Worst Night Ever
It would seem that someone thinks I've been naughty rather than nice this year, because tonight I was clearly punished. It all started this morning when I realized that my car insurance had expired. In addition to my car insurance, my AirCare had also expired. Our insurance monopoly in BC, ICBC, won't let you insure your car if you don't have valid AirCare, and of course, the AirCare people won't test your car if you don't have insurance.So, I purchased temporary insurance for a day so that I could have my car AirCared. I had some shopping and such to do downtown today, and though I originally planned on driving down there, I opted to take the bus, and then get my car AirCared when I got back. After I finished my shopping, I stopped by the offices of DACE to help my friend, Leesha, with her computer.
After that was done, I raced home to get my car, and run down to one of two really inconveniently-located AirCare locations. (Both are at separate, extreme edges of Vancouver.) I got there just in time (I was the last car!) to be tested. I paid my $24, and was waiting to be tested when one of the technicians noticed oil dripping from the hood of my car. It would seem that the other night when I added some oil to my engine, I neglected to replace the oil cap! I was informed that my car could not be tested in this condition, so I would have to get a cap, and come back.
My anger level rising, I left the edge of Vancouver, and headed for one of my least favourite retail chains in Canada, Canadian Tire. (Why don't I like Canadian Tire, you ask? Well, for starters, their customer service is absolutely terrible. I'm told that they treat their employees like shit, so it's not really a surprise. Also, pretty much every product on their shelves have been returned, with the plastic coverings stapled to the cardboard backing...) I picked up a cheap cap and some oil. (Of course, the guy in front of me in line was over-charged, so a manager had to be called to void the transaction. This pimply-faced teenager was going to make me wait, so I interjected, suggesting that he ring my transaction through while the other guy was waiting. Thankfully, he complied with only a little hesitation.)
I got home, and popped my hood to pour some oil in. The end of my hood and release latch were covered in oil, so things quickly became messy. I poured some oil in, and then picked up the cap to screw in. The cap slipped right out of my greasy hands, and fell down into the nether regions of my engine. At this point, I looked around for hidden cameras or something...
Okay, so maybe it wasn't the worst night ever, but it compared to other nights I've had recently, this one definitely ranks up there in the nights I'd rather skip. Oh yeah, I almost forgot: I left the presents I bought today downtown, so I have to go down there again tomorrow to get them after I buy my second day of temporary insurance, and go to the AirCare... again.
Comments
Ah a bureaucracy loop. Nasty things, those. - Todd, Tuesday, January 20, 2004 it could have been worse. it might have been raining. - patrick gibson (Aust), Thursday, January 29, 2004 |  |
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