A few weeks ago, I started writing a post I was pretty proud of. It wasn’t what you’d typically see on here–it had nothing to do with food–but it marked an important occasion in my life and I was hoping to use that experience to help others facing the same. Instead, the project was derailed by the very subject of the post: my new car.
My first new car. Because, yes, I had to wait until I was nearly 36 years old to buy my first new car. I’d like to think this made me appreciate it even more–I had to pay my dues before I could even consider a car whose history was all my own and even then, I had to get as much car as I could for the money, because there wasn’t a lot to put toward it. I was elated.
And then I wasn’t.
Because less than 3 weeks after I drove it off the lot, my car started having problems. And nearly 6 weeks after I bought it, it’s back in the shop for the 3rd time.
It shouldn’t be this way. The main reason why I purchased a new car was to have reliable transportation–peace of mind for the first time in my life. Instead, during the rare moments I get to drive it, I’m constantly aware of every noise and jerk, always on alert for it to stall again. Because that’s what it does–in stop-and-go traffic (on the highway!), at stop signs on back roads, I stop, it stalls.
I’m grateful for the warranty–that all this work is covered by it, including the rental car. I have a 40-mile commute every day. I need to get to work. But this is not how I envisioned it would be. Not for a brand new car. Not for one that had only 67 miles on it when purchased. It has 1,463 miles on it right now. At this rate, it won’t make it to 20,000.
The car manufacturer sent me a survey a week ago about the quality of my vehicle and I answered honestly. I felt they should know; this isn’t normal. A rep from their corporate headquarters called me yesterday, but I missed his call. I left him a voicemail 20 minutes later. I have yet to hear from him.
I know this is no single person’s fault–no one is “to blame” for the circumstances. There are many hands that take part in the manufacturing and assembly of a vehicle. And I don’t particularly care which hand is the root cause. I just want this situation solved. I want a car that works. I thought I was getting that. Apparently, I was wrong.
So, since my car is currently sidelined, and I’m sick of driving the rental car around, I guess it’s a cocktail for me tonight. A Sidecar. Because it made sense somehow, even though it really doesn’t. Of course, none of this situation does.
Here’s to a speedy resolution. I hope.
- 2 teaspoons organic sugar (for the rim)
- 2 parts VS or VSOP Cognac
- 1 part Cointreau (or other orange liqueur)
- juice of 1 medium lemon
- ice
- 1 strip lemon peel (garnish)
- 2 dye-free maraschino cherries
- Chill your martini glass in the freezer before assembly.
- Sprinkle sugar in a circle in a small dish.
- Run a piece of the squeezed lemon along the rim of the glass and dip in the sugar.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour over it the Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds.
- Pour into the chilled glass.
- Lay a strip of lemon peel on the rim and spear 2 maraschino cherries with a small skewer. Place inside the glass for garnish.
- Enjoy!
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