8/2/10

Well, not much to report about this last weekend. I got a text from John Saturday morning saying he wasn't going to make it to the shop so I went with mom to buy tires for her car. We went to the Boys of Pep first and were quoted $667.00, or so, for a set of Hankook Ventus Something-or-Others, plus an oil change. We took that quote and headed to Disco(unt) Tire. There, we were quoted some price for a set of Bridgestones similar to the factory tires. I asked for an out-the-door price so we could continue shopping. “Where were you going to look?” the guy asked. “We can compare prices right here.” I told him we were headed to Sam’s next and he looked them up. They had the same Bridgestones for $10.00 less a tire. He offered to match that price. I once again asked for an out the door price and was told $677.00, or so. We said we’d talk it over and left. As we were getting in the car, the manager stopped us and asked, “What can we do to get your business today?” or some other stereotypical sales dude ploy. I assured him that he was in the running and that we just needed to discuss it some more. We drove off and talked it over some. I pointed out that the Hankooks were more of a performance tire and might ride a bit rougher and make more noise. I also said that we could sit in the Taco Cabana and have lunch while the car was at Disco Tire. She made me promise to change her oil and we went back to Disco Tire. I think we cut in line too, oops. Dang white people! We went back to the same sales dude as before and made the deal. He took the keys and we walked to Taco Cabana. We ate and they eventually called. I walked back and got the car then picked mom up at the door of TC. From there we... I guess we went home. I don't really remember. I hung out for a while and then called Gregg and Kevin. Both of them wanted to meet me at the shop for various reasons. We decided that I'd head that way in an hour, 1300 h to be exact, and they’d all meet me there. I debated driving The Seven then realized it was friggin hot outside. I arrived and went out back to check to see if the 510 wagon had the part Gregg wanted. It did not. I called John to see if he knew where we could find another one. He suggested Marty Smith. I called him and asked if he had the part. He said he probably did but since he had no idea what part I was talking about, I'd have to come look for it myself. Kevin and Gregg both showed up and we hung out for a bit. I gave Kevin the “Ram’s Horn” exhaust manifolds I'm never going to use and Gregg a “Grant GT” horn button for Lil' Wiggly since I kept my “Hello Kitty” horn button. We then went to see Marty. He directed us to a 510 and handed me a wrench. I started taking the master cylinder off and then he said, “Oh, that car over there is more disassembled.” We went to look at “that car over there” and I saw that the part we wanted was almost completely removed already. I finished removing it and handed it to Gregg. Then we went in to look at some of the BRE/Pete Brock memorabilia Marty picked up at the Mitty last April. Eventually everyone left and went their separate ways. I went home and piddled around on the computer for a while. Tony called at about 2230 h and talked until 0100 h. He scared me with something he said. I need to do a little more investigating, but he said that fire departments won't even try to save your house if there is ammo stored inside unless it is in fireproof containment. Sunday, after buying mom lunch at the Outhouse... um, I mean Outback, I went shopping for a fireproof something in which to store my ammo. I didn't find anything. I think what I'm going to do is empty out that filing cabinet in the garage and store it in there. What I've read on line is that if it is stored in metal, on ground level, it shouldn't be a threat. I might line the thing with... I don't know, something fireproof as well. We'll see. At around 1815 h, I rolled The Seven out to go to the Purple Cow for the monthly Old School Japanese Car thing. John surprised my by being there! We hung out for a bit then went in and ate. After dinner we looked at Dave Heeter’s car for a bit when I was called by bomber command with an urgent mission. The porcelain works needed a good strafing and they needed them fast! I said my farewells and folded myself into The Seven. I should have flown the mission at the Purple Cow. I was fine until I got to the house and realized that I had a choice: a) hold in my bowels, or 2) unfurl myself from The Seven. The exact opposite, and mutually exclusive, muscles are needed for those two operations. I managed to get my ass pointed out of the cockpit before I made a “Hot Dot” in my drawers though. After taking a shower, I parked The Seven and called it a weekend. OK, so that’s about all I have for today. I'll talk to y'all later.