I thought I'd chronicle the repair history of my 2001 Hyundai Elantra so far, not including wear items and stuff that was my fault.

1. Power Door Locks don't work Cause: Fuse blows intermittently on use Solution: Replace blown fuse w/ higher amperage fuse. Fortunately, I later found out that I replaced it with the correct rated fuse, and that the diagram on the fusebox was incorrect. Cost: $5 tops for a bunch of fuses
2. Alarm sounds at random intervals Cause: Switch on hood doesn't register that the hood is closed, probably because the hood is a bit bent there. Solution: Stick a rubber stopper on the switch so that it will be closed properly Cost: $0.50
3. Check engine light #1: Evaporative system, large leak Cause/Solution/Cost: Yet unknown. I should look for broken hoses under the car, or maybe pay someone to diagnose it.
4. Silent computer error code: Transmission Position Sensor Cause: Intermittently bad transmission position sensor -- i.e. the thing that tells the transmission which gear I want the transmission in. Solution: replace Cost: $35 and an hour of my time
5. Coolant boiled over Cause: Faulty thermostat Solution: replace Cost: I was stupid, I had the dealer diagnose and fix it, so it was incredibly expensive -- $200.
6. Check engine light #2: Transmission output sensor Cause: Faulty sensor, who knows why it failed Solution: replace Cost: $80 and an hour of my time
7. Check engine light #3: Evaporative system, small leak Probably the same problem as the 1st check engine light
8. Check engine light #4: Catalyst efficiency low Cause/Solution/Cost: Yet unknown. One of these days I'm gonna pin down whether it's actually the catalyst that's low/bad, or an O2 sensor that needs replacing
9. Leaking Radiator Cause: When the thermostat blew and the coolant boiled over, it most likely caused damage to the radiator. It finally sprang a leak when I was flooring the car up a decent grade. Solution: replace Cost: $500
10. Check engine light #5: Transmission input speed sensor Cause: Another faulty sensor, again who knows why Solution: replace Cost: $85 and an hour of my time Fantastic little vehicle.

It's been a year since my last post! Once again it's time for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation fundraiser. See below for most details. I'm not gonna do online fundraising but if you want to donate, let me know, and I'll help you out!

This year, it will be in San Dimas, on May 5th.

On May 21st, I'll be walking in the Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides fundraiser in Santa Monica. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that causes thick secretions in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. The most important effects are that it interferes with breathing, causes lung infections that damange the lungs, and greatly reduces your ability to digest food.

Over the past 50 years, research has brought about various therapies to alleviate these symptoms, improving the life expectancy of the average person with CF from about 2 years in 1950, to nearly 37 years today.

Since CF is not very widespread, this research is mainly supported by donations from the families and friends of those affected. The Great Strides walk is the main fundraiser of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the leading foundation which supports CF research.

I am walking for my friend Julie. She's 25, a graduate student at UCLA, and a wonderful person. She has always shown amazing tenacity, going to great lengths to make sure she does her 2 hours of daily treatments. This keeps her as healthy as possible, so she can live an otherwise normal life.

Anyways, I am saying all this because I hope you'll make a donation. Donations help the Cystic Fibrosis foundation a) research new medications and therapies, b) provide vital medications to low-income families affected by CF, c) coordinate between hundreds of care centers accross the nation, and d) advocate government assistance to CF research and public health assistance.

Because of the dedicated community, the volume of research that has been done, and the mechanism of the disease, I believe that in the coming years, more progress will be made towards improving the lives of those affected by CF than any other genetic disease.

Every little bit helps!

Thank you!

More Information:

• More information about Cystic Fibrosis and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• Medications and Therapies currently undergoing testing
• Wikipedia article about Cystic Fibrosis

I believe I set a new record at work for 'Most emails from one client in a 48-hour period' -- in the last two days I received 26 emails from a client about one project.

A gift is more than a loan. A loan, you only owe money; a gift, you owe honor.