Happy Tri-Centennial. This is our 300th Issue of The Rantings of an Old Coot.
Wednesday morning I awoke to my alarm, lounged in bed in the knowledge that all I had to do today was pack up for the weekend, get the cats ready, run a quick errand or two and go into autopilot for a few hours. At the end of all that I'd be in Buffalo casually relaxing for a few days, eating Thanksgiving dinner and running a Turkey Trot.The Check Engine Light
Let me set the stage for you. It's November 21st, 11:00 AM and I just stopped to top of the ole gas tank before driving for 6 hours. According to my odometer I've traveled a hair over 4 miles when, wouldn't you know it, the check engine light (CEL) comes on. I'll be damned. From what I understand the CEL is almost always en emission issue, so short of creating a little more pollution (maybe I'll get one less mile per gallon, which over 12 gallons is not a problem) and spending a few extra cents driving out to the 'lo it's not a big deal. BUT, my inspection is up in December (9 days away) and it'll fail if the CEL is on. Excellent! There will be no putting this damn task off.
A few miles down the road it dawns on me that when I topped off the gas tank, the gas cap just didn't feel quite right. I pulled over at my earliest convenience, took the cap off, put it back on real good and hoped for the best. The light would never go off for the entire drive, but those things can take a while. I was not overly worried.
At a rest stop I took a few moments to jot down the details of my trip so I would remember to pass them along to all y'all and I noticed that the last thing I wrote in my little notebook was P0031 - the fault code from the last time my CEL was on.In-Car Snacks
With little more than an orange Check Engine Light, the occasional tail light and the dirt on my glasses to look at, I passed the time by looking into other people's cars and judging them. DVDs playing? Bad parents. Radar detector? Scofflaw. Navigation system? Directionally challenged. Nevermind that I have a radar detector and navigation system, that's not important. What I found to be the most fun was seeing what people eat while driving.
I'm sure we're all familiar with the standard in-car snacks: coffee, huge slices of pizza, Cinnabon cinnamon rolls, and so on. I myself had pretzels, bananas, apples and a granola bar. Nothing funny about those things. Then there was the woman who came swerving out of a rest stop. I thought for sure she was trying to stir a coffee or eat soup, but she was not. Of all things to be eating A) while driving and B) on a cold November day, she had a big ass ice cream cone.
If you've ever eaten an ice cream cone, you're probably well aware of the mess it can make if you don't stay on top of it. Add the fact that she's probably got the heat blasting, and it was a recipe for disaster. Chuckling in amazement to myself, I then proceeded to drink from my 32 ounce wide-mouth Nalgene bottle which, under the most controlled circumstances, is a freaking mess. How I managed to keep from pouring it down the sides of my face I'll never know.Race Packet Pickup
Before ending my trip at the family homestead, I stopped by the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) to pick up my race packet for the morning's Turkey Trot. By this time it was pouring rain out, and I was quite drenched by the time I got into the building. I waltzed up to the table for last names G-L, announced myself and received my timing chip and bib number. She asked if I would like a small or extra large t-shirt, to which I replied 'No'. I would have actually preferred a medium, but I was SOL. I took a small, thinking if it didn't fit well I could at least wear it under something. Like the pile of Red Cross t-shirts I've received over the years, an XL would never be worn.
Passing by the racks of discounted running gear for sale by Runner's Roost, I nabbed a jacket I've been eyeing for years. It was 50% off which put it down to a reasonable splurge for yours truly. In the morning, it proved a welcome addition to my running wardrobe since it was the only sleeved windbreaker I had. Excellent!
When I got home I dug through my race bag to collect all of my goodies. Usually these bags are stuffed with granola bars, strange jelly bean style food supplements, and coupons. Apparently mine had already been pawed through, leaving me with only the latter - coupons for shit I don't need. Oh yeah, hair bands for my close-cropped hair. Excellent.
Over and Out,
Old Coot
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Westward Bound
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Back by Unpopular Demand
Alright people, here's the skinny... I've been away from ye olde blogge for some time now and as I sit here with no e-mail to read I'm thinking it's time to catch urrbody up on what I've been up to.So What Have You Been Doing?
Well, whenI last rapped at you, I was probably in the midst (or post midst) of installing my windows. Those are long since finished, but with repainting on the inside left.
Hmm, I was probably running a lot. Nowadays I've been pouring my sweat and tears into my bike and kayak, as my hamstring has been causing me undue agony. I'm still running, just not nearly as much or as fast :( I got whipped by old people at the 4th of July 5k here in P-field. The weather was perfect, I was rested, I had on some comfy clothes, a pretty lady talked to me (married with children, wouldn't you know), and so on. I certainly could have done better, but I kept it just below the hamstring tearing threshold.
