cars suck

The weekend of February 9th will live in infamy forever. Well, at least to me. And probably Nick too. Here's why:

It all started when I had to drive to Waverly, IA by myself from Iowa City. It was not that bad, other than it was really rainy. Anyways, I got there and could not find my destination (a 4-H building) for the life of me. Seriously, I was lost for a good two hours. At some point I remember driving over a curb. This might have caused the problem, or maybe it was when I hit the curb in Iowa City and lost a hubcap (which Nick later found for me). It doesn't really matter though. I got to the 4-H building finally and played a good show. Then I left.

If there is one thing that you should know, it's that driving around aimlessly for two hours is not healthy for your gas tank. Actually, it's not healthy for your wallet either. On the way home, I stopped to get some gas for the drive back to Iowa City and my car decided to die. I spent much money on two quarts of oil, radiator fluid, and transmission fluid. I was closest with the transmission fluid. After adding much-needed oils and other liquids to my car and STILL not being able to remedy the problem, I called home.

I guess they weren't that angry. I got a tow truck and called Nick to come pick me up from Iowa City (a good hour's drive away). We met up at the Ford dealership, which was apparently run by a fellow named Dick Witham. Nice name. The service center wouldn't be open on Sunday (the following day and also the day I had planned on leaving), so I'd have to spend an extra day in Iowa City. No problem with me, because I got to skip a whole's day of work! Both works!

Fast forward ahead a day or so, and Nick and I go to Waterloo (where the car broke down, did I mention that?) to pick it up. Nick leaves, and I begin my journey home. About three minutes later my car stalls in the middle of the road. I'm pissed, and call Dick Witham to tell them to pick me the hell up because apparently some people don't know how to fix cars! I call home again, and my dad leaves to pick me up (a good three hour's drive from Des Moines). So, I have three hours to kill. Great.

Luckily, Dick Witham's is near a bunch of stores and other things, so I trek across the road to the mall they have. Nothing special at all. In fact, it was negatively special. I guess that means it was boring. A big square and no stores of any interest to me. So, I decide it was time to get something to eat and choose the local Chinese buffet over Burger King, Long John Silvers, Pizza Hut, and some other places. I was just in the mood for Chinese. I eat, and go back to Dick Witham's to wait. My dad arrives thirty minutes early. I'm happy.

The next day, Dick Witham calls and we discover the reason my car broke down the second time was that it had no gas. Remember the gas station from the beginning of the story?? Yeah, I apparently hadn't either. Man, I'm dumb. So, my parents have to drive to Waterloo again and pick up my car. Total driving time for my dad: approximately 10 hours. Total money spent: I know, but I'm not going to say, because it was outrageously too much. Total time spent with my family: Priceless. No, just kidding. I'm just glad they didn't beat me to death.

(Sorry this story was written so horribly. I honestly don't know why I left out crucial details or whatever, but you get the idea of it, right?)