<p>I have heard no gnashing of teeth coming from the South Bay. I hope that means that Mootson and GF are on their Jack Kerouac-ish way. To be joined, of course, by SBMom on her Merry Prankster-ish way to Burning Man.</p>
<p>For Mootmom…</p>
<p><a href=“http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/fun/zits.asp[/url]”>http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/fun/zits.asp</a></p>
<p>sjmom, I came on just now to link that cartoon for Moot! Good job. :)</p>
<p>Y’all beat me to that comic! 
Thought of you today - how goes the van packing?</p>
<p>It RUNS!! :D</p>
<p>They’re off picking up some break fluid, ice for the cooler, and a boombox for tunes… IN THE VAN! Everything is packed except the jack and some of the tools which will go in last, and then it’s time for a shower and hugs all 'round and then… they’re off!</p>
<p>Anyone want me to post the video of them driving out of the driveway? If I do, link available upon request. :)</p>
<p>As soon as I saw Zits this morning, I was howling. Talk about timing, LOL!! S read it and laughed harder than I’ve heard in a long time, then turned and said, “But I don’t agree with the last panel.” (Just what a supportive mom wanted to hear, trust me.)</p>
<p>I’ll post an update when they’re finally on the road… and now I can’t wait to hear from weenie!</p>
<p>Sounds like your S is a mechanical genious–must take after you! Congrats to him & GF! What an exciting way to start their college adventures & so glad they joined AAA.</p>
<p>I’m quiet on the board because I’m too angry at my not-yet-packing-room-is-still-a-mess Son to even talk about him. I saw my parents today (who still believe their grandson can do no wrong)… and even screamed at them when they tried to talk to me ABOUT him! But I did do an errand for him today, and picked up a Leatherman Tool he really wanted… and I HID it! I told him, that in spite of the fact he paid for it, he cannot have it till I see some progress in what I expect of him. Enough is enough.</p>
<p>Can they pack the heater in the car so they have it when they get here? Currently 60 degrees and raining. :(</p>
<p>mootmom, your post brings back memories of when I was in college and rebuitl the engine of my car one summer. Much later, I learned that my own father had a bet with a neighbor about whether it would run when I was done. And he bet against me.</p>
<p>He lost. Started first try with no problems, and drove it 10 more years with no engine problems at all. Oil pressure went from 15 lb or so pre-rebuilt, and that was with heavy oil and STP, to 60 lb (pressure limit) where it held for years. Also bored out, put high compression pistons etc. It was great…</p>
<p>Remember I mentioned that we dropped D off in California two weeks ago? And the fact that she only started packing about 3 hours before we had to leave for the airport?</p>
<p>Well, is my jaw dropping. My S just asked me if we were planning to take him out for a farewell dinner before he leaves for his senior year on Saturday. I said of course. So he said, could we please schedule it before Friday, since he’ll be busy packing most of Friday, to make sure everything is done by Friday evening.</p>
<p>I’m in shock. What a difference 3 years makes. Actual - dare I breathe the word? - PLANNING. It’s unbelievable.</p>
<p>Mootmom: Good luck to your son! What a guy! We can’t fix anything on a car. Post/send links!</p>
<p>Well, we made it. When I got up at 6:00AM Saturday there was a LOT of stuff in the van and my son was in the shower (did he ever sleep???). He declared that he was “all set.” I have not even been in his room yet to see what condition that was left in…</p>
<p>Move in went well. It’s different for “upperclassmen” than freshmen, isn’t it? I wasn’t nearly as sad either.</p>
<p>He is so happy to be back at school. It’s such a good feeling.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for sharing in the nail-biting. :)</p>
<p>Now, if I can just find a school for son #2…</p>
<p>My son called today from college & asked a few questions & then hung up before we had a chance to do more than provide a few answers. I called back & hubby scolded him for hanging up & told him he needs to be a bit more cooperative & forthcoming (but neither of us is holding our breath on this). He did speak for a bit to my D & then she told him she was hanging up so she could eat lunch (he was eating pizza at 2:45pm CA time). I told D I wonder what meal that is & D promptly said, “lunch.” She’s probably right.</p>
<p>:) CONGRATULATIONS!!! </p>
<p>Yes, I want links, photos, and video! Also want the update as they make it across the country.</p>
<p>Me too!!! How long will it take them btw?</p>
<p>Need photos now, Mootie!</p>
