So. Yesterday, I had to work late. Well, I don't suppose I had to but I did. I left the building about 7:30 and as I approached my car in the garage I thought that the front tire on the driver's side looked a bit low. The thing is, I almost always think the tires on the car look low. They're skinny tires. Or something. See that photo taken shortly after I bought the car? Do you see what I mean? Doesn't the tire look a little flat? Somehow, it looked more flat than usual, though. So, I got my pressure gauge out and lo...15 psi. Not good. So, I called Mr. Rescue and reported the problem. After answering an astounding number of questions describing my exact location (it's rather surprising that I wasn't required to get a GPS reading from a passerby and have it notarized before they'd agree to send some help my way!), I was told the wait would be about 45 minutes. I decided this would be the perfect chance to read a bit.
By the way, in answer to your first question: yes. I'm perfectly able to change the tire myself and probably would've been on my way in 20 or 30 minutes if I'd done so. But, I pay for the rescue service; it's part of my cell phone contract. I figure I might as well take advantage of it. Why get all dirty when I can just relax and read a book?
And, in answer to your second question: I'm currently reading Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler which Larry gave me for Christmas. At least, I think it was for Christmas. It might've been Birthday 2002. So far, it's a good read. Thanks, kiddo!
Anyway, about 5 minutes after my rescue was due to arrive, I got a call saying he'd been diverted to the mall where a child was trapped in a car. Okay. I suppose that probably is just a wee bit more important than changing my tire. It only took about 10 minutes for the backup to arrive, though. He quickly got to work and had me on my way in another 10 minutes or so. Despite the chance to get in some reading time, I have to admit that I was rather put out about the whole thing. Suddenly, it was 9 o'clock and I realized I still hadn't even had a chance to eat dinner. Then I got home and heard about the power failure in the northeast. Okay. Nevermind my little bit of inconvenience. No problem. I, in fact, had electricity. And, safe water that didn't need to be boiled. And, all the usual niceties of everyday life. Not like those tens of millions of people in New York and Detroit and Cleveland and Toronto and...
Nevermind, indeed.
I got the flat fixed this morning on my way to work. I stopped in at Walker Tire Company (best business motto on the planet: "If It's In Stock, We've Got It!") and about 20 minutes later, the donut was back in the spare tire well and the "real" tire was back where it belonged. They pulled a 2-inch nail out of it. No telling where that came from. All better now, though.
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