Edge of Darkness Driving at South Station

The full story for those of you who worked in Boston today (10/16/08) and were driving around South Station. Yes, I was broken down! I didn't even get one lap around the route, and the clutch cable in my 1993 Volvo snapped, leaving me with 5 gears of neutral! :O Desperately I yanked on the shift, pushed pedal to floor, but no go. So there I was, blocking traffic. I put my hazards on. The horns started. I waved them around me. More horns. I opened the driver door, and threw every ounce of my 190 pounds into the doorframe and moved said Swedish station wagon. There's a reason they call them bricks! So now I only blocked one lane. Cabbies trying to take left hand turns roared up to my bumper, leaned on the horn, cut the wheel hard right and missed my rear bumper by inches as they tore off. Drivers flew by flipping me the finger. Like sure. I stopped here on purpose to ruin your day. Called Grace and told here to tell someone in production I'm broken down. A few minutes later she called back saying that they said, "It's OK. He's got a walkie." Which I didn't. Called AAA. "I'm right near the Post Office by South Station blocking traffic!" "Oh, we'll put you on priority! It should only be a half-hour wait." Two cop cars drove by. Made me feel proud I was getting a good return on my tax money. I popped the hood. Put it up high, hopefully providing a useful hint to the line of cars behind me. Some got the message. AAA calls back. "Wrecker's delayed, because of all the congestion there." "Yeah," I said. "Wonder why." Wrecker shows, 45 minutes later, blocks both lanes, gets me towed to the shop and back home. Jumped in the car. Parked in the lot. Got back to holding just in time to be wrapped.

Call it a day!

But I want to thank those of you who drove by, and offered some kind word at the red light or offered a regretful gesture at my plight. It could have been worse! Like blocking both lanes on Storrow Drive friday at 5 while raining.

Count your blessings.

Check your cables.