Think Think Think


There is a story I hope to show here the best I can.  I promised I would show it if I got out of the bind I was in.  I was coming from an early morning interview a last minute spontaneous job interview.  I was prepared the best I could be and was planning afterward to go to show apartments up north in Chicago which I enjoy.

Usually I make it with a fourth of a tank just in time to gas up.  Yet this trip up north turned upside down when my car died on Lake Shore Drive in hyde Park.  It was a monster of a morning as I thought about what steps to take next and what amount of timing as my smooth drive to the north side was interrupted.

It was over 90 degrees as I walked and gathered information about the nearest bank, gas station, and taxi service from runners, bystanders at bus stops, and students walking to class.  As much as I wanted to rely on the GPS and internet service I had on my Android it was just too hot and the sun was very bright which darkened my little screen.

So I plan to make this quick and short.  A young man with a gas container on his way to the gas station offered to give me the tool when he was done using it to fill his lawn mower.  I was desparate, half panicked, and in a hurry.  I drifted into other ideas of my own as I floated down strange yet lovely neighborhoods of Hyde Park to reach my bank, and get money for gas and a taxi to get back to the car before it was towed.

I wasn't happy.  I wanted to be happy and embrace the fear, and trials before me but I couldn't be without doing all I could to keep from fainting.  I didn't prepare for this. I didn't call the normal people I would have called because they were all at work in far off places.  What prompted me to write this story was for others who have been or may be in this kind of danger and a very expensive on at that.

My car wasn't towed, and the young man with the gas tank didn't give work out since my cell phone died.  I used the resources I new best from my everyday usage such as drinking lots of water, having a cup of the banks coffee to relax while sitting down to collect myself for a minute. My advice is never be afraid to ask questions more than three times if its the same one espeicially if it involves directions, time, your life, and getting it right.  Secondly, don't go anywhere without cash.  Thirdly, where the proper clothes and shoes wherever you go if you don't want to be blistered, bloody, and soar of feet. 

The override of panic and the pain of the mistake will pass in time, so be strong and keep smiling and God will see you through it all to the end.  The taxi cab came and that costed $20.00.  The gas and gasc ontainer costed together $10.00.  Another piece of advice is that while you are in the taxi cab take 100% control because my cab driver was on the phone, the radio was up, and the back tv was on and with all the noise we took a long detour which cab drivers love!  Passengers do not!  More money in there pocket and more out of yours and there goes your cup of coffee and side of veggies for lunch.

I did it.  I prayed, singed, laughed, smiled, and still the loss of money, time, and choices is lost.  I dealt with it and live to share the story for others to learn from and pray it never happens to them.  There is nothing like running back and forth in 90 degree heat with a gas container, hopping a wired fence on Lake Shore Drive to fill your gas tank before you spend 300 dollars picking it up from a tow company in another place of wonder and mystery. 

If thrill is what you want, I recommend not doing it to yourself by forgetting cash, gas, and taking a road trip to work when you know your best cousin that you are dying to see is in town.  Nevermind.  Get the drift?  Don't be a drifter.  Obey your shepard.