Subaru Service Dept Review

Finally, while in Dallas, I was able to resolve the horn honking when I start up issue. Cousin J suggested I go to Sewell Subaru, across from Love field in Dallas.

The place is first class. The customer lounge is spiffy with plush furniture, a soda machine at your disposal, and big pot of sweet tea, and it is not like the usual waiting area. It is more like a nice hotel lobby.

The service area itself has tile floor, very spacious bays and not a spot of trash or grime anywhere.

The tech fooled with some loose wires on a tiny box that the selling dealer had on there for some security reason. That was all it took. They said they could remove the box altogether but it would cost about $100 because the guy would have to rewire the stuff back where it goes. They seemed to think it would be OK and weren't pushing to do it so I didn't.

The diagnostic charge is $80, which is explained up front. They charged $0.00. The service writer was competent and able to explain everything in detail. All of them seem competent and not trying to mouse anyone. I decided I was due an oil change since I've driven maybe 5000 miles so far and had them do it.

I wish they were in SD county because I'd rather have them do the brakes and timing belt when due than anyone else.

So, I highly recommend the Sewell Subaru service department.
And I did not wait all that long. I got there at 2 and left before 3:30.
5 stars.

Magic Is Still Mojoing

Too many things have been going on in the last few days to leave room to write. Many of them probably wouldn't excite most people, but it has been great from my view point.

My Dallas cousins give me lessons in being gracious and most other facets of life. I've had great time seeing the town with them and visiting my aunt. I also had a good visit with my cousin J's son, J. He's one upbeat good hearted guy and I think his looks will help his various efforts in the marketplace as well.

Now I'm in Austin. I spent the day holding and entertaining my not yet three months old niece, V. I'm pretty sure she was talking to me when no one else could hear. She said, "Gruncle!". Then she laid an egg, so to speak.

I have to admit, I like babies. They are at that stage I never outgrew--trying to make sense of all the sound and fury around them. She may like everyone, but I think we hit it off in any case. It's like holding a giant bobble head doll, with the object being to make sure the head stays attached. Rarely, if ever, have I seen a happier, more relaxed new mother. Now I know the pics of her working on the computer between contractions were the real deal. She said she didn't want to think about being uncomfortable and figured the baby would come pretty soon. Or something like that.

Tomorrow I'm going to meet the Horse Boy foundation people at the ranch where they work with autistic children. It's about an hour from here. I was there but it is not easy to find. I ended up at someone else's place. He said he's does work for them sometimes but today was too hot. I followed him there and no one was home. He called them up and they said 10am tomorrow would be a good time to come.

I have no idea what I expect there. I just felt a strong desire to go there from the time I watched the Horse Boy documentary. After that I will come back and adore my little grand niece and enjoy the fine view from my nephews back deck on the north west outskirts of Austin.

All the people I have connected with on this tour have been supernatural and magic. I must have needed something and they have given it. All about the love I guess.

In some cases I had apprehensions, preconceived ideas, etc., but each time those were laid to rest and I have been blown away by the acceptance, hospitality, and kindness. I hope that these people receive something of the like from me. I try but can't imagine they get as much out of it as I do. I hope so anyway.

It is still HOT everywhere. Today was 100 degrees.

How my brother raised such sons, I will never know. He broke the chain. These guys are sane and appear to have better than average functionality in their relationships. It didn't seem possible considering ...

I hope I'm around long enough to keep this little niece straight and not selling out to The Man. Tomorrow we'll work on teaching her to sing the blues.

Maybe I'll have pics to put up soon.

Still Heading Out

Woke up and got hungry so I decided to update.
It appears I'm about one of three people who come to this page, but so be it.

G1 called and convinced me to take the bassman amp with me. It won't take a lot of space. The speaker cab is what takes the space. Quite a nice gesture. These are sought after units in some circles. I'll go by to get it as I leave town. I'm still blown away by the fact they did that jam, and now I'm leaving with the dream amp.

