Woe

My car troubles continue. I took it to a mechanic who was able to align the wheels (something the dealership said they couldn't do without replacing some tie rods and dropping $800 to pay for it), however, he said it needs a new transmission. The cost? $1900. Forgetaboutit! Took it to another mechanic to replace the sensors and he said the same thing, I need a new transmission. His cost? $1800. Mind you, this car has only 50,000 miles on it. It should not need a new transmission. The dealership said it didn't, but the last mechanic said they're screwing with me, and when they go to replace the sensors, they'll call me in the middle of the job and tell me the whole transmission needs to be replaced. Frankly, I don't know who to believe. Did some research on the web and discovered I can do my own computer diagnostic by turning the key on/off three times. Now I need to find out what the two codes mean. In the meantime, I can only drive my car in second gear.

Rain!

It actually rained tonight for the first time since I moved to Los Angeles four months ago. I never thought I'd be so happy to see rain. And, I saw heat lightning flash across the sky. Not that's it very hot because it's not. It's been very mild lately. Low 70's and 60's.

Speaking of lows, I'm currently experiencing a low of sorts myself -- car trouble. One of my worst case scenarios. It's car problems that can send your bank account into a tail spin. Over the weekend, the automatic gears started to delay in shifting, then my "check engine" light illuminated. So I stopped by a dealership today and they quoted me -- are you sitting down? -- $2,900! Say what?! Yeah, apparently, it needs two new sensors, not to mention some other stuff, like some new belts, etc. Two hundred dollars later (rental car included), I decided to bring my car to a mechanic a co-worker recommended for another quote. Let's hope this one is a tad bit more reasonable.

Celebrity sightings: Robert Blake again at the same Starbucks/shopping plaza on Beverly Glen; Chris O'Donnell Saturday night on his way to Entertainment Weekly's Emmy pre-party; actor-turned-screenwriter Dan Futterman ("Judging Amy," THE BIRDCAGE) at a Q&A tonight after a screening of CAPOTE (starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, who is brilliant, btw).

Movin' On Up

It's official: I am moving to a new apartment the first of the month. Like I said before, it's in a much better location. Within walking distance of just about everything. Last night I picked out a sage green color that the building will paint my new bedroom. I have an attached bathroom, tons of closet space, nine foot ceilings throughout and views outside of the Hollywood Hills. But the best part is having my own parking space. Hey now! Not to mention, I will be living next to B-movie actress Ann Savage. Yeah, I had never heard of her either.

Celebrity sighting: Today I met the one and only Morgan Fairchild when she stopped by our office to drop off something. She looks fabulous. Thin and svelte. It's amazing what plastic surgery can do. ;) And that smoky voice! Pure Morgan.

Queen Of Soul

I saw Aretha Franklin perform tonight at the Universal Ampitheater. She was fabulous. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. We had backstage passes, which didn't mean much. Just free drinks and snacks, etc. Aretha never made an appearance. Oh well, it was still fun.

Celebrity sightings: Smokey Robinson; Don Cornelius from "Soul Train"; the mayor of Los Angeles; and Eric Braeden (Victor Newman from "The Young & the Restless").

Labor Day

The last two weeks have been very busy. My mom and Raul came to town for a visit over Labor Day weekend. It was my mom's first time to California, so I gave her a whirlwind tour of LA. We did so much running around, I was exhausted by the end of it. I can't imagine how my mother must have felt having to get on a plane again and fly back across the country.

In the middle of it all, we looked at another apartment near where I work between Sunset and Hollywood. It's really nice and very spacious (2,000 sq ft.), not to mention I would have my own parking space. No more tandem parking, hallelujah! I think I may take it, especially after the continued problems I have in my present building, especially with parking.

One night last weekend we came home only to find someone parked on the right side of the driveway of my building. Well, the only way I can pull into our space is to swing in from the right side of the driveway. I waited up until 3am for the car to move but it never did. Mind you, there are signs up that say no parking there and you will be towed at owner's expense. So, yes, I called a tow truck company, but they never came. I also left a message for the building's manager, who never returned my call. However, I did leave a lovely note, expletives included, on his windshield.

Then, the morning I have to take my mom to the airport ... the power goes out. Which means the garage doors won't open ... Again, we tried to get a hold of the manager to no avail, so Raul unscrewed the door and we popped it open ourselves. Thankfully, I got my mother to the airport in time. The latest thing now are kids riding their bigwheels and bikes back in forth between our building and the building next door, screaming. At the top of their lungs. It sounds like they're right inside in my bedroom. Ugh! So yeah, I think I'm going to be moving to a new apartment in a much, much better location.

Celebrity sightings: Naveen Andrews (Sayid from "Lost") at LAX getting off a flight from Honolulu; John Reilly (formerly Sean Donely on "General Hospital" and now on "Passions") at the Grove during lunch; Josh Souza and Erika Landin from "Big Brother" Season One & Three (they were holding hands) and Jennifer Tilly at the Grove; Robert Blake in the parking lot of a shopping plaza on Beverly Glen.