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By kilax, February 17, 2009 5:52 pm

I drove home on Thursday night to find the garage to our neighbor’s home open and full of boxes along with a moving truck parked on the street.

We are next door neighbor-less no more.

Steven’s been talking to the real estate agent quite a bit about the townhome next door. The price went down again, and she let us know that she was “pretty sure” she had renters for it. But still no buyer.

I hate to confess, but I kind of felt my stomach turn when I saw the neighbor’s garage door light on. We’ve had bad experiences with all three sets of neighbors that have lived there. It’s selfish to say, but it was nice not having someone living next door. We didn’t have to worry about someone playing their speakers too loud and keeping us up all night, or waking us up because they were screaming bloody murder at each other outside. Oh, and the whole not being afraid to come home thing was nice as well.

The new neighbor was still outside unloading the truck, so I decided to be nice and introduce myself.

Before I had a chance though, he walked by our garage and excitedly asked, “You have a 240Z?!”

“Actually, it’s a 280Z,” I responded.

“Sweet! I have a 510.”

So, I peered into his garage and assumed that the boxy car in there was the 510 he was talking about. We briefly chatted, and I introduced myself then went home, impressed that someone recognized the Datsun and showed interest in it.

Later, we left the house (I shamefully admit it was to pick up a pizza), and Steven noted (with envy?) that the new neighbor has an engine hoist.

When we arrived home, Steven introduced himself. They chatted a bit about their Datsuns. The new neighbor offered his tools and help to Steven. Then I fell in love with the new neighbor and begged him to help Steven get the Datsun running for good.

I like this new neighbor already. If there is one thing I’m not good at (Ha! Just one?), it’s helping Steven work on the Datsun. Sure, I can stand there and take instructions, but other than that, I am USELESS.

And I feel bad. Because Steven explains things to me about the Datsun over and over, and I truly listen, but it just doesn’t sink in. I am going to keep trying, but for now, let me say, I am having higher hopes for this neighbor than I normally would…

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By kilax, December 13, 2008 10:49 pm

Teeni has tagged me!

I am to find and post the 6th photo on the 6th page (folder?) of my computer and my photo/host sharing site. I don’t actually use flickr (or similar) though, I so I can only grab something off of my computer.

The photo is of me and my father at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Chicagoland Speedway (I actually wrote about it on 10/20/07 at my old blog). My siblings and I gave my dad a gift card to ride three laps at full speed on a racetrack for his birthday. I think he enjoyed it. I think I would have too. I seem to be one of those adrenaline-seeking people.

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By kilax, September 16, 2008 9:55 pm

Steven was stuck with privileged with driving my car (aka, the “Kimbotmobile,” an ’88 Oldsmobile) the past two days. The Infiniti was in the shop because a pothole destroyed a tire and wheel.

This comic reminds me of a few of his comments:

“A lot more people cut me off when I’m driving your car!”

“Hey, your car is exactly 20 years older than mine!”

“Did you know your car breaks down if you go over 90 mph?”

Okay, he didn’t really say that last comment. It might break down though.

I would love to buy a new car. But I don’t need one. I drive my car 5 or 6 miles a day, 5 days a week. The most my car has been driven in a long time was this last weekend – and that is because the Infiniti had a donut on it, and we didn’t want to drive it all around time.

But still… I would love to buy a new car. Because people do treat you differently when you are driving a car that is so frickin’ old. I had noticed long before Steven brought it up.

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By kilax, September 10, 2008 9:37 pm

How would you feel if you got to the train station parking lot, after a long day at work, and an annoying commute, to find someone had broken the driver’s window of your car, and possibly stolen items from inside?

I can’t imagine.

Someone broke into a Jeep Cherokee parked two spots away from me at the train today. I saw the glass all over the ground, then noticed the window was gone. I didn’t see anyone go to the car. I can’t even imagine walking to your car, tired and worn out, ready to go home for dinner… and finding a broken window. What a way to ruin someone’s day. Or week.

Last year, someone keyed the rear driver’s door on my car. It still makes me angry. People not respecting other people’s property is a big problem for me. Especially when it comes to cars. And nothing was even stolen from me.

What is wrong with people?

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By kilax, August 7, 2008 10:20 pm

Would you believe me if I told you I’ve been too busy to write a post about my Saturday driving (okay, riding) a Lamborghini Gallardo?

No? Yeah, I wouldn’t believe it either. I mean, who doesn’t have time to write about an amazing experience like that?

The truth is, I’ve been wallowing in self pity since I uploaded Saturday’s photos on my computer and realized that, even though I’ve lost 20 pounds, I still look like a giant blob. I’m eating healthy (I didn’t even gorge myself as planned last weekend!), and I’m making time to exercise… but I’m just disappointed in myself for getting this… big.

