a student's experience designing life.

Its true; I do.

I got my car back today!  So happy–and she runs SO smoothly.  Amazing what a little TLC does to machinery…hmm imagine that.

The mechanic changed the oil, and the oil filter.  He changed the spark plugs, the starter wires, and also put in a new gas filter–which he said was desperately needed.  I’m guessing that was the main cause of my car suddenly dieing.  Of course, it didn’t help that the engine was bone dry and it was a HOT day.

Total came to $350, including the $80 tow bill.  He said there was more that could be done to the car, but that he didn’t want to do more than what was absolutely necessary for my car to run reliably.  I need something replaced on the front axel, new shocks and struts, and there was something he said with a gear head and roter.  It all sounds very expensive, but this guy was very nice and honest and I will likely go back to him with further repairs (when I’m in Chicago, that is).

So when I came in to pay the bill, he said he smelled gasoline in the car, as if there was a leak–but he checked and double checked–no leak.  We started to walk out toward the car so he could show me, when I mentioned that I had put a gas can in the trunk on Thursday when the car broke down.  He stopped immediately and turned around.  “Yep,” he said, “That’ll be it.”

Sure enough, when I went to take the car home, I could smell the gasoline before I even got close.  Once home, I opened the trunk and saw the gas can laying on its side.  It had leaked.  UGH.  I tried to empty the rest of the gas into my tank.  Its one of those new gas cans where you can’t invert the handle to seal the can, its been ‘updated’ to be ‘safer’ and made to not leak.  LIES.  Ugh.  I ended up throwing the gas can away–after I washed it in some soapy water and diluted the remaining tiny bit of gas in it.

My clothes smelled like gas, though, and everything in the trunk did too.  It was about time to clean out the trunk anyway, so I hauled up all the things that needed to be sorted, then set to sorting them.  The trunk is now organized and airing out.  And now, because the papers that were in the trunk are in my room, my room smells like gas.  I have two fans pointing out of windows, trying to waft the odor out, but I think it’ll be around for a few days…  My roommates mother, who lives with us, will not be happy.  She often complains of the tiniest of scents.

On a happier note, I finally got tired of hating my hairstyle, so I went and got some BANGS!

They make me feel all spunky and flirty!  Amazing what a simple change could do.  The ‘bangs’ I had before the cut, were pretty long.  They hung an inch or so below my chin and could be tucked easily behind my ears.  If I did it right, I sometimes was able to get all of my hair, including the bangs, secured by a ponytail.The rest of the cut was just re-touching my layers, since I’d had a trim not too long ago.  I think she did a good job.  I went to the place right next to the apt.  My old salon was close to where I used to work and they closed down…so I was in search of a new place anyway.  However, it cost $40 BEFORE tip.  *jawdrop*  I thought that place would be cheaper than my normal spot.  However, I hardly EVER get my hair done, so I’m willing to spend a little more on it.