seething...

DATE: 12/11/2003 05:17:00 PM
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BODY:

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EXTENDED BODY:
A couple of days ago, I came out to my car after work and found the battery dead; I had left an interior light on for a day or two.  Someone jumped my car, and I thought that was that.  

Boy, was I wrong.

Last night I drove back from hanging out with Ina at 2 a.m., parked my car, and went to bed (making sure all lights were off).  This morning, I went to my car, turned the key - and the engine failed to start.  

I called my insurance company.  a tow truck was sent. They jumped my car.  Phew, I thought.  I drove to Midas up the street, turned off my car, and told them I probably needed a new battery.

They said they were shorthanded and couldn't help me.

I went back to my car, visibly annoyed that they didn't have enough staff to do a 20-minute job today.  I turned the key.  The car wouldn't start.  

Now I was really pissed.  I called my insurance AGAIN, and had the tow company tow me to the nearest NTB (National Tire and Battery) center.  I thanked the guy, and went inside.

They didn't have the right kind of battery for my Volvo.  

Let me repeat that: NATIONAL TIRE AND BATTERY DID NOT HAVE MY BATTERY.  

Ludicrous!  They jumped my car, and sent me off to the Sears Auto Center at Seven Corners.  This time, I left the engine running.  Sears had my battery, and said they'd have it fixed in an hour.  In the meantime, over half the day (and half my pay) had been lost.  

TWO HOURS later, they finished with my car.  I got in, releived to be going about my business.  

But something was wrong.  The radio wouldn't work at all.

I pushed several buttons to try to get in on. Nothing happened.  I told the auto guys.  They tried it, and said there was probably a security code that got tripped when the battery was changed. In the meantime, I was skimming my quick owner guide.  

Turns out that if you put in the wrong code, the radio locks itself for about two hours.  In the meantime, you had to leave the car key in the ignition.  

AAAAAARGH!  I need my radio in my car even more than I 'need' Internet at home, if that's possible.  I'm hopelessly addicted.  

But there was nothing I could do.  I drove to work, and arrived just before 4.  Hey, at least I can earn two hours' pay, right?  

Motherfucker.

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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: jide
DATE: 12/12/2003 03:02:30 PM
Let me spell it out: your car is 2 or 3 years old.  It will never last 12 years, because Chrysler products almost never do.  However, if by some miracle it does, a battery problem would cause your car to melt instead of it merely failing to start, since American cars tend to flame out spectacularly.  

Hopefully you'll have sold it well before then, since owning a Neon that long would crumble your will like a drunk person playing Jenga.  I always wish the best for my friends. :)
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Ed
DATE: 12/12/2003 02:55:16 PM
And yet I somehow made it to work for a full day...hmm...
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: jide
DATE: 12/12/2003 01:21:04 PM
If I drove a Neon, the car would have melted into slag instead of failing to start.  (Grimlock, Sludge, Snarl and Swoop surrender)
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Ed
DATE: 12/12/2003 07:02:26 AM
If you drove a Neon this kind of thing wouldn't happen.
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