One minute we’re talking about how we really ought to think about replacing rather than repairing our aging, ailing 1991 Mazda MPV.
The next we’re signing on a 2-year lease (at a surprisingly low cost) for a 2004 Honda Odyssey EX complete with built-in DVD system.
Ay-yi-yi.
No buyer’s remorse, but some buyer’s incredulity!
It’s a gorgeous van, though. Silver with gray interior, lots of nifty bells-and-whistles. And significantly safer than the ancient van we’ve been using, which makes me feel oh-so-much better about our upcoming trip to Alabama.
Will post photos after I pick it up tonight…
Haven’t been blogging much lately. I’d like to say it’s because I’m getting so much done on my research and course prep, but it’s not. Or because I’m energetically cleaning the house and the basement and the garage, but it’s not.
My brain is on vacation, it seems. I can’t afford a brain vacation right now, but my brain didn’t really ask my opinion. It didn’t check my calendar, or my to-do list. It just cut and ran…it’s probably on a sunny beach somewhere in the Caribbean, or climbing a mountain in Switzerland. And it cleverly chose not to take my body along with it, so my physical self is stuck here in cold, damp, un-summery Rochester.
I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised that it decided to take off for a while. The rest of me would go, too, if it could. It’s been a pretty awful year. Two deaths in the family since December, then the loss of the teenager we knew last week. Two close friends diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. One family member shot in March and still in the ICU four months later. One family member coming to terms with alcoholism. One bruising and highly politicized battle over my promotion. Far too many hours spent airborne. Disappointing news about our sabbatical planning—for reasons I can’t go into, an overseas sabbatical will not be feasible. Can it just stop now, please? Can we have a week…or even, God forbid, a month…without trauma?
The new van (it’s beautiful!) is a bit of a bright spot. It’s been a long time since I’ve driven a new car. Not since 1987, when I bought my beloved Prelude (which gave its life to protect me and the boys back in 1999). We’re traveling down to Alabama to visit family next month, and the trip will be a lot more enjoyable in a van that’s safe and comfortable…even luxurious. (I did find some damage to the front bumper when I took possession of it tonight, so they’ll be replacing it next week. Glad I checked carefully…)
And perhaps acknowledging my cognitively-disabled state will encourage my AWOL brain to return home, refreshed and ready to pound out insightful analysis and efficient survey instruments.
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