Finally Able To Get The Jeep To The Shop

Above, the Jeep at the El Rancho Hotel before heading to the Jamestown
 Flying J, where the problem started. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that my AAA membership has renewed, I can get the Jeep to the mechanic's shop to fix whatever it is that kept it from starting. It cranks but won't ignite.

This happened after I picked it up from the mechanic in Gallup and drove it home after a stop at the El Rancho hotel for lunch.

I made it to the access road of the Flying J, but it conked out and I couldn't get it started again. Luckily, friend Nandoh was home and he came and towed it to my house with his truck. Since I used up the four AAA service calls for the year, I had to wait until now to use the AAA towing service. I wasn't about to pay out-of-pocket $200-400 for a tow. Good thing I am a patient person.

Larry Lucier's bus alternator was failing and it was replaced yesterday. I will ride with the tow truck into town to drop off the Jeep and return home with Larry's bus. I have his credit card to pay for his repairs.

Tow Day

Above, the Jeep and Mustang last Saturday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning will be somewhat busy for me.

I have to get the Mustang towed to my mechanic from the Flying J as the clutch cable apparently snapped, leaving the clutch pedal "flapping" limp. This happened on Saturday after our coffee/breakfast gathering at Denny's.

Quite often, Auto Club takes a long time here in New Mexico to respond to tow calls. At least I can arrange for them to give me a call when they are about 20 minutes away and I can meet them down there with the Jeep. 

Repairs should be relatively easy since I know what the problem is.  

Got More RV Use This Year Than Expected

Above, yours truly in Monument Valley two weeks ago.

When gasoline prices started to skyrocket this year, I didn't think I would be getting much use out of the motorhome.

But then prices started to fall during the summer and they got to the point that I could afford to go do some traveling.

First, in July, my ex-roommate Jessica and I went to Durango, Colorado and Navajo Lake in New Mexico. Both were reasonably close to home and I only needed a tank and a quarter for the whole trip.

Above, aboard the Durango train in July.

Then, a month later, I headed up to Ouray and Ridgway, Colorado for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation's Grit Series 5K and Half Marathon. The amount of fuel for that was the same as the Durango trip. 

Above, yours truly with Patrick Wayne near Ridgway, Colorado August 27.

Then, I attended the Lost Dutchman Chapter, ECV's fall clampout near Ash Fork, Arizona in September. I only needed one tank of gas for that trip.

Above, The Beast at the Lost Dutchman clampout near Ash Fork. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This month, I headed up to Monument Valley for a couple of nights. That trip also only required one tank of gas. 

Currently, the gasoline price averages for New Mexico are as follows (unleaded regular, mid-grade and premium) from AAA:

New Mexico $3.619 $3.953 $4.247

As high as those prices are, they're still much better than California's. If I were to still a resident there, I definitely would not be using the motor home much, if at all. Luckily, I am at the right place and at the right time when it comes to gas prices. 

Here's California's (from AAA):

California $5.675 $5.902 $6.040

Hawaii Blowback: Debt Unpaid

Above, at Hilo Airport after a helicopter tour of Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park.

bilk (bɪlk)

v.t. 

1. to defraud; cheat.
2. to evade payment of or to: to bilk a creditor.
3. to frustrate: a career bilked by poor health.
4. to escape from; elude. 

n. 

5. a cheat; swindler.
6. a trick; fraud; deceit.

Back in Febuary, Denise Santos and I began planning the trip to Hawaii to celebrate Denise's birthday. Denise wanted her best friend Jacquese "Jackie" Scott to join us on the trip.

The three of us went to the Northridge office of the Automobile Club of Southern California to talk to Nicki, one of the travel agents.

Fortunately for us, the Auto Club had a sale on Hawaii trips. She provided us with an itinerary and the cost amounts. We then headed to the nearby Coco's restaurant for breakfast and to discuss the trip further.

While at Coco's, Denise asked that I front the cash to lock in the trip for Jackie and she would repay me. Jackie concurred. I agreed to it. As a birthday present to Denise, I paid for her and her son.

I don't mind helping someone out, but I bristled at being put on the spot at that moment.

