Friday January 28 2011

It’s just after 10:30 a.m.

Eating an Egg and Cheese Burrito and some leftover French Toast Kenneth left for me to try, and Milk.

In Chesapeake—picking up the Toyota Camry from the dealer to bring to a mechanic around the corner for a general diagnostic.

In the waiting room—tired as I’ve ever been. I completely skipped sleeping to do this today. Another man with white hair and a white beard is making conversation with me about what I do and where I grew up. He used to play drums and sing in a trio a back in the day. Explaining to him how looking for a used car is like looking for a wife, making sure they’re not high maintenance. He responds with a joke: “You put your wife and your dog in the trunk of a car over night. The next morning, whose gonna be happy see you?” Not sure where he was going with that one.

The Camry turns out to have a list of mechanical repairs needed, which I expected.

Returning it at the dealer to discuss the repairs and what he can take care if I buy it—lying on the couch next to a terrier dog who decides to lay his head on my stomach.

Making my next move to a dealer in Portsmouth to pick up the Subaru Outback and conduct the same process. For some reason, this takes exceptionally longer than the Camry. Awkwardly sitting in the waiting room chair attempting to stretch out my legs and lean my head against the gumball machine. It’s cold. I can’t even nap—just pretending to doze off.

Finally, they give me the list of repairs needed. Bringing it back to Russ, the dealer. He offers a similar deal to take care of certain things before I purchase, but pushing me to make a decision to quickly. The more persuasive he is the more reluctant I am to make a decision.

Pear.

Driving home, taking 264 all the way. Lack of sleep is really getting to me. I’m stressed. I don’t know which car to go with—I can’t make a decision.

Meanwhile, I get bad news about my van from the shop. I took it to a place called BP Automotive the day before. $500 needs to be put into it but will still not be drivable. This is just getting ridiculous. Margot’s upset too because of me using her car so much. Again, she’s been such a blessing. I know she’s stressed about it because the family is breathing down her neck about it, completely opposed to the idea of me even borrowing it. I’m just out of breath. I’m just out of luck. In frustration, I call the Toyota Camry dealer and put in the down payment. This just can’t wait any longer. I’m just gonna have to trust in Toyota’s reputation and go with it. But I still have to wait for the loan to go through and that will take some time, needing my dad as a cosigner and all.

I’M BEAT. BED. SLEEP.

After a three and a half hour nap, I feel a little better. The sound of thumping and a gathering of people outside my room. In other words, it sounds like my roommate Kyle’s friends are all here partying. I feel trapped. All these kids are so agro too. I don’t need this right now.

Eating a Tuna Salad Sandwich with Lettuce and Tomato. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Honey Green Tea.

Finishing Matchstick Men [2003].

Counting quarters.

Writing lyrics for a new song at the storage unit.

Eating Vegetable Beef Soup.

Newspaper Route.

Apple Fritter, Banana, and Milk from 7-11.

It’s around 8 a.m. Waiting to talk with the bank in the morning but I’m going to sleep for a bit.