Thursday, September 17, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
My Life In Cars - Part 1 - Corolla: Love Of My Life
Let's go back, waaaaay back to when I was just a little gaffer yearning for a vehicle.
Picture it, summer of '96. I had my first real adult job in a town 100 kilometers a way and I was tired of borrowing my mom's car. And she was tired of me borrowing it. I wanted to buy a car. I did a fair bit of research 'cause that's how I roll. No spontaneity here (at least then anyway). I knew that I wanted a used Toyota or Honda. Initially I had wanted a Lada or a Hyundai. I was actually leaning towards the Lada. I liked the shape and they were cheap. My peers were not impressed. In fact one guy from work said - and I am paraphrasing:
But I digress. So I went looking and I saw a 1993 black Toyota Corolla. And I fell in love. And then I got in it and the driver's seat hugged me so softly and invitingly. I was hooked. Unfortunately the salesman was in the passenger seat and I am sure he saw my expression when I touched the steering wheel for the first time. That car completed me and I knew at that moment if I left her get away I would regret it for the rest of my life.
That car represented the most successful relationship of my life thus far. It was flawless and together we were magic. I hand washed her every week. I vacuumed every crumb or grain of sand. And she never let me down. I didn't name her, but I know she was a she.
She carried lumber and bricks and snotty kids who left McDonald's french fries stuffed in her seats. Her butt was naked as her Toyota emblem was stolen early in our relationship. She had a very long scrape on her driver side where one of my drop-in kids parked her too close to a cement building while I was teaching him to drive. I felt the pain like my own flesh had been cut but she was just a car after all and the kid felt bad enough. She never complained and I did my best to keep her safe.
And then there was the summer of '99. I was working at the drop-in and the guy I worked with drove her back a day early because he had an appointment he couldn't miss. I still feel some guilt, we were up quite late arguing over something that he shared with me that day. In hindsight, he should have told me either before or after the trip but who was to know. Anyhow, He drove her because we needed the van to transport kids and camping gear. She he loaded her up with empty coolers etc. to ease the space issues in the van on the way back. He fell asleep somewhere along the way and when the road curved, he went straight. From the damage it looked like he flipped forward end over end and then landed on the passenger side. Luckily, he had his window open because he was feeling drowsy and wanted the air. IMPORTANT PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE: Don't drive while drowsy, it only takes a second with your eyes closed to drastically change your life. We were lucky, many are not.
He should have been killed. The only part of the car that was not damaged was the driver's compartment. The passenger side was pushed into the console. The rear seats were pushed to the front. The front engine compartment was pushed in. Not only was he not killed, he wasn't even injured. His chest was sore from the seat belt and he had a headache and a cut on his head when an empty cooler came flying forward and smacked him in the back of the head. He had some general aches and pains but he was basically untouched. My Corolla's last act was to protect my buddy from harm and as corny as it sounds I truly believe that. He told me the car stopped on the passenger side and he had to unbuckle himself and crawl out of the driver window. He then crawled to the shoulder and laid there until someone saw the wreckage and called emergency professionals.
I guess it was around a week later we went to the compound to pick up some items from the car, trunk etc. The car was so mangled, I couldn't get the car mats out of the backseat and the passenger side. We took pictures and hugged and cried. It was sad - because we knew what could and really what should have happened although we have never spoken the words out loud. It was sad - because my beloved car was in fact dead. But of course, it was more important to have my friend.
So, I needed a car. I kind of looked at it as serendipity. I had been eyeing up the Toyota Rav 4. I wasn't cheating on my Corolla but a girl is allowed to look right.
Next, the Rav chronicles.
