180

~~ Sung to the tune of "Food, glorious food" from Oliver ~~

Snow, slippery snow
Ice, what are you good for?

Well I finally broke down and bought 4 new tires today. I've needed them for a couple of months, but the winter has been so mild it hasn't been an issue. Ok, so I've done more than my share of slipping and sliding during the 2 or 3 snow and ice events we've had, but it really hasn't been bad. A curb here, a snow bank there. My trusty Subaru outback has been wonderful, despite my obvious negligence.

Until today.

I was heading to work and took my eyes off the road for a split second (doesn't everyone say that?), and I started skidding. Big time. Thankfully the roads were pretty empty, because I slid into a couple of 90 degree turns - first right, then left, then right again - and then I spun around 180 degrees and ended up facing the opposite direction. Thankfully and oddly enough, I was really calm the whole time. When the car stopped, I very calmly drove to where I could safely turn back around and simply kept going. No fear, just focused on getting to work. I know, I'm nuts. Most logical people would have called the office and told them they weren't going. Nope, not me.

Also right then and there I decided to pay attention to the obvious message: STOP BEING SO FUCKING CHEAP AND GET NEW TIRES!

So when my client didn't show, not surprising, I called Town Fair Tire and was there as soon as possible. $632 and an hour later, I had 4 brand new tires, a full front and rear alignment, and a much safer car to drive. Understandably, I was a bit skittish driving home, but the car was fantastic. Amazing what happens when you're not a cheap asshole.

For the record and all those who will say I spun because I hit the brakes, didn't steer into the skid, etc - my foot was off the brake the entire time, I steered into the skid and at one point I even let go of the steering wheel and let the car do it's thing. No, that's not when I spun out. It actually stopped the skid. That or the inertia of the car.

Either way, I'm $632 poorer, but definitely wiser and safer.

Closing, take 2

We finally did it. The house is sold, papers signed, checks passed around. The closing finally went through without a hitch. Our lawyer kept his arrogant asshole side in check and their lawyer did some of his work and research to ensure it would actually be done. The fact that both parties really wanted this sale to go through helped a great deal. We were able to recognize that it was our lawyer who had the 'tude and made mistakes and their lawyer who was oh-so-picky and we could put all that shit aside and do what needed to be done.

So, FINISH! For you non-ASL using folks, that means done.