You know these days when all odds are against you?

[Skybird]

I wanted to kwiggel today, little trip along the canal. I find my Kwiggel in the garage with a flat tire, a plant thorn in the front tire: a marvel of evolution in terms of an organically grown shuriken: three thin 4 cm long legs like those of a weaver's gnat (that spider-like thing) , and a fourth upright leg, that was a thorn, 4 cm long, half as thin as a pin, very sharp but flexible as wine gum. It was not only in the tire, no, this rubber-soft damn thing was with its entire length of 4-5 cm stuck deep in the tire's rubber!

So trailer coupled to my ebike, Kwiggle folded and loaded, and off to the bike repair shop (I had no things in stockto rapir a tire of that small size). The bike shop was first baffled, a Kwiggle he had never seen before. I go back, put ebike and trailer back into the garage, do not want to get lost of the day so soon and decide to drive the tour with my normal mechanic touring bike. I get as far as to the traffic light 150m before my house, then it makes Bang, and a tire is flat: valve rupture. And back to the garage it goes, the tire - 28" standard size - marked for self-repair.

My sunny disposition cannot be clouded. I get upset about politics, but not about the waves of a stormy life. I start undaunted attempt number three, with my E-bike. I get about 6 km far, then suddenly the rear wheel makes ruckus ruckus ruckus and then silence: Flat tire. Saturday early afternoon. I push rushing the wheel to the said repair store to hand it in before they go into the weekend. It is 32 degrees. And I remember that I forgot to put the beer in the fridge. I HATE room-warm beer. Ekelhafte Plürre.

Back home I fix my simple touring bike after all, it's simple mechanics with simple derailleurs and no big deal. But it is hot. I drown in my sweat. It runs into my eyes, it burns, it really hurts. I get it done and go back to my apartment. My eyes red as that of a hungry vampire.

Great. The fan has stopped working. Room temperature is already 26 degrees, rising. And there is a puddle of water in front of the refrigerator. Also broken since - well, since not longer than 90 minutes.

Next week the craftsmen come, at least two days to pry open the walls and renew the water pipes, I have for weeks no cold water in the kitchen, the pipe is 50 years old, and tight. The weather forecast predicts 33-37 degrees. The craftsmen will be happy. I am already looking forward to it right now.


"Ich haben fertig wie Flasche leer." Scheißsommer.

[Reece]

:har::har: Sorry I had to laugh!! I had one of those days last week. I took a nice day off for a drive with the wife and the car starts to die, air bag light comes on and starts beeping, then the dash lights go out. I got to a small town, pulls over, leaves engine running pops bonnet and car dies!! After checking for bad relays/fuses/battery connections all seems ok. Battery now dead. We walk for a kilometer and luckily found a place that sold batteries, they gave us a lift back to the car jumper started it and drove it back to the store where they fitted the new battery!! That wasn't 2 cents!!:doh:
Decided to go back home, on the way the battery light comes on, at this stage I knew it was the alternator, got home, checked everything and yes definitely the alternator. Booked the car in at the Ford dealer, charged the battery and took a spare battery in case it died on the way.
Got a call from dealer to let us know that there is a problem with front suspension that needed attention so currently don't have a vehicle, lucky we only live 45kms away!! :D
So yes I know how you feel, hope your problem is over soon Marc! :yep:

[mapuc]

I guess it has been one of these days where one should have stayed in bed.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Not wanting to add my frustration to this thread but my car 'died' on my drive last night and is currently at the Ford dealers undergoing repairs.

[Jeff-Groves]

Not wanting to add my frustration to this thread but my car 'died' on my drive last night and is currently at the Ford dealers undergoing repairs.
Another case of "Found On Road Dead"
:har:

[Aktungbby]

I don't have those problems since, with a recent second attack of "night seizures" last Tuesday (not a TIA stroke after all) and 'coming to' in yet another MRI tube, my neurologist is required to report this form of frontal-lobe epilepsy, an electrical short of a sort!??:O: to the DMV which has suspended my driver's license, probably for a year... both of my indestructible Toyotas: an '05 stick-shift Corolla and an '86 Camry LE, had 280,000 + miles apiece, so I'm seriously considering donating them to Cars for Kids or Cars for Cancer which will reduce my AAA auto insurance costs considerably. I'd even considered an E-bike, but technically that's a vehicle also; and it wouldn't do to keel over while pedalling on the mean streets...at age 72, as gravity is not my friend these days! :shucks::timeout:

[Rockstar]

Another case of "Found On Road Dead"
:har:

FORD - Fix Or Repair Daily. :haha:


No thanks, Like Aktunbby I’ll stick with ‘J’ model Toyotas.

