general update

I thought I’d post some pictures of the new (used) van.  It’s a Chrysler Town and Country Limited.  It replaces the Kia Soul.  I saw it online for $11,900 at K1Z Auto Sales.  I phoned the dealer.  A guy named Khalil told me about the vehicle and offered it for $11,000.  I went the next day, test drove it, and put down a down payment.  Floyd and I went back two days later to pick it up.  Khalil cleaned and serviced it during that time, replacing the windshield, changing the oil, cleaning the brake dust out, etc.  The service record on it is good.  It had a minor accident worth about $1200 a few years ago.  The previous owner changed the transaxle (transmission) fluid.  It had a door ding on the passenger side.  I got a PDR guy to take it out.  I’ve had the van for a few weeks now.  No problems so far.  I’m enjoying the vehicle.

More pictures on the server.  Chrysler Town & Country 2010

Today …

• I had my first physiotherapy appointment.  The accident has given me pretty poor mobility in the upper body.
• I returned the rental van.  “You only put on 12km.”  Yes – I drove home then drove back again
• F and I went to K1Z Auto Sales to pick up my new van.  Very pleased.
• Mom paid for it using her line of credit until I get the Kia Soul settlement money.  Hopefully it’s not too long.
• The van took $83 to fill from one-quarter full.  Wow.

Today …

• I heard how much I’ll be getting from the insurance company for the Kia Soul.
• I applied for another job.
• The lawyer phoned me re- Father’s estate.
• I paid all my credit card bills.  No interest charged, as per usual.
• I traded the little Volkswagen Jetta for a larger van to go to Edmonton – a Kia.  Go figure.
• I dig in the yard again and planted the flower seeds.

I just bought a new used car. The Kia Soul is probably scrap, so I’ve been looking at other vehicles.  I found a 2010 Chrysler Town & Country.  A what?  Why such a big vehicle?  Many reasons – plywood, mattress, camp gear, people – all will fit.  More later.

Today I …

• … Put a down payment on a new vehicle – a 2010 Chrysler Town & Country.  I decided that, after doing research on this dealer in town – K1Z Auto Sales – that this is the one for me.
• … Gave blood.  That makes donation #115 for me.
• … Dug in the yard.  I’ve put in wild flower seeds for birds, humming birds specifically, bees, and butterflies.  Rather than having green grass (basically a desert for any part of nature to try to live in it – a monocrop of nothingness), I will do my part to assist with repopulating the planet with nature.

Four major things happened today.  Here’s my report.

I had an interview today with TT today.  It was a good interview.

Probate on Father’s house finally came through today.  Finally.

I was in an accident this evening.  The car is totalled, but the airbags went off, and I’m fine.

I had a new student start today.  Unfortunately, I was two blocks away from his house when the accident happened, so I never saw him.

I think I’m ready for bed.  <sigh>

Just to be clear, I’m talking about the G-string, string number 3, on my guitar.  I was tuning it and adding a bit of lubricant to the nut of the guitar when so it didn’t make a popping sound and glided smoothly, when

POP!

the string broke.  Oh, so sad.  I rummaged around in my “household” box of stuff to find a replacement string.  No such luck.  I had several other strings but not the one that was needed.  Luckily there was a music shop downtown.  Unluckily, it was in Park Place Mall, and it was Boxing Day.  Ughhh – crowds.  I park at the far end of the parking lot and hiked in with my guitar.  $15 later, I had a new package of strings.

But … I discovered that any similar string will do.  I used a spare B-string (#2 string), and it works fine!  In fact, it tunes better now than it ever has.

In the process, I learned (apparently I have learned to read within the past 7 years) that I have a George Washburn.  Good name, I think.  Except that this was a $150 Costco guitar.  Just the same, it’s a whole lot better than my previous W30,000 (about $30) guitar bought overseas.

Anybody want an unopened package of guitar strings?

This is the Christmas break.  I’ve got 10 days off work.  Now at a movie theatre.  We’ve got a turkey for this coming Tuesday.  Typing on my phone in a movie theatre.  Probably shouldn’t do that.