An Ode to the Cavi

Well, with the purchase of my new Toyota Corolla, I sadly had to sell my 1998 Cavalier. That beast, which I bought new that year, has done me proud over the years, taxiing me through 7 states and 5 relocations. In 10 years of ownership, I passed it on with a mere 109,000 miles and it was still running like a champ. Granted, the air conditioner stopped working (not a big deal as I'm more tolerable to heat than others, and it could have just been low on freon), the paint was peeling in a few spots, and it had a ding in the bumper from the A-hole who backed into me last winter and stuck me with the bill, but in all, it was a good, reliable car. Even through the last days of ownership, including today, I still drove it proudly (even with the annoying clanging from the air conditioner pulley), just like the day I drove it off the lot.

Not that I've neglected my new purchase, but it's been tough letting the old one go, and embracing a foreigner into the family. Sure, I wanted a new car, hand-picked it to my liking, and am paying pretty much what I wanted, but with the squirrely steering, and not knowing all it's quarks and limitations, the transistion has been a little testy. But, I now own a 2009 Corolla 4-door (that's how I roll) S-model. It's magnetic grey metallic, has a sunroof, 16-inch alloy wheels, a 6-disc changer, keyless entry, and is supposed to last forever, while having great resale value and awesome gas mileage. Out of two tanks, I'm averaging about 31.5 miles per gallon, not too shabby considering it was advertised at 27 city/32 highway. And, I'm not really sure what The Cavi was getting, but without using cruise control, I could make it from Hutchinson, KS to Springfield, MO (about a 5 hour drive) on a tank of gas. So, since I'll be heading home in a few weeks, we'll see how the newbie rates.

So, here's to 10 great years from my Chevy Cavalier, may your new owner love you as much as I did.

This is not an actual picture of my Cavi, but one I found that's really close:


Here's a pic of my new ride, only difference is it's not an XRS and has different wheels:

Ninjas

I've always had a soft spot for ninjas and ninja movies, maybe it's because we used to make ninja masks when we were kids, or because they were always portrayed to be so badass and sly in all aspects. How many people do you know who can carry a weapons arsenal on their person and you never really see any of it until they use it (on you)? Either way, I still dig ninjas and although I've never learned martial arts or sword play, I did own throwing stars (bought at or Army surplus store) and thought I had mad skillz from watching numerous movies. Anyway, I ran across this and thought I'd share, it's quite humorous:



Now, follow these easy steps, and POOF...you too can be a ninja.