Get (un)Lucky...

I am not one of those people who believe in luck (or unluckiness for that matter). So, simply claiming that "I'm just having bad luck this week" feels weird to me, mostly because I'd probably feel more comfortable looking for structural or symbolic explanations that make sense to me by the fact it would be tangible, not simply some idea of an outside operating force making or breaking my day.

After this preface, I have to say...I've had the worst f'ing luck the last few weeks. My entire life feels like a snow globe that someone shook violently and set down to see where the pieces fall. Okay, yes, dramatic, but there have been a string of events lately that have made me less than thrilled with my current state of affairs.

What could possibly have driven me to believe in luck?

Driving home today from a lovely lunch with two of my favorite people in the world (Eric and Stephanie), my 13 year old truck decided to overheat. Not only did it overheat, but right at the emergency exit I was making, it completely stalled. It was so unbelievably hot that my truck just stopped. That's it, no more. The steerving wheel locked up and the brake stopped working. So, there I was, off of Interstate 85 outside of Charlotte with a smoking engine in what felt like 100 degree weather. And when I woke up this morning, I make a fatal flaw in wardrobe selection. I hadn't a clue I would be standing outside my car on the interstate in the heat. Jeans were not a good choice.


Luckily the world is designed where if you plan in advance for emergencies and have a little savings, you can mostly avoid asking anyone for help. This makes me very happy. I called AAA (which if you don't have, trust me, I now fully endorse...Larry was a godsend) and they sent a tow truck and planned for me to have it fixed at one of their car centers. It was so simple, really. Almost too simple.

And I also can't say enough about how friendly folks are in Charlotte. I had two homeless men, a truck driver, and several passing male motorists stop to ask if I needed help. Awww, the ol' damsel in distress act. Apparently I offended one of the my rescuers, as he said, "geez, I was just trying to help you" and slouched all the way back to the intersection and continued to ask my other rescuers for spare change. Is it so offensive that a single woman might be able to take care of herself on the side of the road?

The last couple of hours have been filled with absolutely torturous waiting. I was sure my engine was blown. I was sure I'd have to give up my truck. I don't want to do this. I love that truck.

Finally, Bob from the car center called me...And I'm getting out for 350 dollars. After reviewing my accounts to see if I could scare up 3K to rebuild the engine, 350 sounds like pocket change. I'll be back with vehicle tomorrow (if all goes well). Maybe I should even treat my truck by cleaning it out...perhaps it'll be bring good luck.

And oh yeah, during my wonderful walk through the mean streets of Dilworth this morning, the song "I Wanna Be Ignored" by Ezra Furman and The Harpoons played on my iPod. As you know, I absolutely adore Ezra Furman and all the Harpoons. They are delightful. Here's another video to enjoy. They make me feel better.