Close Call

I thought the most exciting thing that would happen to me this weekend is that I would actually drive for over an hour on my own. That hasn't happened since the summer after my junior year of undergrad, I think.

And although I continue to make an @ss of myself by continuing to assume things. It just goes to show you that life might decide to hand you a sour lemon for you to make limoncello out of some days.

Case in point...

Drove out to San Ramon area to see Billy (post-Singapore assignment) and had to have my car jumped again by AAA. (ps: this guy was friendly and came within 15 minutes of my initial call, but not as nice as the first guy) This time it took a few tries to jump the engine and he suggested that I get the car checked out. I really thought it was just that I hadn't driven it enough the previous jump.

Drove on out to East Bay, no problems. Looking back, I realize just how lucky I was. I volunteered to drive us to lunch, but when we got in the car the door barely unlocked and while the car would turn on, there wasn't enough power to turn it off.

Most dealer service department's aren't open on Sundays. So we opted to drive to the dealership after lunch and ask if we could have the car towed to dealership and then Billy would help me deal with it after work on Monday. I couldn't leave the car in front of Billy's house, because at this point, the car door will no longer lock. Wasn't sure what I was going to do if dealership said no. After ordering I had the brilliant idea of looking up the phone number to the dealership via my Verizon Navigator (best $ I ever spent).

Turns out this particular dealership was OPEN on Sundays. They suggested I get it jumped by AAA (Billy graciously used his membership). I followed his car there. We were met by Levi (Awesomely nice) who I had spoken to on the phone and he said it was likely the car battery (not the hybrid battery). He thought that he could have it replaced if that was the problem by Tuesday. Billy offered to drive me home and then pick me up from Dublin's BART station on Tuesday after work to pick up the car. Shortly after we left the dealership, Levi called and said, they had tested the battery. It was completely dead; he was amazed I hadn't just stopped in the middle of the road. I was told I could pick it up in 45 minutes with a new battery. Just like that.
I drove my newly charged Prius to visit the Chevron CEO station (CEO lives nearby) where Billy is currently training.

I also tried to buy shampoo and while the doors to the salon were open, they were closed for business on Sunday. Foiled again. ...It's a long story, but Erin knows. :) It was really the only blemish in what could have been an atrocious day. I met a Shanghainese handyman. I went to 99 Ranch and Costco and had Vietnamese for lunch.... oh yeah, and drove home successfully.

Billy was a great help... and again I have to thank IMC. During the car drama, Billy actually commented twice on how well I was dealing with the whole situation. Pre-IMC, forget it, drama-city.

Oh and just keeping count of the mis-adventures Billy and I have been on now...
1. Dead Prius
2. Italy or bust... apparently bust (in this case) and now I have way more AA miles than I will ever need
3. British Airways strike while Billy and I are in London (thus affecting American Airlines standby oppty's) R
4. 6 hour ride with Anne on NJ Transit from Philly to NYC in the dead of winter, during a "convince Billy to love NYC as much as Anne and I do trip" Oh and then the theater we went to had no heat. Yup, that was just the cherry on top of the freakin' frozen sundae.

And while each of these incidents were not the most pleasant memories, I've been glad that Billy's been there by my side for each one...