The Car Conclusion

On Friday, the 26th, my parents were heading down to Florida for my aunt's visitation and funeral. So they left at 5am and I rode with them as far as Indianapolis to see what we could do about my car. When we got there it initially started; we put some coolant in the actual radiator but it didn't seem to be too low. I called my uncle to ask about a mechanic in the area which he recommended, but he said he would meet me there and take me. So we shut the car off and waited for him, which was when I found out I had left the window open. When he arrived we tried starting it again but it wouldn't do so this time. So fortunately he had a big cord/strap which we hooked up so he could tow me, since it was only a short distance with very little turns. He towed me to the mechanic, I checked in with them, and then headed back to his house, at which point my parents also left to continue on their trip. I got a call an hour later from the shop telling me what they had found out and what needed to be done. It turned out my alternator was completely shot and because of that the car overused the battery which was also now completely shot, they also had to replace the serpentine belt! So 4 hours later they called saying it was finished. The total damage was $550 - OUCH! Luckily I had enough from the recent unemployment payments, but not much more which will make things interesting. So now it runs fine (I hope it stays that way) and I was able to drive back to Danville without any problems.

The New Plan

It seems circumstances have necessitated coming up with a new plan. So as of now I hope to be able to extend my lease until March, and continue searching for a job in the Indy area. At least then I will have a job before moving (which seems to be a key factor in making several people happy with my decision to move) and know what area of Indy I need to be at. I'll have to renew my license plates here before doing so again there when I do move, but I suppose that's not the end of the world. Besides, it's cheaper rent here then it will be over there, so I guess while I'm still looking for employment it's better to stay here. Once I have a job lined up and am actually making money again the higher rent won't be a problem. I believe I should be able to find something after the beginning of the year, so please pray for me that I can do so. I can't wait to move for many different reasons!

Christmas Party

So after my adventure on the 23rd, I was actually able to have a good Christmas Eve. I road back with my uncle to my parent's house, which is where we were having the party. I was able to run to my apartment in order to change and freshen up before everyone arrived. It was nice to have almost everyone there, especially those from great distances: a cousin from California, one from Colorado, and one in the Boston area! Sadly there were a few family members that weren't able to make it for one reason or another, which we missed. But it was a good time of fellowship and catching up with each other. We had lots of delicious food and for the first time ever we all ate at the same table, which is quite an amazing thing for us!

My trip to Indy...One of the worst days of my life!

Tuesday, the 23rd, I went to Indianapolis to view apartments I had selected and researched online. The catch though was that there was icy rain and the roads were very slick. I know it was pretty nuts to go, but I didn't really have any other options. The apartments wouldn't be open the 24th and 25th and I wasn't sure if they would be the following Friday either, my current apartment lease is up at the end of December and I need at least a few days to do the actual moving, so that left only Tuesday to settle on something (and in case you're wondering, I couldn't go earlier because I just now got my unemployment payments - or at least some of them, but that's another story).

So on a normal day it takes around an hour and a quarter (give or take) to make it to Indy, however Tuesday it took over 3 hours! The fastest I ever got up to was 40mph and I think I averaged around 20. There were several different cars and even a semi along the side of the road (mostly on the westbound lanes), although none of the accidents looked to be too serious. Speaking of, I got into one near Brownsburg - the car in front of me stopped and when I tried to stop I slid instead. I tried to swerve left but ended up going right and hit a truck in the other lane. It was almost like it was in slow motion because I could see it happening but couldn't do anything to stop it. Fortunately we were only going 15mph so it wasn't too bad, only some minor scrapes and dents.



When I finally got to the northwestern portion of I-465 my car broke down. I was in the middle lane completely stopped while the lane on either side of me was moving, albeit slowly. Then I heard a subtle hissing noise and noticed smoke coming from under my hood. I quickly made my way over to the exit lane - luckily I was near one. I popped the hood and initially noticed the cap was off the plastic container labeled engine coolant, but it looked to be half full. So I bundled up and walked off in the sleet and cold to a somewhat nearby gas station and then to a mechanic about a mile away. He said they couldn't do anything until it was towed, so he called a towing company and I found out it would be a 4-5 hour wait! I sat there for a moment warming up and trying to figure out what to do. I decided to walk all the way back to my car and check it again, at which point I realized the coolant container was completely empty - what I had seen before was an inside stain line from the side. So I trekked back to the gas station, bought some coolant, walked back to the car again and filled it up. As it turns out, this was just the overflow and not really the problem anyway.



