I think I may forgive BMW. We finally heard back from the salesman yesterday – they’ve spent several thousand dollars replacing every single complaint on our list. We were right – the windows were loose, so they repaired or replaced all problems. And, the whirr we were hearing from the rear right side was caused by a horribly bent rim. That’s just plain dangerous and nasty. But the important thing to remember is that the deealership is fixing it. Now, if I had gotten a used car from Carmax, or from another car company, would they have taken the car back and coughed up over $5,000 worth of repairs? Would they have gone out of their way, giving me my dream car for a whole week, just to make sure I was happy? I hardly think so. As of this moment, BMW and I have kissed and made up. But we shall see what happens when the 325i is ready to be inspected again.
Originally we were told we might be able to pick up the car on Saturday, which meant I had to hand back over the keys to my baby (also known as the Z4). I was so not ready to turn the Z4 back in. I am enamoured with that car, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye… But thankfully, it looks like I have until Monday, possibly Wednesday. Hoorah! Tomorrow I’m planning on driving it all the way down George Washington Memorial Parkway at night so I can see DC all lit up in the background. It’ll be gorgeous. Now I just need someone who will agree to go with me, since I don’t have a full license yet. You know how embarrassing that is? I hate it. Virginia has this horrific rule that if you’re getting your first license, you have to spend around $400 going to driving school for three to four consecutive weeks before you can get a license. I’ve had my permit for a year, I’ve driven as far as New Jersey, never once had an accident, never once got a ticket. Still can’t get a license.
At first this caused a problem because I was travelling too much and wasn’t actually in Virginia for four consecutive weeks. After all the travelling was done I thought, finally, I can go do it. But I’ve been too ill. AND, to top it all off, I’ve been hearing horror stories about how corrupt the system is. Apparently the driving schools, being privately operated, can flunk you for whatever reason, forcing you to retake the course (meaning you have to shell out another $400). To top it all off, you have no recourse, you cannot appeal their decision. Basically, you’re forced by law to go along with their greedy whims as long as they want you to, or you get no license.
We all know I hate crooked systems. I hate them so much I run myself into the ground to destroy them. I have to find a way around this, or the results will be disasterous. But in the meantime, I have to be accompanied by a licensed driver over the age of 21. It’s embarrassing, but I’ll put up with it to avoid a crooked system. At least until I find a way around it, anyway. Hey, anybody want to lease me an apartment in North Carolina for a while? I could easily get my license there, no worries.
Anyway, back to where I started: I really want to drive that Z4 tomorrow. Not just around, I want to go fast. I want to go on a beautiful road, like the George Washington Memorial Parkway. I need someone to go with me. Who wants to volunteer? I crank the music up, we’ll feel the music pounding through our bodies thanks to the emaculate speaker system, we can even put the convertible top down. And, if you’re extra special nice, I’ll even let you push the button to put it down. If I really like you, I’ll even let you drive a little. What do you say? Doesn’t it sound like fun? You know you want to! I’ll talk nice to you, or if you prefer, we can just not talk at all and enjoy the pulsating music vibrating into your heart, the lights of the city off in the distance, the trees as they become a blur, and the wind rushing through our hair… Mmm, who knew heaven had a V6 engine… 🙂
Life really does look better from behind the wheel of a BMW. Especially the wheel of a Z4. I’ve been so inspired driving that car. I’ve come up with plans for my books, I’ve been able to think more clearly. AND, with this sinus problem I’m having, driving the Z4 with the top down is the only time I can really breathe. Of course, I think that has more to do with the fresh air than the car, but I like to give the credit to the Z4. After all, if this car can somehow qualify as a medical expense, I’m all for it. Whatever gets it in my driveway sooner (within reason and law, of course…)
A friend of mine actually came up with a great advertising campaign for the Z4. He drove it for the first time tonight with my Mom in the passenger seat. They were out for about forty-five minutes, and when they got back he had a very dopey look on his face. He sighed and said, “I don’t know what sex is like, but it can’t be better than this…”
I’ve decided the Z4 is a feminine car when you get used to the subtle design aspects. Maybe it’s just me, but I think that car has hips. If you look at it from above, you can see a curved torso, complete with a waistline at the end of the doors, and hips over the wheelwells. I like it. It’s a statement that I’m an hourglass, and proud of it. Tee hee. If Marilyn Monroe were a car, she’d be the Z4. Or maybe it should be Jayne Mansfield…
Okay, have to stop talking about the car, otherwise I’ll never sleep. My hands will start shaking too bad, dreaming about holding the keys and starting the engine… and that tidal wave of a growl that the engine sweeps over you when you turn the key. It’s as if it takes the time to thank you for waking it up, then begs you to go out and play.
Sorry, I’ll stop now. 🙂 Believe me, if you’ve ever driven one, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
A good friend of mine is coming to visit next week. I met him when I was 12, when I lived in Italy for a short time. The last time I saw him I was 15 and he was 16. Things seem so different now, I’m wondering what he’ll be like. I didn’t even really think he was coming. We had stopped talking for about 6 months or so just because we kind of drifted and such. Then, out of the blue, we started talking again and he decided to book an airline ticket to see me. I didn’t think he would really do it. He mentioned it in passing, then the next thing I know, surprise! He’s coming! I’m excited about it, it should be fun. We were always pretty good friends. We’re an awful lot alike, although I think he’s a bit more flamboyant than me. Plus, he likes shopping more than I do. But it’ll be very entertaining showing him around the area for the five days that he’ll be here. We’re going to downtown DC, to Monticello, and to a few outlet malls. Should be very fun, and believe me, I could use a good adventure at the moment. I just wish I could keep the Z4 until then. He’d love that.
Some of my very close friends around here are moving away. They’re moving all the way to Hawaii, which is going to make things kind of tough around here. The problem with the particular suburb I live in is that the people are too stuffy and too apathetic. They can’t be bothered to put any effort into a friendship. I’m really worried about who will be my new movie buddy, since this family’s 19 year old son has been my faithful movie buddy ever since they moved here. And now, no movie buddies for me. *sigh* I’m thinking I either need a miracle of a person to appear out of nowhere, or I need to work on this plan to travel around a lot and/or move.
The family is staying with us over the weekend since they had to clear out of their house, but they can’t actually leave the area until Monday or Tuesday. So there are a lot of people in my house right now, but it’s fun. They’re very cheerful, easy to get along with people, and whenever we’re together things turn into a bit of a party. Things should be pretty entertaining tomorrow night. They’ll be here for dinner, as will my brother Kevin, his wife Jen, and their kid Max. It will be very crowded, but very fun. We’ll probably end up playing games all night. Hey! I know! If you volunteer to go driving with me, you can come join the party! We’ll have marinated meat, lots of extra yummy food, something for dessert (don’t know what exactly), intelligent conversation, and loads of fun. We can go driving after a quick game of Back Alley Bridge, it’ll be fantastic. Trust me. You’ll have so much fun you won’t believe it. 🙂