The Camaro's Alive... With the Sound of Music...

only took a year
but with the stars all in line
luck was on my side

We all remember back in March of dos mil cinco I broke my leg. You recall, me falling off of Hercules' back and landing into the street like a penny falling off the top of the Empire State building, breaking my leg in two places and the black bitch emerging from the darkness screaming, "Don't get up, I'm a nurse...". Well the whole point of my tirade was that because of a broken right leg, I was unable to drive -- leaving my Camaro in the hands of those who live in my house -- for five months.

While down, the Camaro was perfect. The radio was fine, no random scratches, dirt, dust or any other malfunction. Upon receipt of my car, after my cast was removed, I noticed that it was awfully quiet in my car. It took me a moment to realise why... yes kiddies, the radio was broken. Not just the radio, but the CD player, the tilt down screen, the 12 disc in the trunk. Someone fucked my shit up and expected me not to notice because it had been so long.

Today, however, today was a good day. While at work, Ralphie was visiting me at work when Moreno came in. Moreno was talking about car audio with Ralphie, because Ralphie had spent the better part of an hour in my car trying to figure out what was wrong with my deck. Moreno asked Ralphie to install his, but it was at home, so he needed to go home and get it.

I wanted him to clock out, but because he told me he was going out to get me something, he wasn't required. I wasn't sure what I was getting... (it turned out to be croquetas de jamon), but when he returned, he also brought his new deck. Ralphie got to work and before you knew it, Moreno's stereo was done. He told Ralphie he could keep the old one.

Ralphie began the story with some random shit about going to the pawn shop to get some bucks for the car stereo that he took out of Moreno's car, when I came up with the best idea... put it it my car! Sure enough, as Ralphie had nothing else to do, he went to work.

Not but thirty minutes later, I began to hear something that I hadn't heard in over a year, the thumping of a JL Audio 12" W7. Exactly, the sub that I have in my trunk! Ralphie had managed to replace my busted deck with Moreno's old deck and it was a perfect fit. He even managed to get the 12 disc changer to work because Moreno's old deck is a Pioneer just like my broken one.

We required some spare parts to finish the job, so with Ralphie's cousin we trekked to BestBuy to pick up some Y connectors. Now I have sound in my Camaro once again. The W7 powered by a JL 500/1 and the internal components powered by a JL 300/4. I haven't heard music in my car in what seems like forever, and today, even just hearing the bass from the inside of the store, my life was filled with unconditional love and appreciation for all that Ralphie had done for me. I know I couldn't have done it on my own, I'm too busy buying other shit. But could you imagine the luck that Moreno just so happened to have an extra deck that was perfect for my needs andthat Ralphie was kind enough to install it for me in record time.

Aside from the car thing, I'm glad that Ralphie lives three blocks from my job. I enjoy seeing him practically every day. He reminds me of what I have at home, and that's something that I need at a time like this. Ever get that feeling that you're alone and no one understands? I get that with Ralphie and we help each other thru it.

Now if only I could help him find some work that pays well...