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Why I Don't Do Outcall Yesterday was a messed up day, and partly explains why I don't do outcalls. Some of the stupist shit happens to me when I travel, that I try to minimize going places I don't already know, especially at night. But it was Monday, and I never get early week clients so I took it. Besides, he was being nice by booking during the day as he'd already called for evening appointments several times. I felt a little uncertain going into the area (Lincoln Park) so I knew it would be better during the day. And it was, don't get me wrong. Most of the first half of the trip was fine. My phone rang a few times and I prayed that it wasn't him cancelling. It wasn't. I was doing pretty well until I paid too much attention to Yahell's directions. When I saw the first apartment building on the left I turned, realized it wasn't the right complex, and tried to turn around in a church parking lot. Here's where the first stupid part comes in. I decide to do a doughnut in the back end of the lot, which is gravel I might add, and while spinning I go off the end of the lot. Thinking I can run the Jag through the snow in a curve back onto the lot, I pound the gas until the car gets so mired in the snow my back tires are just spinning. After a few tries of reverse and charging up the slope, I give up and call my client back. I know I'm a few blocks away and I ask for help, though he's a little loath to get dressed, etc. (He was a sweetie though and admitted that he did try to look for me.) While he's on his way, I throw the car into neutral and try to push it out myself. No go. Then I take some gravel (remembering the kitty litter episode of That 70s Show) and try to put some of that down for traction. No go. I try some of the lower gears, nada, and then I call AAA. Then I call my client back and he's nice about letting me be late, especially when I'm being a dumbass. About half an hour later the winch finds me doing crosswords in the car. He's fairly happy to see me too as I make a nice picture in high heeled boots, leather gloves, and a short snakeskin skirt (my date wanted me to dress up) with a matching green Jaguar stranded in the snow. He gives me a nice wide smile and asks if he's seen before at the gas station up the street where his family works. I can tell he's enjoying this, and he's quick about getting my car out of the ditch. The only slowdown being the Jag's underpanal protecting the axle leaving him to attach the winch to my tire. I get in, put it in neutral, steer a little while he pulls and I'm out. I thank him profusely and ask if there's a charge (AAA warned me there might be and I was willing to pay as it was my mistake) and he declines to bill me which was pretty cool. So, after realizing I overshot in the first place, I get there safe and sound and the appointment is fine. Going back, however, is even worse. In the dark I can't tell North or South so I'm pretty damn well lost. Yahoo's directions have puzzled the hell out of me so I make a wrong turn on Fort St. This wrong turn lasts about half an hour until Fort turns into I-75 Southbound. After working the freeway to get back on Fort, I manage to go the wrong way again, this time on Southfield Rd. Well, I realize that another half hour later when Southfield forks and I shoot over to the left praying for a gas station. I find one at the next intersection and he tells me what I suspected, I went the wrong way twice. So, I go the right way on Southfield but I get ancy and head up the first freeway I see, I-75 Northbound, hoping that it intersects I-96 West, which it does in short order. Finally, after being lost downtown for about two hours, I make my way home. Crazy day. My back hurt so much I went right to bed. I'm feeling better now but I got to skip skate practice to work today. That kind of sucks, but I'm not too worried. I am motivated to go to the next one though. Good earning week so far! Daphne |