Ever think things happen for a reason?/Got my MB back.
 

As posted earlier, I tried to fix the water pump myself and was thwarted by reality. Damn, again!

Then, I'm driving in my Exploder yesterday and it starts pulling to the left and the right. Then it stinks like somethings burning. Then I lose the front brakes. I was close to home (2 miles or so), so I made it back and parked it. No leaks, so the caliper froze or the rotor is bent (more likely). So, this is like a $600+ job.

I consider options. Hmmm. MB needs the pump and I have the parts. Call the mechanic. I tell him I'll join AAA to get a cheaper tow. He says he knows a guy that can tow it on a flatbed cheaper than joining AAA. Guy picks it up this morning. I play video games and order pizza and wonder how I'll get to work.
Even my bike needs air in the tires, meaning a long walk.

A good friend calls and says she took the afternoon off and wants to blow off steam because an opposing lawyer has been a jerk. She's had lunch and two drinks. I say come on by, I'm kickin' it till I go to work in a few hours.

She comes by and we're talking shop. Mechanic calls and says the car's ready. I say I don't have the cash until the end of the weekend, I need to work to pay for the unexpected expense. I can tell by the tone in his voice he's dissappointed. I've always paid cash when the job was done and its a holiday weekend, so I figure he was looking to get paid, and he earned it, I just hadn't yet. Plus, this guy may save may a$$ someday, so you've got to be nice.

I hang up the phone. My friend says how much do you need? I tell her, she loans me for a few days, she drives me to the mechanics and I pick up the car and go to work. Then I realize my tags expire in three days. I tell her how much that will cost me. She says not really, she used to represent the MO Dept of Revenue and there is a cieling on the late fines for vehicle titling/registration and where to look in that statutes. What a great day.

Now that I have the bomber back, I remember how heavy and solid this thing feels. Also, the huge sunroof is great in the evening with the cool air. Screw the Exploder, what a hunk of crap. Someday soon I'm trading it in for a $1000 discount on a Mustang Bullit edition. Flame me if you will.