The Wrangler Islander

The 1989 Jeep Wrangler Islander... my first car.

Bright yellow, with a sun on each side, and the hood as well... Quite possibly the silliest looking vehicle I'll ever own.

But man, I love that car! I miss driving her. At the end of our precious four years together I relinquished my keys to purchase my new 2008 Honda Element. Thank you dad for buying that Jeep back, and allowing me to drive it.

Today I woke up with plans to go bike riding before the storm. My dad asked me to install the new seatbelts he got for the Jeep. I said, "ok", and went to work. While I was working, Pops came out and told me that since he never gets the chance to drive her, He'd need me to take her out at least once a week. I got her back!

The first belt took at least 30 minutes. Time spent fighting stuck bolts, and trying to figure out how the heck these straps were installed. The second belt was installed in no time.
Checkpoint 1.

Then I decided that since the Jeep was drivable again, I'd go for an adventure with a friend, M. I went to start the car - nothing. She's dead.
I hopped in the Ellie, and drove to Kragen to get a battery. (Hey D, I just named my car! Ellie the Element hah!)

Kragen Auto Parts. Weird place. I feel that every time I go there. The cashier, Alan, was funny though, cracked a joke and made me laugh. $185 later, and a top-notch battery, the Jeep ran for another time.
Checkpoint 2.

As soon as she ran I was excited and was itching to leave as soon as possible. Pops advised to check the fluids... and ALL of them were just about gone! Time does wild things to cars. She sat for a few months...

Kragen Auto Parts. Round Two.
Mike was with me this time, thank God. I needed moral support as I stood in the pouring rain, drizzling oil and anti freeze into my engine. M says, "Why didn't you get a funnel?"

I replied, "funnels are for suckers, I don't need a funnel."

5 Minutes later I made my third purchase of the day at Kragen... A large funnel. M laughed at me. Good times.
Checkpoint 3.

The cruise began. I set the tunes to Sage Francis. The beat was bumping, the rain was pounding, and the conversation was uplifting. Good day with friends. I was trying to mess with the stereo and accidentally set it to shuffle. Good mistake. Queens of the Stone Age - "Mexicola". Good song to find on shuffle.

Drove the Jeep through Los Gatos, and back to Campbell. M saw "Psycho Donuts" and we stopped.

"Would you like some bubble wrap?" She says.

"Sure, why not..." was my reply.

Psycho looking donuts, and bubble wrap. I can dig this.
Checkpoint 4.

Drove back through the side streets, and wound up cruising the strip of Willow Glen on Lincoln Ave. The sharks began to play, and we heard their first two goals on the road, in the car. Dan Rusanowski pumps me up!

I dropped M off at his car, and I returned home again.
Checkpoint 5.

Back at home now, sitting in my room, with the game on in the background. Dinner is cooking, and my brothers will all be here tonight for dinner.

I have to admit, this is the best Easter I've had in years! I didn't wake up still drunk from the night before, like some holidays, because I cancelled those plans and had an awesome time with D last night instead. Charlie Brown and the Chocolate Factory. Good-ness. Helped K provide Easter for the kiddies, and went for a short adventure full of last minute lane changes! I swear I don't always drive that badly, I swear. Seriously though... I'm a good driver.

I digress.

The Sharks are on, good vibes. Nabby is hot tonight.

Life is good.

For now I'll enjoy the rest of Easter. Tomorrow, back to school for the last quarter I'll ever be at De Anza. Time to "grow up". Not time to "sell out". There is a difference.