lady_karelia

So, it's not enough that I'm being drawn back into this particular reality which I left so happily when Dorkboy was home most of the time, oh no. I happily went about my chores tonight after dropping the kidlets off to self-defence; grocery shopping, popping into the music store to pick up some sheet music (yeah, it's that. why do you ask?), then finally parked the car at Starbucks, bought a very.strong.coffee and sat down to write. Outside. It was glorious. Warm, but not hot, and, well, simply glorious. Managed about 1k words by hand, finishing the chapter. I felt rather accomplished. So, ten minutes before self-def. class was over, the chapter completed, I opened the car, got inside, put the key in the ignition, turned. *click* Lights went out. I tried again. No click, but lights still off.

It was dark by then; youngest had taken out the torch a while ago and never put it back, and my lighter wasn't being very efficient to find the %^&* number for the roadside assistance. So I phoned DB and whined. Poor guy. He's been working 10-hour days away from home, and then he had to put up with his whingey wife. He found me the number, which I phoned, only to be told that the policy number (the roadside assistance is linked to the car insurance) wasn't correct, but at least they transferred me to some other department where I successfully got the correct number. They then transferred me back to the roadside assistance, who, after taking down all the details (and confirming them) informed me that the assistance expired four weeks ago. *deep sigh*

Meantime, kidlets turned up with two of our friends, Ri and Ry. While DB sorted out the "expiry" (which wasn't), the guys tried to jump-start the car. No deal. Just rapid clicks whenever they tried to turn the key. Eventually, roadside assistance was being very helpful, offering all sorts of stuff (how to get home from the garage to which the car was to be taken by giving me variety of cab numbers, suggesting to ask whoever would tow the car there to give us a ride etc). Later, the tow truck arrived, had some magical device to make the battery work. Srsly, it was magic. Half an hour of charging it from Ri's car didn't do fuck all, the guy put his magical device on the battery, and the car started! I nearly worshiped him.

Then, worship-worthy guy told me it would work out cheaper for me if I simply went to the 24-hour-open Auto Zone and have the battery replaced there rather than having the car towed to the garage who would charge who knows what. I almost worshiped him.

Then he gave me directions how to get to the nearest Auto Zone, and I kinda lost it. I mean, I don't know Memphis well, really. But Ri and Ry jumped in and said they'd follow me and make sure I'd get there. Now, I nearly worshiped Ri and Ry.

So, we got a new battery. It looks like that was the problem. Not that it gave me any warning whatsoever, and I'm not pleased, honestly. I guess I'll find out soon enough. And about four hours after our usual time, we finally got home. Mr Tatoo-head who drove the tow truck deserves a medal. Ri and Ry deserve medals, too.

I have a few betas to do. Will get to it sometime tomorrow. No way was I going to concentrate on anything tonight. Surfing iTunes was fun, though. ;)