Friday, December 26, 2003
Breakfast: granola with rice milk. I changed all my car's wiper blades. When I last took my car in for service to BMW San Francisco, they would have charged me $60 for parts and labor to do the same, but I declined. Instead, I ordered replacements from Circle BMW in New Jersey for $16.10 (before shipping). I had actually ordered part numbers 61 61 8 220 913, 61 61 8 220 914, and 61 62 1 381 754, but they instead mistakenly or intentionally sent me part numbers 61 61 1 470 281 and 61 62 1 381 754, which required me to trim 2 of them with scissors to the correct size. The steps to replace the wiper inserts was not covered in the BMW manual, so I used very helpful tips provided by Joseph Koral and Brain21 who had posted messages to a 318ti enthusiast message board. The steps are tricky and it took me about an hour to do all three inserts (front left, front right, rear) without assistance. My additional tips: use rubber gloves to keep your hands clean, use a flathead jewelry screwdriver to nudge the rubber under the tabs during insertion. The tabs are not meant to be bent in any way—just nudge the rubber past the tab to release or secure it. Napped. Stonestown Mall: Patrick has sorely needed a new pillow; his neck has been hurting. We found a firm standard for $13.49 at Macy's that should do him well. Patrick also got a chestnut-scented candle tin at half off at Illuminations ($5.43). Late lunch at Jitra: pig pad thai, yellow curry chicken, steamed rice, hot tea: $21.10 before a $3.25 tip. From an overheard conversation at Jitra: "Oh, I'm not eating beef! Mad cow!" Light bulbs and kitchen gloves and Christmas wrapping paper and bows at Walgreens ($21.97). Grocery shopping at Safeway. Napped. Late dinner at home with Patrick: Leftover boboli, made a romaine salad with mushrooms and red bell peppers, creamy garlic dressing. Edited an essay as a favor to Patrick who was doing a favor for his Mandarin instructor who was doing a favor for her son. Patrick has not been feeling well the past few days. At first we thought it was a cold, but today he thinks it's allergy symptoms. We got a Christmas card today from Sam's mom Dianne with Louisiana things on it. We sent a thank you card to Sam in New Orleans.