no, not that illigimate child i had with the nubian space alien. (that's very hush, hush) my CAR! it's back.

i may not have mentioned this to everyone, as i was quite embarrassed to have nearly totalled my brand new car, but i nearly did. that was back in january. and ever since then, i've been, well, carless and waiting anxiously for its return.

now before i go into detail about how much i love my car -- because i do to the point that if there hadn't been so many people around when i picked it up, i quite possibly would have kissed it -- let me mention that it was very good for me to be without it. i learned (or re-learned, rather) how to take the bus and walk. i felt more connected to my city because of it. and i even started reading more. in effect, i took life a little slower and more thoughtfully.

i will do everything in my power to not forget those lesson and i don't plan on completely giving up the bus anytime soon. but GAWDDAMN, my car is back! (amen)

the shop i took it to did an amazing job. i swear it looks like it just rolled off the factory line. and it was pretty mangled when i brought it in. the front was so bent in, the first shop i took it to said they couldn't fix it; they didn't have big enough equipment. but looking at it now, you'd never know. it isn't not just the paint job and the headlights, either. poking around the engine compartment, not even one plastic tiedown is broken, not one fleck of paint missing. i am truly amazed.

it didn't happen overnight, though. for the past two months i've been slowly getting more and more anxious to have my car back. at first, a new EXTRA SPECIAL PART #34 (the steering wheel) couldn't be located. then, the airbag for the steering wheel couldn't be found. and finally, the passenger-side seat belt had to be replaced unexpectedly.

but the guy at the shop, Milton, was so easy to deal with. even when i was calling constantly to see if anything had changed, he was patient with me and took it upon himself to get things done that day. i highly recommend Matt's Auto Body on Folsom. great service and excellent work.

now, it, my beautiful black GTI, is looking lonely parked out on the street. it missed me, too. i think i'll go run to the store for milk. or rubber bands. or maybe i'll take a wrong turn and end up in Mexico. whatever, i'll just be happy to be back in my car.