A week in the life of... me

Monday:
First, an emissions test.

Should have been easy, right? Ha! I'll say that again. Ha! Okay, it started off fine. Made sure I had all the paperwork I needed, and the money. Got in the car and drove down there. Well, I forgot about the project to rebuild the freeway near the emissions place. I pulled off the freeway and straight into a closed road. I forgot they are tearing up the entire area, to build a new freeway next to the old one. The emissions place was straight ahead, only 6 blocks away. Too bad I couldn't go that way. The detour took us down a street to the left. Unfortunately, that road was being torn up as well. We drove at 5 mph through bumpy construction, searching for a right turn that wasn't closed.

We finally found a place to turn, a couple of miles down the road. Now we just had to turn right again to get back to the closed road. Block after block, closed for construction. Finally, a turn. I took it.

"Where the heck am I?"

It took forever, but I was finally able to find the emissions test place. Car passed without a problem. Then I had to get back. I resolved not to go back the way I came, even if I could remember all the correct turns. I had come from the North, but I left to the South. I know. You can already guess what happened next. I should have seen it coming.

First of all, this "main road" actually ends several blocks away. But not without going through confusing round-abouts, 5-way intersections and nonsense signs. Then the road ended. I turned around and went East (since West was a restricted road with a guard gate. At least I made one good decision). Eventually, I found a main road. Even a familar one. I used to work on that road. 25 years ago. Huh. Guess roads can change a little after 25 years. Apparently.

The area looked familiar. But all the businesses had closed over the last two decades. Then I entered a less-than-desirable area of the city. Seems it had gone downhill, as the businesses had closed. Dark, dirty taverns were the only places left. Open at 10 in the morning. Winos (I know, not a politically correct term, but accurate in this one instance. Very stereotypical. Passed out all over the sidewalks, holding bottles in bags. Just like an old movie), garbage blowing along the streets and not a moving soul. Finally, I found the street I needed. Unfortunately, not until after I passed it. Now I just needed to turn around.

But, of course, the street had turned into a small, barely paved road, running along the country. Mile after mile without a place to turn. Surrounded by wide open fields. Eventually, an airport appeared to my right. I realized, on the other side of that airport was the main road I normally use. If I can get there, I'll be home free.

About this time, I realized I should have eaten breakfast. And maybe found a restroom. Yeah. That would have been a good idea.

Well, that was a great theory. There was no place to turn. No way to cross. Not with a guard gate, anyway. Then, just as I was ready to give up, I saw it. A familiar building, I had been to often. And a turn light, aimed toward it. What could go wrong?

I know what you're thinking. Lots. But, contrary to the rest of the morning, it was actually easy. The road went through. I was able to get to the familar street, back to the small bridge and back home.

Just in time to get ready and drive to work. A quick run to the emissions building, an hour long project at the most, had taken three hours. Now all I had left to do was drive an hour to work, work 8 hours, drive an hour home and, finally, rest.

Well, actually, it's finals week. So I had to log in and work on a final report worth a third of my grade.

And that was only the first day last week.