woot^n
I continue to revel in gadgetry and that wonderful new car smell. Dealing with gadgetry first, the Garmin foot pod has been delivered to my front door, waiting for me to scoop it into my loving arms when I get home from work today. The foot pod allows me to wear the Forerunner 405 indoors – I turn off the GPS and let the foot pod do the tracking work while I run on the treadmill. I’m not altogether sure that you can use the foot pod outside – I always thought it was expressly for indoor use, but I suppose it could help track distances when the satellite signal disappears. I currently don’t have any problems with satellite signals with the 405, but you never know. I wanted the foot pod in order to enjoy the Garmin as much as possible – the logging technology absolutely thrills me, so the more info I can get on there, the better an idea of what my progress looks like overall.
I think IP and I are what’s termed culeco in Spanish – a sentiment that roughly translates to being giddy, doing your best to show off the source of your giddiness and, in summary, staring fondly at said source of giddiness, full of good feelings. It basically boils down to being in love with a recent purchase. Or, as the title says above, woot to the nth power. I think it’s safe to say that we’re still both over the moon about the new car. It was the right decision to make, sudden breakdown of the old car on Friday notwithstanding (and while the car might have been on its last legs, we didn’t think it was on its last toes after a new alternator and a new battery, AHEM). Today, we cleared up all insurance issues and we are fully covered to go out and tool around in the new Mazda. Yesterday, we spent about an hour in the car, going over the instrument panel and exploring all the features in detail, justifying our drooling as the need to know where everything is. We then went for a quick spin around the block, giggling like fools (okay, I was giggling like a fool, on the inside). When we left the house between Saturday afternoon and Sunday night, we’d look over in the direction of the new car. “Still there?” we’d asked one another. “Yep,” we’d confirm to each other.
“Best car in the lot,” IP said proudly.
“Kicks ass. Just like us,” I chimed in happily.
“That’s a great color,” IP added.
“I know!” I said – I’ve always wanted a car this particular color. IP had been a little bit wary of the color when he saw it online, but was pretty cool with it when we saw it at the dealerships. We were deciding between another color and this one when IP said, “Let’s go with your color – I want you to be excited about this.” I already was, but readily agreed on going with the color I’ve always dreamed of owning.
The purchase has caused a small furor in my family’s household in Michigan. Everyone wants to see pictures – it’s like we had a baby. My BlackBerry was of course acting up during the weekend, so I couldn’t send the pictures I had taken upon bringing the new addition home. My parents think we made an excellent decision (it helps that they bought the same car earlier in the year, following in my brother’s footsteps). My mother, however, was cautious as she brought up one particular conversation when I spoke to her on Saturday.
Amá: So will this delay the wedding? Putting down so much money on a car . . .
Me, puzzled: Well, no, I don’t think so. After all, we’re not planning on spending a lot on any wedding. (Note to readers: We don’t have a date, we’re not even engaged, but Mother’s impatient.)
Amá: “How big of a wedding?”
Me: We’re hoping to keep it at 50, but when we counted the other night, we were at about 100.
Amá: Fifty’s a great number. If you hit 75, it’s okay. But 50 is a great number.
Me: Yeah, 75 would be manageable, but 50 is ideal. Glad you agree!
IP (in the background): Woot! Lowering expectations since 2002!
A very cute conversation. Mom’s very eager to bring IP into the WordNerd fold, post haste.
I’m telling you, with Michigan families, it all starts with the cars. IP, you are trapped! ;)
Now, in order to tie together the two subjects that caused me to woot in glee — IP can drive slowly alongside me on East-West Highway as I jog with my Forerunner 405 and foot pod. Got to put the culeco feeling to full use.
