Well, it happened. Master made the last car payment on the wagon last December. We've had a few problems, but nothing the mechanic couldn't fix; until this weekend. I was at my new job on Sat. and Master was out shopping. I was finally able to call Her, and found out that She had spent some time stuck in a parking lot. Nothing i could do, i'm at work. So She limped the car home and called the mechanic. He came out last night to take a look at it. He pulled a spark plug, and stuck a light down in the hole. Not good. We had thrown a piston, which means we can either spend a couple thousand dollars fixing the engine, or go buy another car.
We spent last night researching cars. We both like fords. (my first truck was a 1969 Ford F150 3 speed on the column, shared with my brothers, but i loved that truck!) We looked at the options. We found a pretty nice one and two dealers have them available.
Yes we are going for used. We really don't have the capitol to buy a brand new 2005 something. So we are looking at 2000-2002. Master is continuing to research while She is at work. Neither of us wants to rush into buying something we are unhappy with. I work the rest of this week 10 a.m. to whenever. i'm not actually cooking yet; we are still setting up the kitchen. So i probably won't be out late this week (closer to 5 p.m. or earlier). Still, I won't have the time to go dance around car lots, and bring home information for Master to look over. Also, we have tickets to go see a show this week..."Tea at Five." with Kate Mulgrew. That's tomorrow evening. That takes one more evening away from going and looking at vehicles.
Master made the decision to rent a car for the week. We have one reserved and are going to pick it up today. Fortunately we have enough credit to be able to do this. That way, She can get to work, and come pick me up, we can go to the show, we can run around dealerships during the evenings, and make an informed decision. We hope to have something by the beginning of next week.
This is traumatic for both of us. Myrtle was Her first vehicle ever. She spent time researching prior to the purchase. She drove it out here from Kansas, and has made two trips back to Kansas in the car. We have been to California and Northern Arizona in this car, and have taken several trips down to Tucson in it. I have spent time maintaining her, and keeping her running. Master is distressed because it has sentimental value. I am distressed because i was taking good care of her, and she died anyway...
*sigh*
Good aspects of this: This is the first time i've been with somebody, that when a car died we had the financial flexibility to say, "Let's go buy another one." This is the first time i've been with someone who said to take the time to research what we need, and then go find it. It is a lot of firsts for me being with Master. Someone who is stable, has credit, and can make informed consumer decisions. It's a little scary, and also exciting.
At least we are taking care of the problem. Neither of us cracked or broke down. We are staying in the solution. I'm rather proud of Master for handling the situation so gracefully.
About work:
OHMYGOD! I am the first new hire to go to work for Chef. I was invited in to help get things ready. I've been able to work in the new kitchen, adding energy and petting all the new appliances. I've never helped open a new kitchen before. My first day was Friday. Worked Friday and Sat, and had Sun/Mon off. I work all this week.
I found out i'll be working on the line. That's going to be fun. I haven't been on a hot line in a long time. Don't know what position i'll be in, but i'm hoping he lets me work sauté. That's the one position i haven't worked yet. (i've sautéed before, but it involved flattops, not pans). Everyone i've met seems really nice. Chef isn't one to lose his cool. And a few of the guys have been around a pretty long time. The soups and stocks guy has been there for 28 years. This could possibly be the job i keep for quite a long time. I'd really like to stay there for as long as possible. I'm tired of job hopping, and having zero employment. This feels right.
I am ever so thankful for not having to go back to Fry's. It is like night and day. I'm calling Fry's "boot camp." simply because it got me back into the habit of a full time job, it got me working with food and people, and it reminded me about what kind of work i really don't like to do.
There are other aspects to the job. People have respect for my choice of lifestyle. The Sous Chef found us and said, "Call your partner." Without as much as a twitch. I can call Master "Master" around Chef. Probably not around the other guys, but Chef has an understanding. And it's probably how i got hired in the first place. I sent the email resume from the wrong email address, and still got hired...!!!!
The Universe can work in very funny ways. I'm grateful, and i'm excited, and i'm staying calm. New job, new car, change of pace, and ability to refocus on Master, and our life, because i'll be doing stuff i like to do.
And we are hoping that at some point, i can get the poetry moving again. I'm starting to feel inspired again.
And hopefully i'll be able to keep up this journal. Instead of being all tired and grumpy, and hating my job, i'll be inspired and happy, and loving my job and the life Master and i are living together. That will help motivate me to write more often.
