TiVo or BFF?

I got TiVo a few years ago as a Christmas present from my grandmother. Before anyone gets all excited about how hip my Dove is, she gives us money and lets us buy our own gifts. Can't say that it's not a good way to do it. But it's so cute when you thank her for what she "bought" you for Christmas and she doesn't even know what it is. God- she's so adorable!

What I love about TiVo is that it tapes things that it thinks you might enjoy watching. Sure it's weird to come home to shows about serial killers (alright, I really like that stuff) or History Channel stuff (no seriously- me no likey). But it's so much fun to see what TiVo has surprised me with each day!

The only downside to TiVo (ok there are two) are that I can't watch something and taped something else. I have old skool TiVo, yo. And that because I don't have wireless internet, being an internet thief and all, I have to have a phone line to get TiVo to show programs.

On Sunday, TiVo informed me that the programs would run out this weekend. That's weird, I thought. Guess I need to plug it into the phone line. Nope- I have no dial tone. That's the problem with TiVo! Here's the sad thing. Were it not for TiVo, I would have gone WEEKS without realizing that I had no dial tone. Of course, were it not for TiVo, I wouldn't even have a land line. So really, would it have mattered?

I wouldn't be a waiter if you paid me. More than a 20% tip!

Sunday being Daddy's Day, I took my parents out to eat. I figure if I don't pay, Pops actually paid for his own Daddy's Day dinner (what with the joint bank account the parentals have and all). Pops really wanted steak, but all of the steakhouses had nearly an hour long wait. So we ended up at Chili's.

Little Mommy and Pops aren't really Chili's connoisseurs. In fact, Sunday might have been the second time they'd ever been. I, on the other hand, am a big fan. Especially of the molten chocolate cake. Yummers!

We sat down and our waiter trotted over. His name was Mark. The parentals decided he reminded them of Michael J. Fox. Long story short- he was one of the best waiters I've ever had (far exceeding "Beverly" at Hampton Street Vineyard). He was upbeat, he was friendly, he was funny. He got a great tip.

But I know I do NOT have the personality to be a waiter. I would end up cussing someone out. On a daily basis. Good waiters are rare. So if you are in the mood for Chili's, head to the one on Two Notch and ask to sit in Mark's section. You won't be sorry. Especially if you order the cake!

Technology- wasn't it supposed to make life easier?

In November, I went up to NYC to visit my (as I lovingly call her) baby cousin (she's 27). The second night I was there, she had a little par-tay at her apartment. The champagne (and Sweet Tea Vodka) were flowing. And I got hammered. The result of getting hammered meant that I actually fell down at one point (shocking because I am a pretty coordinated drunk). And when I fell down, I spilled Sweet Tea Vodka on my phone. So I had to get a new phone once I got home.

I decided I had to have a phone with a full keypad and I did NOT want a Blackberry. So I ended up with the HTC Tilt 2. After about a week, I decided I didn't love it, but that I'd try to like it. After about a month, I knew I hated it. But by that point, it was too late to return it. Then, it got attitude with me.

Didn't you know that electronics can get attitude? Well, they can. And the Tilt did. It started freezing up while I would be typing a text message. Then, after a few more months, it started turning off when I would V-E-R-Y gently place it on my bed. Finally, I had enough. So last week, I headed to AT&T to make a change. That change was LEGEND- wait for it- DARY. I cracked and bought....

an iPhone

Holy crap- what took me so long?! Why did I think I wouldn't like the iPhone? Am I crazy? Short answer- yep. I am.

The thing is- now that my phone is finally working, another piece of "advanced, foreign" technology hasn't been.

The Mercedes.

Last summer, I was in Charlotte for a bachelorette party (super fun!). And all of a sudden, the air conditioning in the back seat turned into heat. And I mean BLAZING hot HEAT. It's still like that.

Last winter, I was driving up to Sparkle City. The car started getting a little warm, so I turned the heat off. And for the next hour, it kept turning itself back on every time I turned it off.

Last week, I was coming home from work and decided to hit up 5 Guys for dinner.
On a side note, why do the 5 Guys guys stare at me when I order the regular cheeseburger instead of the little one? They always ask me if I'm sure that I want the one with 2 patties. I do. That's why I ordered it, thank you very much. And if you want, I'll eat it here and prove that I can finish it. Because I can. But back to the story.
I was in the center lane of Forest Drive, attempting to turn left. And my car turned itself off as I sat there. Pardon? Black Betty- what's going on with you?

The next day, I left for work and Black Betty sounded a little odd. That's because the rear passenger side tire was flat. And as I sat there in my car, waiting for my mom and a tow truck, Black Betty decided to turn off. Again.

The guys at my tire place decided to check Black Betty out for me. And found nothing wrong with her. She didn't turn off. She ran like a dream.

Saturday, I went over to Irmo for a mani/pedi and some errands. While there, my car decided to not start. Eventually, once the towing guy showed up, she started right up. With the check engine light a-blazing. As soon as I got to my office (where I decided to leave her so she could go to the shop first thing Monday morning), she decided to turn off again.

This morning, we decided to use my car to drive to court. And again, she wouldn't start up. The guys were able to give her a little jump and get her a new battery. I don't think that will stop her from continuing to act up. I think she needs a new computer. Or a new spirit.

Oh Black Betty- I loved you. But Christine- no such love for you. That's right- I have re-named my car. She is possessed. No seriously. She is.