[Jeff-Groves]

I'm happy with my 2000 Cadillac Escalade.

[Jimbuna]

I'm happy with my 2000 Cadillac Escalade.

Was that what I jumped in at Houston? :hmmm:

[em2nought]

I can make you feel better. My buddy is putting new bigger shoes(tires & rims) on his blade trailer for $10,000 because he hopes getting the tires an inch or two further from the hot brakes will keep him from having to replace so many trailer tires every month in that Texas 118 degree heat.

I suggested we might need to invent a tire misting device like I've seen made for house air conditioners. He poo poo'd that idea as too much extra weight, then I suggested maybe compressed air jets blowing on the tires instead. I don't think that's workable either. :D

[Jeff-Groves]

Was that what I jumped in at Houston? :hmmm:
No. Had the 2002 Grand Prix down there.

[Aktungbby]

Was that what I jumped in at Houston? :hmmm:

No. Had the 2002 Grand Prix down there.< Pardon his Freudian slip:O:

https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1dyRG1.img?w=800&h=415&q=60&m=2&f=jpg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BDBzgHXf64

[Rockstar]

you band of hijackers apologize to Skybird for derailing his thread. :arrgh!:

[mapuc]

It could have been worse, you could have lost your front wheel while bicycling.
Which happened to me in my youth.

One of the front fork(I think you call it)was hit by fatigue and just bend it happened while I was bicycling very fast

Markus

[Aktungbby]

It could have been worse, you could have lost your front wheel while bicycling.
Which happened to me in my youth.

One of the front fork(I think you call it)was hit by fatigue and just bend it happened while I was bicycling very fast

Markus You could say you'd "gone round the Bend" while "Hell-bent for Leather" :shucks::haha::yep::yeah: But not to appear heartless or unfeeling; here's the solution to yer problem! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTImXHorvGs:yeah:

[Aktungbby]

you band of hijackers apologize to Skybird for derailing his thread. :arrgh!::subsim: is never having to say yer sorry.

[Catfish]

You could say you'd "gone round the Bend" while "Hell-bent for Leather" :shucks::haha::yep::yeah:
I know about that and when it happens it is not about dead leather only :wah:

We were used to call these "bad hair days". I'm looking forward to losing it all (the HAIR).

[Reece]

you band of hijackers apologize to Skybird for derailing his thread. :arrgh!:
I guess I'm mostly to blame. :oops::oops::oops:SHAME:oops::oops::oops:
Now where were we? :03:

[Skybird]

you band of hijackers apologize to Skybird for derailing his thread. :arrgh!:
They are just taking revenge for the many times I did it, too. :D

[Aktungbby]

precisely!:Kaleun_Salute: :Kaleun_Applaud: :Kaleun_Party:

[Eichhörnchen]

I'm seriously considering donating them to Cars for Kids or Cars for Cancer which will reduce my AAA auto insurance costs considerably:shucks::timeout:

Donate one this way then - we're still without transport - in the middle of nowhere - after an artic. car transporter rammed into my rear nearside wheel from a sidestreet on 12 June

And guess what we found after our cab ride home yesterday? The freezer had busted :Kaleun_Salute:

[Jimbuna]

Not wanting to add my frustration to this thread but my car 'died' on my drive last night and is currently at the Ford dealers undergoing repairs.

Turns out the flat battery was down to the interior courtesy light being permanently on and not having driven for a while during the hours of darkness I hadn't noticed :doh:

The wife who is the only person I've ever seen switch it on knows absolutely nothing about it of course!

