Too Much Juice

Turns out the problem with my car wasn’t what I thought. Instead of my battery not getting enough juice, it was the other way around – the voltage regulator (or some such) was busted, and my battery was getting too much sauce. The good news being that it’s not an issue with my alternator.

Over the phone, the guy asked if I had busted any lights lately (this being one of the side effects). I said no, but suddenly realized that this might explain why my car radio started getting hot to the touch over the past few months.

Early this morning, I hoofed it over to Nortown Auto Repair (it’s on North, just East of Elston… almost right next to Exit). And I have to say – some of the nicest, friendliest people there! While waiting around for my paperwork, I talked with two of the employees and they were all so incredibly nice, it was nuts. One guy seemed to recognize me (I guess that even in Chicago, there aren’t all that many asian guys with long hair), and we fell to talking.

On a prior visit here, I ended up helping the girl who works as the secretary. I overheard her talking on the phone to her mom, trying to troubleshoot some PC issue. I offered to help, and ended up on the phone trying to talk her mom through some program install. As I started talking about my job working with computers, this guy seemed genuinely interested and fascinated with my line of work.

Next thing I know, another guy comes in with his kid. As she sits down, I find out from the banter that she’s actually his granddaughter! At this point, the receptionist has returned with my paperwork and everyone in the room is openly talking back and forth to one another. The young grandfather asks me if he looks old enough to be an actual grandfather, and I tell him I don’t believe it.

Going to get your car fixed, a typical reaction is to be on the defensive – to be wary and suspicious. I was so incredibly surprised by the amount of warmth I received this morning, I was taken aback. Everyone was so friendly, and I simply wasn’t expecting it. Having such a nice thing happen to me first thing in the morning helped me start my day smiling.