I'm requesting that everyone in Texas run their A/C outdoors. It looks like Austin will be over 100 deg by the time I get there. Dallas is stop 1, and I doubt it will be sweater weather there. Maybe there will be a Subaru dealer who can get that horn beep problem resolved. I think it is a reprogram deal with security or something. But I also tend to think a relay could be involved.

There is also a new reprogram thing required and since it may improve winter time emmissions, CA won't re-up my registration without it. Got that notice a day ago. It is not really a problem, only a slight improvement in some cases, under certain conditions, in fuel economy and emissions. I'm not as quick to jump on that band wagon as the typical subaru owner. Say green and they'll do anything. I've discovered a lot of green cloaked initiatives and products are not really any more resource conserving and kind to the earth (which is Not my mother, has no gender or sex, and doesn't get colds and run fevers like a mammal) than the evil not cloaked in green alternatives.

Common sense and real science and data---not just the stuff that fits predetermined conclusions. That is not so easy to find, but if you look - it is there. Often all it takes is reading a cited study yourself, without bias, and you'll find it doesn't say that people who like mice are 43% more likely to die of snake bite. Or you can poke holes in the conduct of the alleged study. Generalities will get you high fives and a sense of belonging, but rarely help discern the real truth of matters.

I hope rain appears over New Mex and Arizona. Lots of it, and quick. These fires are going to force me to make a detour on the way out of Texas.

Taos was specifically on my list of places to go. It looks like I may have to go there to put out fires if this doesn't change. Maybe I can do that.

heading out

Tomorrow, Sunday, I hit the road.

The jam was good but best part is not recorded--par for course with these things.

I was stunned the old band went to such trouble to set up and play with me. G1 brought in an amp for me to play through that is best thing ever. I didn't use a delay or anything, and had real control over tone--from clean and sweet to down and dirty. Very full rich sound. An old vintage fender bassman head into a mesa boogie speaker cab with 1-12" speaker. Used audix fireball mic---very clean harp mic; can also be used for vocal.

It has been so long since I played this style and plugged in, I found myself doing things differently then I recall doing them in the past. I think I improved. That appeared to be the consensus. Drummer and bass expressed the wish that I'd stick around.

It was as much fun as I could have expected but was too short a session. G1 had to hit the road. He's got a complicated life at the moment. I know why he had to cut out, but the reason given was a smokescreen. Nothing personal toward me. I couldn't take that much tension and drama. At any rate, it was worth doing.

I'll see if part I got on video is worth sharing. Due to cam location I think all you hear is harp, and that wasn't the real mix in the room.

So, my Mesa Boogie Blue Angel is for sale because I will by G1's bassman with the money. He won't let go of the Mesa speaker cab though, s I need that. A good box with 2 10" would also work well I think.

Still in MEM

MEM is Memphis in airport lingo.

The dealer's computer can't read my car's computer because of a software glitch which won't be resolved until middle of next week. Supposedly it is ok to drive and ignore the horn beep on start up. I'll get it dealt with down the road.

I stuck an extra day or two because old band wants to meet up for a jam. I'm not sure if I was just so surprised they'd be so hospitable or if I really want to play plugged in electric one time. It has been awhile since I played anything but acoustic, just with mic on stand through PA. Different sort of music.

Anyway, I know it is time to hit the road soon. Lots of old regrets and sorrows to resolve in this town. That kind of surprises me. I figured the past was where it belongs--gone. Apparently I haven't come to grips with it totally.

Going to try to get video from the little jam tonight.

Waiting for Godot or something

So, after passing up time in a very cool region east of Chattanooga because my car horn honks quickly a couple of times when I turn the key to start it, and I didn't want to take chances so now I'm at the dealer in Memphis waiting to find out what's up.

It is 98deg F and the heat index is 103. There's an index for hot cold, everything. Once upon a time we did not have these life altering indices. Lucky us.

So, since they have wifi, I'm killing time in the ac and took a pic. Too bad I didn't catch one of the exterminator spraying in here.