Oh well… on with the show…

Last weekend was a lot of fun. Andrew and Megan (Steven’s brother and his girlfriend) arrived in Chicago on Friday. I was really excited to spend some more time with Megan because they’ve been dating since the holidays but I’ve only met her once, and really wanted to get to know her better! Even though we got to hang out for a bit Friday night, I wish we would have had more time to chat.

The rest of the family (my parents, sister, brother and his wife, and Steven’s parents) arrived while we were picking up the Lamborghini in the Chicago Loop.

After we picked the car up (and had to fill it up with gas!!!), Steven and I drove it up Sheridan Road, along Lake Michigan… in the rich neighborhoods. Then, he stopped at our favorite bakery to pick me up a surprise birthday cake! We arrived at home, and nearly everyone was there, ready to “Ooo” and “Ahh” over the car. Even some neighbor that I’ve never seen before came to look at it.

(Wow, this is getting really “Dear Diary.”)

Steven gave everyone a ride (9 people!) while I stayed inside and “entertained.”

Then the two of us drove it back to the city. Or should I say, sat in it in traffic? Sadly, sitting in a Lamborghini Gallardo in the Edens sucks just as much as sitting in any other car. Except, in any other car, you don’t have all the staring, drooling, thumbs up, waving, and “camera-phoning.”

I think it is fair to say that everyone was pretty stoked to ride in it.

I liked it. It’s quick to take off (0-60 in 4 seconds, yes we tested), sleek and sexy, and fun to ride it. Exhilarating.

But… I’ve also ridden in a Ferrari F430. And the Gallardo isn’t as smooth, doesn’t sound as great from the inside, or feel as comfortable.

But it still kicks ass.

Listen to it purr under the Chicago highways…

How fast do you think we were going here?

We finished the day by going to my favorite restaurant, Red Robin, with the whole family.

This brings me to another point, or rather, question: do you have any family or friends that totally bring out the silly in you?

That seems to be my younger sister. I am not sure how we ended up sitting next to each other at dinner (what I mean is, Steven was on the other side of the table), and I feel sorry that Andrew and Megan had to sit across from us… because my sister ended up making me laugh so hard that I actually had to spit my food out into a napkin.

We get totally silly when we are together, and I love it. I wish she would hurry up and graduate and move out here already!

All of my family left Saturday evening, but Steven’s parents stayed until Sunday, so that was nice.

But I am still worn out from it all.

Check out even better photos of the car on Andrew’s blog! And leave some comment love!

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By kilax, April 23, 2008 6:04 am

I called my dad yesterday to tell him how excited I was to see a grey Lamborghini Murcielago on my walk to the train Monday night in Chicago.

“It’s one of the things I love out there, dad” I proclaimed. “As soon as the weather gets warm, you see all these awesome cars – Aston Martins, Ferraris, Lamborghinis…”

“Yeah. I didn’t see anything like that on my way home from work Monday.”

“What, you didn’t see any Lamborghinis?”

“No,” he replied. “I don’t think there are even 10 people in Waterloo [Iowa] who can pronounce it.”

Ha ha.

“I was really excited to see it,” I continue.

“Yeah. It’s nice to know that at least someone enjoys what they’re driving.”

Yeah, that guy in the Lamborghini and Steven in his Infiniti.

The point of me writing this is not to point out how funny and sarcastic my dad is. Nor is it to bore you with another post about cars (although I probably have).

I just wonder… why do I notice these things? Why do cars interest me? Why don’t they interest some people? Why do I get really excited when I see a nice car?

My dad is a mechanic, but I know nothing about how cars WORK. I just know when I see one I like – it’s usually streamlined, aggressive, and curvy.

I have a list of the cars I would like to own. But I haven’t even driven a quarter of them. It’s just an aesthetic thing.

Maybe it’s time for me to get in the garage with Steven… and help him with the project car. Oh yes. The infamous (in my mind) Datsun 1978 280Z. That’s a whole ‘nother post.

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Today’s Idiom: to carry the day – to win the approval of the majority

Kim’s suggestion to go to Red Robin for lunch carried the day, although not everyone got the Gardenburger Royal Red Robin burger.

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By kilax, December 18, 2007 5:50 am

I think I may have inadvertently insulted my husband’s manhood the other day.

I went outside on Sunday to begin the 20-minute long process of cleaning ALL the snow off of my car. I decided to go above and beyond, by opening my hood and brushing off all the hard-to-get-to snow from around the windshield wipers.

In the process, I noticed my engine coolant tank was low. I went into the house and asked Steven if I could borrow his phone.

“Sure,” he replied. “Who are you calling?”

“My dad.”

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

“No. I just noticed the antifreeze is low in my car. So I am going to call my dad and ask him what to do.”

He hesitated before speaking. “Why didn’t you just ask me for help?”

“Because my dad’s a mechanic!”

Ouch.

Of course, my dad told me to do the exact same thing that Steven would have, if I had given him the chance.

But I did ask Steven to put the antifreeze in my car – that must count for something!