They see me rolling... Season II

An update since Season I:

1. In our zeal at enjoying the company fleet for our own pleasures, one of my colleagues went on an upcountry (really far) road trip without telling the boss. Twas the same weekend unfortunately that mkubwa got vehicle monitoring software installed on his PC and tried it out. We all got banned from using the cars except on company business. Back to square one!

2. I had my first serious accident early last month. Was driving back from Matuu (ndalas) to office around 8 p.m. Decided to overlap coz of a slow truck holding up traffic, only to find a car turning right, into a junction I hadn't noticed in Thika. Braked and skidded but still hit her (it was a lady) door and crossed with the side mirror. Graciously, no one was hurt. Ended up footing for the repairs undercover, didn't want to involve boss (had already gotten into trouble before over the cars, when a dent appeared and no one took responsibility).
Lesson: Don't overlap, just don't.

3. Finally got my first own ride following a nice deal that came by which I was compelled to take up. Had to sell most of my prime shares come everything, but hey, isn't it why we buy shares? The effect:

- At just the same time, my neighbour who had a Starlet, upgrades to a Corona, while the other neighbour unleashes an Xtrail and 4X4. Seems I'm still a very small rat in a big race...
- Workmates now consider me a hero. Eish, it's just a car.
- Fly neighbour invites me for sister's wedding, then gets me to carry her fly friends to reception and insists that I show up for dinner usiku. Food, Alvaro and dancing, my social status is on the up.
- Fuel is expensive, adjusting from busfare to ngata is a big leap. New hobby is being on the look out for sub 98 bob petrol stations.
- Despite 4 years of power mechanics in high school, the mechanic makes you feel like a bumbling fool.
- The convenience is too mzuri, unfortunately it comes with responsibilities i.e. errands and favours for family and friends.

Hope season III has better things in the offing. Enjoy the next 4 months bila public holiday :-(

They see me rolling...

It's been three weeks since I've had the priveledge of enjoying company resources i.e. mobility. And it was only by a stroke of luck that some jamaa was moved to our dept and since he had a ride from there, took one of our new rides and so I ended up hopping between some of the vehicles in the fleet.

Reactions:

1. The watchmen
At digs, they stopped calling me 'ndugu', they call me 'bwana mkubwa'. Sad to say but they now expect bigger handouts from me, which is a surprise coz I wasn't giving out any when I was javing.

2. The big sister
Now with smaller car, she's resorted to using me as the full time errand boy. I've done everything from chauffering her daughter, drycleaning, meat etc. Is this love, is this love that I'm feeling?

3. The relaz
They are in awe. I'm trying to tell them, "Hii ni gari ya kampuni!" But it doesn't count in their books, all they know is that I've hit the big league.

4. The honeyz
a. Fly chic leaving estate in the morning:
Me: (Stopping the car a few metres after passing her) Where are you headed?
Her: Kenyatta (which is totally in the opposite direction from where I'm headed)
Me: (After a few seconds of logic vs emotional war) Hop in.
Turns out she's a pal of a pal. Which should make us?

b. Other fly chic neighbour
We got to know each other due to javving together, then she bought her own ride and I was reduced to nothing. Now she recognizes the brother, which is good for temporary ego boosting.

c. The occasional hook ups
People have to be dropped home after coffee. Which is sawa in terms of knowing where they actually live. But maybe expectations are becoming too high?

5. My mind
After what happened to Odegle a while ago, it is now a constant that my level of worrying has gone up a notch higher. When you are parked in town or church and your mind starts thinking 'Did I lock the car?' 'Has it been stolen/towed/vandalized/crashed into?', then for certain, I'm not at peace with this nice thing I have been entrusted with. I wonder whether all car owners/drivers feel the same way at the beginning?

All in all, it makes moving around a whole lot easier, so I'll be thankful and enjoy the ride while it lasts.



Point of concern:
A pal's dad, a workmate and a pal's new born kid have passed away in the last couple of weeks. It been difficult dealing with it. Appreciate life, won't you?