How to change spark plugs in a 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva

I've never been very car savvy or mechanically inclined but lately I decided that I wanted to start doing things myself and actually learn how sh*t worked. My spark plugs needed changing and everyone says how easy it is to do yourself, so I decided to give it a whirl. In only 14 easy* steps, you too can have brand new spark plugs in your Achieva!

Here's how to change spark plugs on a '97 Olds. Achieva

1. Go to NAPA auto parts store and ask
2. Get NAPA sales person to walk out to car in lot and point to the spark plugs
3. Nod like you understand everything but only buy some of the parts needed
4. Wait until there is snow in the forecast to change the spark plugs
5. Remove front cover-thing with wrench to expose the old spark plugs

6. Try to pull out old plugs with hands. Try again with the wrench-thing. Return to auto parts store for longer wrench extension

7. Pull out the old spark plugs with new wrench extension. Get really excited when they finally come out
8. Return to Auto parts store for Anti-Seize grease and new plastic casing-things
9. Smear grease on the metal part of new spark plug. Smear some other kind of grease on the plastic part.
10. Insert slimy new spark plugs in slots where old ones were.
11. And tighten them with your new extension wrench-thing - be careful not to tighten too much!

12. Replace old, cracked black plastic tube/casing-things with new ones.
13. Squish the top part with black tube things on top of new spark plugs. Realize this is impossible, remove black tube things and stick onto spark plugs. Realize this too is impossible and give up...
Just kidding! Finagle some wires to make for easier maneuvering of the top part, once that is in place then line up the black plastic tube things with the spark plugs, squish it all together replacing the top cover thing, tighten the bolts down - keeping in mind that they will heat up when the car is in use, so not too tight.

14. Take a deep breath, insert keys into ignition and turn...

One more reason to move to San Francisco

It's that time of the year again when all I talk/write/think about is how F-ing cold it is.

My dashboard widget is reading 27 degrees outside. But I'm determined to get some coffee and my favorite Sunday morning danish from the Mill, so I'm going to put on some long underwear and my winter standard of two-coats coat, frog hat + mittens and brave this ridiculous weather.

And its only going to get worse from here. One day last winter I went out for my usual morning coffee but it was so cold that by the time I had walked the three blocks back to my house, my coffee was already cold. That day the widget read, "-1 degree". !!! Minus ONE! Are you freaking kidding me!??!?! Yeah, that's going to happen again and again I won't be ready for it and it will be one more reason to move to California. Incidentally, its a mere 54 degrees in San Pancho right now...and sunny for all you pacific NW rain haters (that means you, conrad).

Only 180 days, 11 hours, 44 minutes and 40 seconds left!!!

Soup night!

My first soup night at Lindsey's was great - I hope she invites me back for more.
We went through at least five bottles of wine and one bottle of champagne, two soups, one shoebox of chocolate chip cookies, one tray of sticky peanut butter chewiness, one small rat-dog humping a pillow, one snapping turtle posing for photos, only one wine spillage disaster, and lots of laughing at our favorite ladies man, Transparent C/CC Rider.

One guy was even wearing a hat from a bar in my "hometown" of Lander, WY. Craaazy!

And props to Lindsey for her publications (yes, it's PLURAL!) in some new fancy-pants fisheries book!

First Fridaaaaay!

Last night we did the usual first friday art walk in the Haymarket.
What started out as a mild night at the Loft above the Mill ended with singing at El Chaparro at 2am.