Printer Problems - Machine Error 41

For the record, I rarely print anything. 95% of my communication is done via email, text messaging, web posts, etc - it's a rare occasion to print or need something to be printed. Murphey's Law, I needed to print something just now and fax it somewhere immediately and my printer just took a crap.

"Machine Error 41, unplug machine and then call Brother" - what kind of crap is that? Unplug it, reset it, hit it a few times and nothing, still the same stupid error. I attempt to navigate Brother's website and cannot find a toll free number to call them so I call an authorized dealer; surprise, they have no clue what the problem is but they will call me back.

As I sit and google the possibilities of Machine Error 41, my hopes of repairing this machine today have gone from hopeful to a scene pictured from the movie Office Space, where me, myself and I will be pulling a beatdown on the printer with a bat to the tune of 2Pac.

A few annoying phone calls later I've learned the printer head needs to be replaced. Now, this machine has ripped me off on ink for 3+ years and now the printer head just craps out.... for no good reason! $65 for the labor to replace the part and $50 for the part - I think I can buy a new printer for that much, right?

Car Problems

I know there is someone out that there that can back me up on this - why does your car take a shit at the worst possible time EVER? You never get a speeding ticket when you aren't already late for something - you never get a flat tire when it's daytime - you never have car problems when you can afford to fix them...

I've driven the same PIECE OF GARBAGE for almost four years. I've sacrificed the minor luxuries of life, such as air conditioning (yes, it's over 90 degrees today), power windows, power door locks, a cd player or automatic transmission - who needs those things? Overrated, right? I've gone without these fine automotive advancements in an effort to save money, start a business and travel. BUT, the straw has broken the camels back...

This vehicle only has 76k miles on it and I haven't had any major problems since I first bought it (then immediately afterwards had to spend $1200 on a head gasket replacement) but of course, just as the money crunch after the wedding gets a little tighter, the car begins this terrible clunking.

After visits to three different auto shops I finally learn the true meaning of irony (considering the first paragraph of this post) that the timing belt is about snap. It's frayed and almost fallen off one of the tensioners. I leave the car and it gets fixed the next day. Chalk one more charge on the credit card and move on...

Some would say it's time to get a new car... but who wants to spend all that money to drive a car off the lot and have it lose 80% of it's value. Arrgggg!!