The saddest day

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I know.  You have been nervously refreshing the page every moment since last Friday, awaiting an update as to the Honda’s fate.

Well, people, I have good news and bad news.

The good news is that I’m alive.

The bad news is that if oil were blood, my engine would be the beaches of Normandy.

The burning rubber smell of last week was due to an oil leak on par with the BP debacle of 2010 – but I had that under control, and it wasn’t the Honda’s demise.  The unrelated, unexpected, and ultimate downfall came when the timing belt snapped, and there was internal damage to the engine.

The good news is that this happened Sunday morning 8 miles outside of Kansas City, and I’ve been able to stay with my brother and sister-in-law and nephews.

The bad news is that I will never drive the Honda again.

I will never drive the Honda again.

This isn’t how I imagined it would happen.  After all I’ve been through with and in this small-but-mighty car, I envisioned the end to be the engine catching on fire, or hitting a bighorn sheep or something.  I kind of hoped for a more spectacular blaze of glory.  Instead, death came quickly and silently, rolling the Honda to a quiet stop on the shoulder of I-70.

The nail in the coffin was the price quote for a full repair.  Dude, if I had that much money, I would buy Christian Bale to CARRY ME AROUND.

So just after it’s 21st birthday, I am selling my beloved Honda for salvage.  The money I’ll get isn’t enough to cover what I’ve spent in the last 24 hours.  I know, it’s just money.  But still – lame, right?

As for me, I am stranded in Kansas City.

And I haven’t been home for 6 weeks.

I’ll let you figure out how I’m doing.

Rest in peace, old Honda friend.  Here’s to the good times.

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21 Comments

  1. becca on January 3, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    this is so sad. poor hans, the honda.

    wait. did the honda ever have a name? i think hans the honda is good.

  2. becca on January 3, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    which leads me to remember ANOTHER hans. ‘he is from germany.’ ‘i am from denmark.’

  3. Amanda on January 3, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    I’ll tell my first car – a sassy white ’90 Accord named Blanche – to be on the lookout for your beloved Honda. I’d like to think they’ll be BFF’s up in the big parking lot in the sky.

    Hang in there, friend. Hold the line. Stay the course. Don’t have a nervous breakdown.

    Love,
    Best Mom

  4. Christina on January 3, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Oh, Honda! I’ll pour one out for ya.

  5. Val on January 3, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    [Lifting my glass]

    Here’s to the Honda!

  6. kimberly on January 3, 2011 at 11:18 AM

    oh annie! this is a tragedy. I miss my ’91 civic every day, it was such a good fried, and although I do love my CRV, it can’t compare. if you get bored in kc give me a ring! you can always come audit my algebra classes in o-town.

  7. Greta on January 3, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    Wooooooooeee!!!

  8. Carolina Linthead on January 3, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    Annie, I am so sorry to hear this, but I am so glad you’re alive! I’m also trying, and failing, to stay focused on the car. That’s quite a picture you posted! Anyway…my sincere sympathies, and my best wishes, as always. I hope 2011 brings you much richly deserved happiness, even if it is getting off to a sad start!

  9. Katie on January 3, 2011 at 1:12 PM

    Sad day!! Here’s to the Honda. May it rest in peace.

  10. mom on January 3, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    I’m so glad you posted that pic to remind me of the honda in better days. What a bff it has been to you! WHY do we get so attached to “things”? Thinking about it being towed to salvage practically brings tears…

  11. Little AP on January 3, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    Oh, no! Poor Honda. It served you well. On a happier note, I love the picture. Very fun. :)

    Rest In Peace, Honda. You were a Champion.

  12. Sarah Kate on January 3, 2011 at 2:12 PM

    Awwww, sad day! Danny and I were just talking about the Honda and how old it was and how good it had been to you? How many miles were on it?

  13. Tad on January 3, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    The Honda died as it lived, faithfully doing what it could to make your life possible.

    Let us observe a moment of silence in honor of a noble steel steed.

  14. Jacklyn on January 3, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    NO!!!! Well it sounds like it had a rich and happy life! That picture is awesome!

  15. Riley McCormick on January 3, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    when I first saw the picture, I had only barely scanned the post. “stranded in kansas city” (in january) somehow didn’t match up with the visual. I was thinking “she must be so cold! poor annie!!” but I get it now, we’re all good.

  16. Carin Towne on January 3, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    Sending my sincerest condolences.
    Signed,
    still miss my ’85 Prelude
    xoxo

  17. […] The saddest day […]

  18. Lauren on January 4, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    Picture=amazing!

  19. Meg on January 5, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    oh NO!!! i can’t picture you driving anything else!! And Blaine will be so disappointed without the automatic seatbelts! sorry girl.

  20. Erin L from KC on January 12, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    um…did you find another car yet? my sister is moving out of the country and wanting to sell her trusty old steed…not sure if it’s what you’re looking for or not.
    send me an email if you’re interested! (she’s IN KC, btw)

  21. hootenannie » Blog Archive » Update: car on January 31, 2011 at 8:24 AM

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