My car turned 100,000 miles old today. I picked up on it on the way to work when it was 100,002. Damn it. I actually thought about smashing the dashboard and rolling the number back with my index finger.

The last time this happened, my car died within a week. The computer, the tranny, the brakes, the water pump and the alternator went all at once. I sunk $1100 into it before getting fed up with the all the problems of my beloved 1987 Chevy Celebrity. Weighing my options, I thought that I’d either put monster truck tires on it, paint Celebrasaurus down the side in fancy letters, paint a big, scary mouth on the front, and take on BigFoot And GraveDigger in the Monster Truck Nationals on Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY! …or possibly just donate her to a charitable organization.

Given my lack of cash due to an unheathy music habit, and lack of parking due to the Quincy bachelor pad, the Celebrasaurus dream was a little out of reach. I called a Jewish temple in the Quincy area, telling them that the I had a car that they could have free, but it couldn’t be driven more than 10 feet. After 15 minutes of explaining that I wouldn’t drive it to them, tow it to them, or push it to them, that it was free, and he didn’t have to take the car, the guy from the Temple grudgingly relented and said that he’d come over and pick it up while I was at work. The next day, the car was gone.

Three days later, the guy calls me up furious, and yelling at me about the poor condition of the car…

Him: Are you aware that the brakes in that car you donated are a mess?
Me: Uh, yea. I told you the brakes were a mess. That’s why I donated it instead of selling it.
Him: Are you aware that the transmission needs work.?
Me: I told you that.
Him: You didn’t say how much work!
Me: Did I pose as a mechanic?
Him: No, but this thing has problems…
Me: It was free.
Him: …and the brake lines had no pressure
Me: It was free.
Him: I had to tow it from your house, and my mechanic is still working on it.
Me: I told you that you’d have to tow it. Did I mention that the car was free?? Do you want a refund or something?
Him: You ought to take better care of your car.
Me Look, thanks for calling, but although amusing, this is a big waste of my time. I gotta go. It’s time for a smoke break.
Him: But, I…
Me: Really. Thanks for calling.
Him: You…
Me: Bye now.

While I sat there smoking in my tiny bachelor pad after the call, I could only laugh. Some people feel that they are entitled. To what, I don’t know.

Posted in Anger, Cars