Biking, or cycling as I will refer to it from here on out, has been my cross-training activity of choice. I'm planning on IronManning the Josh Billings Runaground this September (I need a couple of support crew members if there are any takers). Today, for sh!ts and gr!ns, I rode the course route (plus an 11-mile warmup to get to the starting line) and it was a sumbitch. We were able to average a little over 17 MPH, which is no Team Discovery, but we're not pros either. The hills we had to ride were killers; just long enough to screw with my newly learned hill climbing techniques. BUT, I had my new Curious George cycling jersey on so I at least looked good panting up those hills.
Before you ask, yes I said Curious George and yes I looked good in it. A woman wearing lycra was quoted saying "I wondered what kind of guy could pull that jersey off. It figures that you could." Afterwards, a guy I ride/run with was quoted saying "The way your chest hair sticks out of the front of your shirt reminds me of a show I saw last night." I zipped it up. He was referring to 40 Year Old Virgin. I'm no Steve Carrell, but I guess I've had my share of black coffee.I Don't Take Requests
After my last hiatus, people kept crying at my feet, thanking me for blogging again. They would then point out things that I so could blog about. It's not that I'm annoyed by it, because I'm not, but I like to think I have creative control over my blog. I don't want to pull a Dave Chappelle, but people trying to get me to blog about their stuff makes it hard for me to get my word out. Plus, if someone suggests something I was already going to write about, out of principle I have to not write about it because then it doesn't seem like my idea. So please, no requests.
There, enough about that crap. I do appreciate the attention though.Hey, I Thought You Were Going on Vacation
If you thought this, you were right. I am in fact, going to the Orient to visit my sister later this week. I'm trying to be calm yet excited about it, but I'm sure when the time comes I'll be a nervous wreck. I'm trying to think about it like I'm going to visit her in California (or wherever) but with a longer flight. That way it doesn't seem so big and scary. What can I say, I've never traveled internationally and certainly never on my own.
Since my sister requested (demanded) that I blog about Japan during my trip as well as after it, I'm not going to. Actually, maybe I will. I might have to bum her computer though, cuz I won't have mine with me. Which reminds me, has anyone seen the freaking battery charger for my camera batteries? I can't find that thing anywhere.Busting a Gut
I learned the other day that paddling a kayak should not require a lot of arm strength. That's good cuz it borders on illegal when I unholster my guns. Instead, what you're supposed to do is hold your arms still and pull with your abs and back, with your arms just along for the ride. Now, like most Americans I love a good abdominal workout, but an hour straight of those twisting crunches would kick anyones ass. I took it easy the first time out and thought for sure I would die afterwards. Now I've gone a few times and it's no better. Carrying the kayak back to the car and back to the sawhorses where I store it takes all I've got after a good paddling; the obliques are spent.Check Engine Light
One last thing. I gave in and took my car to a mechanic the other week to have it fixed. It was the O2 sensor, just like I thought, but the work involved made the effort not worth the $100 I had to pay someone else to do it (plus parts, of course). Now, the Check Engine Light is off!
I almost miss the little guy.
Over and Out,
Old Coot
Monday, March 19, 2007
Conspiracy Theory
It wasn't until my new iPod shipped that the Check Engine Light came back on in my car. Wouldn't you know that it was about 3 minutes into an hour drive, with two hours of driving to be done later in the day. Killer. I'll get into why I think this is a conspiracy...C-O-N-Spiracy
First, what TV show is the title of this chapter a quote from? Give up?
In Living Color
As you all know, whether you're paranoid or not, someone is out to get you. In my case, I am paranoid but it doesn't help any. A short while ago I was telling you how I was torn between buying a new iPod to replace my failing iPod Mini and getting an OBDII tester to be able to perform diagnostics on my car. The Check Engine light was becoming an issue and I thought I should have a look-see.
After cleaning the gas cap, I hadn't seen the light come back on in a few weeks so I figured that meant I was in the clear. I pulled the trigger on the new iPod and patiently sat back awaiting its arrival. Wouldn't you know that once it shipped the light would come back on and stay on? And then the next day wouldn't you know my Mini would go off the blink?
I won't bore you with the details other than to say that the light has been on for half a tank, and I was driving to Albany (not Windsor) when it made its appearance. They aren't even the same direction, in fact they're quite the opposite.
