RIP Truck, at least I didn't kill you myself

Yesterday I went to get my car looked at and a few things fixed. Pre-California-roadtrip safety repairs, you know. I got there a little bit late in the morning so there was a bit of a wait. What does one do in hellishly hot Texas when one has no vehicle? Hang out in Goodyear's waiting room for two hours and watch the news obsess over Michael Jackson's death and $400 million debt? No way, Jose - I hit up Capitol Metro for a free, air conditioned ride across Austin.

The 338 route begins right across the street from Goodyear, so I sat and ate a breakfast taco while I waited for the next bus to come. After picking up some folks at HEB in the Hancock Center, we headed down Red River to Lamar where the rest of the route heads directly south. I watched the world go by, some familiar places like downtown, Lake Austin, and the various businesses on South Lamar. Been there, seen that. I took the time to type up some philosophical musings on life, heaven, hell, morality and ultimate reality, on my blackberry (God's gift to the inspired writer on-the-go). What a life.

I wasn't sure how far south the route would take me. Turns out it stops at some really obscure cross street in a neighborhood south of 290. I asked the driver where would be a good place to go next as a bus explorer, and he recommended West Gate Mall.

When I got to WGM I was thirsty enough to die, so I walked into Central Market and got a little lunch and some juice. To my dismay, I found out after drinking half a quart that this pomegranate tea juice I got has HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) in it, and I've been drinking it a lot lately. Bummer! It was still blissful, however, to sit outside on the cafe's patio and listen to a lovely playlist on my blackberry (I love you blackberry) while enjoying a cool, sweet drink.

The phone call came while I was walking back to the bus. Trey from Goodyear - the verdict on my truck. It was really good news. If you like hearing the news that you no longer have a vehicle.

My axle has been bent for a long time, I've driven on it like that for years. But they told me that it looked like it was getting worse (it was wobbling a lot and that's why I brought it in), probably due to the fact that the frame is bent. So, I'm basically driving a wrecked car. I could drive a car with a bent frame around town, but if the wheel could spontaneously fall off at any moment because of my axle, it is not worth it.

This is a blessing in disguise, however. The reason my frame is bent is that I got rear-ended last summer! This means that, if I play my cards right, I can cash in from the driver's insurance company since the shop they sent me to never fixed my car properly. I'm going to push for monetary compensation and not buy a new car. When I live in town this fall I won't need one.

As for California, someone has already paid me to haul their cargo to Venice, so there's no way we're backing out. (I wouldn't want to, anyways). It will just cost a few more dollars. We're still working out the details...I think we'll rent a nice, spacious cargo van.

I'm pretty happy that, of the second vehicle I have had completely ruined, it wasn't my fault this time.

After I came back and dealt with my bad news I went to Home Depot. An old, sweet, African American disabled man, Raymond, helped me look for stir-sticks and sign-posts. He has a speech impediment so I kept misinterpreting what he was saying and looking in the wrong places...it cracked him up. I definitely made his day. When I was checking out I asked him how long he'd been working there, and he pointed to a little patch on his orange, Home Depot apron. "11 Years of Service," it said. Wow!

What a day. What a life.