When it rains, it pours! I went out to lunch yesterday with a friend, and when I got home my computer was turned off. I thought someone here at the house had turned it off. Turns out, we had experienced a power outage. When I tried to turn my computer on it wouldn’t boot up. I tried several different boot options, but it wouldn’t even boot in safe mode! At that point I knew I would have to take it into the shop.

Fixing it is no big deal. It was purchased at Totally Awesome Computers and it has a three year warranty on parts so I’ll be able to get it fixed for nothing. However, I was really worried about my files. Fortunately, I was able to get it to boot succesfully this morning. I’ve backed up all of my important files and I’m about to take it in. I have no idea if I’ll even be able to get it to boot again. I’ve been having lots of problems lately with my fan. It makes a horribly loud noise. I suspect that my power supply was gradually dying, and this power outage was the last straw. Of course, I really have no idea what’s going on. That’ll be up to the guys down at the shop.

Anyway, my whole purpose in writing this entry is to say that I may not be updating my website for a little while, depending on how well things go with my computer. If nothing else, I can use another computer around here to keep you all posted, so it shouldn’t be a big deal. Everyone wish me luck! 

Well! When I took my car in Saturday, Firestone quoted me $75—no big deal. So I called them this morning because I was going to be out of town all day (I’ll talk about that in a sec). They told me that they hadn’t realized on Saturday that it was a 6-cylinder (at which point I should have said, “If you didn’t know it was a V6, then I don’t want you working on my car…”). They told me (it being a V6 and all) that the tune-up would cost another $168. The reason it’s so high is because they have to remove the air intake from the top of the engine to get down to where the spark plugs are. Also, the mechanic claimed he ran his hands over the spark plug cables and they sparked, which supposedly means I need new cables (I’m not sure I really believe this). The new cables would cost $114 and labor to install them would be another $77. This brings the total to $428. When I told him I couldn’t afford to have the work done right away, he had the audacity to ask me if I had a Firestone credit card, and if I would be interested in financing to have the work done! Of course, I politely declined his asinine offer.

But, wait! It gets worse: I had Janene pick up my car whilst I was away, and when she went to pick it up they gave her a detailed statement of the work they recommended should be done. To the list we had previously discussed, they had presumptuosly added a fuel filter ($40 + $42 in labor), something called “computerized engine analysis” ($90), and fuel system tune-up parts ($40 + $40 in labor). This brings the total to a grandiose $752, to which I emphatically reply, “BULL &@%#!” (Excuse my French).

Hey, speaking of cars, I suddenly have this insane desire to learn how to fix my car at home. Call me crazy, but I don’t think a regular tune-up should cost $250. I would rather buy spark plugs and an air filter and do it myself for around $60. In fact, I would love to buy one of those books with detailed schematics of every part of my car. I think that would be really fun to learn how everything works so that I can do all the regular maintenance. It would be a good skill to have, and it would save me money.

Anyway, I promised I would talk about where I went today. I went down to Sanpete County and worked with my dad and my uncle. They are building a new irrigation pipeline. Today we put up concrete forms—big heavy wood and metal framing pieces that fit together and act as molds for setting concrete. It was probably the toughest work I’ve done in a while. Right now I’m very tired and very dirty (and—to risk being redundant—somewhat ticked off from the events discussed above), and my bed is calling me. But all in all, today was a good day. I wouldn’t want to do this every day, but there’s something about getting dirty, being sunburnt, having stiff muscles, and having little cuts and scrapes all over your hands. It screams satisfaction, knowing you’ve put in an honest day’s work. 

I took my car into the shop today. It’s been shaking a little bit for several months now, but I didn’t realize anything was wrong until the check engine light came on the other day. Turns out one of my cylinders is misfiring. This could be due to a bad sparkplug, in which case all I need is a tune-up. But then it could also be a bad distributor cap, or something called an EGR valve. Anyway, I put it in today for a tune-up and an oil change. Hopefully that will fix the problem.

I finished my first assignment for my online Calculus class. It was a piece of cake, but then it was mostly review. We probably won’t start the really tough stuff for a few more weeks. Of course, this next week we have two assignments due, so maybe I should not count my chickens before they hatch? 

I heard from ContentWatch last week. They aren’t hiring right now, and probably won’t be for a while. However, I’ve found a job with West Jordan High School. I’m going to be the summer Drumline Instructor. Stu’s little brother, Herschel, is on the line this year, and I’ve met a few of the other guys. Although I am wary of the whole “super-senior” aspect of the job, I think it will be lots of fun. I’ve decided I’m going to wear a tie to work every day so that they will respect me. There are a few parades in the evening, but other than that, this job won’t interfere with my other job. I’m very happy about that.

I’ve also registered for Calculus I this summer. I’m taking the class online, and so far I’m very impressed with the way the whole system is set up. There are tons of resources available to help me learn in the absence of regular formal lectures. Only time will tell whether or not I’m motivated to do well, but I think it’s going to be fun. 

Well, Stu’s wedding went off without a hitch. I’m very happy for him and his new bride. Stu and Shilo: I have enjoyed watching your friendship grow and blossom into a beautiful romance. I wish you both a very long and happy life together! (And don’t forget about me while you are paying so much attention to each other, okay?)