Month: October 2003

Closure

Well I think that we have finally got some closure on the whole timing belt fiasco. The $61 check from Rader for the towing charge refund came in the mail today. Would have been a lot nicer on their part if they would have given me the check when I picked up the car 13 days ago instead of making me jump through hoops to get it. Coincidentally the first timing belt failed on the 13th day and having made it home safely I can now breathe a sigh of relief. I’m not sure if it the Red Sox fan in me or if it is my disposition that makes me a perfect fan, but part of me hates to say that out loud.

Let me give you an example of my mind set. Last night in game 4 of the World Series they flashed this text along the bottom of the screen: “The team with a 2 to 1 record has won 10 of 11 of the last World Series.” In this case they mean the Yankees. Had it been the Red Sox I would have felt just the very mention of that would ensure that the next year when they showed that stat it would have read 10 of 12. Of course for a Yankee fan it would just affirm what they already believe – next year it will say, 11 of 12.

Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2523.80
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 259

I Feel Better Already

Bought some premium gas tonight and the knocking has almost entirely disappeared after a 15 or so mile drive.

After work today I drove around and snapped pictures of myself while I drove. I hoping to recreate/update my self portrait I took several years ago that I have posted over on Picture Yourself.

Purchased Today: $13.50
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2523.80
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 259

Updates & More

My buddy the service manager at Rader did call yesterday and told me they would get the check out to me that day – I’m not holding my breath.

The Cowboy Up T-shirts were on backorder – so I cancelled it. Maybe I’ll get one for next spring….

New toy arrived via UPS today, a Minolta Diamage Scan Dual III. Dragged out the boxes of slides that have been in the back of the closet since the early 80’s, so now the “fun” begins. I figure I have about 1,200 of them. They don’t look too bad until you scan them to 3300 x 2500, then there is all kinds of junk on them. I guess a brush is in order. I think I’ll also need a small light table too, kind of tough to sort through 40 slides while holding them in one hand and holding one at a time up to a desk lamp.

Some Enchanted Ceiling

Like a digital Johnny Appleseed I continue to leave lit bits of myself all over the Internet.

When I posted this photo for a Theme Thursday entry last month, one of the comments was from David at 1,000 Words asking if I’d write more about it. A couple of weeks later I finally did, here is the entry: What is it about the beach that draws us?

Today was an Indian Summer-like day here in western SC, near 80, but breezy. The low-level winds were feathering the edges of the white clouds with a bright blue sky for a background. At our lunchtime walk around the parking lot I brought the camera and snapped a half dozen images. I submitted them to the Enchanted Ceiling web site, both were accepted and you can see ’em here and here.

I’ve Got Bad Gas

Well, I’m hoping that is what it is. I was tempted to put an octane booster in the tank to alleviate the knock, but I’m a real cheapskate, so I’m going to wait a couple more days and fill it with premium and see if that does it. Back to the mountains this weekend for more leaf peeping. Dragging some more Miatas with me this time because I’m leading the Master’s Miata Club’s Forage For Fall Foliage run on Saturday.

Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2510.30
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 259

So Far Twice

Still waiting for my reimbursement check from Rader. Called last Monday and was told that I would get the check sometime that week. Just as soon as they got approval from Mazda. I called again today and was given the “Gee, I don’t know why you haven’t gotten it yet.” excuse. He took my phone number and told me he would get back to me today. Did he? Nooooope.

I Hear You Knocking

Noticed some engine knock (AKA pining) this weekend when driving in the mountains. Then today it was noticeable on some of the inclines here in town. Naturally I suspected the knuckleheads at Rader didn’t set the timing right. Easy to do if you don’t RTFM, as the ’95 Miata’s timing marks are different from every other years (I wish I knew what Mazda was thinking there.) I came home and hooked up my timing light and it was set to 11 BTDC which in spec, should be 10 plus or minus 1 degree. I guess I owe them a mental apology, but I’m going to hold on to it at least until this belt makes it further than the first and they get me check for the $61 towing charge.

Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2510.30
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 259