Random Thoughts...

[Gianclaudio]

The joys of driving an old car, my ass

Yesterday I fried my warning lights switch. I left them on for a few hours (don't ask why) and the switch melted and short-circuited pretty much most lights. A new switch costs 38€ and will take about 20 days to come here from France.

Were you doing "that kind of things" on your car?

 

[Giannis]

Were you doing "that kind of things" on your car?

I wish. I just was in a hurry and didn't have enough time to find a proper parking spot, so I just left it outside the place I had to go with the warning lights on. I expected to be done in 30', but it took me a few hours. It was work...

It actually doesn't annoy me that it broke down. It even doesn't annoy me that the replacement parts (rarely, though) cost too much or take too much time to arrive. I have a second car. The only thing that annoys me is that I have to spend precious time to fix it, especially when I am way to busy.

Today I spend 3h visiting a garage that specializes in automotive electronics (to verify that nothing else melted other than the switch) and trying to find a new switch at either the dealership or other spare part importers. Noone had one available at that time. So, the bloody thing costed me 3h in a day that resulted in me comming home from work just a bit after 11pm.

 

[Human]

I wish. I just was in a hurry and didn't have enough time to find a proper parking spot, so I just left it outside the place I had to go with the warning lights on. I expected to be done in 30', but it took me a few hours. It was work...

It actually doesn't annoy me that it broke down. It even doesn't annoy me that the replacement parts (rarely, though) cost too much or take too much time to arrive. I have a second car. The only thing that annoys me is that I have to spend precious time to fix it, especially when I am way to busy.

Today I spend 3h visiting a garage that specializes in automotive electronics (to verify that nothing else melted other than the switch) and trying to find a new switch at either the dealership or other spare part importers. Noone had one available at that time. So, the bloody thing costed me 3h in a day that resulted in me comming home from work just a bit after 11pm.

Engineers and their toys Giannis, reading your posts here, you make it all sound like fun!

 

[Giannis]

Engineers and their toys Giannis, reading your posts here, you make it all sound like fun!

Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional

 

[Human]

Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional

Exactly! And I truly enjoyed reading each of your posts and replies here today, telling the true experience and how you deal with the cars in your life, like taking care of a passion or even an ill pet or something. I urge you to write a book someday Giannis. A book on the cars, their personalities etc. It will make such great reading, honestly

 

[Gianclaudio]

I wish. I just was in a hurry and didn't have enough time to find a proper parking spot, so I just left it outside the place I had to go with the warning lights on. I expected to be done in 30', but it took me a few hours. It was work...

It actually doesn't annoy me that it broke down. It even doesn't annoy me that the replacement parts (rarely, though) cost too much or take too much time to arrive. I have a second car. The only thing that annoys me is that I have to spend precious time to fix it, especially when I am way to busy.

Today I spend 3h visiting a garage that specializes in automotive electronics (to verify that nothing else melted other than the switch) and trying to find a new switch at either the dealership or other spare part importers. Noone had one available at that time. So, the bloody thing costed me 3h in a day that resulted in me comming home from work just a bit after 11pm.

I feel your pain Giannis. This year have brought me so much work, but on the other hand, that also means very little free time

 

[Giannis]

Exactly! And I truly enjoyed reading each of your posts and replies here today, telling the true experience and how you deal with the cars in your life, like taking care of a passion or even an ill pet or something.

Ah, I feel flattered! I'm certainly not that good

I urge you to write a book someday Giannis. A book on the cars, their personalities etc. It will make such great reading, honestly

The funny thing is that I have been trying to write a book the last few months. I hasn't anything to do about cars, thought - it's about the stories of two friends, spies for opposite camps, with everything starting and ending with the murder of a girl. I've been working on it on my free time, which sadly it's time-varying. I hope to finish it in a few months.

 

[Giannis]

you make it all sound like fun!