Later, I told Denise that I was not happy being put on the spot and that she should have discussed it with me first in private. She apologized and promised that things would be discussed first between us.

The cost per person was $1,408.25 for seven days in Hawaii, which included all flights, transfers, taxes, fees and accommodations. It was a very good deal. Our scheduled departure date was May 4.

On March 4, Jackie paid me $300 in cash. Things were looking good.

Then there was a "lull" in payments as Jackie wanted to pay for her activities (para sailing, helicopter tour, luau, etc.). I was annoyed with this as she decided this on her own without asking me if I were okay with it. I really wasn't, but what could I do?

She made another $300 cash payment on April 17. After this, her balance due was $808.25. That is where we stand today.

On May 15, following a blow-up with Denise (which ultimately lead to our break-up), I sent Jackie a friendly text message asking, "How do you want to handle the remaining $808 that you still owe for the Hawaii trip?" I received no response. Her debt to me has nothing to do with the current status of Denise and I.

On June 7, during which time Denise and I were still friendly (hoping that she would light a fire under Jackie's butt to pay me in full), I decided that I've waited enough and sent Jackie this text:

Jackie, since you have not made any good faith effort to repay me the remaining $808 for the Hawaii trip, I am giving you until June 30th to pay me back in full, or we're going to small claims court.

Again, no response.

Additionally, Denise has never mentioned the subject of Jackie's debt to me since we got back. That says a lot.

All Jackie had to do is to pop a check for $808.25 in the mail (she could get my address from Denise).

She has four more days to pay the balance owed or I will go to Small Claims Court to file on June 30. Besides failing morally to fulfill a debt obligation, it is also stupid. Once I win the judgment, this will be included in her future credit reports. I have never lost in Small Claims Court, personally or professionally.

I think I have been fair and nice about this, but one can only take so much in being taken advantage of. I thought that Jackie had more class than what she has displayed so far.

Let justice be done if need be.

UPDATE (6/27/16):  No response yet. She's got two days to pay up or I'm filing on June 30.

UPDATE (6/29/16): No response and no payment. So, unless she brings me the cash tomorrow morning before I go file, we're going to Small Claims Court. How stupid! Classy gal!

Reactions to this post:

You were robbed! 

Did you ever get the ring back? That must have been quite a rock given the price you mentioned. I'm sorry you were treated that way, Armand. 

Ouch I'm so sorry to hear that. damn. 

tawdry
: having a cheap and ugly appearance
: morally low or bad 

truly feel your PAIN bro...!

Mustang Meets Bambi

I had an "interesting" ride home from work in Malibu tonight.

I was heading to the San Fernando Valley from Malibu on Malibu Canyon Road when a deer decided to j-walk in front of me. I hit the brakes, but hit the deer.

A loud thud was heard on impact and suddenly I lost all electrical power to my car, a 1989 Ford Mustang. After rolling from the impact, the deer got up and ran off. Meanwhile, I was trying to figure out what was wrong with the car.

I managed to roll the car to the shoulder off the road (well, most of it). My immediate thought was that the fuel cut-off switch Fords have was the culprit. I popped the trunk and when I did, the lights came on. So, I figured I could start it and gave it a try. No dice! No power again.

I tried the cut-off switch and it did nothing. So I called the Auto Club.

While waiting for the Auto Club, I popped the hood and found that the impact with the deer knocked one of my battery cables off the battery. I replaced it onto the battery terminal, and lo and behold, I had full power!

I cancelled the Auto Club service and was merrily (not exactly, I was a little shaken up) on my way home. Also, the impact with the deer did no damage to the front end of the Mustang. Lucky for me!

It was also my good fortune that the encounter happened at a wide section of the road. Otherwise, I might have skidded off over the side and down 100-200 feet into the canyon.

UPDATE: My claims adjusting boss called me this morning (with two new assignments) and I told her what happened. She said her brother once hit a deer and totalled his vehicle.

In my claims work, I've had vehicle vs. deer claims in the past. I am aware that people have been killed in these (especially when the deer's body goes into the windshield).

I consider myself lucky: no damage, no injuries. Don't know about the deer. I haven't heard from its attorney.