Two weeks ago, I bought a red 1991 Mazda Miata. My favorite mechanic got tired of me limping my project cars around and sold it to me. It's very red with big blingy gold tires. The engine compartment is clean. Very clean. Cleaner than any car I've ever owned, much less worked on. I have promised my friends that I will have one car, just one single car, that I do not touch, that is not a project, that will reliably work. Within twenty-four hours of ownership, I had scraped a tire rim, left the top down in the pouring rain, and plotted out a supercharger and exhaust upgrade (which I promise I will pay Paul to do...honest!). Yep, this Miata, she's mine all right!
So in the last two weeks, I've put a thousand miles on the odometer as I've tooled gleefully about the Bay Area. I've been such grins and giggles that folks have accused me of finding a new love. They're right, of course. Whether that new love is the Miata or finally rekindling my flame with California remains to be seen. But, this shiny little Miata is like a sparkling ruby commitment ring. Yes, California, I am staying in this relationship. For now.
Work is as frustrating as ever, but after a lot of thought about leaving, I have made a fresh commitment and am focusing on dealing better with grating or conflicting personalities. Six Sigma training was surprisingly helpful, mostly in that it gives me a common communication tool that grating personalities cannot ignore. Now I can say things like, "By doing it that way, you're adding operational overhead without increasing value to the customer," and map it out in little squares. Technically, I could have said it before, but it's funny what a difference those little squares make.
Home life with awesome roommate B. is awesome. Our little blue house is filled with love and friendship and books and car parts. Really, who could ask for more?
