The DC jack on my Sony laptop is no longer functioning. Best Buy’s Geek Squad wants $300 to repair as does the Sony Style store. I was able to track down the part on eBay for $15 and will try the repair myself. If that doesn’t work, I will “force” myself to by a new computer.
Motivational Zig Ziglar died yesterday. Despite all his great quotes and speeches, I was never really a fan because I always felt that he didn’t have much substance or history in terms of having a career overcoming obstacles. In terms of being motivated, I tend to connect more with people who’ve come from nothing and overcame adversity. I guess that’s why a lot of folks are motivated by the likes of Steve Jobs, Oprah, and Bill Clinton.
WifeGeeding and the kids got stranded at the grocery store early yesterday evening because the SUV wouldn’t start. I tried to jump start it, with two different vehicles, but no luck, so I drove them home.
I then drove to my local auto shop hoping to talk to Mike who usually works the front desk, but instead was a new female employee. She said she could call a tow truck but was wondering if there was another option and if I could talk to Mike. She said Mike was let go a little while back, so I asked if I could talk to Chris, the other guy that knows I’ve been a loyal customer for many moons and is the owner. She then yelled towards the back, “Hey Chris, there’s a guy up here that wants to talk to a man who doesn’t think women know anything.”
Chris came up and greeted me by my first name and a firm handshake. Before I could even finish the story of my little dilemma he called for one of his guys to come up front with a jump box and informed him to take a ride with me. Thankfully we got it jumped and drove back to the shop. We think my jumps didn’t work due to “cheap” jumper cables.
It’s a half-hour before closing and thankfully all I need is a new battery, but the Acadia takes a particular battery that isn’t in stock. Chris makes about five calls and finds an O’Reilly that happens to have one in stock. I tell him I’d be happy to pick it.
I get back to the shop right at closing time and I feel horrible that a few of his employees are staying late, but they all seem to be in good spirits and a couple even started having their traditional end of day beer.
Right as his men are about to wrap things up it occurs to me I haven’t paid for anything, so I remind Chris to ring me up. To my surprise, he tells me not to worry about it and that my commitment to him over the years is what counts. I thank him, but say that I need to compensate him for letting me take one of his men to the grocery store and for keeping him and a few others past regular closing time, and yet he still refuses. I plan on making up for it buy bringing some pizzas in to the shop in the next couple of days.
Usually you don’t hear stuff like this happening in “big city”, but it happens.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” was on television last night. I know it’s after Thanksgiving, but I tend to think its first run of the season should at least be in December.
We've got a whole "extra" week this year between Thanksgiving & Christmas due to the way the calendar worked this year – doesn't happen very often, but when it does, it sure is weird to see houses decorated for Christmas in November, since so many people tend to decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving.
NOOOOOOO, GEEDING!!! DON'T GO TO THE DARK SIDE!! They suck you in with all their iStuff and then NEVER LET YOU GO!
Resit, my friend…I know the force is strong in you!
Nothing like finding a good trustworthy mechanic, they make it easy to be loyal to them.
I think the new lady is insecure. If a new guy had told you the same thing, you'd have still asked for the owner.
BTW, the MakerBot Store in NY has a 3D photobooth, too. We're on the edge of coolness with 3D printers.
We've got a whole "extra" week this year between Thanksgiving & Christmas due to the way the calendar worked this year – doesn't happen very often, but when it does, it sure is weird to see houses decorated for Christmas in November, since so many people tend to decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving.
New computer, huh? Bro, it's time to switch to Mac. 🙂
NOOOOOOO, GEEDING!!! DON'T GO TO THE DARK SIDE!! They suck you in with all their iStuff and then NEVER LET YOU GO!
Resit, my friend…I know the force is strong in you!