<p>Well, a problem developed that may be nothing, or may be a real problem. When connecting the battery terminals for the final time (and I mean, like, last thing before driving out the driveway), he put them on… backwards. :eek: There was a bit of smoke and smell, and lots of cussing. This error might have damaged the alternator, which is used to recharge the battery while the car is driving. Since it’s Sun. afternoon, no specialty parts places were open, but the Kragen Auto Parts store guy said it “might” have caused a problem. Uncle Henry who knows everything about engines was not available, so they elected to purchase a replacement battery on the way out of town and keep it around to swap in if the other one dies, and only go as far tonight as Reno, NV, where there are likely to be repair places and parts stores open tomorrow morning. I’ll call the master VW repair guys at the store he’s been working with here first thing tomorrow morning and give him a call to relay the word about whether they ought to replace or pray.</p>
<p>They’re on the way. They’ve got 8 days scheduled for the trip, including today which is somewhat abbreviated. They’ve promised to call the moms at least once a day and preferably twice. And they looked so excited and so happy. There’s still a chance we’ll get a call tomorrow saying it’s dead somewhere and they’re going to fly back, but maybe not. I am, of course, hoping for the best. Thanks for sharing the experience so far, and I’ll post once I have somewhere to link some photos and videos. (I’ll be blogging it for sure.)</p>
<p>weenie: he probably DIDN’T sleep! Sleep is for the weak, didn’t you know? 
Glad to hear all went well after all… even if it’s not the way we might do it.</p>
<p>Hayden: Just wondering how the drop-off in California/USC went…I recall you were not looking forward to heading west…</p>
<p>Thanks for asking, blucroo. Nothing has quite the storyline as mootmom’s, but I’ll share a little. Reader alert: nothing really cleve or funny follows. Just plain old stuff!</p>
<p>Since it seems my posts are usually questions, I’ll stay with the usual format:</p>
<p>1) Why are 99.9% of the Trojan females size two’s? It made me feel really old just looking at them. They could fit through a keyhole, with room left over for the key. I hope it’s health food rather than Hollywood craziness.</p>
<p>2) My D is on the top floor of a dorm without elevators. How on God’s green earth do they expect people to lug huge trunks and suitcases up all those stairs. I was terrified my H would have a heart attack. Or someone else would. Some of the dads were really angry. If it’s dangerous for a man in his 50’s to shovel snow off the walk, why is it okay to strain under a 70 pound trunk up 4 flights of stairs??? Or is USC just trying to drum up business for their medical school? (USC - try hiring some of your upperclassmen for the day. At the cost of your tuition, I think you could spring for it.)</p>
<p>3) USC continues to strike me as the friendliest campus we’ve ever been on. If you pause and look puzzled for more than 20 seconds, someone stops to ask if you need help. We continue to be impressed!</p>
<p>4) Most dorms, like hotels, have signs on the inside saying what to do in case of fire. USC’s have another set of instructions - what to do in case of earthquake. Yikes. Not like we didn’t know, but it sure brought it home. (Remember the top floor thing?)</p>
<p>Daughter got unpacked, mostly by herself. We spent the day together, and both hid a little welling up when we parted. </p>
<p>Interesting side note: At LAX as we were going through security, the person going through in front of me had a liter of water sloshing around in a bottle. But no, you say, that’s not allowed. Well, that’s what I thought. She put the bottle - in plain sight - in one of those plastic box thingies to go through the x-ray. One large, full liter full of water. You guessed it - it went right through. I asked the security person if the rules had changed so we could bring water bottles through security. He said absolutely not - I have to turn mine over immediately. When I replied it wasn’t me, but the person in front of me just went through with a full bottle, the TSA agent suddenly got really annoyed and said "well what do you want me to do about it? " Hhhhmmmm. That’s a good question. What should I have answered?</p>
<p>Hayden:</p>
<p>S was on the 4th floor of a dorm without elevator last year, too! Built in the 70s, so there’s no excuse.</p>
<p>As for the water bottle, I think the TSA agent followed the “don’t ask, don’t tell” motto. :(</p>
<p>Oh, and glad that the move-in was otherwise smooth!</p>
<p>Hayden, I wouldn’t worry about earthquakes, if I were you. I’m sure the dorms at SC are built to earthquake standards, and most earthquakes aren’t that serious anyway. By the way, one of my sister’s is a USC alum, and still has wonderful memories of her time there.</p>