just an innocent question

If Stephen Hawking gets to be weightless, do you think they'll let him do a spacewalk???

I'M SO DAMN PROUD OF MYSELF!!!

So I go to Firestone (which usually does a good job with my car and charges reasonable prices), they tell me that it's $400 for a tune up which should be done since my car has a halting, faltering noise to it (likes its going to die). "Why so high?"
"Because you're using gold plated Delco spark plugs"
Later, I learned the spark plugs are a mere $7. So if you multiply the number needed (4) and then add $30-$50 on spark plug wires, then the parts only are $58 to $78!!! You mean, they were going to charge me way over $300 for labor???!?
HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I decided to have Sal the Handyman do it, but after waiting 3 weeks, I decided to do it myself. It can't be that hard, it just can't be.
Once I had the right tools, it really wasn't that hard. When I was finished installing the spark plugs and wires, I said a prayer hoping it would start. I turn the key and voila!! The car starting was the sweetest thing I ever heard.
I saved myself $350. I haven't been this proud since last spring. It almost felt like getting into a fight and winning. There was that macho feeling of accomplishment.
Right now, I'm feeling pretty good. But we all know the saying:


If you feel good, don't worry you'll get over it!

pix

what happened?!?

I love working in the Loop of Chicago, but there are some disturbing sights. I had previously mentioned that I see more than my share of beggars when I work in Chicago. Usually, they are at the sidewalk, with a small cup slightly shaking it. 

But some of them are pretty unique. There was one guy who was screaming at the top of his lungs (as he walked down the street), "HAPPY FRIDAY!" & of course, he screamed this over and over again. Some of them like to pull at your heartstrings. They will have a poor, innocent kid with them. One guy literally was on his knees, he took his hat off and used that as a cup, something that you would put money in. I give to certain homeless people who sell Streetwise. Streetwise that is a weekly paper and talks about homelessness. Sometimes people who are homeless write the articles. The point is I often wonder what happened to those who are homeless to put them in the situation that they are currently in. What happened?!?? Was it drugs? Was it poor education? Was it a dysfunctional family? Was it a combination of all 3? What happened? I refuse to believe that being homeless is "all their fault", or that if they would get off their ass and work, everything would be fine. Who said that they have the skills to get a job? (That's where a poor education plays a role). Who said that they have the social skills to even keep a job? (drugs, dysfunctional family, disadvantaged background all play a role there). It's a sad situation. Clearly, it makes me thankful that I was born in a loving family with good parents. Obviously we have no control over where we will be born. We could just as easily been born in a flyridden part of Africa or in the middle of their desert.