Let me first give my thanks to the guys over @
Brake Specialists Plus in Cedar Park for getting the Corolla fixed up in time for me to get to Dallas.
I was afraid that they would not be able to get the car done in time, as they did have to remove major parts of the engine and transmission to replace the rear seal that was leaking oil.
While I was there settling up my bill of $993 (and change) a guy from AutoZone stopped by and was attempting to pitch them on buying parts from AutoZone. One of the things that I heard come up in conversation was the quality of the work that Brake Specialists Plus. I took the opportunity to chime in that they have always done really good work for me, and to thank the guys for fixing up my car.
I then proceeded to drive to Dallas. Luckily I had almost a full-tank of gas, as I was running late and stopping to fill-up the tank would definitely make me later than I wanted to be.
I did however manage to make it to Dallas in time for the Mavericks game. It has been a significantly long time since I had attended an NBA game. The last one that I can remember attending was at The Palace (in Aurburn Hills), watching the Pistons play someone that I cannot remember. That had to have been 15-17 years ago.
I went to the game with the President/CEO of NetworkIP, Pete Pattullo. (NetworkIP is the parent company of Jaduka.) He ask me if I had been to an NBA game lately, as to prepare me for the amount of advertising that I would see at the stadium and during the game. He also prepared me for the 'Vegas Show' like nature of the game, as during every break they had some sort of thing going on.
Now, the most interesting thing that I saw in regards to advertising and filler content was, the 'Merchandising Special of the Night'.
Ummmm, so here is the thing. There are shops, selling various forms of Dallas sports memorabilia, that is cool. But the 'Merchandising Special of the Night' was like a live 30 second infomercial for whatever product they are attempting to sell more of. That night it was a book written by the coach of the Mavericks.
It was presented by a nice lady, whom I assume is some sort of Mavericks celebrity (unknown to me), and one of the Maverick's cheerleaders.
But the kicker, the real coup de grace was that at the end of this short infomercial, they announced that 'This Merchandising Special of the Night is brought to you by Adidas."
OK, your fscking kidding me. The live infomercial was sponsored. More power to the Mavericks advertising sales people. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the kids with the mops and towels that keep the floor clean during the game were sponsored by JaniKing.
The Mavericks beat the Clippers 103-90.
Anyway, I did not notice any oil leaks under the car. And the car most definitely had full electrical power. The car also seemed to be a little bit quieter. In case I have forgotten to mention the Corolla was once VERY noisy, but since they tuned the timing belt, the Corolla had instantly become a lot quieter.
Well, I am finally taking a couple of days off. Gina is going to the Philippines soon, so I have taken today and tomorrow off.
Laterz
