I have expensive hobbies, by damn. I went to pick up Ziva and between all the brakes and calipers being replaced (the rear calipers being more expensive as being entwined with the emergency brake) and three engine mounts (which instantly reduced the engine noise on acceleration to a “healthy roar” as opposed to this weirdass growlyticking which a noob like me could mistake for bearing noise) I had to reach a little deeper into my pocket than the original estimate.
Another unintended side effect was that the engine idle revs finally dropped below 1000, which is where it’s supposed to be. It had been up over 1200 for a couple of months, probably starting when the first engine mount collapsed. When the car is running perfectly and brand new, excuse me, idle revs are supposed to be 750, but I’d settle for her revving under 1000, as there’s a little issue of gas consumption. It will be interesting to see if the mileage gets better as a consequence, but even if it does it won’t likely be too noticeable, maybe 20 k on the tank.
Katie and I watched (or she fitfully snoozed through) the first three eps of The Wire. I shook her awake for the explanation of chess as if it was the drug game; it’s one of the best pieces of writing in the show, and that’s going some. It was also interesting to see how each character was introduced, not as if this was a first episode, but as if you’re joining a continuing story and it’s your job to keep up. Of course I noticed dozens of things I hadn’t the first time around. Like Deadwood and Saving Grace and Homicide, it repays repeated viewings.
Katie’s off at Dax’s now. She knows he’s no good for her, and still she goes. (Part of his current attractiveness is that he’s living with a young married couple with a two month old babby). His latest is to suggest that they go to a casino…. on her money. Her response was “Put the money in my hand and we’ll talk about it” so I guess not all the sane has rubbed off yet. Sigh. Given her parental history (mater and pater) of absorbing troubling amounts of abuse and neglect, she could go like this for years, and we’re coming up on 8 years they’ve been spinning around each other like a couple of eccentric Kuiper Belt objects.
Now that I have a car again (I wasn’t planning for her being gone for two whole days) I have a very very very large running around list.
The temporary crown went on without mishap. I am getting a blast of cloves into my mouth from it every once in a while, and thinking of Katie K every time I do, because she’s hideously allergic to cloves. I wonder how that makes dental work for her. Anyway I recommend Dr. Katz. He does precision work and is very civilized, and what the heck else does one want from a dentist anyway.
