Wicked & Other Things...

After leaving work early yesterday to make an optometrist appointment, I was driving up US 75 when my car started making a very loud noise and I heard something scraping. My muffler had come loose. I was close to my usual mechanic, so I limped my way to the garage. It was 4:30 PM, they were closing in a half hour. After an evaluation of the car, I had to leave it to get it fixed. The garage gave me a $20/day rental, a 1994 Ford Taurus, to get me through the day while they fix mine. I don't like it, but it moves.

I met up with Bob (prisonbitch), Brian (cincycub), and Eric (nonljeric) at the Palomino restaurant downtown along with a host of Brian's friends and neighbors, who are a really fun bunch. I envy the neighborhood Brian lives in. The food was good, despite a mistaking of sugar for cheese incident. I know they have awesome porkshops, per Bob's review.

Everyone made their way to the Aronoff for the Wicked performance. Bob and I ended up getting a green wicked elixir drink from the concession, which was about 90% vodka. We couldn't take them in the theatre, so we had to down them as time was getting close. It was fun to see the first couple of songs performed while being a tad buzzed.

The musical was great. I loved the story, the music, the seemingly continuous shifting sets -- everything. The first half is a bit long timewise, but ends with my favorite "Defying Gravity." I like how the show gives you that different twist on the Wizard of Oz story, not just the pre-Dorothy visit, but during and after the "movie" portion ended. I thought the G-lenda character was hilarious, such a blonde. One of the strong points about the show is that not everyone you see in the movie is what they appear to be. I really enjoyed it.

Big hugs to Brian for organizing the night, he's so good at that. And with Bob, I've been upgraded to hug status. :)

Car Repair Update

While stuck in a meeting this morning, the garage called to give the estimate for the car repairs. This isn't just for the muffler issue, but also changing of the timing belt and some other odds and ends that I've been meaning to get fixed. I figured while it's there, these things need to get done.

The estimate was considerable ($1400!). Yikes! There goes the rest of the tax return. I drive a 1997 Honda Civic. I like the car and odds are I will buy another one in the near future. Several coworkers had to hear me lament over the estimate and one noted that I should just get a new car instead.

He made a good argument, I admit. There are, however, several reasons why I don't want to get one right now. Money isn't really the issue as I've been socking away the monthly car payment I've not had to make since the car was paid off. However, I never like being in the position where I HAVE to get a new car. I've been in that situation twice in the past and I'm never satisfied with the end result, mostly because I always feel rushed and desperate about the purchase.

When I buy my next car, probably within the next 12 months or so, I want to take my time, do the research, be prepared. If my buddy's way was the way I was going I'd be scrambling to visit multiple car lots this weekend and that's no way to buy a car. Sadly, my car wont be ready until Monday afternoon, so I have to reschedule my work travel for next week... :(