally dig it.
A family friend of SS’s, ran into Caitlyn at a Starbucks one morning. The friend was fumbling the stuff she was holding (read: carrying too many things while trying to order coffee), and while Caitlyn was standing behind said friend in line, she offered to help hold her coffee while she got her stuff back in a descent holding order. Pretty nice of her. Most people I see would just watch someone struggle and go on about their day. Props to Caitlyn.

Toyota Tacoma – For the last few months, I’ve been driving around in an awesome Toyota Tacoma, that I’ve fallen in love with. The truck belonged to Squid’s dad, but when he passed away a few months ago, it became his. Because I’ve been out of a car since my wreck in April, Squid so nicely allowed me to drive it as long as necessary. Now that Summer is coming to an end, and the kids are gone, we don’t need a second car anymore. SS is quite content with riding his motorcycle to work every day, while I drive his car to school. I suppose it works out for both of us.
As much as I’m going to miss driving that truck, I definitely will NOT miss the gas guzzling it does.

Here’s to hoping you have a fabulous Monday.

 

 

 

15 Days of Happiness–Day Thirteen

 

Day Thirteen.

Guess where we went today? A Car Show!!! One of my favorite things in the whole world to attend. And this picture made me smile, cause we’re pulling out after stopping for breakfast, headed to see cool cars!

This is what made both SS’s daughter and me smile today. I mean, what’s cooler than a young car chick, with a super badass car? NOTHING!

 

Are you playing along? Leave a link in the comment section if you are so we can check it out.

See you tomorrow!

15 Days of Happiness–Day Four

Day Four.

While I was headed to class today, I saw what appeared to be R2D2 in between the bushes. Because I just wasn’t sure what I actually saw, I had to pull into the parking lot and check it out. Before I knew it, I found myself behind the car with my mouth open. I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Someone actually did this to a car. And it made me smile.

 

SS’s daughter got a new pair of sunglasses, so that’s what made her happy.

Are you playing along? Leave a link in the comment section if you are so we can check it out.

See you tomorrow!

Forever Fast

Paul Walker.

I remember the first time I ever saw him. I must have stared at that television for HOURS, just waiting for the next time they’d show him. I can still hear The Ex in the background saying, “How many times are you going to watch that movie?” That was 2001.

Fast forward to this past Saturday, November 30th. I’m sitting on my bed, and my phone gives off that ever so lovely ‘breaking news’ sound. I grab my phone to see what speech the president was giving this time, and I almost dropped my phone.

“Paul Walker dead at 40 in fiery car wreck.”

My first feeling was shock. It kind of made me feel sick to my stomach. I couldn’t believe it. Was it real? Was it an early April Fool’s joke? I immediately sent a text to Jeffy, because, you know, that’s what I do when I hear bad news about car people. Did the same thing when Carol Shelby died. Sad, sad times. :-(

Since the crash site isn’t too far from The Ranch, I decided I’d take a drive past it. Here’s what it looked like….

My favorite quote of his…. “I want to get married. I think about it a lot. But I also think about my cars, so maybe my priorities aren't exactly in line just yet.”

RIP Paul Walker. Your fans will never forget you.

Acceptable plate

Guy didn't seem happy when I asked if his name was Flip. Probably shouldn't have used sign language. Or maybe his name was Jack.

Umm, what?

Are you seeing what I’m seeing?

Can you believe someone actually did this? To THIS car!?!

I’m gonna go with it being borderline disrespectful. Yes. That’s what I’m going with.

 

New car?

Looks like it might be that time.

It’s been a little over 4,000 miles since the new engine was put in. She’s run like a champ, until a few weeks ago. Started to hear that dreaded clack sound that car people are familiar with.

I know several people in the car world. Much fewer ever since Jeffy and I stopped talking, but I still know people. I made lots of calls, spent time researching what was actually wrong (without taking the engine apart), and decided it was just time to move towards a newer car. Plus, this one has ties to my Dad, and THAT needs to end.

It’s a connecting rod issue. Definitely not my favorite thing to deal with, and since this is the third engine issue, I’m kind of feeling like I’m done with it.

So….. I’ve looked at a few different cars. I’m not sold on any one specific car, unless I can find someone willing to take on a monthly Mustang payment for me. *wink wink*  ;-)

Here are a few I’m considering….

The Kia Forte Koup -

 

The Nissan Sentra -

 

The Chevy Cruze -

 

The Hyundai Elantra Coupe -

 

At some point next week, we’re going down to do some fancy talking. I’ll make sure to share any good news I get. :-)

Happy Friday!

4:19 - incoming text: “I’ll be there in 7 minutes. just crossing the intersection.”

4:23 - phone rings: “I won’t be there. Just totaled my car. I’m bleeding, but feel fine. Car is smashed. My fault. Gotta go. Will call you back soon.”

This was a moment in time that seemed to stand still. For the next five minutes, everything happened in slow motion. Images of body parts laying on the floorboard of the driver side, flashed through my head as I tried to gain some sort of composure. I was, after all, still at work.

Tears started streaming down my face. A couple of coworkers tried to console me, but the irrational thoughts and fears had already taken up residence inside my mind. I wanted to drop everything and drive down there, but knew I’d just be in the way.

