The Bootleg Man

Bootlegging originally reffered to illegally distilling alcohol, but has recently become a term used to describe any activity that is not done correctly, properly or completely. A bootleg product is one that is not genuine like 'bootleg CDs' are not the original productions.

I sometimes say that I am the 'bootleg queen' because I love thrift shops and I always try to find the easy way out. In that case, you should call me the 'shortcut queen' but I just like using the word 'bootleg'.

Today, I met The Bootleg Man. He bought a busted lemon and fixed it.....half-way. Of course, no one wants a lemon - not even The Bootleg Man. So he is trying to sell the lemon with crazy glue on the door handles and the paint job peeling. Of course, it was no sale because other than the door handles and the paint job, the exhaust is not 100%. It maybe 81.9385758% but if it does not sound right and shift right - NO SALE.

Seriously, we need to be more aware of persons selling used vehicles. Always get a mechanic to check the vehicle out - inside and outside. This is my checklist:

1. Check the engine for leaks
2. Check the tires for wear and tear and mismatching
3. Check all shocks & struts
4. Look closely at fenders and bumpers for repairs and hits
5. Watch the sensors closely for Check Engine etc.
6. Ensure all seat belts are working
7. Check door handles for glue (lol - couldn't help that one)
8. Drive up the hill with A/C
9. Ask around about the car if you can get info
10. If the car comes from the US/Canada - check CARFAX
11. If you don't like it, leave it alone

Of course, it problem free to buy a new vehicle but if you can't afford it, a good used vehicle can be your savior.

Good Luck and watch out for The Bootleg Man.

ribbon

Driving in the BVI

The old people say "drive for you and the other driver". I say drive for you and the other moron here in the BVI cause guaranteed by the end of the year someone will hit your car. Hopefully everyone will walk away without injury.

Seriously, SOME people here are really BAD drivers:

can't park
can't reverse
can't signal
can't brake
can't stay on their side of the road
can't overtake

BTW, the percentage of bad drivers is the same for male and female. The joke is that everyone wants BIG SUV's but they can't park and can't change the tires. lol lol These SUV's don't even want to drive in mud puddles. I just sit and laugh or pass or just laugh.

There may actually be one vehicle per adult and per child here - it's about 25,000 vehicles to 27,000 people. With no proper bus system, the traffic is horrendous and with the factors listed above - we're not getting anywhere.

The Government employees and officials spend our country's income on BIGGER SUVs which is such a waste. The $50K wasted on an Escalade could be a teacher's salary or a scholarship for a hopeful dentist. Yet they say they are moving forward - making the dealers rich and the school children slower because there is no equipment or qualified teacher to teach them.

The way forward - I would transfer the Escalades and Land Rovers to the Survey Department instead of having 8 men choked up in the 4 door truck. I think the pretty blue sea have the officials blinded somehow but these are just my thoughts.

Road Rage

It's not too often that I get Road Rage - but I had some tonight. Some fool in a white Mitsubishi Lancer (the old station wagon kind) pulled up in front of me and blocked me in. I blew my horn and he ignored me. So I blew it again and the man put on his left indicator - like why is she blowig her horn. I am a driver and I got out.

I don't usually indulge in driver banter but i stopped next to him and said I was just trying to get him to move. Typical reply - you can't drive. Well, I won't repeat what I said but let's just call it - classic ROAD RAGE. Poor moron got 'cussed' for every bad thing that happened last week.

I'm not saying that I was right but hey - better I yelled than rammed his car!

ribbons