I missing updated yesterday during the day, so let me give you a rundown of what happened on Saturday.

Actually, story starts Friday. On our way home from being out and about, it was raining. The battery light in Court's car came on. She said it's happened before and nothing has been wrong. Also, Thursday, while the car was being repaired for catalytic convertor work, they did a check on the batt and it was fine. So we dismissed it.

Cut to Saturday...Court's on her way to work, I'm still sleeping. She calls me on the nextel, saying her instrument panel has given out. She has LCD spedometer and other gauges, so when it goes it's just OFF. She made it to the Gaylord (where she was working) and I said I'd get ready and get out there to swap cars so she wouldn't have to drive her car (with no gauges) and I'd just take it straight home. Well, I go there and drop my car off and take her car home. Well...I was *trying* to get home, and then...

The radio gave out. To me, that's a sign that the car's electrical system/battery is ready to plunk it. The car then began to have some other problems...it wouldn't change into the next gear, so I was stuck going about 25mph on the street. I was able to coax it onto on onramp so I could at least get it on the shoulder of the highway, which was better than the street because there was no room. I went on the highway for about 2 minutes and then decided to try to get off and get it into some parking lot so Court could bring my car and jump it. It didn't make it that far. It died, totally, 100%, at the light at the end of the exit. Thankfully, there were 2 lanes going the direction I was blocking, so people eventually got the hint (after I waved a dozen people past in all) that I wasn't moving. The blinkers were on, but with no juice they were just about invisible. Eventually, Court called the dealership, which ok'd a tow truck applied against her warranty and they sent a truck out. Court then left work and met up with me where I was stranded.

In all, I'm glad it was me and not her. Unfortunately, I've had a *lot* of experience with this...with the blue beast and Dad's various vehicular problems. I've had cars die in the middle of the highway in the middle of rushhour...die in huge snowstorms...die and have to be restarted on the fly while shifted to neutral. And that's not even mentioning some of Dad's car things. I'm long passed being embarassed about it as people pass me. To their credit, Floridians are nice people, as about a half-dozen people asked me if I needed help and seemed eager to do so. I'm just glad it was a Saturday with the light traffic and less hustle and bustle. Had it been a weekday I doubt people would have been so nice. Also, it was hotter than hell. It's about 98 today, and it was probably around there on Saturday. And with no air I was DYING. Good thing Court left work and met up with me in my car. Tow truck driver was a nice guy...it sucks that he had to come out on a weekend but I tipped him $10 on top of whatever he normally makes. So that was my adventure.

So Court has my car today, her late day, which means she'll be home at 11pm. Normally I'd get Little Caesar's $5 large pizza and $1.99 two crazy bread, but I have no car. Luckily, Court's car will be done tomorrow and she's going to Amy's after work to help with our FL shower favors for the shower we're getting down here this weekend. I helped out with enough favors in all, so I'm opting out. At least I'll get my Caesar's tomorrow. Bwong!