wth happened?

[cre]

Well, the thermostat could have stuck... if that happens again I'd replace it (if they didn't just do that today).

The temp gauge on our cars doesn't and shouldn't move a whole lot. Once it reaches normal operating temp you shouldn't ever really see it move a lot unless you are really pounding on the car. The needle shouldn't be higher or lower while sitting at a stop light than it is while driving down the highway. I thoroughly dislike the way the stock gauge works, but I suppose they did it that way so people aren't always freaking out.