Fool in the Rain
Did the loop today with Jon, even though I really wasn't feeling it when we started. It was so humid and nasty, I came close to overheating several times. Plus it's been so wet here many of the bridges were flooded; one was under about four feet of water. We picked our battles and crossed where we could; we avoided getting our feet wet on the trail in all but one place, so the loop at least was a relatively dry ride. On the way home, we stopped at Moe's, and got some huge burritos. And then we noticed that far down bruce b. downs boulevard, it was pouring. The sky had darkened up considerably while we were on the loop, but as we were heading home, things began to get critical. Torrential downpours separated us from home. We had no choice. We got saturated. I took one deep-puddled street crossing fast enough to knock the leading part of my front fender off of its mount. There was so much water it was insane. Luckily our food stayed relatively dry--once we got home we removed our food from our soaked bags. I went back out and laid in the downpour for a few seconds, just to cool off. It felt so good, especially after getting so hot during the first part of the ride.
My main problem with the rain is that it wreaks havoc on my car. The targa leaks, the rear hatch leaks...I can't drive it in wet weather without getting soaked, and I can't carry anything sensitive to water or it'll get damaged in the back seat or trunk. Plus the upholstery is getting all screwed up from the water, so if I don't fix the seals soon then I may as well gut the interior. The other day I noticed my gauges on the A-pillar were fogging up. A nice touch, I thought.
Anyhow, I know for sure that I will never own another removable topped vehicle, unless it is a jeep or a bronco, where you really shouldn't be concerned about sealing out the elements. Even jack's car has leaks, but his is six years older than mine...
One car that has caught my eye lately is the Saab 9-2x. Yes, it's a Saab. Yes, it's a GM company. But the underpinnings of this car are 100% Subaru, a company only partly-owned by GM, still semi-autonomous. And still fully Japanese. Some would say it looks strange. Yes, I'd agree; but have you seen what the Subaru line looks like? In my opinion this looks far sleeker and more elegant than the Subaru Impreza wagon. But--here's the kicker--since GM owns Saab, this month it also qualifies for GM's shady 'employee discount sale' they're running on all their cars. So I've heard of people driving off the lot with the Saab 9-2x Aero for under $20k--even though the retail price on the Saab site is over $27k. Incredible; it's even cheaper than the WRX wagon, but it has all the mechanicals of the WRX. Excluding the steering rack and suspension components--the 9-2x Aero gets the Subaru STi steering rack for better feel, and a softer, more compliant suspension, which just means it'll be easier to get it to four wheel drift. w00t.
Gonna go study, and do laundry, and shower. Have a nasty Networks test this week. It is gonna suck, bigtime. Also, I don't think I've changed my sheets for about 8 weeks; I'd say it's about time for a change.
My main problem with the rain is that it wreaks havoc on my car. The targa leaks, the rear hatch leaks...I can't drive it in wet weather without getting soaked, and I can't carry anything sensitive to water or it'll get damaged in the back seat or trunk. Plus the upholstery is getting all screwed up from the water, so if I don't fix the seals soon then I may as well gut the interior. The other day I noticed my gauges on the A-pillar were fogging up. A nice touch, I thought.
Anyhow, I know for sure that I will never own another removable topped vehicle, unless it is a jeep or a bronco, where you really shouldn't be concerned about sealing out the elements. Even jack's car has leaks, but his is six years older than mine...
One car that has caught my eye lately is the Saab 9-2x. Yes, it's a Saab. Yes, it's a GM company. But the underpinnings of this car are 100% Subaru, a company only partly-owned by GM, still semi-autonomous. And still fully Japanese. Some would say it looks strange. Yes, I'd agree; but have you seen what the Subaru line looks like? In my opinion this looks far sleeker and more elegant than the Subaru Impreza wagon. But--here's the kicker--since GM owns Saab, this month it also qualifies for GM's shady 'employee discount sale' they're running on all their cars. So I've heard of people driving off the lot with the Saab 9-2x Aero for under $20k--even though the retail price on the Saab site is over $27k. Incredible; it's even cheaper than the WRX wagon, but it has all the mechanicals of the WRX. Excluding the steering rack and suspension components--the 9-2x Aero gets the Subaru STi steering rack for better feel, and a softer, more compliant suspension, which just means it'll be easier to get it to four wheel drift. w00t.
Gonna go study, and do laundry, and shower. Have a nasty Networks test this week. It is gonna suck, bigtime. Also, I don't think I've changed my sheets for about 8 weeks; I'd say it's about time for a change.