I usually try to take a small break for 1h, or 1.5h and have a coffee with whoever friend is available at that time, even if that mean that I will end my work day 2h later. It's very refreshing, and at the end of the day, you didn't only go through tons of work, but also spent some time with friends, having some fun.

Usually I have my coffee by the sea, like today. I hope you don't notice my b!tch (it's grey metallic with a few months of dust on top) in the photo.

 

[GTA45E]

^
Sounds like an older car. When do you plan on changing up Giannis, (if so, what are you considering.)

My friend just bought this new BMW 550i XDrive. He took me for a spin in it... it was great, really liked the interior
and the seats. Weird thing though, just today I had this dream I bought one...

 

[Giannis]

^
Sounds like an older car. When do you plan on changing up Giannis, (if so, what are you considering.)

It indeed is. It's a 1990 Renault Clio 1.4l. It's quite fun actually, as french cars used to be

I am not thinking of replacing it. It certainly isn't in the best shape, but I grew up with it and it has high emotional value for me. I also have a Volvo S60, though, for the times when I need a civilised ride.

As for a replacement, I've been thinking of replacing the Volvo with a 3er from time to time, but in such times, when the future is uncertain at best, it's not the right moment to spend all that money on a new car. Should the economy change its course, I may start thinking of it more.

In any case, I don't find any sense in changing cars regularly. I prefer buying my cars and keep them as long as I can. The Volvo, for instance, has almost no resale value, but it doesn't cost me anything other than taxes, more taxes and the regular costs (oil, spark plugs every now and then, and engine mounts every 4 years), so why sell it for such a loss?

 

[Cashmere]

^

My friend just this new BMW 550i XDrive. He took me for a spin in it...

Is your friend K-A by any chance? Haven't seen him in eons.

 

[Human]

I usually try to take a small break for 1h, or 1.5h and have a coffee with whoever friend is available at that time, even if that mean that I will end my work day 2h later. It's very refreshing, and at the end of the day, you didn't only go through tons of work, but also spent some time with friends, having some fun.

Usually I have my coffee by the sea, like today. I hope you don't notice my b!tch (it's grey metallic with a few months of dust on top) in the photo.

I surely hope you invite me over for coffee at that fabulous spot sometime! And a signed copy of your book of course.

 

[GTA45E]

Is your friend K-A by any chance? Haven't seen him in eons.

lOl, haha! I don`t think we could ever get along...
Besides, he least a 535i. This is a 550i

 

[Giannis]

I surely hope you invite me over for coffee at that fabulous spot sometime!

Should you ever come here, coffee's on me

And then the drinks.

 

[Gianclaudio]

Today it's 3 years since I quit smoking. Probably, the best decision I've ever take in my life.

 

[Human]

^
I eat low carb/fat, drink too much water, gym and stop drinking alcohol - 4 years ago....still smoke, damn if I can only get myself to QUIT!!!

 

[Levi68]

The best thing is never to have started. But you often find youself excluded in some ways, and passive soming is no better, it is proved to be even worse.

 

[MikeJ]

I made some small adjustments to my eating habits in December and I've lost 6.5 kg since - pretty much all the excess weight I had.

 

[Giannis]

Guy goes to the doctor and the doctor says:
- You have six months left.
- Oh my God, says the guy. What can I do doc?
- Well, do you smoke?
- Yes.
- Quit it. Do you drink?
- Yes.
- Stop. Do you eat a lot of high fat food?
- Yes.
- Stop that too. Do you gamble?
- Yes.
- Quit it. Do you f@#$ around?
- Yes.
- Quit that, too.
- And if I do all these doc, how much longer will I live?
- You'll still have 6 months left, but they will look like an eternity!

 

[Gianclaudio]

A sad fact is after I quit smoking, my father -who used to smoke a lot- got throat cancer. It was hell..... thankfully he is ok now, but the experience and lessons I've learn throught thse last two years will make me stand way from smoking.

Now, if I could only stop eating so much...