So now I have the unfortunate dilemma of having to buy the scanner (or find someone at work with one) AND having to have a sweet new toy. Jeebus, you just like to watch me struggle with decisions only to punch me in the balls after I settle on a choice!Everywhere a TV
Not only do we have a TV in our cafeteria at work, but something wicked exciting was happening and I had to sit there not watching. Jeebus, I saw you through the window, don't think I don't know you were checking on me.
What you weren't expecting is that DA would stroll in right when everyone was saying "Oh wow, look at that!" and I was facing the complete other direction. I'm sure she thought I was staring at her, but I was really just not looking at the TV. I'd go explain myself to her but her henchman, CB, would probably get in my way. CB, she's not interested in you pal. Sorry.It's Here!
Nope, not the House of Pain CD, but that has been shipped. The woman was wicked apologetic, and even used the word 'wicked' in her apology. Bonus points? I think so. No, actually the new 80 GB iPod was in my mailbox when I got home today. Cha-ching.
I just finished syncing it up with all 15 GB of music on my PC. I even ripped a chunk of a movie to put on there, plus I tossed in some pics. Let's see, that leaves 65 gig left. I better start keeping tabs on that mess before I fill it up :-)
Actually, I'm hooking up some chill background music as I type. I found some nice podcasts that I'll keep up-to-date, and I'll be a-chillin all the time. And all for free. Hey Oh!
That reminds me. If anyone out there in Readerland knows of any good podcasts (you should have an idea of what I like), holler at a player. Then holler at me.
Over and Out,
Old Coot
Saturday, March 10, 2007
You have GOT to be Kidding Me
Today was another one of our free days off, for which we pay dearly. However, I used it to get some things done and go skiing.Passport is in Process
Ab, you'll be happy to know that I stopped off at the Post Office today to apply for my United States Passport. In less than two months I should be able to leave the country and return whenever I want. Canada, here I come!CEL
Today I was driving up to Notchview for some cross country skiing. Before that, I had been driving all over town running errands and applying for passports. I'd estimate I had done somewhere on the order of an hour of driving, with layovers at Target and the P.O. As I approached Windsor my God damned Check Engine Light came back on again. It seriously has been off ever since I last went to Windsor. I'm really starting to think that it is prejudiced against Hill Folk.
Knowing that I had to drive to Albany and back later in the evening I was a little worried about the Check Engine Light being on. As I drove around picking everyone up the car must have determined that I was headed away from Windsor, and the light turned off. I think I'm gonna have to get an OBD II tester to settle this once and for all. Damn this light!
Over and Out,
Old Coot
Monday, March 05, 2007
Warning, You're Going to Windsor
Okay, every time I drive to Windsor, my Check Engine light comes on. Maybe not every time, but that last three times this has happened.Caution, Hillbillies Ahead
The Check Engine light doesn't come on at the same point of the trip or anything like that, that might clue me in to what it's telling me.
The first time I was on my way to pick someone up before heading up when it came on. I changed my plans that day. The second time I was going up by myself and it came on somewhere on East St, a mere mile from my house. Yesterday I picked up someone and was driving down Dalton Division Rd, still in Pittsfield (or maybe that side of the double-yellow line is Dalton), when I pointed it out to my passenger. "See, I told you the car knows" I explained.
Saturday night we agreed that in the morning we would not discuss Windsor, Notchview or anything that might clue the car in on the fact that we'd be driving up there. It was supposed to be a total surprise, but then Natasha (my Garmin navigator) spoke up and blew our spot, telling the car where we were going. The next thing I knew the Caution, Hillbillies Ahead light was on and my theory was once again supported.A Quick Google Search
Later that day, the light had turned off again, leading me to believe that there's something none-too-serious wrong with the car. Typical causes of the aforementioned light coming on include loose gas cap, bad oxygen sensor and engine on fire. I guess the Grade A, #1, Top Choice cause is the loose (or bad) gas cap so I thought I'd see if that's my problem.
I always tighten the cap to the prescribed three clicks when I fill the tank, but I have also always wondered if the sludge build-up on the cap is affecting the output of my high-performance automobile. This morning I took some Simple Green to the cap and where the cap threads into. It was fun-ky!
The next step is to drive to Windsor to see if the light comes back on. If it does, I'll try a new cap and pray to God that the light isn't trying to tell me the engine is on fire.You May Have Noticed
If you've been keeping up to date on my blogging, you might have noticed that I've already written three posts today, each one a small little morsel of bloggetry. I'm going to try it for a while and see what sort of feedback I get.
Over and Out,
Old Coot
