The Joys of Home Ownership

Our air conditioner just took a big shit on us.
I just had it serviced in July, but now it's dead.
Probably $2-3k to replace.
Luckily, it's fall, and we can wait a few months to decide what course to take.
I should have realized that big greasy puddle was not a good sign.
The thing is, like, 25 years old, so it still deserves a bit of respect.
Great, now I'm respecting inanimate (and non-functioning) objects.
But, still, not authority.