Sunday, September 18, 2011

When You Need New Friends...Buy A Car.

Do you only get two phone calls a day? (One is from your mom and the other is an automated message from your bank.) Feel like you need to enliven your popularity status? Then, start looking for a new car. That's right folks, your social life will be rockin' and your phone will be ringing off the hook!

I spent a good amount of time looking for a new vehicle, while I was in Arizona for the week. After calling, visiting, and test driving at a handful of dealerships, I became the coolest girl on the block. Sales folks will do anything to try and flatter you in their sheer effort to wheel and deal. Overall, I was surprised with how friendly sales folks can be. It was an entertaining and exhausting experience, but mission accomplished and I got a new car. Here's a recap of my top five favorite sales tactics from the last week.

Top 5 Car Salesmen/women Tactics:

They guess your age: "How old are you? Are you old enough to test drive this car?" Unless I entered a time warp...yes. After telling the salesman my age, he was quite embarrassed. "Gee, there's no way you're that old. You look so young!"

They leave tender messages on your voicemail: "Tahlea, what up girl? This is Chris at such 'n such dealership and just calling to see when you plan to swing by and check out that CR-V."

They offer you a sneak peak at a luxury car: "Tahlea, just calling to see if you'd like to come in and test drive a new Lexus IS." Sure, if you make me a deal I can't refuse....and throw in a bike rack. Can't fit a bike in a Lexus IS...I don't think.

They share their life story from the most recent arguments with their wife to their tender love for canaries, then ask you to share something about yourself. Really they're searching for common ground, trying to break down the "I don't like talking to car salesmen" barrier, and build a trusted, friendly relationship...not gonna work while I'm shopping for a car.

Through the negotiating process, you will hear a familiar phrase..."let me talk to my manager"...over and over and over again. Ah, yes the car buying process will never change. Sitting, waiting, and hoping they'll stop their unsuccessful sales tactics and just give you the deal you want.

Well, after firmly explaining, I'm not buying this car tonight, I'm not an impulse buyer, give me the deal I want!, I got it. Yea! They even let me take the car home for the night, before I decided if I really wanted it (another sales tactic). So, what did I get? A Conventional Roundabout Vehicle (or Compact Recreational Vehicle)!

Goodbye Grand Prix, Hello CR-V!
I ended up going to Bryce Canyon again on my way back to SLC to rescue a friend from a weekend of cold weather camping. Gave me a great opportunity to take another picture with my updated ride....happy trails!

Friday, September 9, 2011

My Blondest Moment to Date

I've had plenty of moments when my blonde roots come out, but this one tops them all! I decided to drive my car down to Arizona one more time. Shot struts, loose suspension, broken window motors, temperamental transmission, peeling paint, poor headlights, and more. I've needed to trade it in for several months.

So, I was just driving down US-89 when I noticed, I'm about to reach 100,000 miles! Wow! This calls for a celebration, or at least a memorable place to hit such an accomplishment for a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix. As I was 12 miles from reaching this feat, I came upon the turn off to Bryce Canyon. I've never been over there and the sign said it was only 17 miles. I might as well take a slight detour to be on the outskirts of a cool location for this significant event.
I headed down the the course of beautiful red rocks and anxiously started counting, three more, two more, and one more mile!! Wait?! What happened? It didn't turn to 100,000 miles, but 99,100 miles. It turned out that I was looking at 99,099 not paying enough attention to realize that my car won't hit 100,000 miles for another 901 miles.

Well, it did get a great laugh out of me and I got to see some of Bryce Canyon. Instead of taking a picture at 100,000 miles, I took one at 99,111, just outside of Bryce Canyon, so I could mark this memorable moment:) Even so, I'm proud of my car. Especially, when I was taking a chance that it would make it all the way to Phoenix. It's still running! Way to go Grand Prix!

Happy Labor Day On Top of Utah's World!

It occurred to me last night that I've had some memorable Labor Day weekend's in recent years.

Denver Temple 2008
Three years ago, I visited dad in Denver. We went to the Denver Temple together, after dad had just received his temple recommend. That was a great experience:-)

Fishing at Aunt Carol's that Labor Day Weekend
Two years ago, I was in Connecticut with dad, when he had a mini-stroke, while attending his 40 year high school reunion. He ended up spending most of the weekend in the hospital. It was very mild, and really we think that his blood pressure just got too high, but it made for an eventful weekend. Especially, when he called me at 12:30 am and said he was in the hospital and had a stroke. Grateful everything was all okay:-)

Last year, I flew into Denver for the holiday weekend. As we were getting closer to Denver, the pilot informed the cabin that the brakes may not work when we land. Due to this malfunction, the flight attendants prepared us for a crash landing. With our arms crossed against the seat in front of us, and our heads against our arms, we got ready for an unexpected landing. It made for a very strange reality check, as I contemplated the possible outcomes of this situation. I prayed extremely hard and kept saying, it's not my time yet. I need to out live my parents! Fortunately, the brakes worked and we landed safely.

This year, I hiked Mt. Timpanogos (11,749 feet) in Utah. A 15 mile roundtrip hike, 15 people, done in 7.5 hours. A great way to enjoy a rigorous day of labor. Maybe next year I'll do something more Labor Day-ish, like attend a BBQ. A funny holiday to highlight, but here's to another Labor Day gone by!



Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Viva la Vida Utah

Disclaimer: The following entry was written on July 6, 2009 - Just never finished posting it. Yep, I get sidetracked in everything I do. If I do say so myself, it was a good entry. So I decided I'll go ahead and post it....over two years later.

Hiking Millcreek Canyon
Due to another long lull in blogging, much confusion has formed concerning my whereabouts. Though, I wish I could say I've been sailing the world, backpacking through Europe or snorkeling in the Mediterranean, I'm still hiding out in Salt Lake City, Utah for what has been 15 months and counting. That's right, I'm in the state I fully intended to leave for good after graduating from BYU.

What in the world am I doing in Utah?! As my good friend Sam eloquently put it, "I think it's strange, funny, and yet good, that you're still in Salt Lake!" So what has kept me here?! Maybe I'm finally settling down from drifting to and fro; maybe I found that the altitude keeps me looking like I'm 16 going on 17; or some unforseen force has left me landlocked. Not really. It has more to do with the beauty of the mountains, the easy-access to everything outdoors, and the amazing friends! I'm hooked! Well, at least for now. Winters can be dark and cold, but the excitement for snowboarding/skiing does seem to help. Only time will tell when I get ansy and the need for change bubbles inside again. My next location will need to involve an ocean and plenty of sunshine!

With that said, here is a brief look back on the last year living in SLC. The enjoyable side of Utah includes plenty of mountains for hiking, boarding, skiing, snowshoeing and mountain biking, causing me to revert back to childhood. One of these days I'll grow up and learn to enjoy knitting and read about ancient Greek philosophies, but 'til then I'll be fully enjoying nature and everything that keeps me moving:-)

Snowboarding Park City
Rock Climbing - Big Cottonwood
Rock Climbing Buddies
Snowboarding - The Canyons
Halloween 2008 - 80's rockin cousins & friends:-)
Cali vacation with UT friends!
Night hike to Spanish Fork Hot Springs w/UT friends