What NO Coffee?

 

There was a catastrophe in the Schmaing household this morning. It was discovered that the sacred drink, Pejuta Sapa, Coffee was out.  Such things should not happen for to long without the sacred drink can cause time to slip and when that happens it's never a good thing.  To replace the need for caffeine the black medicine was replaced with several cups of green and black teas.  Although not a perfect substitute it will suffice in a pinch until the stores of the holy bean can be replaced.  

Later in the day with intentions of replacing these important supplies the Pony drops a lud nut on the way to Walmart.  So upon seeing the delema I was in the small lud wrench was freed from it's resting place next to the spare tire in the back of the CRV.  I tightened all luds as tight as I could with my little wrench.  I have a few extra grams of mass to use in such emergencies so the wheel was tightened back snug.  I was discovered that there were loose luds all around the car, so a few foot pounds of John was pressed into each one.  I did manage to get to Sanel before it closed to purchase a new lud and added it to the tire.  Tightened with my grunt and good til the morning.  I will take it to the Master of Auto at school and again he will look at my Pony's shoes and let me know what could have happened.  So far it is a mystery.  All tires are new and the torque was applied to each lud upon adding them.  They should not have loosened.  We will see tomorrow.  My fingers and toes are crossed,  Hoping my luck stays with me.  Until then.  Then to refill the coffee.

Peace and Balance,

John 

Proper Maintenance Leads To A Nice Ride.

 Waiting for tires was a test of patience.  Delayed, late, funky excuses from Fed Ex, then just as I was considering making one of them "Calls" they arrived.  And to be honest some very good quality tires for the money I spent.  I am happy. 

The test is now over and the wait for the installation begins.  I'm on the schedule for next Wednesday.  The Pony will feel like a new ride.  A few liquid/refined oats and the Pony and I will go for a ride to test the feel.  New tires on a vehicle are right up there with the smell of a new car, the comfort of new sneakers, and feeling of a near perfect turn into a high banked high speed track.  We'll call it, "Glory."  

I'm anticipating of course, but there are very few things that match that kind of newness.   A pint of Ben and Jerry's Americone Dream might be in order.  I have simple vices.  

So as it goes, my advise to you the reader is that if you have a set of wheels that makes you happy and gets you from point to point in a pleasant and systematic manner make sure you take care of it.  Keep the maintenance up, keep it oiled, and feed it the correct fuel and coolant.  You will thank yourself in the long run.

Peace and Balance,

John

Putting 4 New Shoes on The Pony.

 Purchasing items off of the inter web thing can be a great test of patience.  I've recently ordered a set of 4 tires for my CRV Pony through Walmart, and as is the case with many internet organizations Walmart doesn't actually own the products it sells.  Especially through the World Wide Spiderness.  Walmart is one of the or rather the largest company in the world that acts as an agent for the manufacturers and sellers of products of all kinds from food stuff to electronics, and in my case automotive.  You order your products and Walmart places the order through the originator and your funds are split between the two organizations.  Symbiotic capitalism at it's best.  

My tires are on the way and are expected to arrive within the next few hours.  They originated in a company from Phoenix AZ called Simply Tire.  I got a real good deal and saved almost 142 dollars due to my affiliation with the Wall Giant organization.  So, the purchase price was extremely reasonable.  The best blessing is that I have a time booked for the students of the automotive program at the Berlin High School to install and balance my tires.  A double savings.  The teacher of the automotive program at the High School is a young man that is the past master mechanic from a local car dealership.  He's very good at his job and the kids under his tutelage are learning a real trade.  

The same program has just recently replaced the front brakes on my Pony and I am very happy with the job they've done.  In the long run for both jobs, the brakes and the tires, I have spent less than I would have if I would have had the local car dealership do the whole show.  Being an employee of the local High School has it's bennies.  

This arrangement, the Master technician and his students using the vehicles of the  staff as teaching and learning tools is very symbiotic and resembles an old fashioned Taoist Temple.  The Master teaching the Students who in turn offer their assistance to the other Masters of the Temple.  My Driving has become the product of the modern Cha, or Zen experience of the Taoist old world.

This is called Balance and within it is great Peace.

Peace and Balance,

John