Picture it, summer of '96. I had my first real adult job in a town 100 kilometers a way and I was tired of borrowing my mom's car. And she was tired of me borrowing it. I wanted to buy a car. I did a fair bit of research 'cause that's how I roll. No spontaneity here (at least then anyway). I knew that I wanted a used Toyota or Honda. Initially I had wanted a Lada or a Hyundai. I was actually leaning towards the Lada. I liked the shape and they were cheap. My peers were not impressed. In fact one guy from work said - and I am paraphrasing:
These cars are made by people who make about 6 cents an hour. Do you really think there is a whole lot of quality control. Do you think they actually give a s**t whether the steering wheel is actually connected to the tires?So after several friends rolled around laughing and crying, I quickly changed that idea. The laughter wasn't as loud regarding the Hyundai but same idea for that vehicle. And just a side note, they aren't laughing now. If I had bought a Hyundai in 2005, I wouldn't be in this situation and I would still have a reliable vehicle.
But I digress. So I went looking and I saw a 1993 black Toyota Corolla. And I fell in love. And then I got in it and the driver's seat hugged me so softly and invitingly. I was hooked. Unfortunately the salesman was in the passenger seat and I am sure he saw my expression when I touched the steering wheel for the first time. That car completed me and I knew at that moment if I left her get away I would regret it for the rest of my life.
That car represented the most successful relationship of my life thus far. It was flawless and together we were magic. I hand washed her every week. I vacuumed every crumb or grain of sand. And she never let me down. I didn't name her, but I know she was a she.
She carried lumber and bricks and snotty kids who left McDonald's french fries stuffed in her seats. Her butt was naked as her Toyota emblem was stolen early in our relationship. She had a very long scrape on her driver side where one of my drop-in kids parked her too close to a cement building while I was teaching him to drive. I felt the pain like my own flesh had been cut but she was just a car after all and the kid felt bad enough. She never complained and I did my best to keep her safe.
And then there was the summer of '99. I was working at the drop-in and the guy I worked with drove her back a day early because he had an appointment he couldn't miss. I still feel some guilt, we were up quite late arguing over something that he shared with me that day. In hindsight, he should have told me either before or after the trip but who was to know. Anyhow, He drove her because we needed the van to transport kids and camping gear. She he loaded her up with empty coolers etc. to ease the space issues in the van on the way back. He fell asleep somewhere along the way and when the road curved, he went straight. From the damage it looked like he flipped forward end over end and then landed on the passenger side. Luckily, he had his window open because he was feeling drowsy and wanted the air. IMPORTANT PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE: Don't drive while drowsy, it only takes a second with your eyes closed to drastically change your life. We were lucky, many are not.
He should have been killed. The only part of the car that was not damaged was the driver's compartment. The passenger side was pushed into the console. The rear seats were pushed to the front. The front engine compartment was pushed in. Not only was he not killed, he wasn't even injured. His chest was sore from the seat belt and he had a headache and a cut on his head when an empty cooler came flying forward and smacked him in the back of the head. He had some general aches and pains but he was basically untouched. My Corolla's last act was to protect my buddy from harm and as corny as it sounds I truly believe that. He told me the car stopped on the passenger side and he had to unbuckle himself and crawl out of the driver window. He then crawled to the shoulder and laid there until someone saw the wreckage and called emergency professionals.
I guess it was around a week later we went to the compound to pick up some items from the car, trunk etc. The car was so mangled, I couldn't get the car mats out of the backseat and the passenger side. We took pictures and hugged and cried. It was sad - because we knew what could and really what should have happened although we have never spoken the words out loud. It was sad - because my beloved car was in fact dead. But of course, it was more important to have my friend.
So, I needed a car. I kind of looked at it as serendipity. I had been eyeing up the Toyota Rav 4. I wasn't cheating on my Corolla but a girl is allowed to look right.
Next, the Rav chronicles.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Uh Oh, I've Just Flown Above The Radar
So I have pissed off the bank gods. I noticed that I wasn't able to access some money in my overdraft over a week ago and then again last week on payday. I called the telephone centre and they didn't know. But it happened the first time a couple of days before payday so no big deal. And then I noticed it again. So I called again and they sent me to my home branch. I never go there or talk to anyone. I do absolutely everything online but use the ATM. I called twice and left messages and received no response. So I expected everything to go as it normally would. It should have been fine except my mortgage payment didn't come out.
