Things Fall Apart, The Center Does Not Hold: Sunday Open Thread With Horatio

Litre sent up a flare in the back channels this morning saying he wouldn’t be available for tonight’s open thread, because he was “away”, which I’m just going to interpret as “smashed out of my mind on good red wine and firing flares at opposing lesser footy fans”, because that’s how I like to imagine Western Canadian “away.”

I stepped in because it turns out I will likely not be going “away” tonight. It may be time to pour one out for my beloved 2011, (although I bought it in August of 2010), six-speed Subaru Outback. I was out and about yesterday, running the Saturday errands and whatnot, when the symbol for “overheating engine” popped up. Not being mechanically inclined more than to know that this wasn’t good, I consulted the internet and owner’s manual and was directed to check the engine coolant levels. There was some left in the reserve, but not much. So I swiped my daughter’s car, (technically mine), and went off to the store whereupon I procured engine coolant. I even went so far as to write down what Subaru suggested, (other than ‘bring it to a dealership and let us do it’), and made sure I got the right one. Brought it back, poured it in, and figured I was good to go.

Today I drove to the bank and grocery store, probably four miles round-trip, noticed that the AC was rather warm, and then the red light came back on. Coasted into the driveway, (try that in an automatic), and popped the hood. The radiator was whistling and coolant was bubbling. Again, not a mechanic but also know that is very far from good.

We live within walking distance of a mechanic’s shop, (also a liquor store; I leave it to you to decide which is more important), and tomorrow I’ll be calling them to bring the car in. My fear is that we’ve entered the ‘declining returns’ phase of a car’s life. In the last year or so I’ve had to replace some rotting pipe underneath, get a new battery, and replace the muffler. I haven’t had a car payment in 8 years, and I do not miss them. I also, however, do not want to pay hundreds of dollars, (Or more! Who knows why my car is seemingly intent on boiling itself!), every few months just to get the car back on the road until the next problem.

I’ve had the car 12 years, and it’s closing in on 230,000 miles. I’d hoped to get 300,000 but that may not be in the cards. It’s also a 6-speed, and those are being phased out. Apparently you can no longer get an Outback, (and I am sold on Outbacks after this one), with a standard transmission. My position is that using an automatic isn’t so much driving as it is aiming, and I will sorely miss driving stick, (make bad jokes here), if it comes to that.

Hope your Sunday was better. Clearly my car issues are the worst thing that happened in America over the last few days.

Are there sports on TV tonight? You bet!

7:00 PM Dodgers vs Braves. ESPN

8:10 PM Stanley Cup Finals. ABC. Will tonight be the night we get to boo Gary Bettman? Fingers crossed!

Your local options may vary.

Have at it, folks.