I’ve known that there was something wrong with my car’s engine for quite some time. It started with a quiet rattle that steadily grew worse, but not to the point that I was overly worried. I had planned on taking the vehicle in to get it serviced when I was a little bit more ahead financially, when disaster struck.

Saturday, I was driving up the Edens on the way to an acting gig when I heard a loud “SHUNK!” from under the hood. The battery light started to yell at me first, followed by the temperature. Fortunately, I was only half a mile from the next exit and I was able to get off the expressway and into an empty parking lot. Frantic phone calls were made, I tried to get my employers to help out with transportation, and eventually a taxi ferried me to the event. Sadly, I saw my extra profit fly out of the window.

Afterwards, one of the hosts drove me back to my vehicle and I started the lengthy task of finding a place to get my car fixed. In another stroke of luck, I was only a few blocks from the local “El” stop which saved me the stress of trying to make my way back to pick up my vehicle.

By that time, I was calm. During the three hours I was involved with the gig, I lived in a state of panic. Even though I was pretty sure that I knew what was wrong (and was proved to only be somewhat incorrect), it was very possible that the car was dead. If the expenses were too great for repair, then I would need a replacement.

I don’t like cars. My luck with automobiles during college was legendary, to the point where my friends would joke that I had to move to a city where an automobile wasn’t a necessity. Of course, I ended up in Chicago where you honestly don’t need a car.

I’d love to sell my car and never worry about it again, but that is not one of my options. As long as I pursue an acting career, I’ll need to drive myself to auditions and rehearsals. Subconsciously, I was pleading with the Buick to live for one more month until Damn Yankees was over. If it died, I’d have to go out and get another one.

I’ve never been car shopping. All my vehicles have been family-owned, donated to me when my parents or grandparents got a replacement. Car shopping is scary because it’s unknown. And there are all those hidden expenses: city and state taxes, full insurance, parking, etc. I could buy a car if I was forced, but it would take some major redesign of my budget to find the income.

So while my car sat in the box with Schrödinger’s Cat, I obsessed over what I would do. I need to be prepared to replace my old jalopy at a moment’s notice, but not a second before. Fortunately, the cost to replace the water pump was within my price range and the work got rid of that worrisome rattle. All I’ll need to do is get the transmission and brakes/shocks checked as a precaution and it should survive for another year at least.

At least, I hope so.

I want to get a new vehicle on my own terms, not at the whim of some car gremlin.

--

OTHER QUICK TAKES:

I think I’m back to a full workload at the bar. I’ve been working hard to get that fourth shift back to help keep me focused and to make me save more money. I know that the financial plan works, despite the setback my car troubles caused. Add in one extra night of being a homebody than before, and my checking account with look significantly different.

Of course, I’m taking almost a week off to save energy for Tech Week. Part of why I started saving as much cash as my plan allows was to survive my time off because of performing. I took a hit because of the car, but I feel I’ll be in good shape for the next weeks.

I was measured by my personal trainer after two weeks of working out and the diet and I lost eight pounds. Six of those were fat. There are some definite changes to my body shape, although I was not overweight when I started. My diet has changed for the next two weeks, and I’ve gone from eating the bare but filling minimum to boosting my calorie intake by at least 50%. It feels different, but we’re trying to really stimulate muscle growth. Thank god I like playing around with my spreadsheets and I’ve found protein shakes and bars that I like. By the time this cycle ends, I’ll be dancing in a towel on opening night.

Note to self: breathe from the chest while dancing in a towel. Also, see what you can do about the size of the cloth so you don’t scare people in the audience.

Finally, 24 is back. Ah… I missed my premium TV crack. Let’s freebase another season, Kiefer!