Brief Documentation and review or two

Do not try this yourself--shading a tent on Ocracoke Island. I used it part of the day then took it off at night. I also soaked it in mosquito repellant. But the beach and the water--incomparable.

On the boat from Hatteras to Ocracoke.

The Carolina Country Inn motel in Burnsville, NC--in the mountains. I highly recommend this place. None of the modern inconveniences like key cards that don't work. Real keys. Chairs in front of the room that are actually cool places to hang out. Internet wifi. Big tv on the wall, windows that open. Good price.

Another recommendation.
If your are ever in Misenheimer or Ritchfield NC, there is a place on hwy 49, just off of hwy 52 called the Motel Restaurant (JUDY'S). They even include the parentheses bit on the sign.
It is a great diner in the tradition of great diners. Whatever that means. It is the place to go. That's all I can say. And they had the highest sanitation grade I've seen so far, 99%. In NC, they give you a letter grade plus post your score. I guess 95 is also an A. Maybe it goes down to 90.

It is not more than a mile or two from the Headquarters hair cutter where I lost my long hair.

Thunderstorms in the Blue Ridge tonight. Lots of spectacular lightening.
the end

Surreal Adventure Ballistically Right

No one could have predicted where this tour was going. But that is why it is a ballistic tour; like being shot from a cannon and no one knows where you land.
Too bad the pic from a friend's phone is of the lowest possible quality, but here is proof I was in custody under authority of Barney Fife.

What more need be said?

There are parts of NC I like as well as anywhere, I think. Rural foothills please me most.

The real story, though, is crossing paths with the kind of friends that are not so common in life. I find myself more fortunate than I might consider that I deserve. From a certain point of view I think one could count me rather rich in the realm of friendships. The kind that would allow me to call for help from anywhere and people would go out of their way to help solve the problem.

When chips are down most acquaintances make rats leaving a sinking ship look like slow pokes out for a stroll. These days find that is not how it is in my life. It has sometimes seemed like anyone professing friendship was only an event of betrayal waiting its time. It's a way of life for many, and those who grew up in Miami when I did seemed culturally to assume that as the behavioral norm. I was by no means the number one victim. It just never seemed quite right. Lot of "just doin' my job", or "nothin' personal, just business" types in that bunch.

If you've been there, you know what I mean. If not, then not.

Maybe I am just realizing who my friends really are more than in the past. It takes some people years to do the weeding that others instinctively do all along.

Anyway, I jammed with a couple of strangers out in some very beautiful country, and one guy was bummed out that I'm a foreigner and passing through. He'd been looking for a harp player and thought he'd just got lucky. Very flattering. We'll see if we can collaborate long distance with sound files. Just some blues mostly, but probably original stuff at any rate.

I'm looking forward to getting back home to my Copper Creek family. They are a good group and I enjoy playing with them.

When it comes down to it this trip has let me know I may be loved more than I realized. That probably sounds selfish and stupid, but if you were me you know what it means and that it is a very good thing. I needed to have this sort thing hammered in. It will make me a better person more than likely. And it makes me grateful, and gratitude tends to make a person happier than not.

Haircuts, Salt Water, and deadly blood suckers

There is no water and beach on the planet that has the feel of home like where the Atlantic Ocean meets the outer banks of North Carolina. It is the perfect beach in so many ways; waves big enough to be interesting but not overwhelming (though rip tides can get you if you are unwary), very broad white sand beach with dunes lining the back, warm enough water to be bracing but not chilling wet suit swimming.

You can imagine feeling energized enough to raise the Jolly Roger and have your way with the world. The place does have that magic.

Oh yea, you can drive on the beaches for miles. I did not because I thought the salt and sand not the best ticket for my car. The four wheel drive would do it, but the clearance could be a little iffy in areas.

The thing is, one should either make a day trip of it, or have decent lodging secured. It is not a poor man's venture for long. Even camping you need a big tall tropical style shelter--or you will swelter. And be sure it has fool proof mosquito netting. Soak it in repellant chemicals. That is what I eventually did to my tent, the tarp, and my clothes and myself. Frisco is really a little better for the minimally equipped camper. I had no mosquito issue there which was surprising.

