12/11/2016

Weekly Update 12/11//2016

Big Happening this week – I BOUGHT A NEW CAR!

I knew it was time. I had taken the VW to the doctor last week, who told me that it would cost over $4,000 just to fix the things that were wrong with her. I feared that, because she's 12 years old, soon I would need new brakes, a new clutch, and maybe even I new transmission. It was time. I had been doing some research on line and had been asking people I trust and respect for opinions about models. Tuesday, although I didn't want to, I set out along Abercorn Street to all the dealership to look at cars. The Ford dealer didn't have any 2017s; the Nissan place also only had 2016s (but they tried really really hard to sell me a car I didn't want). Then I went to the Hyundai dealership – they had exactly what I was looking for. In fact they had many 2017 Elantras on the lot with various options and in several colors. I told the salesperson what I needed to have, he showed me a blue sedan, I drove it, I signed for it, and I took it home, leaving the VW behind. I didn't expect to go as quickly, but I guess once they have you on the hook, they don't want you to have a chance to back out. I hope this car becomes as good a friend to me as the VW was.

In other interesting events:

I attended a noontime lecture at City Hall. Because it was almost the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the focus of the lecture was on WWII. One of the prime participants in having the City of Savannah B-17 bomber moved to The Mighty 8^th Museum, and involved in the restoration, talked about the plane and the process of getting her to the museum, and then getting her ready to display. There was also a brief biography about the first person from Savannah to die in the war. 21-year-old George Gannam died at Pearl Harbor. 

I went to a lecture at the Jepson that wasn't exactly what I thought it was going to be. It was advertised as a talk about photography and what the pictures of Civil Rights protests tell us about the times. But, it was maybe six pictures, and the speaker suggested that by altering the photos with enhancements such as cropping, the story can be changed. It was not what I expected, and didn't totally understand. There are many talks that I go to that I don't understand, so this wasn't unique. But I was a little disappointed.

I went to two movies and one play this week. I'd wanted to see Loving, but it was only showing at the cineplex out by the Savannah Mall. That made a good opportunity for me to drive the new car and try out some of the things I need to know – lights, wipers, MUSIC. I thought the movie was excellent – well written and wonderfully acted. On Saturday, I went to both the SCT performance of Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown – delightful, as always – and It's a Wonderful Life, the famous 1946 Christmas movie. It was shown at the Lucas, and the admission fee was a donation to the food pantry (which I forgot, so I gave a few dollars). I own that DVD, but it was nice to see it on the big screen, surrounded by lots of other people who enjoyed the movie. That gave me an opportunity to drive the car after dark. I'll get used to it someday, but I still miss not pushing in the clutch. 

My friend, Connie, hosted a surprised birthday party for her husband, Jim on Sunday morning. He was really surprised!