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Woe! For I am a wuss and a girl ...
Jul. 11th, 2006 08:23 amOMG! So, yesterday, when I wasn't even looking, life slapped me upside the head. Again. Tragedy struck as I made the afternoon commute from work to the gym. I remembered to bring my gym bag to work WITH clothes actually in it so there was no excuse not to get my dailey dose of cardio which I desperately need if I'm ever going to drop that remaining 10lbs before Mexico and don a bikini.
There I was listening to the radio and semi-dreading the upcoming 45 minutes on the elliptical machine, thinking about my poor knees and whether I should do a hill climb (great for the ass and thighs) or just cross train, when suddenly I lost all compression. As I crossed the intersection at Willow and Palo Verde, my car's get-up-and-go got up and went
Then.
I heard a clunk and I watched in horror as the engine light blinked on! Then the oil light and then the battery light and I was fucked.
Luckily, God, the universe, and all of the powers that be were watching out for me because there was NO TRAFFIC to speak of as I drifted across three lanes and managed to swerve past a bicylist and into the parking lot of St. Gregory's Episopal Church. It's a sign, yo!
I kissed my blessed beads, said a prayer of thanks and tried to start my engine. It resisted rather noisely and I, usually so level-headed and solutions oriented, panicked.
The little light on my dashboard said "check engine" so I took a peek and sure enough it was there. It hadn't fallen out. There was no smoke, no scars, nothing looked like it had been stolen. All looked rather serene beneath the hood of my car. What I was supposed to do after that? No Idea. None at all or whatsoever.
I called my dear Tex and totally lost it. My car was dead and I was stranded in an empty church parking lot. I had no idea of what to do. And then, horror of horrors, I said: "Oh, my god, I am so going to cry right now", and proceeded to burst into boo-hoo's.
Tex told me not to cry and that she was on her way with manly, capable, automotive inclined male-type peoples in tow. I was so grateful. Because, me? Clueless. Absolutely clueless. I am NEVER clueless. I have an opinion about everything, a plan of action. I will get it done! Yesterday? Totally lost.
I have since resolved to take a class on cars because dude, the feeling of complete and utter helplessness? Not so much fun. Nope. Not at all.
After much poking, prodding the general consensus reached by Tex's brother and her other guy pal is that a particular computer component went out, either that or the timing belt but there is evidence that it's not the timing belt. The mechanic, consulted via phone (YAY for cell phones), agreed and is taking a look at Betty today. I'll have an answer later on. Until then I wait with bated breath and crossed fingers that this doesn't cost me both arms and both legs. Because right now all I can really afford is maybe a few toes.
There I was listening to the radio and semi-dreading the upcoming 45 minutes on the elliptical machine, thinking about my poor knees and whether I should do a hill climb (great for the ass and thighs) or just cross train, when suddenly I lost all compression. As I crossed the intersection at Willow and Palo Verde, my car's get-up-and-go got up and went
Then.
I heard a clunk and I watched in horror as the engine light blinked on! Then the oil light and then the battery light and I was fucked.
Luckily, God, the universe, and all of the powers that be were watching out for me because there was NO TRAFFIC to speak of as I drifted across three lanes and managed to swerve past a bicylist and into the parking lot of St. Gregory's Episopal Church. It's a sign, yo!
I kissed my blessed beads, said a prayer of thanks and tried to start my engine. It resisted rather noisely and I, usually so level-headed and solutions oriented, panicked.
The little light on my dashboard said "check engine" so I took a peek and sure enough it was there. It hadn't fallen out. There was no smoke, no scars, nothing looked like it had been stolen. All looked rather serene beneath the hood of my car. What I was supposed to do after that? No Idea. None at all or whatsoever.
I called my dear Tex and totally lost it. My car was dead and I was stranded in an empty church parking lot. I had no idea of what to do. And then, horror of horrors, I said: "Oh, my god, I am so going to cry right now", and proceeded to burst into boo-hoo's.
Tex told me not to cry and that she was on her way with manly, capable, automotive inclined male-type peoples in tow. I was so grateful. Because, me? Clueless. Absolutely clueless. I am NEVER clueless. I have an opinion about everything, a plan of action. I will get it done! Yesterday? Totally lost.
I have since resolved to take a class on cars because dude, the feeling of complete and utter helplessness? Not so much fun. Nope. Not at all.
After much poking, prodding the general consensus reached by Tex's brother and her other guy pal is that a particular computer component went out, either that or the timing belt but there is evidence that it's not the timing belt. The mechanic, consulted via phone (YAY for cell phones), agreed and is taking a look at Betty today. I'll have an answer later on. Until then I wait with bated breath and crossed fingers that this doesn't cost me both arms and both legs. Because right now all I can really afford is maybe a few toes.
