Going To Work On L.A.'s Metro

Well, the 1989 Mustang is in the body shop (H & R Paint and Body), after which, I had to try out Los Angeles's transit system to get to work.

A few years ago, a new busway was built in the San Fernando Valley on what used to be a Santa Fe Railroad right-of-way. The tracks were taken out, and a new roadway with nice landscaping was built exclusively for special buses. This busway is called the Orange Line.

I figured, if I can easily navigate my way around Tokyo, Japan on that city's transit system (trains and subways), I should be able to handle this.

So, about an hour and a half before my work start time, I got to the Orange line station at Reseda Blvd. at Oxnard St. Within 10 minutes, the bus was due to arrive. I purchased my day pass at the station's vending machine ($5.00) and waited for the bus. The bus arrived right on schedule!

I got on and it took me to the North Hollywood Red Line subway station. I've used the Red Line subway before, so I am familiar with its workings.

It was a short walk from the bus station to the subway station. After a 10 minute wait, the subway was there to take me to the mid-Wilshire District of L.A. for the Vermont Ave.-Wilshire Blvd. subway station, which is three short blocks from work.

As it turned out, I got to work with fifteen minutes to spare. I am elated that the transit system worked out just fine. I am at work now on break, so it will be interesting to see how the return trip to Tarzana works out.

So far, so good!

UPDATE (10/3/09): The ride home went smoothly. The only problem was when I got back into Tarzana, I was unsure if the bus lines on Reseda Blvd. were still running at 11:00 PM. I decided to walk home from the busway station (I'd guess it was a half mile walk). As I got about a block away from the station, I noticed a bus had stopped at the Reseda Blvd. bus stop near the station. I guess that answered my question. I was too far away to hurry back to catch the bus and I was loaded down with my work gear. At least I know I can catch a bus next week (just have to be a little patient).

Good Riddance, September!

September came and went in a flash. One day, it was Labor Day and the next the month was over.

For one thing, I'm not going to miss it. Financially-speaking, it was a dreary month. I had to shell out a portion of my meager cash to pay the deductible for the repairs to the 2000 Mustang. That left me with very little cash to play with.

Also, the claims job I have had a very slow month. I only received one assignment for the month. The boss sent me my check yesterday with profuse apologies. Thank God that I have the field supervisor job to keep me going. I sold a gun for more cash (it was a Ruger P-89 9mm that I inherited from my dad that I didn't need as I already have one).

Tomorrow, I am taking in the 1989 Mustang to the body shop for its repairs, and, of course, another deductible to pay. At the end of August, some jack-ball backed into it in a parking lot and left without leaving a note. May a crazed holy man set fire to their nose hairs!

Thank goodness I got some overtime this past week and that'll be a big help. So, I'll be in a little better financial shape than in September.

Let's hope October will be better. At least there's Japan Expo and Halloween to look forward to.

H & R Auto Paint & Body Repair

Having your car damaged in an accident is not fun. It is stressful, aggravating, time-consuming (giving statements, etc.) and costly (you have to pay a deductible).

However, all that washes away a little when the damaged car is repaired and the job comes out beautifully.

I picked up the 2000 Mustang my daughter got in an accident in last month. The H & R Auto Paint & Body Repair shop did a fantastic job on the repairs. The Mustang looks better than when we bought it!

Here's a couple of "before" shots of the Mustang after the accident:





Here's the Mustang today after I picked it up from the shop:





H & R's flier states, "Turning the unpleasant misfortune of an accident into a pleasant experience is our goal." They aren't kidding! I have used H & R previously and have always been pleased with their work. I plan to enlist their services again next month for the repairs to the 1989 Mustang that was hit by a hit & run driver in Petco's parking lot last month.



Owner Ray Toosi (above) bends over backwards to give his customers the best repair work in the San Fernando Valley. His shop is an authorized repair shop for several insurers including AIG Insurance, Coast National Insurance, ANPAC, Western United and CSAA Insurance. He works with carriers to obtain a fair price and they "proudly stamp with our lifetime guarantee." When calling the shop, you will usually reach wife Lena (yes, this is a family business) on the phone.

Services include Frame & Unibody Repair (below), Refinishing, Towing and Car Rental.



H & R Auto Paint & Body Repair is located at 18539 Topham Street, Reseda, California 91335. Telephone 818-342-4999. Fax 818-342-5093.

I heartily recommend H & R Paint & Body Repair for your automotive body repair needs.

Above, the 2000 Mustang in front of H & R Auto Paint & Body Repair ready to be driven home.