After a stressful drive into Capitol Hill this evening to pull the first of my weekend shifts at the video store (everyone is out of town again), I wasn’t looking forward to the drive home. In fact, I didn’t get into the housemates’ truck until 11:00 tonight.

‘Why’ is the reason for this post. Nancy had left and I was finishing up a few odds and ends around the store when someone knocks on the door. Usually this means someone begging to rent something, but this time it was a semi-regular customer who looks as if he was about to have a nervous breakdown.

Turns out he had his car stuck in the alleyway and had come begging — for help. Even if I hadn’t thought immediately to the three guys who helped me out of my jam Wednesday, I still would have helped. Guess I’ll be finishing last. Lo! and behold, he is definitely stuck coming back up out of the alleyway onto 9th Ave. It doesn’t look good.

As I’m looking to see how best to attack the problem, another guy walks by and offers to help. He knows his shit and we’re both talking through the situation. We get it rocked back to a place with traction when it gets stuck again when another guy and his girlfriend want to help (he tells her that he doesn’t want her around the car. No, he was a little tipsy and was honestly looking out for her), so the three of us try and help.

Then a woman in the apartment building comes out and offers the last of her kitty litter to help. I sprinkle the scented stuff (I can still smell it on me) around the front tires and we get the car into the middle of the street. Then two more guys stop and offer to help, so there are now five guys helping this poor ballet dancer from California.

After a bit more shoveling and pushing, we He-Men get the Honda to the side of 9th and safely out of the way. The first guy and I make sure California is fine and calmed down when he offers us tickets to Where The Wilds Things Are. Score! I’m not much of a ballet fan, but I love the book. Anyway, it was just amazing to see how many people stopped to help at 10:30 / 11:00 at night. It truly made me feel good.

So when I get in the truck to drive home, I’m stuck. Oh, yes. I’m tired. I’m frustrated and at this point nearly at the breakdown point that California was at. As I’m going over the options in my head (who I can I call to crash at their place? would it be comfortable enough to sleep in the store? The housemates are going to be pissed!), my Karma kicks in. I notice the 4×4 button — finally. My housemate said it was already in 4×4 mode so didn’t think about it on my way into work. No wonder I got stuck leaving my street earlier this afternoon.

Needless to say, I’m home safe and sound. I’m also done with driving for a bit. In fact, I’m going to get up in the morning and bus my way in. You hear that, Rosie! I found out the bus that stops down the street also stops three blocks from the store. I should actually do it more often on Saturdays now that I know that.

Listening to: Blue Suede Shoes - Elvis Presley