I was on the phone with my girlfriend as I broke down and started walking, but to make matters worse my phone died. So she knew about my plight but did not know what was happening or if I was okay. Additionally I somehow broke my phone's belt clip, which in itself wouldn't be too big of deal but is just one more thing to add to the trauma.

The car seemed to be okay but at this point it was too late to view apartments so I went to Arby's to grab something to eat. I didn't think it would be good to drive all the way back home so I called my uncle which lives in Avon to see if I could stay with him. The few miles on the interstate went pretty well, though it was fairly slow. As it turns out it's a good thing I didn't try to head back home because the I-74 exit was backed up for literally 4 miles on both sides! Once I got to the exit I needed, it took me around 40 minutes just to get to the first stop light which was less than half a mile distance. I thought it would eventually clear up but it was stop and go traffic along the whole way after; at one point there was a semi trailer across the road!



Shortly after this my engine started rumbling a bit so I shut the car off to let it rest a bit, considering we were completely stopped, but then couldn't get it to start again. A guy came up to offer help and we were about to push it when I tried again and it actually started. However, I only made it about 50 feet when it completely died on me. At least this time I was able to get it to the side of the road so cars could pass. I was able to charge my phone a bit on my car charger, so the first time I called my uncle and he was on his way to come get me (I was only about a mile and a half from his house). After it broke down the second time I realized both lanes had completely stopped and had been that way for a while (which was due to a cop being in the ditch as well as a dump truck being stuck), so I called him again and told him I would be walking because he wouldn't be able to make it through. So I once again trekked across the ice in the rain to meet him at a church parking lot he had made it to. We weren't sure what to do so we waited there for a short while and the traffic finally began to clear up a bit. So we headed back to the car and were able to get it off onto a side road where we would be able to safely leave it. I didn't realize it at the time but discovered later I had left my window open - which got my atlas soaked. :(

When we got back to his house I was pretty soaked so we threw my coat, hat, gloves, and socks into the dryer. But once it was done we found out I had some cookies in my coat pocket (which I could have sworn I checked first). That was pretty much the last straw - I wanted to just bang my head against a wall and give up!

Where I'm At

So hello to everyone who is reading this and to all those who will eventually read it (considering at this point I've only told one person about it). To get this whole blog thing rolling I suppose I'll give a quick introduction or update to my life recently. It's been pretty touch and go - I lost my job of two years about four months ago and have been struggling financially and wrestling with unemployment since then. I found out 3 days ago that I should finally be receiving it! Additionally I've had several frustrating computer problems I've been trying to work out, along with the help of a friend - I think I'm becoming cursed when it comes to computers. It doesn't help that I've been sick all this past week - fortunately I think I'm getting over it, but still have a sore throat.

My apartment lease is up in December (as well as my license plates), so the plan is to move to Indy as soon as possible - which I've wanted to do since before I even lost my job, and now it may actually be possible considering I'm finally receiving my unemployment funds. I've tried to find a job (though some tend to think I haven't) but there is nothing here in Danville! (It has the 3rd worst unemployment rate in the state!!) I've also applied to over 70 jobs online and actually had 4 phone interviews, but nothing has come through yet. One of the staffing agencies mentioned I'd be more likely to find something after the new year because companies want to wait until after the holdiays and also for their new budgets to be approved.

I like the city of Indianapolis and enjoy its central location to most all other major midwest cities. There are many more opportunities for jobs (even temporary ones if needs be) there than there are here, and I can also continue to draw unemployment from Illinois while living in Indiana. Additionally it is only 1/3 of the distance from my girlfriend than I am now, and I'll also be in the same time zone which will be very nice. So the plan is to find an apartment on Tuesday (I've already been searching online) and move in this weekend (after Christmas). The catch is going to be how soon the government will get around to depositing my money. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

First Post Test

This is a test because I have never blogged before and have no clue how to do all the fun, interesting things people do with it.