Tuesday, December 16, 2008

I have gone 5 days without my car!

I usually use my car less on the weekends just because I choose to walk or take public transportation to lessen my carbon foot print and tree hug my way to heavan. But last Thursday during that rain storm on the way home from work my gas pedal's cable broke. Now the feeling of one minute being in control then the next having none is always unsettling. But this was a new feeling, a more "wtf" to do now kind of feeling! And since I was on my phone with my sister when this happened. I just got off the phone and applied the brake to stop my car and then jumped out and started to push it to the side of the road. This of course is tricky since your pushing and steering at the same time from the driver side door. Here is when my faith in humanity was redeemed. As I was pushing my car off to the side, a older gentleman appeared from his office and began to assist me. Remember its pouring out and freezing cold at rush hour. He began to help push my car into a bus zone then went off and got more help from his office. Then in case I didn't already have an abundence of heroes. Another man appeared to move his car from the metered spot just next to the bus zone so that I could legally park!!! And when I did not have enough change in my purse to fill the meter so I wouldn't get a ticket my original hero hauled out one of those meter cards and filled my meter!!! I believe I cried a bit but you couldn't tell since as I have mentioned it was pouring out! Well, the next morning I joined AAA and organized my car to be transported via a flatbed tow truck, to my garage which is 4 blocks away from where I broke down. And after what felt like 12 hours the mechanic called me to give me the good and the bad news. The good news was it was going to be a cheap and easy fix. Yeah! The bad news the part won't be in till Tuesday... this was Friday morning. I found this a little hard to believe. Why on Earth would it take 5 days to get the part in? I live in the 6th largest city in the USof A! 5 days really? So, after a yoga style deep breath. I said "Thank you" and walked to work. And I did it again on Saturday. And on Sunday I walked all over town with my friend. It was great...I went to Chinatown for dinner then had coffee and dessert by City hall. Then walked into Macy's for the Christmas light show. And here it is 5 days later my legs are a little sore but I feel great. So, park your car people take the 5 day challenge. I dare you! Its a win/win situation. The planet needs us all to ease off the gas pedal. You'll meet great people walking on the road. I promise ;)