Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Waning Moon
Cloudy and mild

First of all, the flood wasn’t anywhere near as bad as everyone feared, at least not here, although areas around us were pounded. We were told to be on stand-by for evacuation yesterday afternoon, but, depending upon where you were, it was a couple of feet of flooding down to a couple of inches. A few streets around the building were blocked off, the power flickered a bit, but that was it.

I went to the train station at about 9 PM last night to retrieve my car — and it wouldn’t start. Went across the street to the PD, told them about it, got permission to leave the car overnight, called Roadside Assistance to set up an appointment for this morning.

So I didn’t get my run this morning. Partially because it’s too dangerous, with standing water that could be any depth and downed wires, and partially because I had to be up at 5:30 to wait for Roadside Assistance. They arrived at 7:15, gave me a jump, and I drove straight to the dealer in Stamford — having both faxed and emailed them last night to warn them I was coming.

They took me right away, ran a full diagnostic. can’t find anything wrong. There’s no reason the car shouldn’t have started. I did have to buy a new tire to replace the one that went wonky in MA earlier in the month. They also checked ALL the tires, fixed the pressure, and did a realignment. Yeah, I’m paranoid, but the tires haven’t felt right for weeks. And I managed to tweet and check some email from my iPod while there (I didn’t want to lug my computer around, not knowing if I’d have to take the train back). They also switched out the ignition coil, because they just sent a recall notice out for that.

I’m worried that they can’t figure out what went wrong with the battery. I’m not fluent in gearhead, so I’m going to email my cousin — he’s a VP at VW, designs these cars,and races Jaguars in his spare time. Maybe he can at least tell me the right questions to ask. If I have another problem, I’ll just demand a new battery — I’d ASKED for a new battery in my last servicing, since the car is three, and they said it wasn’t necessary. No more asking. So far, every time I thought something was wrong with the car, I was right. I may not have the language, but I know when it feels off.

Had to run errands, including ripping Verizon a new one. They kept giving me robocalls during the flood yesterday, threatening to cut off my service for a bill that was already paid. Bite me, assholes. I told them if they pulled that crap again, I was filing not only federal charges (on several counts), but also a civil suit for reckless endangerment.

I am wiped out. I may try to do a little on the workshop now and then take a nap, or I may nap first. Whichever way it works, I’ll have a lot of catching up to do, workshop wise.

Elsa’s sick again, too. I’m going to see if the vet can just call in a prescription somewhere up here, rather than me taking her on a round-trip two-hour journey. I mean, she likes the ride in the car, but really . . .

Devon