Saturday was one of my favourite days, and it all started with being hit by a meteor. Well, that's what the kids say must have happened. Let me back up. I was on my way home in the car when I heard a very loud SMACK/CRASH. For the life of me I couldn't tell what had happened, but was grateful that the car still seemed to be working and it hadn't exploded or anything. I got the car home and investigated. It wasn't long before I spotted the damage: a large hole in my windshield, right at the bottom where the wipers are. I made an appointment for Saturday to take it in, and learned that it would involve replacing the whole windshield...a three hour commitment. You might think that this would be bad news but I tell ya, the old wheels started turning and i started to imagine what I might do with three hours all to myself. It's amazing how perspectives can change...in my 20's I would have been thinking of all the things I was missing out on by being stuck at an auto fixit place for three hours...today? It sounded like a little bit of heaven.
I prepared by doing a driveby. Felt a little disappointment trying to creep in since it seemed to be located in the middle of nowhere, but decided to think positive and figured I could always bring a book, and also my mini-laptop and work on my novel.
Showed up at my appointed time after leaving the kids with hubby, and looked around the "waiting area". No couches, just two hard plastic chairs. Not even a pot of old coffee. OK, no problem. Just needed to find somewhere a bit more comfortable. Like a curb.
Walked south for a bit, discovered a burger joint. Treated myself to a fantastic burger and fries. Walked a bit further, discovered a nail place...the usual kind where not much English is spoken but there are lots of smiles. Peeped my head in and started to say "I don't have an appointment..." and was welcomed in and given a seat immediately...I felt very happy that I would be getting a manicure and greed got the better of me..."Um, is there any chance I could also get an eyebrow wax?" To my delight the answer was an ecstatic "of course!" and I was then made to feel like a long lost friend who also happens to be royalty. What really made my visit to the nailplace joyous was the fact that as I was heading out the door, my lovely nail technician Linda said to me in heavily accented English "You know, you are very beautiful." Whether it was because of the generous tip or because she meant it or even if I misunderstood what she said, it made my day.
I walked out and started heading back to the car place...still at least an hour to kill...walked up to it, saw my car still being worked on, walked past...walked back again, and this time I noticed the pub. I walked by thinking something along the lines of "well it's 2:45 in the afternoon, not exactly happy hour" and then found myself walking back again thinking "well shit, why not! If I order a glass of wine it's not as shameful as a beer the size of my head." So I sauntered in with my French manicured nails and my red and angry (but very nicely shaped!) eyebrows and got myself a winelist.
A few sips of an Australian Cabernet later, I realized with great surprise that the gods were smiling on me yet again and there was free wireless. I felt very smart having brought my little netbook with me, and opened 'er up and not only worked on my novel but also caught up on some Facebook stuff.
I just finished up my glass of wine when I got the call that the car was ready.
It was a picture-perfect afternoon....self-indulgent without any guilt whatsoever! I wonder what the chances are of being hit TWICE by a meteor..?
