The Saturn That Got Away

I was this close... but the dealership I went to (my mistake for trying to buy a Saturn from a non-Saturn dealership) tried to completely empty my wallet by making me pay $3,000 more than the asking price in interest.

Then the guy tells me that I'm "overthinking it" and "back-peddling." This went on for quite awhile and it felt like he was trying really hard to guilt me into paying $3,000 more than was necessary.

So, I looked at him and without raising my voice or yelling, I said (and this is paraphrased because obviously I don't remember every single word):

"You've just told me that since I am a first time buyer and I do not have an extensive credit history, it's risky for your dealership to finance me. In other words: You're worried that I won't be able to pay off this car at this price... and you're solution to this is to charge me $3,000 on top of that through interest. So, if you don't think I'm going to be able pay the original price, why do you think I'll be able to pay this new price with $3,000 on top? Tell me, am I overthinking that?

No, I don't think so because that doesn't make sense! I have been told that any interest rate above 6% is kind of a rip off. The rate you came to me with at the beginning of this bargaining process was 17%. I'm not trying to get in your face here, but I also know that we're in a recession and you're not really selling too many cars right now. You asked me what I want. I want to pay the price that this car is worth."

Then we parted ways and as I was going to my car, the assistant came up and said, "What about 10%?"

Thanks, but no thanks.

I Claim the Weekend

This was a crazy week and I'm not even talking about the elections (and I don't have to since everyone has already). I had so much stuff going on! Everyday there was something nuts!

One fun thing that happened though was that I met John Henson at a bar on Monday. I used to watch him on "Talk Soup" in middle school and junior high. He left the show in '98 or '99 I think and I just never watched it again after he left. He seemed pretty flattered that I remembered him from that show and offered a hand shake. Really nice guy.

Anyway, other than that, I was invited to a few parties this weekend and I'm really looking forward to relaxing. Also, I checked out some cars last weekend and I have singled out two... so I'm buying one this week! My first car and I'm paying for it entirely on my own! I know, it doesn't sound like a big deal, but this feels like a big step in my "adult" life for me.

All Saints' Day

Waking up to walls covered in cobwebs and rooms filled with pumpkins, ghosts and skulls, my roommates and I decided to just leave the Halloween decorations up for the rest of the week. Our party yesterday was just too much fun.

I am hopefully going to go look at cars tomorrow. I had planned a trip for today, but then the thunder storm hit, so I figured it would be better to test drive a car when it wasn't raining. I didn't do a whole lot today, but I think I am okay with that because I can't remember the last time I spent the whole day to myself. Some friends are coming over later tonight and I think we'll either see "W." or "Zack and Miri."

All in all, I had a pretty interesting week and I did a lot of traveling as well. I can't elaborate, but it was fun to be in other places.

The Griffin

My roommates took me to an awesome bar last night. The place? The Griffin in Atwater Village. On the outside, it may not seem like much other than holy crap they have a giant GRIFFIN!

The inside looks like Harry Potter's retirement party. On a Friday night, the place is full of 20-somethings and the room is only lit by candlelight. The middle of the room has a fireplace and the inside looks medieval as it is all stone and arches. The drinks are great and so are the people. Highly recommened!

Habits, Halloween & Hunter

So, I don't know why, but I just seem more organized since I've moved out here. My room is neat. My desk isn't cluttered. I don't have cups of water everywhere. My laundry pile isn't huge. I go to the gym regularly. I read and play guitar more. I write again.

Maybe because I have so little free time, I just utilize my time better and I have less time to be disorganized and messy.

Right now I'm just figuring out what I want to dress up as for Halloween as I do have a party coming up.

For some reason Ichabod Crane came to my head today. I'm thinking of going with a more classical Halloween theme. I like costumes that are simple and I especially like costumes that do not require face paint or props. I don't like masks or things that cover my face either. Basically, I like something I can be comfortable in all night. I'll figure it out, I'm sure.

Currently, I'm reading Fear and Loathing in America by Hunter S. Thompson. It's his second volume of letters and essays. Man, I wish journalism was still like that. All those wild and crazy adventures on someone else's dime. I want to travel all over and write crazy things. You'd probably have to figure out a source of income as you travel, though. I read the other day about a guy who is trying 50 jobs in 50 weeks. I don't remember all the details.

If you were confined to just the United States, though...

Cheap Motel ( I dunno $50/day?): 50x365 = $18,250
Gas (Considering the crazy travel per week): 150x52=$7,800
Food: 100*52= $5,200
Entertainment: 60*52= $3,120

Total money to freeload and travel for a whole year (excluding taxes and emergency funds): $34,370.

So probably you need more like $45K-60K to "comfortably" do a Hunter S. Thompson for a whole year. Unless you save up and do not plan to work as you travel, then you don't need to worry about taxes. I think? Otherwise, plan like crazy.

Beware of the Goonch

Just in time for Halloween, a man-eating catfish.

Speaking of fishy things, I have a message for a certain hookah waitress: I am a generous tipper. I frequently tip 20% or more and I am almost always polite and patient since I know how busy it can get in a restaurant.

However, if you practically yell at my table for only ordering hookah and no drinks, then, after I ask for the check, take 30 minutes to bring it and upon your arrival, slam it on the table and say, "Oh, do you want your check?" then take another 20 minutes to pick it up and charge us, thus making me unable to attend my friend's performance downtown, I will not be happy.

For the first time in my life, I told my friend who picked up the tab this time to put "zero" on the tip line...

and he did.

Next time, be a little nicer to your hookah patrons. Otherwise, the hard-earned cash you seek--




could go up in smoke.

Economicexpialidocius

I do not have any control over the economy other than when I act like a good American and buy gas or Apple products. So, I don't really worry about it and, no, this is not another great depression. According to the analysts that I have had to watch all day on CNN, we are in the same place we were in 2003. I don't remember a Black Friday then, but of course, I was in high school then and did dumb stuff like sing in a progressive metal band called Panda Mona. So, maybe I missed it.