TWENTY-FIVE CENT FRIDAY

I started my new job at CCG Howells on Friday the 13th and I think every Friday since has been cursed. Don't get me wrong, I like my new job, it's just had some odd Fridays. Take last week for example...

taken on my way to work one morning, walking from the train stop. 

my office is just to the right of the rio grande.

I was asked to deliver reminder invitations for this big Haworth event we hosted on Wednesday. The morning was crazy busy, trying to get fabrics selected, orders finalized, proposals signed, etc... so it got put off until about 3:30. At that point, I was told to take my car, record my mileage, get as many delivered before 5:00 and then just head home from there. Sounded like a good plan to me!

I had my list of about a dozen places and headed downtown to begin. You must understand one thing...I don't really know my way around Salt Lake. Sure, the streets are numbered and whatnot, but that doesn't make it too much easier. There are one ways, lanes that automatically turn into turning lanes or end completely. I hadn't gone more than a mile to my first destination when I came upon it suddenly and realized it had backwards street parking, you know the kind that are opposite the way of traffic that you have to back into? Yeah, those. 

Since I came upon it so quickly and there was a car on my tail, I couldn't slam on my brakes and back up. Frustrated, I drove by and noted that I'd go back on Monday. 

So, I head to my next stop...same deal, except every parking spot was taken! Noted again, I drove by. By this point I decided to go to Trolley Square to Lisman Studios, a place I had interviewed at before this new job, so I knew right where it was. I turned up my music and tried to shake the frustration away. 

I parked, climbed the three flights of stairs and entered coming face to face with LaMar and the receptionist, both of whom I met for my interview. I tried to act natural since some feelings of rejection are still a little there, and stretched out my arm to give her the reminders. She then said, "Oh, Carey already came by and delivered those to us." Surprised, I said something stupid like, "oh, okay, well, did everyone get one that wanted one? I have lots..." and they both just looked at me. After seconds of awkward silence I just said thanks and walked out.

When I got back to my car I decided to check my front right tire since I had noticed the car being pulled that way a little. It was low. I knew I needed to find a gas station and get it filled up soon. I got onto 5th south knowing there had to be some stations on that street as I headed out to the freeway. Sure enough...but there were only two and both on the opposite side of the street that I was on. Again, I was being tailed (Utah!!) and couldn't swerve into the other lane because of another car. I said a little prayer and got on the freeway and headed south.

I made it to a station near my brother-in-law's house and pulled up to the air machine. I twisted the cap and attached the hose. Nothing happened, so I pushed harder until I could hear the air. I didn't notice it at first, but after a few seconds I realized it was completely flat! Freaking out, I stood up and saw a police man walking to his car parked down from me. I ran over to him and asked for help. He looked at the tire, had me run my hand over it looking for a nail or something and said that I couldn't drive on it like that. Well, duh! He asked if I had tried the air machine and I said yes. He looked at it and then asked "Did you put a quarter in it?"

Ughh...crap.

Seriously?

During all of this another car pulled right up next to me to also get some air. A guy gets out and walks up to the police man just as he's asking me about the twenty-five cents. I was so embarrassed! The guy kindly says that we can both share his air. He gets change and then goes to hand me the hose. He asks, "Do you know how to do this?" and I pointed at my tire, laughed and said, "obviously not since I let all of the air out instead of putting it in." 

Go me.