mishaps and more

[mamajoan]

Yesterday while driving home I noticed/realized that my car's left headlight is out. And this reminded me that my emissions/inspection sticker expires at the end of November, i.e., tomorrow. D'oh! I opened up the hood and investigated the possibility of replacing the headlight bulb myself, but it looked like I'd need a tool to get in there, which I didn't have handy at the moment. So I may just take it to my mom's mechanic and have him replace the bulb and then do the inspection. Well, on the plus side, that does explain why it has seemed SO dark driving home the last week or two.... *facepalm*

Also yesterday, I did a very dumb thing. Long story short, it ended up with a peppermint patty melted onto the face of my cellphone. Ack! I managed to clean it off pretty well, and although it's still sticky, it does seem to be functional. Man, this cellphone has been through the wars. A while back I accidentally put it through the washing machine, and although that killed the battery, the phone itself survived. (Better to have to replace a $30 battery than a $150 phone!) It's the cheapest phone that T-Mobile offers -- or at least it was; it's not even available any more on their website -- and it sure has taken a beating in my care. Thanks, Samsung!

Speaking of things you can and can't acquire on websites, yesterday I did finally get the Gap website to take me to a "create an account" page, but I couldn't get past that page because it kept saying that I needed to enter a "valid Password Hint." No matter what I entered in the Password Hint field, it gave me the same vague error message "Please enter a valid Password Hint" with no clues or guidance as to what counts as valid. BAD web designer, no biscuit! I emailed customer service and just now got a response back saying that they can't reproduce the problem and I should let them know what operating system and browser I'm using. They also asked me to provide a bunch of information that I already provided in my original email, to wit, "the information you entered and which page you entered it on, as well as any error messages you are receiving." I fired back a quick email pointing out that I had already given them that info, but here it is again, along with my operating system and browser versions. *roll eyes*

You know, if the Gap doesn't WANT my money, they could just freaking say so. Since the items I was trying to buy are on clearance, odds are good that by the time I do get this straightened out and get myself an account -- if that ever happens -- they'll be sold out. GRUMP.

Comments

[rainbow-goddess.livejournal.com]

By any chance are you using a pop-up blocker? I've had similar problems with my cable company's website, and they told me that I had to disable my popup blocker while using their site.

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

Hmm, good thought ... but alas, no. I just tried it again after disabling the popup blocker, and it still didn't work. Sigh, I wish it had been that easy. Thanks for the suggestion though!

[white-and-nrdy.livejournal.com]

No tools should be necessary. Tell me what you're driving and I'll tell you for sure. Save you a little money. ;)

Alternately, some inspection places will just replace the bulb for you and tack the cost onto the inspection. At least, the decent ones will do that.

Good luck with that. Mass. may have tough standards, but at least they're consistent - unlike Maine, where I just failed for the 4th time and never get the same story as to why... >:|

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

well, it's a Subaru Legacy Outback wagon, but I'm pretty sure I do need at least a wrench/pliers to remove the bolts holding the light cover on. Anyway, I'll probably just take it by my mom's mechanic like I said. He'll replace the bulb and do the inspection. I mean, I'd do it myself if I had more time, but it being the last day of the month already, I might as well just pay him a couple of extra bucks to take it off my hands.

[white-and-nrdy.livejournal.com]

No tools necessary - the bulb comes out of the back of the lens, which stays in the car. I've replaced headlight bulbs on an Impreza a few times.

But your plan sounds reasonable, too. The weather's crummy, and I wouldn't want to stand outside in the cold rain fumbling with a bulb. :)