Circumstances Beyond My Control...

Ever have one of those days?

I woke up this morning to -20C temperatures. Not unusual this winter. I work outside. I dress for it.

I packed my lunch, my thermos of coffee and my cup to go and headed out the door into the cold darkness of 6:00 a.m. to start my 60km, 45 minute trek to work. Also not unusual.

About 6:30 and past 1/2 way, circumstances beyond my control began.

My car started to bog down, and by the time I made it from the left lane on the highway to the right shoulder, it stalled.  Otto V. Dub is 13 years old and has more than 450,000 km on the ticker, the odd breakdown can be expected. I have the auto club, so I'm prepared.

The Auto Club answered quickly, and was eager to send me rescue. The lady on the phone was a little confused about my location at first, but after 3 tries she seemed to have me locked in. There is a jog between the north and south bound legs of the highway I am near. I'm just past the northbound exit. The south bound exit is 7km behind me. The phone lady tells me a truck is on it's way, and will be with me somewhere between now and 7:15 a.m.

Unbeknownst to me, whilst I was on the phone arranging my tow, more circumstances beyond my control were unfolding about 2 km ahead of me on the highway.

Transport truck, 3 cars, rollover, fuel spill.

Their day just got a whole lot worse than mine (radio reports that injuries were minor, thank goodness)

I see the traffic slow to a stop, and the radio keeps me informed of what's going on up ahead. I know I'm going to be  here a while now, so I go into action. I kill the hazard lights (not needed now) to spare the battery. To keep the heated seat (worth every penny!) active I cycle the ignition, 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off timed to the traffic reports.  I dig into my work bag and break out my spare gloves, spare socks, snow pants and thermos. Spare gloves into my coat to keep them warm, spare socks between the heated seat and my seat for the same reason.

Next traffic report states that the highway is now closed. Tie up behind me is now 10km. Time to change socks, gloves and have another coffee. Circumstances beyond my control.

This just in...the on ramps in the area are now closed. Circumstances beyond my control.

Repeat calisthenics. Preserve coffee supply.

I repeat this cycle as required until the phone rings at 7:45. It's the Tow Truck Driver. He can't find me. Dispatch sent him to the southbound exit, 7 kms behind me, and he is now stuck in traffic too. He can't use an alternate because the on ramps are closed, remember? And every other driver is clogging the city streets trying to get around the mess.

Circumstances beyond my control.

Just after 8:00 I called the Auto Club back to see if it was them or the Driver that messed up. It was the Auto Club. I told her I was a dissatisfied customer at the moment. Or words to that effect.

Minus 20 Celsius remember?

Had I been less prepared, hypothermia would have set in and I would be in need of an ambulance by now.

At 9:00 a.m. I call the Tow Truck Driver back to see how stuck he is. He is 2 km behind me now. Any minute.

At 9:30 a.m. the truck finally arrives, which is a very welcome relief.

Relief being the key word. Empty thermos = full bladder.

Just 5 minutes shy of 3 hours on the side of the road in freezing temps, in circumstances beyond my control.

As the Boy Scouts say, "Be Prepared"

DJW

...and you think swimming in cold water has adverse effects on the male anatomy?