Serves me right…

OK....so, Andrew's Pathfinder is in the shop again.  It blew an engine - the second time this has happened and the mechanics have no idea why it happened. So the last few weeks I've been driving a rental. My brother and I have this ongoing, nonverbal contest to see who can get the best prices on things like plane tickets, car rentals, hotel rooms. We both always try Priceline and have gotten over the years some wonderful deals. 

I got a car one time for, I think it was, eight dollars a day!  I also like to see when I get to the counter if I can get an upgrade, not by asking, but by just trying to make the attendant's day better.  It's fun.  My best success story is one time in LA at Orange County International.  The guy in front of me was rude and angry and self-absorbed.  He cursed freely and tossed a few of those at the girl behind the counter.  Un-pleaseable and unpleasant! I really felt sorry for her

 and when I got to the desk I commended her on her restraint and apologized in general for all us rude travelers.  She upgraded me to a Cadillac Escalade.  It was beautiful - but I was scared to death driving that monster on the LA freeways!  

So last week I went to the counter at Budget and before long the lady at the counter said - "Hey, how would you like an upgrade at no extra charge?" "Sure, what'ch got?"  "How about a

 Mustang?"  I've never driven a Mustang but have admired them - "Any chance it's a convertible?"  "Could be!"  "Alright, let's do it."  

I gleefully left the counter went to the parking garage to pick up my sweet Mustang.  ...

That's when my heart sank...

Yes...it's ORANGE!  Can you believe that.  The lady had been too nice for me to go back and ask to be "downgraded" - I know a lot of you are getting a real kick out of it.  Dale, Mr. Tide, Sir Alabama is driving a UT Orange car.  I think I'm gonna be sick!  But, hey, it could be more proof that even the hardest heart can be softened.  

I'm glad to have let you have a good laugh at my expense.  Have a super day.