Anyhow, I sent an online message and then the bank phoned to tell me there were two problems (1) I have had 9 items returned in the past two years and (2) I have a savings account in overdraft that doesn't have an overdraft. Number 2 I know is a problem and I have been eking away at it but obviously not fast enough for them. Number 1 - obviously I am not a banker but 9 in two years doesn't seem all that bad to me. But obviously it doesn't matter what I think.
So I was told that if I pull up my socks and use the account appropriately for 3 to 6 months, then the held amount will be released. And it's a goofy amount too - $255.12 - bizarre. So I said why not take of the hold to make the mortgage payment. She was shocked that they would not take the payment and said she would look in to it and called me back and the mortgage was paid. Basically it means I have to stop being an idiot when it comes to money. I knew that but at least this is more motivation.
Sigh, everything gets better in 14 months when my car loan is done.
Anyhow, I sent an online message and then the bank phoned to tell me there were two problems (1) I have had 9 items returned in the past two years and (2) I have a savings account in overdraft that doesn't have an overdraft. Number 2 I know is a problem and I have been eking away at it but obviously not fast enough for them. Number 1 - obviously I am not a banker but 9 in two years doesn't seem all that bad to me. But obviously it doesn't matter what I think.
So I was told that if I pull up my socks and use the account appropriately for 3 to 6 months, then the held amount will be released. And it's a goofy amount too - $255.12 - bizarre. So I said why not take of the hold to make the mortgage payment. She was shocked that they would not take the payment and said she would look in to it and called me back and the mortgage was paid. Basically it means I have to stop being an idiot when it comes to money. I knew that but at least this is more motivation.
Sigh, everything gets better in 14 months when my car loan is done.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Inspired By The Flylady
I am a part of the Flylady group. I received a message today called "Food For Thought - No More Hunger" and she was talking about how much food is wasted by grocery stores and I thought I would respond and tell her my story. And then I realized what a great blog entry it would be . . .
Talking about wasted food. I used to work at a major national grocery store for 8 years when I was in university. I was also volunteering at an inner-city youth drop in centre. I used to be one of the ones to sift throw the dairy shelves and throw out “old” dairy items and at the end of the day clear out the leftover bakery items . The drop in I volunteered at served snacks to the children and it didn’t take very long before it started to make me sick to have to throw away good food because of a date. It was also this stores policy not to mark down items. They figured that then people would wait and only by the markdowns. They were so bent on throwing things away they got locked garbage bins so that street people couldn’t take the food out of the trash.
I bugged my manager for about 2 years. There were meetings with me and with the directors of the drop in. She wanted to make sure I wasn’t (or that the drop in wasn’t) reselling the food for profit. I tried to talk her into donating directly to the food bank. I knew from inquiring hypothetically that they would gladly make regular pickups at the store. I had big dreams of all the stores in city eventually donating food to their local non-profit organization. My managers answer to that was an emphatic no! She was worried about liability of someone eating something and perhaps getting sick and suing the store. So in order to make this deal happen, no one could know where the food came from. When she said that, I knew I was starting to soften her up.
Anyhow after constant hounding, she finally wore down. She tried to make the rules as inconvenient for me personally. Only I could pick up the food and only at 10:45 pm at night. Even if the shelves were broke down in the morning, it would sit (sometimes) in the cooler until night. Some of it went bad but the other employees that silently backed what I was trying to do would squeeze as much in the cooler as they could without getting in the way of stuff that had to be moved.
