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worst possible scenario
2013-May-29, Wednesday 05:48 pmMy car died. I've had it in the shop for 1.5 days, and the mechanic finally called to say he estimated $2200 in repairs. He said the onboard computer offered a long list of problems: camshaft, ignition coil, head gasket, and other stuff. For that price, I might as well try to get another vehicle instead. Living without a car is a lot cheaper, however, since Minnesota currently has the highest gas prices in the contiguous 48 states. I guess I'm back to being motorless again.
The bus schedule is awful. I made it to work today on the bus. Unfortunately, bus service operates within a very narrow window of time near my workplace, so I have to be up at the first bus stop by 7am, and I don't get home until 5pm. It's a terribly inefficient use of time (10 hours) for what would in normal circumstances be just a 4-hour shift at work.
My leg is still not 100%. I would enjoy commuting by bicycle, except that my leg is still not fully healed. I can walk, yes, but very slowly with a slight limp. The doctor warned me specifically against exercising as soon as I felt "able". I don't have many options, though.
I finally applied for a credit card through State Farm Insurance, the same company where I've paid my car insurance for the last 20 years or so. Maybe my long history with them will motivate them to take pity on me by granting me a line of credit. At least then I can dump my many medical bills into a single debt for more convenient payment. I'd rather owe money just 1 place rather than several places.
I also finally applied for a new job. I found an opening in the Twin Cities where they wanted a Powershell programmer. The rest of the skills were only a moderate match for me, but the job itself is something I'm certain I can do and enjoy. Plus, they'd pay me 4-5X what I'm currently earning. I don't normally motivate for cash, but I'll make an exception under these trying circumstances.
Meanwhile, I suppose I'll dump some money into a bus transit card and muddle through.
The bus schedule is awful. I made it to work today on the bus. Unfortunately, bus service operates within a very narrow window of time near my workplace, so I have to be up at the first bus stop by 7am, and I don't get home until 5pm. It's a terribly inefficient use of time (10 hours) for what would in normal circumstances be just a 4-hour shift at work.
My leg is still not 100%. I would enjoy commuting by bicycle, except that my leg is still not fully healed. I can walk, yes, but very slowly with a slight limp. The doctor warned me specifically against exercising as soon as I felt "able". I don't have many options, though.
I finally applied for a credit card through State Farm Insurance, the same company where I've paid my car insurance for the last 20 years or so. Maybe my long history with them will motivate them to take pity on me by granting me a line of credit. At least then I can dump my many medical bills into a single debt for more convenient payment. I'd rather owe money just 1 place rather than several places.
I also finally applied for a new job. I found an opening in the Twin Cities where they wanted a Powershell programmer. The rest of the skills were only a moderate match for me, but the job itself is something I'm certain I can do and enjoy. Plus, they'd pay me 4-5X what I'm currently earning. I don't normally motivate for cash, but I'll make an exception under these trying circumstances.
Meanwhile, I suppose I'll dump some money into a bus transit card and muddle through.