about two months ago, I had to replace the alternator in my NYer. kind of a pain in the ass, and somewhat expensive, but I got the job done and the car was back on the road. so, today, I had to travel up to Youngstown (Oh) from my home near Columbus. Got there just fine and took care of what I was there for. But upon getting ready to head back home, I notice a faint smell of burning plastic/petroleum, like the smell of burnt wires or oil. I look the car over as best I could and found nothing out of the ordinary. Then, while waiting for the wife to come out of the restroom where we gassed up, I notice the voltage guage is sitting on about 12v. yup, you guessed it, bad alternator again. now, its under warranty, so the cost isnt a problem, but Im 180 miles from home and all my tools, as well as the store where I bought it. fortunately, it was a chain (Advance) and they have stores in Y-town.
so we head over there ASAP, get the guy to call my home store and get warranty info. that checks out so they pull another alt and let me borrow the tools necessary to swap it out in the parking lot. hunky dory, right? well, it would be, except for the cold and rain I had to work in. you'd be surprised at how fast an engine cools off in 40 degree (F) rainy weather. and of course, I was wearing sneakers, so my toes are just now starting to warm up.
so I finish the job after about an hour or so (and with maybe 10 mins of daylight left) test it and we're good to go.
then comes the REALLY fun part, 3.5 hours of driving home, in the dark, with varying degrees of medium to heavy rain. now, I gave up my speeding habits long ago, so of course I get all kinds of idiots riding my ass all the time. I always go the speed limit (+ 5 occasionally) so I'm used to the tailgaters and can usually deal with them without getting too pissed off. But NOT when its cold, rainy and dark out. these fucking assholes with their lifted or huge tire 4x4s putting their headlights right in my mirrors just infuriate me. or the cock-knockers with their million candle power superblue headlights and/or poorly adjust foglights can suck my dick too.
but this time, I got to see some sweet poetic justice. this jerkoff in a silver 4 door import sport sedan (acura maybe, couldnt tell for sure) with the aforementioned headlamps AND foglamps came flying up behind me hard, blinded me with his lights for a couple of seconds, then flew by me the very millisecond I moved over. he then proceeded to do the typical asshole zig-zag from one lane to another up the highway, passing (cutting off would be more accurate) anyone and everyone doing 80+ in very BAD WEATHER with, at best, poor visibility. (Yoo know how the rain sprays up off of tires? well EVERY car on the road had a nice fat cone of spray/fog behind them today). Anyway, Mr Type A (for Asshole) Personality seemed oblivious to the idea the maybe he should SLOW THE FUCK DOWN IN SHITTY WEATHER AT NIGHT. well, I guess he learned his lesson tonight.
about 45 mins later, traffic slows a bit and we get to see the following:
1. a dark gray late 80s/early 90s accord, with one side bashed in, on the grass on the left side of the highway
2. just beyond the accord, a state highway patrol car, lights just a flashin to all to hell. trooper talking to the tow truck driver a few feet further.
3. a couple of yards further, a silver 4 door import sport sedan on the left berm, facing the wrong way, with some front end damage.
4. no ambulance (so I assume/hope no one got hurt).
had to be the same guy. no question in my mind.
I laughed my ass off for about 10 miles.
I do feel sorry for the poor schmuck he bashed, but hopefully asshole-driver has good insurance and he can upgrade that accord.