After about 6 months, I guess she realized these strict rules were actually hindering the way things worked at the store. I guess she figured that I would give up but I didn’t. Sometimes I took more stuff than we could use and in those instances we just gave it away. We also got food from a food bank so no one ever knew it was this store. The best part was we didn’t get a lot of dairy from the food bank. We were able to make sure that the kids had yogurts in their lunch and milk for their families. And we even started to make pizzas because we had cheese – it was to expensive to buy! So she ended up actually giving me a letter on company letterhead and the directors could do the pickups as long as they had the letter. After about 4 years she transferred to another store. I am sure the then ragged letter would have still been sufficient but by that time, I was working full time at the drop-in and wasn’t familiar with the new manager. I didn’t want to fight with the new guy and I had proved my point and helped feed an entire neighbourhood. (After a while, the stock boys would save anything that was damaged and headed for the garbage so we got pans and measuring cups and all sorts of stuff).
So in the spirit of Flylady. In North America over a million children go to bed hungry every night. Pressure your stores and try to force them to do the right thing. In this time of greenness and social responsibility, there shouldn't even be a question.
Talking about wasted food. I used to work at a major national grocery store for 8 years when I was in university. I was also volunteering at an inner-city youth drop in centre. I used to be one of the ones to sift throw the dairy shelves and throw out “old” dairy items and at the end of the day clear out the leftover bakery items . The drop in I volunteered at served snacks to the children and it didn’t take very long before it started to make me sick to have to throw away good food because of a date. It was also this stores policy not to mark down items. They figured that then people would wait and only by the markdowns. They were so bent on throwing things away they got locked garbage bins so that street people couldn’t take the food out of the trash.
I bugged my manager for about 2 years. There were meetings with me and with the directors of the drop in. She wanted to make sure I wasn’t (or that the drop in wasn’t) reselling the food for profit. I tried to talk her into donating directly to the food bank. I knew from inquiring hypothetically that they would gladly make regular pickups at the store. I had big dreams of all the stores in city eventually donating food to their local non-profit organization. My managers answer to that was an emphatic no! She was worried about liability of someone eating something and perhaps getting sick and suing the store. So in order to make this deal happen, no one could know where the food came from. When she said that, I knew I was starting to soften her up.
Anyhow after constant hounding, she finally wore down. She tried to make the rules as inconvenient for me personally. Only I could pick up the food and only at 10:45 pm at night. Even if the shelves were broke down in the morning, it would sit (sometimes) in the cooler until night. Some of it went bad but the other employees that silently backed what I was trying to do would squeeze as much in the cooler as they could without getting in the way of stuff that had to be moved.
After about 6 months, I guess she realized these strict rules were actually hindering the way things worked at the store. I guess she figured that I would give up but I didn’t. Sometimes I took more stuff than we could use and in those instances we just gave it away. We also got food from a food bank so no one ever knew it was this store. The best part was we didn’t get a lot of dairy from the food bank. We were able to make sure that the kids had yogurts in their lunch and milk for their families. And we even started to make pizzas because we had cheese – it was to expensive to buy! So she ended up actually giving me a letter on company letterhead and the directors could do the pickups as long as they had the letter. After about 4 years she transferred to another store. I am sure the then ragged letter would have still been sufficient but by that time, I was working full time at the drop-in and wasn’t familiar with the new manager. I didn’t want to fight with the new guy and I had proved my point and helped feed an entire neighbourhood. (After a while, the stock boys would save anything that was damaged and headed for the garbage so we got pans and measuring cups and all sorts of stuff).
So in the spirit of Flylady. In North America over a million children go to bed hungry every night. Pressure your stores and try to force them to do the right thing. In this time of greenness and social responsibility, there shouldn't even be a question.
Friday, September 4, 2009
A Brother Mourned
I found out today that a co-worker died in a dramatic car crash. He was travelling down a divided road and a car turned into his lane. His truck rear ended the car and then he swerved into the other lane and was hit by a semi. I imagine he was dead on impact.
It is so sad. He was only 32. A young guy. He just got married this year. He has an infant child. I know he had a solid group of friends and was very well liked. We weren't close and thinking about it never worked together in the four years I have been there but everyone knows everyone so I am still affected. Especially since in my blog of a few days ago I talked about the very thing that killed him. Stupid people that turn into a lane where a car is already driving when there is not enough time for the person to react. Please people be careful. Wait the 5 seconds for the car to pass.
