Getting around

First of all, you need to understand that I come from LA, a place where you are what you drive. Except when I’m traveling, being without a reliable car gives me the jim-jams. I know when stress is getting to me by my dreams—I dream I can’t find my car, I’ve crashed my car, someone has vandalized my car. Because without a car, you are basically a non-person.

Moreover, my current vehicle is a 23-year-old Saab. GM killed the Saab division about 15 years ago, so whenever I take my car in for service, the big challenge is getting parts.

So when, last Friday, I was leaving my physical therapy appointment at 0900 and switched on the air conditioner, I was rendered instantly anxious by the fact that—while the fan blew—the air did not get cold. Turning the corner on August in Northern Virginia without AC is a genuine, certified bummer.

The earliest the garage could take a look at it was today, and that was strictly a “drop it off and hope” situation.

Well, I did my grocery shopping yesterday (at the store with underground parking, so not in the sun) and I’m actually okay, because my house AC works fine.

But the last time I took the car in for repair it was there three days, because they had to order parts from possibly Ghana or Nepal. I’m just hoping for the best, because any more, AC in cars is definitely must-have.

UPDATE: Garage called. Something about the something, plus almost completely out of freon. And oil leak at the top of the engine. But should be ready by end of today. 

And I got them to tack on the annual inspection, due this month, so I should be set for a while.

  

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