She’s Young and With It

Not Much

Nothing exciting really to report for the weekend.

We watched the entirety of the Austin Humane Society telethon yesterday and half of the telethon on Saturday. We wanted to adopt all of the animals they showed, particularly the special needs animals. We refrained from going to visit the Humane Society in person. Had we visited in person, we just might have another animal right now. I think when we finally buy a house, we will have a zoo.

That’s about it. I picked up a couple of magazines last night – Bust and Vogue Knitting.

Speaking of knitting, I am still working on The Manly Scarf. I am probably about 1/2 – 2/3 finished. Now is when I hit project boredom. Don’t let me quit working on it! Hold me accountable, please.

Guess what?

I am a certified archivist! I passed my exam. Well, really, I am a provisional certified archivist because I have not yet been working professionally for one year full time. I think that in one week I will qualify for the one year of work. But I passed the exam and that is all that matters at this point. So now I can add two letters to the end of my name and order new boring business cards.

Yippee! New car!

So… I know that all my faithful readers are just dying to know what kind of car I bought (um, yes, of course you were wondering).

First, I should explain. I had no intention of buying a new car. In fact, I was quite content to have a paid off car and to be saving money. However, my little 1996 VW Golf was having more and more issues and has been quite a pricey little booger over the past year and a half. Last week I had to take the car to the mechanic for one minor repair and another issue that I thought would be minor but which turned out to be major and I was unwilling to invest that kind of money in my little car. So I promptly made some phone calls for financing and I sent in some internet requests for quotes on new cars.

I was really leaning toward a Honda Civic and test drove that car first. Mainly I was tired of all the little repairs on my Golf and Hondas seem to have a reputation for going and going and going. Well, we were not happy at all with the salesman and the fact that he refused to talk numbers unless I signed a piece of paper saying I was ready to buy That Very Day.

I had also sent in a quote request to the local VW dealer on a whim just to see what they could do for me. They immediately knocked $600 off of the car and when I showed up at my appointment, the salesman gave me the keys and Clint and I were off on a test drive. He didn’t even go with us. This in comparison to the Honda salesman, who insisted he drive us to a location and then I could drive back (which I thought was weird). While test driving the Golf, I declared, “Damnit! I didn’t want to like the Volkswagen!” But I did. I liked it a lot more than the Civic. The lowest trim model comes standard with all the things you have to upgrade to on a Civic. Speaking of which, I cannot believe that Civics do not come standard with keyless entry on the low end model. What new car these days doesn’t have keyless entry?

Anyway, immediately upon returning from the test drive, VW appraised my 1996 Golf and started talking numbers with me. I liked the deal and agreed to purchase, and I didn’t even have to leave a deposit. The whole VW test drive, numbers talk, and agreement took about an hour. We were at the Honda dealer for Two Hours and they never even talked numbers.

I finalized the deal yesterday morning.

So… my new car. Mine looks just like that only no tinted windows.

This is my newest car ever. It had 35 miles on it when I picked it up yesterday. Against all my will because I don’t want to care about cars, I really like my new car. It even has a stereo with radio, CD, AND cassette. Rock! And now they come standard with power windows. I can reenact the VW commercial from a few years ago where the guy sticks his key in the door and all the windows roll down. hehe.

If I were not about to have car payments again

I would totally have some PhotoStamps made. I can envision so many different stamp images, particularly stamps with the lovely faces of our cats.

[via today's Daily Candy]

Happenings

We have several items to report today.

First and Foremost, Banzai Sushi & Grill on N. Lamar across the street from Central Market (in the old KFC building) is in fact a new face for an old favorite. We only experienced the first Banzai for about 5 months after we moved here. Then the evil Diesel Jeans empire kicked them out of their spot on the Drag. They had a note posted explaining they would try to reopen. But after nearly 3 years, we had given up hope. Well, about a month ago, we noticed a sign up at the old KFC that said Banzai Sushi & Grill and we became excited. We wondered, Could it really be the same Banzai? Well folks, it is the one and only. We ate there yesterday and I had veggie tempura for $5. I am so happy. This place is so wonderful and the people are so nice. Clint is trying hard to get them to add chicken tempura to the menu.

The second item. We went to see AC Newman at The Parish last week. They were enforcing the no smoking thing and that was nice. There was a lingering stale smell and I still think I smelled cigarette smoke at one point from some rebellious soul. But at home afterwards, my clothes were not so rancid with a smoke smell that they had to be banned to the laundry room. That was nice. You can view a few pictures here.

Three. We went to see Open Water last night. It was kind of depressing. Not scary so much, just depressing.

Finally. I am in the midst of purchasing a new car. Details to follow as soon as it’s official, which should be tomorrow.