  CURRENT MOOD: Irked. LISTENING TO: "Cheers" on Nick@Nite. Last week, I brought my car to the dealer for its 10,000-mile recommended service and oil change. Everything checked out perfectly, but less than three hours after I left the dealer, my car's "Check Engine" light turned on. Knowing that I'd just come from the dealer -- and the fact that my car has traveled only 9,650 miles -- I naturally asked, "WTF?! " I called Lundgren Honda to find out what they could do.
They said that the gas cap probably hadn't been tightened properly, and they instructed me to remove the gas cap, then tighten it until it clicked at least three times. Then they noted that the "Check Engine" light would stay on until the car's computer had tested all of the sensors three to four times without any problems. Well, eventually the light turned off. Today, though, it came back on again. And the gas cap hasn't been touched. So, my car is going back to the dealer tomorrow for some diagnostic tests, and possibly a warranty repair.
A brand new freakin' car, and the "Check Engine" light is on! *grumble* Traffic was absolutely terrible tonight! The Turnpike Authority is reconstructing the median between Weston and Allston, so they've reduced the width of the lanes on each side of the highway. The lanes were tight before, but now, they're barely wide enough to fit buses and trucks -- especially if they're trying to pass each other! Anyway, there was a major accident on the turnpike (westbound) under the Star Market (during rush hour, of course). I ended up getting off the turnpike in Newton Corner and navigating the side streets of Watertown, Newton, Weston, Wayland, and Natick to avoid the traffic jams (and remain on schedule).
The people on my bus were pleased, and complimented my ability. The tips weren't bad either! *grin* Working for the bus company has taught me so many alternative routes in and out of the city of Boston. ...pretty handy knowledge, if you ask me... Someone told me a couple of pretty tasteless jokes today, but they're hilarious: How do you know when your girlfriend's overweight? When she sits on your face, and you can't hear the stereo.
And the other one: You know, I used to date a homeless girl when I was younger. What was nice about that was I could drop her off anywhere afterward. Charter Communications sucks!! I'm always up late at night (usually until 3 or 4 a.m.) because of my work schedule. Charter Communications always shuts down their pipeline internet service at night for "scheduled maintenance. " It happens pretty frequently, but they always argue with me when I call (and wait on hold for 15+ minutes) to bitch.
They always say that maintenance occurs once a month or less. Well, it's happened twice since the weekend now, and I'm pissed! Even though they specifically call it "planned" or "scheduled" maintenance, they never notify their customers about any upcoming service outages. And the service is unavailable for four to six hours at a time! (Needless to say, we still pay for the service, despite the down time. ) I just find it hard to believe that they can't send a mass e-mail to their internet subscribers, informing them of an upcoming service outage due to scheduled maintenance.
(And, by the way, what the hell requires five hours of maintenance twice in four days throughout the entire state of Massachusetts?! ) It's ridiculous! They suck, and if it were my choice, I'd take my business elsewhere. I never had this problem with MediaOne or AT&T Broadband. Anyway, I should get going. I have to be able to get up in the morning to take my car to the dealer... again.
Before I go, though, I'd like to thank those of you who wrote to tell me that you read my blog, etc. Actually, I was surprised by the number of people who sent me e-mail or instant messages. Thanks, and I'm glad to know that my time isn't wasted while writing in this blog. Cheers, and good night! 