Another hint: if you decide to go over a sand dune path to get to the beach, at noon, and your flip flops seem to be bogging down in the soft deep sand, DO NOT remove them, thinking you can make a run for it barefoot. You will find yourself ankle deep in sand just two degrees below the point at which it turns to molten glass.

Holy smoke!!! Talk about a hot foot! I threw those flipflops back down and jumped on them, then went the rest of the way with left flop on right foot, etc. HOT. I found another less treacherous route back.

Before the Banks, I spent time with Joel in Greensboro. I think I mentioned staying in Hagan Stone park. I don't recall.

I decided I can't go way up to Mass. or NY or New Hampshire. I'm heading back west.

Had I the means for good lodging, and all the fun toys that lend themselves to the Outer Banks, I might have stayed there another decade. Lacking that, and finding absolutely no shade in the federal campground, and suspecting not much better at the private ones, and because of the unbelievably inconsiderate mosquitoes, I had to hit the road, Jack.

Good advice from Ocracoke; not sure if you can see it but this is a cemetery with a sign pleading for you to keep out. Ironic, I think. "PLEASE KEEP OUT"--takes less persuasion some days than others, in my case

After an all nighter, which included 4 hours of dozing in a rest stop, I wound my way down to Peiffer University, my last full time institute of higher learning. It is still as great as ever. I was saddened to think of my confused and horrifically wasteful ways at the time. But then it occurred to me some of the reasons and the fact that you cannot change these things. I love that area; quiet, pretty, lots of home grown culture.

Headquarters, home of master barber MR ?

I took a chance and got a haircut at Headquarters, the only barber in Misenheimer, NC. Too bad this guy is not ocated in Alpine. He was damned good, and his pals came in talking it up, almost like Floyd's in Mayberry, except this guy wasn't spooky like Floyd.

He did seem to repeat key phrases from his friends though.
Pal-"So, them Highway Patrols is out there an I ain't kidding, they're taking pictures and pulling em over"
Barber-"Taking pictures"
Pal-"It 'as so hot, I near laid out yestiddy"
Barber-"Near laid out"

These guys aren't old and ancient by any means. Just the way of it. That guy had every document known to the world of haircutting on his wall, and about ten billiards trophies. He sure did better than that Viet Namese chick in Alpine.

I miss having long hair. I like it long, but am not too thrilled with the look of it. I just like having it. Is that gay? Probably. Oh well.

Speaking of gay, my trusty Subaru, TourMobile#2, is getting very close to 30 mpg lately, even with a/c running. At times, it is down to 26 or 28, but that is because of all the 20 mph towns and erratic NC speed limits on highways---55, 45, 65, 70 50, 60, and not always in any logical place.

Pics aren't too good. I have some video but brought no electronics down to the beach.

Man, I forgot how much I love salt water, and none more than this stretch of the Atlantic.

I believe this is Frisco, just above the bottom of Hatteras, I guess, where you take the ferry to Ocracoke. I enjoyed that 40 min ride, and it is free.

This is probably from the top of the dunes since I know I brought no phone further than that

coast to coast

My connection is off and on it is not the best environment for a computer.

I'm in Frisco, in the Outer Banks of NC, heading down to the ferry to Ocracoke in a bit.

Nice ocean out here. I always liked this general area but have never been so far down the banks. It is still my favorite beach I think.

Too slow on upload to fool with pics at the moment. Not that you care, but I like to put them up anyway.

The stars were quite visible and vivid last night. Good navigation aid. I located the north star just in case life gets confusing. For the first time ever I tried the small unused tent. It set up quick and works OK. Made in China where they tend to make marginally functional zippers and design the rain fly for only a drizzle. It didn't rain.

If I find a place I like further south I will set up larger digs and hang a few days. Or I may come back up to this spot. Definitely a good area for sunscreen and mosquito sticks.

Short review: the mosquito sticks from Walmart work well out here.

The Tour mobile is serving well and I am quite grateful to it and for it.

the end