LA Story

I had to go down to Los Angeles recently for business. My dealings actually take me into Compton.
I stay in Torrance, about 25 to 30 minutes driving from LAX airport, depending upon the traffic levels and how you drive.

The company has a rental agreement with National Rental Cars. There is a "club", and being a member, all I have to do is show up with a valid reservation and I get the luxury of picking any car on the lot in the designated area, and they all cost the same.

When I arrived to retreive my car, and be on my merry way to the hotel, they only had a bunch of Chevy Yukons on the lot, of a strange looking boxy vehicle, called the Chevy HHR. I picked the smaller HHR since I didn't want to be driving around a Yukon all over the greater LA area. If I had been with some other people, perhaps.

I got in the car, started it up, and admit, the car was kind of cute, and it really grew on me after driving it off the lot. The car had exactly 33 miles on it. Brand spanking new. After a recent traumatic experience with a brand new Pontiac I bought, I was a bit hesitant, but oh well. A new adventure.

Drove around most of the afternoon and evening. Got settled at the hotel, went out to dinner at a very nice place, went back to the hotel, ran up to the local grocery store to get some orange juice and soda for the hotel room, came back to the hotel, and crashed out for the night.

78 miles on the HHR.

I go out at 7:30 AM to leave for the offices.

I put the key in the ignition.

I turn the key.

Click. Click. Click. Click. Click.

Bong.Bong.Bong. Check Charge System, Batter Saver Mode Enabled.

Lemon.

I should have known. I have bad luck with GM vehicles, I can always pick the ones that are flaming piles of excrement.

I called the rental car place, they told me they would send out "road side" assistance to help me out. If they could jump it, I'd be just fine.

No way.

Imagine me stranded in Compton late at night with a car that won't start. I don't think so. Chubby white boy? Not this lifetime.

A very non-english speaking guy showed up at the hotel to "jump" the HHR. The battery is underneath the spare tire in the back of the cargo area. There is not a battery in front, since there isn't room. Go figure.

Car started up once he jumped it.

Whoopee!

I had to drive the car all the way back to the airport, and get it exchanged.

When I arrive to exchange the vehicle, the attendant in the parking lot doesn't speak much english either. I attempt to tell him that I am in need of another vehicle.
"Si!"

The car is defective.
"Si!"

What do you want me to do?
"Si!"

I ended up taking the keys with me, so that the car didn't wind up getting put back on the lot. I wouldn't want the car to do something bad to yet another renter! Ick!

After another 30 minutes of waiting in line and dealing with customer service people, I was able to explain to the counter agent that the car I had was quite defective. I explained what was wrong. She says to me "Wow, you sure got a lemon didn't you!"

I got the lemon? I didn't buy it this time.

I drove off the lot with a Grand Prix. Pontiac.

I'm such a glutton for punishment.

Luckily the Grand Prix ran fine. I made it back home safe and sound.


I was ready to like GM products again, only to be kicked in the teeth.

I'm sticking with my Ford. It has never stranded me anywhere.

VD And Me!

VD.

Valentine's Day.

Everyone's favorite, unless you are single.
Luckily, I'm not single.

I was struggling to find something of a romantic nature to purchase or create. I'm not really crafty, except for being a pretty fine confectioner. And while I could have whipped out some pretty awesome cheesecake variants, that wouldn't really have been a surprise, hard to make a surprise in my kitchen with the other half around.

Besides, where would I hide it once it was made? Once the refrigerator was opened, the jig would be up.

I opted, instead, to purchase some chocolates from an online merchant whom my parents clued me in on.

Great stuff. Insanely good chocolate, kind of pricey, but damn they are binge-worthy.

The helpful merchant actually reminded me in an email that this time last year I had placed an order. And if I was so inclined, I could make a purchase this year, and even get a discount! Not that I would ever put a discount on my love. That would be wrong.

The online merchant even went to far as to import the exact order from last year, including the mailing address. All I had to do was plunk down my credit card numbers. Mailing address? Of course, I'd never have the items sent home, always send them to work, free publicity!

I did opt, however, to make a few changes in the chocolate selections. I wouldn't want to buy the exact same thing.
It is chocolate, but none the less, it ought to be a good experience!

Upon completing the information, I was informed that I could select the delivery date. Obviously I chose February 14th.
Why would I choose otherwise?

Chocolate isn't adequate enough, so I also purchased a few CD's. Comedy, funny stuff I know that will be listened to by the both of us.

Jim Gaffigan - Beyond the Pale

Stephen Lynch - The Craig Machine

Now, getting these CD's was an ordeal all unto itself, but I'll spare you.

Got some fun wrapping accessories.

Wrapped them, put them into witness protection so that they wouldn't be found by someone looking for their gift......


Today I get home from work to find the opened boxes of chocolate on my dining room table.
Appears that delivery on the 14th actually meant the 13th.

Should I be upset that they showed up early? I mean, I guess I should be happy that they didn't get delivered late.

I'm not entirely upset the chocolate showed up early. I do have a belly-ache now, though.

Happy VD everyone.