Where have I been and where am I going?

It's been a hectic week-plus since my last post. Moving to SoCal has changed my routine and it's actually added more work to my plate. Now that I'm within several miles of all the ATV and dirt bike media, I'm kept busy preparing for media tests or attending several, especially in December. It's a great change of pace getting out of the office, but it keeps the days in the office really busy.

Last weekend I headed down to Mission Beach and hung out with Derek and Chad Prull. For my ATV friends, don't be confused he's not the Chad Prull who finished second at the Baja 1000 last weekend. A group of 7 of us headed out to Canes Bar and Grill to watch an 80s hair band and the bar was absolutely packed. Naturally, four of us dressed up in 80s garb to put us in the mood. I was rocking a 1-Up Nintendo T-shirt, headband and wrist band, but Derek took the win with a jean jacket, cut-off jean shorts and an AC/DC T-shirt. There were a decent amount of people rocking 80s gear at the bar so it made for a fun time.

On Sunday we headed over to a local pub to watch the Vikes spank the Jags over some Bloddy Mary's. On my way home to Murrieta later that night I realized I'm getting too old to hang with the younger crowd. I was completely whipped. Staying out late when your used to going to bed before 10 takes a lot out of you.

On my way to San Diego my truck had some hesitation and acceleration issues and the CEL came on flashing. I noticed my truck was idling rougher for the last several months and CEL came on briefly while I was still in Ohio. The dealer in Ohio took care of a needed transmission service and recommended replacing the PCV valve and thermostat. I found it hard to believe those items were the cause of the CEL. I took care of those items on my own, saving $400 from their rip-off price hike. Seriously, $225 for a $7 thermostat and $175 to literally plug in a new PCV valve into the valve cover ... a job that takes 1 minute and 30 seconds.

Updating those items didn't cure the issue, and I figured it wouldn't. I took it to the Rancho Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealer yesterday in Temecula and it was definitely the best I've ever been treated at a Ford dealership. They fit the truck in to their schedule without an appointment, diagnosed it as a bad No. 8 igntion coil and spark plug and I was on my way. That diagnosis is what my dad and I figured it was, but I didn't have time to play a guessing game on what cylinder it was as I have a flight today at 2:15 back in San Diego. It's the fourth bad coil my truck has had. I'd say this is highly unacceptable but, from my understanding, it's just the 2001 model year F150 that has these issues. Neat!

As for today, I'm off to Minneapolis to spend time with Tracy, family, friends and turkey. I'll miss my mom's mashed potatos this year, but I guess I'll just have to wait until Christmas. We are on a rotating holiday schedule on the Vogtman side, which means this year we celebrate Christmas at my parents' house. Next year it's Thanksgiving. It works out well when extended family get on the schedule. My bro-in-law, sister and sister-in-law and brother can spend time with their families and not feel rushed to be everywhere on one day. Not to mention it's going to save me some money now that I live in SoCal.

Well, off to San Diego for my 2:15 flight. Tracy and I are meeting up with friends tonight and tomorrow we look forward to stuffing our faces. You have to love American traditions. Eat, drink, eat some more, drink some more and watch football. Sounds good to me.