Yeah, it happens for us and myself. It seems about 4 years, maybe 5 something comes up and says you need a new one. Right now a family mini van (a GM one I was warned not to buy) is finally close to death.
Death in the since, it needs a major repair - again! Given the miles on it now, and the fact it has been a money pit for half of the 7 years owning it - it is time. Time to cut it off life support. Pull the plug. The thing has never stranded me or my family anywhere. So, I am thankful for that. Yet, it is has been very high maintenance. I am good in relationships like this and patient. Yet, there comes a time when even I have had enough. Bye Bye Pontiac Montana. Go to a restful recycle yard or auction block. It's what it is best for us all. I know there is a part or two on ya that still functions (maybe). Someone will find use for it.
So, anyway, my wife and I have been dealing with a lifeform we avoid at all cost - Car Sales people. Even worse - the Sales Manager. Both my wife and I are fairly well educated with many degrees between us. Thus, we find it really insulting when any of these aforementioned lifeforms think we spent the time, talent and energy to be educated, just so they can cheat or rip us off. The newest trick, at least here in Vegas - Recon Fee as they call it.
These nitwits actually think people should pay an extra $1,000 making the car presentable for sale on their own lot! Worse, they actually pretend to be accountable, honest and upfront to you as a buyer over it too. They show you supposed documentation of what they had to go through to make the vehicle sell-able. One glance was all the Doc needed for the vehicle we were interested in. They changed the oil! That's it! Nothing more, nothing less. They were actually going to charge $1,000 for an oil change! Yes, I know, in cars and in houses - everything is negotiable. Yet, with that one - I did not know where to begin. Other than to say - SEE YA!
So, anyway, we have been a little busy with any extra time we have. I did get in a 6 Miler yesterday AM. I was shooting for 13. What Happened? Cold! Okay, I know Julie from Minnesota and Jeri in Dakota, plus anyone living in Colorado and Utah reading can, and should laugh at me. However, at 4:30 AM when I left the house wearing my Vegas winter gear of a long sleeve T, layered with a short sleeve T over it plus my favorite red Asics shorts - I felt ready and warm enough. Somewhere along the way the temp actually fell 4 degrees from 42 to 38 by the time I got back. Plus, we picked up a little wind as well. By mile 5 my face was burning in the wind. I was a mile from the house on my loop back - so I went wee wee wee all the way home.
Yep, call me a wimp. I can take it. I just can't take the AM temps in Las Vegas right now. I love running early and often. Yet, our crazy high desert temp range has us at 37 by 6:00 AM and 60 by 2:00 PM. However much I do not like running before I need to be asleep, it is probably the best time of day for the next month at least. I have tights I can wear, and thicker tops - I just don't like wearing them. Yeah whine whine. So, anyway, my favorite shorts and I, along with my Long Sleeve T's will be running 12-13 miles tonight before bed. It should be in the mid to upper 40's. I hope!
So, bring it on?! I am ready for all the wimpy wimp comments on this posting from the Midwest and Rockies.
Cheers!
Oh - Meg Runs. You made the right call. Have fun cheering your husband along the route.
10 comments:
Not a wimp - just Vegas conditioned. We can't stand running over 80 degrees, which would cut out a good chunk of your year in Vegas. You run what you get used to, right? Just have fun - we won't carve on ya!
I also dread car people - not from intimidation, more from disgust and frustration of having to play "the game". Good luck car hunting!
Okay, I will not call you a wimp:) If you lived in Minnesota you would be able to handle the cold...you would just need to get used to it...and it would be fine:)
I drive a Honda Odyssey van to truck my rugrats around. I love my vehicle and it is super dependable:) I wish you the best of luck finding a new one!
Happy Trails and Julie - thanks for being nice about my wimpiness. I have run with temps in the teens once. Funny how 25 could feel like a heatwave back in the Midwest after a week or two of 0 or below temps.
Car hunt - All I could do was just laugh at the Sales Manager when he tried to pull the "recon fee" on us. We just walked away luaghing. Other dealers can have our biz. Thanks on the Odyssey Tip. They are very nice mini vans and what we should have bought 7 years ago.
Let's start a wimpy, wimpy club! I think Julie and HT are just too nice because I know I could not withstand Colorado temps. nor Minnesota. I'd just shrivel up and run circles around my couch. Could you really get used to the cold? I'm honest, I COULD NOT!! I'll be president...of the WWC! First meeting: In the spring when it warms up!
Odyssey would probably be good if you need a van - we really like our Honda Pilot = same drivetrain.
I faced the dreaded treamill yesterday instead of facing the 40degree weather here. I'm pretty sure thats warm by most standards, but darn its cold here in Florida.
No judgements from me ;)
If there is one place that evn moreso contributes to wimpiness it's here in Southern California. There is *no way* that I would run when it's above 80 or less than 45!
Your car buying experience maybe why the auto industry is in trouble? I read that Subaru and Mercedes are selling well. I recently went to a Cadillac dealer and was told they wouldn't (not couldn't) finance the car! Sorry GM! You lost to the Germans! Have a decent product and treat customers with respect. Seems like business 101 to me!
I'm not going to call you a wimp (I'm thinking it though :)), everyone has their own "thing". I don't like running in really hot weather, but I like to run in the cold. Everyone is definitely different.
Good luck at the car dealerships. I am with you, car sales people are annoying!!!!
Hi there,
Thanks for your kind words and well wishes:)
How is car shopping coming along? Happy Trails was right about the Pilot..our neighbors have one and they really like it. It is also kind of sporty looking:)
Um, yeah, I be one of them Colorado chicks that is totally sick and tired of the relentless cold (frigid) temps we have had since like...October! Enough. So yeah, I'm going to call you a wimp cuz I'd give my right arm (no leg parts - yet) to run in those temps! Anyway, sorry about the car and sales people. My brother is a high up manager at a Honda dealership so we never have to deal with the slimmy ones on the lot! Good luck finding something new!
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