Normal People Just Don't Seem to Have Days Like This

Ever have one of those moments where you find yourself saying, "Why do things like this always happen to me?"

Or how about days where you find yourself repeating that exact phrase again and again?

BUT! Not necessarily always in a bad way? As if perhaps the great cosmic karma is somehow just fucking with you?

Today was one of those days in my life.

Started off innocently enough as I wished my parents well as I headed off to work. Except while my mum was busy being normal, I had to yell through the closed door of the bathroom to bid my dad farewell. I can only assume he was dropping a deuce.... good times.

I start on my way to work. The car seems to be pulling a bit. Meh, whatever. I go through some construction and get to Timmy's. As this particular Timmy's doesn't have a drive through, I parked. [Note: not my normal one, as I was going to a construction site this morning - trust me, to get my regular business, you need to have a drive-thru] On my way to my spot, I hit a sewer grate with a KA-CHUNK... I think to myself, "That's not good... but I'm going to need coffee before I can deal with this."

I come back out, and the front passenger side tire looked a little soft. Maybe a lot soft, but struck me as drivable. I climb in and drive a bit further..... this is not right. I pull into a parking lot and get out a few blocks later. Yeah, upon closer inspection (not to mention a mouthfull of coffee), it's flat. Bugger...

Now, it's not like I've never changed a tire before. In fact, this was like the third or fourth time, but previously, they've all been parked and I noticed it before I had to drive anywhere, thereby allowing me to be dressed appropriately.... and while I don't wear a tie to work anymore, I'm not exactly in old jeans, either. Damnit.

Whatever, I take the donut the rest of the way to work. I get there a bit later than planned (obviously), but not "late" per se.... after a few annoying, but not particularly interesting, things there, I take off back to the office around lunch time. Problem? Stupid donut's not supposed to go on highways. They're also not supposed to be driven for long (I think they screw up the alignment), not to mention the fact my new car was driving like a fucking shopping cart with that little motherfucker on it. I even had to turn off the traction control cuz when I turned left, it would kick in because of the differential of rotation being so significant... stupid donut.

Anyway, I take it into the first Crappy Tire I can find... just need this shit fixed. 30 or 40 motherfucking minutes later, these dopes come out and tell me I need to replace the tire. Turns out the sidewalls were fucked (likely from my stupid attempt to drive on in - living proof I'm easily 20 IQ points dumber before I have a coffee). Added bonus? They don't carry this type of tire. Fortunately, there's a Mazda dealership near work, so I just start heading there... but on the way I stop to get some gas. Guy yells out at me, and starts trying to sell me speakers. Out of the back of his minivan. Now, this is a relatively common gimmick, but I've never given the guy more than a cold "no", which usually gets me left alone.

Not this time.

I play interested.. okay, maybe I was a little bit, after my buddy Brian did, in fact, buy speakers under similar circumstances, and I've heard that it's actually a legit deal.... but I've also heard about people buying carboard boxes with bricks in 'em. Anyway, I'm curious as to the spiel, and I'm in need of a good laugh after sitting for half a fucking hour to be told there's nothing they can do..... the guys gets into it, and without really even trying, I get him down from $600 apiece to $100 each. At this point, when I tried to walk away, he started carrying them over to my freaking car! Okay, I've had my fun... enough is enough......

Anyway, I get to the dealership near work, and turns out they have a matching tire. Thank fucking Christ.... but it's $295+tax. I hate this shit sometimes. But whatcha gonna do? I've got three near-brand new tires (got a new set when I got the car). At least the rim didn't need replacing, right?

So I'm back at the office. I overhear something... no, it can't be....... Naing and Anand come over and ask, "So, Iain... are you busy tomorrow night?"

"Well, maybe... but should I be trying to change my plans?"
"If we said we had Raptors tickets, would you chance your plans?"
"Hells ya!"
"Then change your plans, man... we got 4 tickets from [a supplier]. The three of us and Dave are going."
"Fucking A!"

And so my day came full circle.


PS: As an added creepy bonus, I kept hearing more and more about this story as the day wore on. To connect the dots, I drove on that particular stretch of highway like 5 or 6 times during my trip to Cali in the fall... and potentially will be again this fall. Just crazy.....