Update update update.

Ummm, yeah I wish there was exciting news to update about. It looks like I'll keep working on campus for about one more year... I'm now officially Non-represented Professional Support Staff. Which means I don't have to participate in any of the strikes.

My neighbor has this 7 series BMW for sale. It doesn't run, and had been sitting under a tree since I moved in. I had actually considered stopping by to inquire as to the status of the vehicle. Last week s/he/they (I don't know I never stopped by) rolled it across the driveway and put a 'for sale' sign on the rear window. I haven't checked what they're asking but I'd imagine < $1500. I can't see paying more than that for a non-operational chunk of metal no matter how much leather it has inside.

Coincidentally, the same day I noticed that the car was indeed on offer I met a guy who owns a tow yard and asked him how much a new engine would cost for said vehicle. His quote, for a compression tested, mid-mileage engine with warranty, $700-900.

It's soooooo tempting to try and build a BMW on the cheap, but I'm old enough to know that there are some things that will never work out if you don't do them properly the first time. Rebuilding a vehicle is one of those things (I loved my '65 Volvo P1800 but I never had enough cash to do anything besides keep the driveline in proper shape the result and I still regret it).