What is worse is that yesterday was the annual golf tournament of another guy from work who died on the highway on his motorcycle when a senior drifted into his lane and hit him head on. So on the day we honoured a brother who passed away, we are now burying another.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. And to everyone at work who cared about him.
It is so sad. He was only 32. A young guy. He just got married this year. He has an infant child. I know he had a solid group of friends and was very well liked. We weren't close and thinking about it never worked together in the four years I have been there but everyone knows everyone so I am still affected. Especially since in my blog of a few days ago I talked about the very thing that killed him. Stupid people that turn into a lane where a car is already driving when there is not enough time for the person to react. Please people be careful. Wait the 5 seconds for the car to pass.
What is worse is that yesterday was the annual golf tournament of another guy from work who died on the highway on his motorcycle when a senior drifted into his lane and hit him head on. So on the day we honoured a brother who passed away, we are now burying another.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. And to everyone at work who cared about him.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Intro
I guess I should change my intro. Since I am not moving in with mommy, that seems like a misnomer. No I don't think I will change it. I think I will just amend it so that it reflects the change in focus.
Attempts To Be Frugal Thwarted
I just received a speeding ticket in the mail today. It's one of those speed trap sneaky camera ones. I am not complaining, don't get me wrong. I was going 17 kilometers over the speed limit. I definitely deserved the ticket. I am just upset with myself because I can't control my "road rage" sometimes. I think I can remember exactly when I got the ticket.
It was August 23rd on the way to work. And I vaguely remember thinking ... was that a guy sitting in that truck. I was doing fine. I used to get A LOT of those tickets. Thank goodness they don't count towards your insurance since the officers can't prove who was driving your car. I used to drive fast all the time. But because of ridiculous cost and bad gas mileage, I made a concerted effort to stop being a jackass.
The only problem is when I get angry, I forget all about my pledge to drive slower and safer. And I remember the incident. I was in the left lane and this car waited just about until I was at the intersection he/she was waiting to turn at and then just before I got there, they turned. So I had to hammer on my brakes so as not to rear end this fool. I would have swerved as well but there were parked cars in the right lane. Guess what, then they drove at about 1/2 the speed limit. So this fool almost caused an accident by rushing to blend into traffic and then suddenly the urgency is gone and he/she is driving like the lead car in parade.
When I had the chance I zoomed around this moving hazard and stewed for a couple blocks with my foot firmly on the gas pedal. Aargh $220 wasted.
It was August 23rd on the way to work. And I vaguely remember thinking ... was that a guy sitting in that truck. I was doing fine. I used to get A LOT of those tickets. Thank goodness they don't count towards your insurance since the officers can't prove who was driving your car. I used to drive fast all the time. But because of ridiculous cost and bad gas mileage, I made a concerted effort to stop being a jackass.
The only problem is when I get angry, I forget all about my pledge to drive slower and safer. And I remember the incident. I was in the left lane and this car waited just about until I was at the intersection he/she was waiting to turn at and then just before I got there, they turned. So I had to hammer on my brakes so as not to rear end this fool. I would have swerved as well but there were parked cars in the right lane. Guess what, then they drove at about 1/2 the speed limit. So this fool almost caused an accident by rushing to blend into traffic and then suddenly the urgency is gone and he/she is driving like the lead car in parade.
When I had the chance I zoomed around this moving hazard and stewed for a couple blocks with my foot firmly on the gas pedal. Aargh $220 wasted.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
September 2009 Update
Mortgage 1 $42,325.94
Mortgage 2 $10,179.45
Car Loan $10,002.11
LOC $ 8,000.00
MC 1 $ 1,229.00
MC 2 $ 2,003.00
Mortgage 2 $10,179.45
Car Loan $10,002.11
LOC $ 8,000.00
MC 1 $ 1,229.00
MC 2 $ 2,003.00
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