Transmission C4 Rebuild

The transmission has been progressively failing on the van. I estimate it's been getting worse for one year. I postponed this for as long as I could but I actually do want to learn how to do this and now is the time. I've fixed the Ciao and my old iPod this week so I think I'm ready. No job, no stress. It's my #1 priority.  Also, I was rebuilding the Jawa moped in order to earn the moral credit to use the lift at the shop and I managed to get that running though it had 7 years of dust on it. I'm almost a full time employee there but I didn't want to impose so I spent every day with my fingers in East European moped grease. I didn't 100% finish that moped but I got far enough that when it came time for me to say, "I need a lift, the tranny parts are here." I got a friendly nod and heard, "Anytime you're ready." and he said it as one mechanic to another offering me the use of all the tools and expertise in pursuit of fixed vehicles.

Homeless Gypsies won't have this problem

no more piano for Oggy

I'm typing this with one hand after a slight mishap at the oil refinery

It's highly dangerous and a bit unpredictable. I'm really pondering my decision because messing with mopeds and playing piano for the old folks across the street didn't pay very good but one moment of dreamy illusion I lapsed into and danced an imaginary slow waltz with an Aztec beauty and in that moment I stepped on a grounded strip of metal while holding a live wire...and that dream became a lightning bolt of electricity in my deep fried brain...

Get in Line Foremost Insurance - You Assholes

"Dear Oggy Bleacher :

Our records show that coverage for your auto insurance policy has been cancelled for nonpayment of premium.  There is a balance due in the amount of $20.00 on your account. 

If a payment in the amount of $20.00 is not received by 4/12/2013, we may use a collections agency to assist us in collecting the past due balance.  This may adversely affect your credit rating."

I was in the city hall registering my van in Texas the other day and she handed me a $200 invoice and although people were waiting I asked, "What did I pay for?" and that simple question is something I want everyone to start asking. All these penalties and fines and bullshit and taxes..."Ok, but what am I paying for?"
"That's our policy, Mr. Bleacher."
"Fine, but what's the money for?"
"$90 is for fees assessed."
"What does that mean? There are five other numbers on that invoice so are those not also fees assessed?"
"Those are different categories."

Motherboarding

I should open my own repair service as long as it is an old moped or an obsolete ipod. You might ask why I would go through the trouble and expense of repairing a motherboard of an old ipod but this particular 4th generation 40gb black and white ipod has a remote control port that none of the new ones have. And I own the remote control and have it rigged in my van so I can change songs on the go by reaching up to the ceiling above my head as I drive. The alternative was letting go of the wheel and getting out of the seat at 40mph and quickly skipping that Sade song in favor of something by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. That's against the law even in liberal Texas.

Declining Health

While my mental state has bounced back from the depths I've noticed the beginning of finger tremors that indicate Parkinson's Disease. I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease in Alaska and given a few years to live. Another doctor said I'd never run again because of a ruptured Achilles tendon and fractured heel bone and he was sort of right. But this Parkinson's Disease is the progressive decay of nervous system as motor functions cease.  The middle finger on my right hand now dances in circles to an Afro-cuban rhythm that only it can hear.