[Reece]

Yeh it's all your fault Jim!! :yep:

[Jimbuna]

Yeah, par for the course :)

[Aktungbby]

Turns out the flat battery was down to the interior courtesy light being permanently on and not having driven for a while during the hours of darkness I hadn't noticed :doh:

The wife who is the only person I've ever seen switch it on knows absolutely nothing about it of course!I had a similar problem with my wife's 86 Camry LE, (our first married new car:shucks:) which is in nearly mint condition, always garaged, and stilll a pleasure to drive: except for a hanging bicycle sprocket paint scar that fell on the hood following the 2000 quake that epicentered 500 yards from the house and destroyed my brick chimney-now used to trim the garden! :yeah: The vehicle is a complete electric monster with power windows, sunroof, constant clock, locks, etc...and a dead-short somewhere (probably the driverside armrest window/lock console) that drains the battery within two days, if not driven. The solution was simple: a $40 bronze kill-switch across the batt terminals that saves the batt charge 'twixt weekend drives and prevents auto-theft which is big issue these daze! The local dealer has even offered to buy the thing from me for 2k!!? https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61npR--tEBS._SX522_.jpg

[Jimbuna]

Aye, my dealers solution was to set the switch to the off position but I soon put that right when I arrived home.

[Aktungbby]

Donate one this way then - we're still without transport - in the middle of nowhere - after an artic. car transporter rammed into my rear nearside wheel from a sidestreet on 12 June

And guess what we found after our cab ride home yesterday? The freezer had busted :Kaleun_Salute: Jeeze! my wife wants a new freezer; so our garage Freezer is yours to boot with Camry! The quote I'm getting for international shipping both to Boston, the Fens from Napa is £4000!! :k_confused:Wire that paltry amt.:nope: to my Investec bank on Isle of Guernsey and they're yours. https://assets.rebelmouse.io/media-library/image.jpg?id=30937760&width=980 https://assets.rebelmouse.io/media-library/image.jpg?id=30858001&width=1200&height=600&coordinates=0%2C49%2C0%2C49 < that's what it actually still looks like except for my upgrded stainless wheel-covers! Absolutely no charge for either and my nextdoor neighbor has a used dryer out on the sidewalk that is marked "Free -runs well" and is newer than mine! I prefer £10 denomiations with QE II's portrait! https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/664AAOSwtWJkeId9/s-l650.jpg:D

[Eichhörnchen]

^ :timeout::haha: PASS!

[Skybird]

My good luck of this weekend continues. As told, my water pipes need work and I had to deconstruct the kitchen so that the wall can be accessed. Three of the screws that connect the countertops in the kitchen with the base cabinets broke off when trying to unscrew them (presumed year of construction like the house: 1971). Soldering iron borrowed from the neighbor, but it had only just enough volts. Then, in a contorted body position, weaved myself into the cabinets and endlessly heated the screws, with almost too little volts to char the wood, until I could pull the screws out like nails, took over fifteen minutes or so per screw, the Volts so low and my mood beocmign frosty. Of course, one of the hot broken screws dropped right into the neck opening of my T-Shirt, under the textile and on my skin, I weaseled out of the cabinet like a Blitz like a cat with a burning tail, wonderful. The damn three screws took me forever, and I pulled a back muscle, really great, because I was in such a contorted position. Can't sit, stand or lie down without a little knife poking my back, but am supposed to be carrying loads and furniture back and forth this week. Great.

I hate getting old. Only physical and mental losses, no compensations. Baaaah!

[Reece]

Yes getting old sucks!! :oops: Your doing well Marc, and I thought I had it bad!! Now what excuse can you come up with for the weekend? :hmmm:

[Skybird]

Yes getting old sucks!! :oops: Your doing well Marc, and I thought I had it bad!! Now what excuse can you come up with for the weekend? :hmmm:
Karma. :03:

[Eichhörnchen]

I hate getting old. Only physical and mental losses, no compensations. Baaaah!

I really felt your pain when reading all that, Marc :wah:

But on getting old there is one compensation:- you're no longer automatically blamed for your screwups - you often can (with some good reason) expect them to be put down to your age

[Jimbuna]

Car battery was dead again this morning so dealer came and took the basum away.