I phoned a friend to help calm my nerves. One I knew would be rational. Naturally she was concerned, but once she realized he was okay, her focus turned to what was actually making me so uneasy about it. Would I have reacted this way if it had been the guy I went out with last night? What about if it had been the person I met at the bowling alley last week? Probably not. And then she said it. She said those words that I never in a million years thought for one second anyone would ever say to me.

You love him, Val!

A phone call about 20 minutes later, put a little bit of relief to the situation. The ambulance had already been there to check him out. The car was up on the flatbed and being taken away. His dad showed up to take him home.

Know how many people in his family knew? None. Two phone calls were made. One to me and one to his dad.

I’m so happy he’s okay.

 

 

Dear bff@work: if anything happens to you, I’ll be real mad, please take care of yourself.

Vacation: Day 1

Today is Day #1 of vacation. Beautiful here. Everything is so green. Far different from the brown scenery I see in Los Angeles.

Found this little frog on the back patio this morning. I was able to get close enough to pet his back, but he jumped away after that. Freaked my mom out. Ha.

 

Umpqua Lighthouse - we were passing through, but I made them stop so I could take a picture.

 

We didn’t eat at this café, but I had to take a picture. The X would say I worked there. heeheeheehee

 

My clock obsession forced me to take a picture of this wall. It made me smile. Been a long time since I’ve gotten a new clock, but the price tag on these, reminded me that my rent was much more important to pay.

 

Look at this sexy Aerostar. Those purple hubcaps make me think I’m back in LA. wtf? And that rabbit sticking out the sides of the hood…hilarious. Honestly. What was this guy going for?

That’s all I have for today. See you guys tomorrow.

“How did you get into cars?”

Someone asked me the other day how I got into cars. Hmmm, I thought. I guess it was because of The X.

When I was born, my Dad was driving a 70 something Mustang and my Mom was driving a 70 something Dodge Dart. My dad was not into working on cars. He did basic things if necessary, but never was what I would consider a "car guy". Mom? Ha. She can't figure out how to move the seats back and forth, let alone know anything about working on a car. Rocker arm? Isn’t that what my rocking chair has?  Oh, brother!

I remember playing with Hot Wheels as a kid, imagining I was the stunt driver driving the cool 18-wheeler on it's side around a corner that would have never actually been possible. Or the girl driving the bright yellow Ferrari. I wanted to be Bo Duke driving a '69 Charger through the streets of my town. (Imagine my surprise when I heard that one of my friends, the one that just had twins, got a '69 Charger.)

During my preteen and early teen years, my parents used to take LZ and I to the local 1/4 mile circle track on Friday nights. We used to cheer for Ron Hornaday. Yes, THE Ron Hornaday. I remember the night they announced he wouldn't be returning because he was moving to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. When the Northridge earthquake happened in '94, they deemed the stands at the track not safe, and no more racing has taken place there since. My interest in cars died.

During high school, I dated a guy that drove a '65 Mustang, but he wasn't a "car guy". He just thought it was a cool car so he bought it. I can remember ditching school to go surfing. Car looked sexy with surfboards on top.

When I met The X in '98, he was a college student paying his way through school by working on cars. I used to hang out with him at the shop, and as miserable as it was in the South Texas humidity, I loved every minute of it. I'd finally found my “car guy". After nine years, and lots of car stories later, our divorce was started and I'd lost my car guy.

By this time, I was heavily into NASCAR, which is something The X never seemed to be thrilled about. No matter how much I tried, I think he just didn't get it. He didn't understand that there was actual strategy to what they do. He didn't understand that it's not just a bunch of guys going in circles. Okay, it's a little bit about guys going around in circles, but still. It's more than that. Truth be told, I think he just didn't like it because it interrupted his football games.  Boo hoo.

When I met JK, he was a high school auto shop teacher. As I did with The X, I'd spent countless hours just hanging out with him at the shop. Maybe it was the atmosphere, maybe it was the company. Maybe it was the smell of gasoline, oil, and Brake Kleen that kept me there. It didn't matter. I lived an hour and a half away, and no matter how late it got, I didn't care. I just wanted to be there, where the cars were, where all the magic was happening.

Today, I don't have either The X or JK to hang out with while they work on cars. Actually, neither of them work on cars anymore anyway, so probably no loss there. However, it is the fond memories of laying under the car with aching arms as I tighten bolts, and standing under a car on a lift not expecting anything to drip from underneath, only to be covered in transmission fluid seconds later, that make me smile and wonder where my next “car guy” is.

Now where's that AAA guy I was flirting with a few weeks back?

A long lost…friend?

For 19 years, my mom and stepdad lived at the same address. Also known as my childhood home. About seven or eight years ago, a family moved in across the street that had a Ford F-150 that was painted some interesting colors. I hated it. My parents hated it. The neighbors hated it. RJ? Loved it! Thought it was the coolest truck ever. Ever. Ever.

When my parents moved out of state three or four years ago, I remember making mention that I was happy I wouldn’t see that truck again. No specific reason other than I simply thought it was ugly. No hidden meaning. No other reasons. I swear.

Today, while driving to work, guess what pulled up next to me at a stoplight?

RJ has started to read this blog. He hasn’t grasped the whole “comment” thing, but he always lets me know he’s read it.

RJ - this picture is for you.  :-)

Christmas Drive

Getting ready for a drive.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5