Many Many Changes

Well, last night was rather eventful. I got off work and was heading home. I saw I was running low on gas, so I made a mental note to get some gas. While coming down from the Crescent City Connection (the bridge that connects the Eastbank and Westbank of New Orleans), I hear a loud BOOPH!-type sound. I figured it was because of a convertible I was driving next to. I figured maybe something had gotten really close to it and bumped it or something, so I paid it no mind. I took quick inventory of the body of my car and, seeing everything was fine, I kept going.

I got to the gas station and filled up. No big deal. I'm on my way home, music furnished by the fine musical stylings of Paul Wall's Sittin' Sideways. I get to a red light, and a guy to my rear left honks at me. I look back and he yells "yo man, you got a FLAT!!" I say okay, and continue on my journey home. I get to an area that isn't as crowded with cars and I use my mobile side mirrors to look at the state of the tires on my let hand side. I notice that all the tires are FINE! I keep driving cautiously, figuring I missed something, or maybe it was the left front tire. Still, I saw nothing.

I got home, and again, I inspected my left tires. They were FINE. I went over to the right side. The front was fine. The right REAR, however, was like this:

Seeing that this was something that needed to be URGENTLY taken care of, I emptied the car contents, said hi to my father, and left again.

I drove to the place that I KNEW had tire care: Sam's. All the while, people were pulling up beside me, barking about my low tire (it's good to know they care). I passed a Goodyear, so I considered it. I then looked at the number of cars outside and passed it by.

I got to Sam's and did not see an advertised car section like the old Sam's around home. I passed on the side and saw a car care area. I happily pulled over there, then saw a sign with the posted hours. Apparently, due to the Katrina evacuees, the car care area was open until 4 (it was 4:52 by this time). Pissed, but looking for answers, I went into Sam's and asked the attendant who was opened. They pointed me to a place called Twin Tire down the street.

I drove to Twin Tire and seeing that they were actually open, I got excited. I parked, grabbed my tire information, and walked in. I talked to the guy and said I needed a tire changed. They said "we can do it, but it won't be until tomorrow." Knowing I had a small thing called WORK the next day, I had to pass. Just with Sam's, I asked who to go to. They suggested a Tire Kingom and another tire place WAYYY down in another neighborhood. It was far, but they said it was open until 6:00.

I drove down that long ways, hazard lights in tow. I was driving, car quiet as all get out. I'm driving when I see a place caled Tire Shack that I accidentally pass up. I loop around and get back to it. I only see 3 cars in the parking lot (none in the garage). I walk in and say I need a tire change. The guy goes in the back to check the queue, then says "yea, we can do it." I tell him the model tire, he says they have it in stock. They tell me to pull up aside the car and one of the mechanics gets right on it. I sit inside on the nice plush leather seats and wait for the work to be finished.

10 minutes later, the mechanic comes into the sitting area and points at me. I go up to the desk and pay for it. All things included, the changing was $58. I quickly paid it and thanked them. All you Westbank residents who need tire work, visit Tire Shack on West Bank Expressway, near Barataria Blvd.!! By this time, it was near 6, and I was hungry. I was going to Taco Bell, but then, I figured I could stretch that much farther going to Wal-Mart.

I went and got some Churrrio's and milk. Not wanting to kill 45 mins. in line in the front, I went to the back registers. The electronics was PACKED, so I went to the auto care. I was in line and the woman in front of me wanted a key made. The worker made the key, but then told the line (which grew to 4 people) that she didn't have a register and could not check us out. So, while I'm there, I decided to look for new windsheld wipers. I search and COULD ONLY FIND NEW WIPERS FOR MY DRIVER'S SIDE!!! arrgh!! So, I gotta pass that up, but I pick up that Mr. Clean car wash kit. I go to the wilderness area and pay, and head home.

I reiterated my Wal-Mart effect comments to myself and headed home. I was hungry and wanted to watch The Sopranos. I get home and bring the stuff inside. I'm about to eat when my dad begins having a problem with the internet. I try to fix it, but his internet was acting funny. After troubleshooting it and running to an from my computer and the modem and the router, it finally acts right and works. I make a move to sit down to eat when dad wants me to view his new software. I look at it, and head back, locking everything else out but the cereal and The Sopranos. I was able to get through half of Season 4, thank heaven. It was a long journey, but by 7:00pm, I was able to do what I needed to do. Man, I'm getting old.

-B