SO I got on the road late for my lunch date.
20 minutes late.
Got to the exit I was supposed to take to get to my girlyfriend’s house, and realized….this looks absolutely NOTHING like what she described. Drive around a bit, call her cell, send a text – nada. (Realize later that I knew her cell was broken, so shrug it off and move on, hoping and praying that she’s already left for the restaurant.)
Driving in traffic, letting my friend know what was up and where I was? Now THAT was a priceless experience. I think I memorized the alphabet keypad trying to text & drive. (Hush, yes I know it was dangerous. I did most of my replying at stoplights.)
Got to the shopping center the restaurant was in (only 20 minutes late woohoo!), and this sucker is HUGE!!!!! I drove around *it* for a good 5 minutes trying to find the restaurant. Finally get the restaurant to answer the phone, find it, and park the van.
Get hugs from my girliez, and realize….I suddenly know what Lurch must’ve felt like. Those wimmins were TINY!
I might be exaggerating just a tad.
Pictures were taken (including one of me with my finger MIGHTILY close to booger-pickin status. It’s a trademark shot. Yes, I’m THAT stoopid. Shup.)
The food was delicious, the company was even better, and we sat there chatting for a good 2 hours after we were through eating.
I did manage to make a dork out of myself….NB’s batteries died, so I handed her mine. And then asked for ‘em back at the end of the event. *blinks*
They’re rechargeable, and the DESIGNATED camera batteries. As in – I stopped buying AA batteries until every stinkin battery-using toy has dead batteries in it.
Said our g’byes, and I hopped on the highway home.
12 miles from home, the van started sputtering. I pulled over into the emergency lane JUST as the engine died. Whip out my trusty Tracfone and realize….all the times I called the restaurant for directions I was roaming – I officially have one minute left on the phone. OK – good news – they charge 0.3 per minute for sending a text. I’ll just send a text to Mom…..no wait. Mom doesn’t understand text messaging. I’ll send a text to my daughter with my location, and hope she reads the text verbatim to Mom.
The good news is, she did.
The bad news is – she didn’t text me back acknowledging that she’d talked to Mom.
I waited for another 5 minutes, then tried to start the engine.
Waited another 5 minutes, and it started just fine. White-knuckled it the remaining 12 miles home, walked in the door only to be confronted by Dad.
What’s wrong with your van?
I don’t know, Dad. It sputtered and died on the side of the highway.
Did you check the radiator and oil before you left?
Dad, you DO realize I’ve just driven a 2 1/2 hour round trip – 4 hours total, right?
So that means you DIDN’T check?
No, that means that I’ve been on the road 4 hours. Anything I might have checked this morning COULD POSSIBLY be jacked up.
*stompstompstomp* The next time you take off like that, check your van, or at least SAY somethin to somebody so I can check it FOR you. Now go pop your hood.
Dad, the hood is popped – but I’m telling you….
Check the oil.
See? Quart low – nothing that would cause it to….
Back up, let me check the radiator.
Dad? The aux water tank is full. Wouldn’t it….
Tell me what happened again.
*re-iterated story*
Wellllllll…..You need to put a quart of oil in your van right now.
D’ya mind if I wait until the engine cools a bit more? It IS hot, y’know.
Do it NOW.
AlllllllllRIGHTY then.
Now, the next time you TAKE OFF like that, you need to check your oil and water, and put a gallon of water and a quart of oil in your van. I’ve gotta go.
Good times, goooooooooood times 