Not Quite

Red Bank, New Jersey

So my car finally died a few weeks back.  The (sh-tty) Mercury Sable revved as I was leaving my office's parking lot, and then never held a gear after that.  I could put the car in drive.  I could stomp on the gas pedal.  I couldn't go anywhere, though. 

Thus, I ended up car shopping all last week.  Car shopping is a novel experience for me.  I've never bought a new car before.  The first thing I'd like to point out is that, compared to attorneys, car salesmen are horrible negotiators.  I almost felt guilty for the amount of puffery in which I engaged.  Almost. 

I ended up getting a Honda Element (when I get done with this appeal I'm litigating, I'll put pictures up).  It's great.  I love the car for so many reasons, some of which have more to do with how people respond to the car than the actual car.  The damn thing's a litmus test.  People either love or hate the "box on wheels" as one of my bosses calls it.  It's huge, which is good for packrats like me.  Finally, the damn thing rides like a truck.  I hate SUVs that ride like cars.  That just doesn't seem right. 

Nonetheless, I will concede that it does look like the Element was designed by the Soviet Army.  Frankly, I like that. 

Unrelated Point Two

Twenty-nine.  I'm twenty-nine years old today.  I hate celebrating my birthday.  I don't mean that I hate having my birthday noticed.  That's different. Everyone wants to be remembered.  I just don't like getting all uppity about my birthday.  Seems too demanding. 

I think I'm going to have a nice little get-together for this one, though.  A few friends, some dinner, and good gin/wine/"other" should do me good. 

After twenty-nine years, I'd really like a tally of all the people I've p-ssed off.  I think that would be amusing. 

For me, that is.  Not them. 

Comments

[Chuck]

Happy Birthday!

[pops]

There must be some sort of computer virus going around.

We bought a new Element last weekend.

Mom calls it our Suburban Assualt Vehicle.

[TPB, Esq.]

What's disturbing is that I've also been calling mine the Suburban Assault Vehicle. Or the "Mil Hind," after the Soviet attack helecopter.

Thanks, Chuck. I appreciate that.

[Suzette]

Well, happy birthday to you.

The thing I like most about the Element is that it looks pretty much as if you could stick a hose in thru the window, let it run for a while until the water reaches the desired depth, open the doors to drain it and then drive around real fast for a sort of highway blow-dry. To me, that sounds better than vacuuming.

But you have not mentioned the most important Element element: what color? I see you in the gunmetal grey one, but I'm secretly hoping that you will say you got the orange one.

[Hondo]

29? You're just a kid. Happy Birthday.

[bicyclemark]

Happy Anniversary on this earth TPB. Listen closely, can you hear the planet rejoicing?

[Rhesa]

Happy Birthday, TPB!

[Kathleen]

A day late, but not a dollar short!
Hope your nursing a tiny hangover o' fun today! (I mean that in a good way, I swear.)

[Rachel]

Happy Birthday...enjoy this year, because the big 30 looms in the horizon.

Good luck with the vehicle; I prefer my cars sexy and fast--screw headroom. Big hair was so 80s . Although, perhaps you guys are too young to remember the 80s...

[John]

Congrats on the new car purchase! I know how frustrating and infuriating car-buying can be. But nothing beats that first ride home.

[Da Goddess]

Happy Birthday! And congrats on the new vehicle.

[Tokyo Redhed]

Sorry - I'm very late on this one... "Omedeto" as they say here. You aren't an old fart at all - you're a young 'un :-) Hondas are v cool but then I would say that.