on the other hand

The good news is I'm motivated to get a new (or new to me) car in the next week or so.
The bad news is I learned that the transmission on my 2000 Accord is going and there are three oil leaks under the hood after driving nearly 200,000 miles on it.

 The good news is I get to test drive brand new cars that I can't afford, just for fun, as part of the being-on-the-car-lot experience. (the 2012 Camry can really take corners well!)
The bad news is you have to talk to car salesmen while you do your test drive. (I always feel like they're going to use whatever you tell them against you-- sort of the way soon-to-be-exboyfriends do in their break-up talks.)

 Speaking of ex-boyfriends, the car sales guy at the Murdock Huyndai place in Murray today was tall, red haired and blue eyed-- just like not one, but TWO, of my ex-boyfriends. It was sort of creepy. He reminded me a lot of Mr. USC and he had the same name and looks of my first college boyfriend. So weird! I'm almost tempted to not go back, not just because of the resemblance to Mr USC but also because Mr USC had the meanest break up speech ever, fully exploiting all my personal information and was also a salesman. (Click this if you'd like a little recap of that bitter tirade)

For whatever reason, this whole car shopping experience has reminded me so much of dating; everyone is playing by some weird un-written rules and trying to keep smiling as everyone is being judged and rated. It's dumb.

Anyway. I hate the whole buying a car thing and yet, the idea of having a new car is exciting all at the same time! And, I am extremely grateful my brother is a finance major, is a.maz.ing with sales people, and is helping me calculate and barter for the best bang for my buck! Yeah for brothers :)