[Reece]

basum?? :hmmm:

[Jimbuna]

Geordie slang for bastid

[Aktungbby]

Karma. :03:...in this automotively "hijacked" thread?!! U surely musta' meant: Carma!!:know::()1::Kaleun_Goofy:

[Catfish]

I don't know all this seems to be a perfect normal day for me, like everyday.
Maybe it's not the car or the freezer (while this Citroën is indeed "Made in Trance), but then it is something else :wah: :haha:

[Jimbuna]

Car battery was dead again this morning so dealer came and took the basum away.

Replacement battery was £168

[Skybird]

...in this automotively "hijacked" thread?!! U surely musta' meant: Carma!!:know::()1::Kaleun_Goofy:
Or English with a Saxon accent: The gamma is gonna gedda. :O:


Life is fighting against all odds and in the end its always Karmageddon.

[Jeff-Groves]

Car battery was dead again this morning so dealer came and took the basum away.
TAKE THE DAMNED BULB OUT!
:haha:

[em2nought]

I keep all the interior van lights off, but I might be inclined to remove the bulbs now, even in cars that aren't my own. I need to charge my cousin's battery right now because she didn't get her driver door fully closed when she left for her summer job in Seattle. Nice not to spend the summer in Florida, and leave me to take care of her junk here. :hmmm:

[Catfish]

This f'n 23-year-old Citroen has computers everywhere, and the state they are in are exactly what you would expect from 20+ -year-old car electronics, expected to function from -20 to plus 50 degrees Celsius, spiced up with being exposed to humidity, evaporating plastic emollients and salt water.
Taking out a bulb, well, you will be strafed with a hundred warnings about this f'n light does not work and that you will have to see garage maintenance immediately.
I will never buy a car anymore that is less than 30 years old.
Go f' yourself, automotive industry :arrgh!:

[Jeff-Groves]

I have the software and hardware to FULLY CONTROL my cars.
Cost a bit but you'd not believe the money that investent saved me!

[Catfish]

Buy an older one w/o electronics and be happy :)
There's also the advantage of a 'vintage' car not losing its value when you want to sell it.
And even vintage cars are mostly way less expensive than modern ones.

[Jimbuna]

TAKE THE DAMNED BULB OUT!
:haha:

The gaffa wouldn't allow it I mean, how would she be able to look at herself on the dark night journeys? :)

[Reece]

any lipstick on the mirrors?? :hmmm:

[Jimbuna]

any lipstick on the mirrors?? :hmmm:

The lipstick is usually found elsewhere :03:

[Aktungbby]

^... no doubt on the periscope lens...during 'The Musgrove Ritual':arrgh!:

[Jimbuna]

Ooooo matron! :o

[mapuc]

Forgot to tell you that days like these is called Tycho Brahe days here in Denmark.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tycho_Brahe_days

Markus

[Eichhörnchen]

Buy an older one w/o electronics and be happy :)
There's also the advantage of a 'vintage' car not losing its value when you want to sell it.
And even vintage cars are mostly way less expensive than modern ones.

And in the UK you pay not one penny in road tax for a car aged 40 years plus :)

On bulbs - I sometimes wonder if maybe the glovebox light is still be on after I've shut it - how could you tell? :hmmm:

[Reece]

drill a hole in the lid!! :D

[August]

This f'n 23-year-old Citroen has computers everywhere, and the state they are in are exactly what you would expect from 20+ -year-old car electronics, expected to function from -20 to plus 50 degrees Celsius, spiced up with being exposed to humidity, evaporating plastic emollients and salt water.
Taking out a bulb, well, you will be strafed with a hundred warnings about this f'n light does not work and that you will have to see garage maintenance immediately.
I will never buy a car anymore that is less than 30 years old.
Go f' yourself, automotive industry :arrgh!:


Don't sugar coat it Dude, tell us how you really feel?

[Jeff-Groves]

On bulbs - I sometimes wonder if maybe the glovebox light is still be on after I've shut it - how could you tell? :hmmm:
You climb in the glovebox and have the Wife shut it! Duh!
:03:

[Reece]

You climb in the glovebox and have the Wife shut it! Duh!
:03:

I don't do Stupid. So don't ask. :hmmm: :D