The lease on my SLK is up at the beginning of March.   After a long love/hate relationship with it, it's going back to those that created it and into the hands of some unlucky new owner.    After fretting for a while, I have finally decided on a new car to replace it.    I'm sure everyone will say I am crazy after the horrific experience I have had with my SLK but... I still like it.     So I have decided on an 09 SLK :)   Believe it or not, the SLK is supposed to be a VERY reliable car.   I guess I just got a lemon or something.  

I had pretty much ruled out the SLK but the upgrades for the 09 are pretty extensive and were enough to sway me from my other options (Audi TT, Used SL500, BMW etc.)    For 09,  the new car gets  300+hp (up from 263), a new electronics package and some other option changes.   Also the car has been refreshed inside and out with new front and rear fascia's and revised instruments.    After getting a pretty decent deal, I decided to pull the trigger and order one this morning.   Here is what I ordered.

2009 Mercedes SLK

• Orion Blue (I have 3 weeks to change my mind)
• Premium Beige Leather - Supposedly this is an upgraded leather and looks a bit different inside.
• Premium Package - You know...all the toys
• Lighting Package - Bi-Xenon Lighting and some other stuff.
• Multimedia Package- The new electronics package is great.  It now plays MP3 on any disk in the changer so I can pack 64gb of music in there.    Also, it' plays DVD video and audio.   Sounds like a fun toy.
• AMG Sport Package - Without this this car just doesn't do it for me.
• Heating Package - AirScarf, heated seats etc.    I can't believe this isn't in all convertibles.

That's pretty much it.   It's going to be  built in march sometime so I  guess this will be my birthday present to myself :)

I know...I know.   I haven't posted in AGES.    I suck.    Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, work, projects and pictures,  I just didn't feel like it.    I have no excuse but after an up and down year, I was pretty much just ready for it to be over.

So, recently my company decided to change it's vacation policy (grrr!!!) to basically eliminate my accrued vacation over the next year or so.   For me, that adds up to about 6 months of accrued vacation which I need to now burn as fast I can.   I had always trusted that they would "make it right" but well, that didn't exactly happen.   "So what" you say.   Well for someone that actually likes their job just taking off a HUGE amount of time isn't as easy or fun as is sounds (yeah, yeah, I know what your thinking)  So since October,  I have been taking off as many days as I could.     It was all good for a little while and I got a PILE of projects done around the house.    But then one day..... I ran out of projects and  got bored.   If you are like me, running out of projects is just depressing.    Next thing you know it's cold and I was into the a "blah" end of the year.

But now it's a new year.   A time for new plans and new thoughts.    I haven't given up on last years goals  but each new year for me brings new goals to strive for.   Here are my belated goals for the new year. 

• First ...to be a better friend.   I know a lot of great people and hope this year to let them know how great they are.   
• Second.... learn to play this piano.   I did ok for a few months but as the year got "ugh" I kind of quit practicing.  
• Third....to.not get so frustrated at work.   I guess I really care (cared?) about my work and when I see things I don't agree with I really let it get to me.    I guess I should realize it's "just a job" and in the end... other things matter much more. 
• Fourth...stop using bulleted lists all the time :)
• Finally,  I resolve to be happy.   Life has it's ups and downs but I will greet each day with a smile and see if I can't help a few others with their smile too.

It's a new year, there are lots of new gadgets coming, I need a new car and all in all.... there are lots of things to look forward to in 2008.