Today is Inconvenience Yourself Day, and while I didn't do it intentionally, I did manage to inconvenience myself. This afternoon I had planned to go grocery shopping. A few weeks ago I bragged to a friend about how reliable my little blue Fiat is. I should have known better. Truly, it had been very reliable. Never a problem starting it, even if I hadn't driven it in two or three weeks, which happened a lot this past year. However today was the end of that enviable record. I loaded my cart and my bags in the car, and some books to return to the library, and confidently slid in behind the wheel. I put the key in the ignition (no, I don't have a fancy keyless system) and turned it. All the usual lights on the dashboard came on including a new one that seemed to be trying to tell me something about my battery. I really didn't need a little flashing symbol. The fact that it was DEAD was very obvious. Not even a groan or a whimper, just silence, lots of silence. I've lived here for 5 years and have wondered occasionally how someone from AAA would get to my car in the underground parking garage if I ever needed help. Well now I know. The nice man from AAA hopped out of his big tow truck, which would never make it through the garage entrance, toting his handy dandy battery pack (about the size of a brief case, but blue and with wires). We walked down into the garage, he jump started my car, after cleverly figuring out how to pop the hood, and hurried off to rescue the next person on his list. I did not risk turning the car off but instead drove directly to my dealership where they checked everything out and cheerfully sold me a new battery. Since the car is six years old that didn't really surprise me. They also checked my tire pressure and gave me a 'free' car wash so, all in all, not a bad afternoon. I'll try for the grocery store tomorrow which happens to be National Clam Chowder Day. I will add that to my shopping list.
No comments:
Post a Comment