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A chilly adventure
Dec. 8th, 2016 10:45 pmToday turned out to be something of an adventure. We did get the rain in the forecast, but not the "warmer" - instead of 45ish it only reached 34F. In the morning the roads were too icy so they cancelled school. Fortunately, D's girlfriend's mom is a teacher, so he found out about it and was able to go back to sleep. After I got up, I walked all around taking pictures of the ice dripping from the roses and the Japanese maple branches.
I was supposed to give a brief presentation at our company's Scientist Retreat, on the top floor of the downtown Hilton, just after 3 p.m., and around 1:30 p.m. I was ready to set out, having bundled myself up properly. I got in my car... and it wouldn't start. Yikes! I rushed back inside and borrowed D's bus pass, then rushed over to the bus stop and managed to just catch the bus downtown, then I walked from there to the Hilton. It was about 34 at this point and raining lightly, and really rather miserable, though I was warmed by some amusement at my adventure. I took some photos from the 12th story view -- the Hilton is one of the tallest buildings in Eugene -- but it was so foggy and grey that I couldn't see the forested hills, which were probably bedecked with snow.
After my talk, I walked back to the bus stop and rode home again, then called AAA, which came quite promptly. They tested my battery and determined that it was actually fine -- the problem is probably in the starter, with a lesser problem in the alternator. So if I'd tried a bunch more times, the car probably would have started.
Tonight being the fourth and final day of "concert week," I'd been concerned enough about my car that I'd arranged for R. to deliver D. to the school, with a plan to get there myself at some point. I decided to trust in my car and called R. to cancel, then I did drive D. there, and waited half an hour in the lobby, then sat through I think 13 pieces by three bands and two smaller groups. D. is the principal clarinet in the school's most advanced band, and he had a small solo in one of the pieces, though we agreed the pieces his teacher selects aren't all that remarkable. Eventually, afterwards, he emerged, and we could drive home. Concert week is now complete. And in about an hour, J. will be home from his trip to L.A.
I was supposed to give a brief presentation at our company's Scientist Retreat, on the top floor of the downtown Hilton, just after 3 p.m., and around 1:30 p.m. I was ready to set out, having bundled myself up properly. I got in my car... and it wouldn't start. Yikes! I rushed back inside and borrowed D's bus pass, then rushed over to the bus stop and managed to just catch the bus downtown, then I walked from there to the Hilton. It was about 34 at this point and raining lightly, and really rather miserable, though I was warmed by some amusement at my adventure. I took some photos from the 12th story view -- the Hilton is one of the tallest buildings in Eugene -- but it was so foggy and grey that I couldn't see the forested hills, which were probably bedecked with snow.
After my talk, I walked back to the bus stop and rode home again, then called AAA, which came quite promptly. They tested my battery and determined that it was actually fine -- the problem is probably in the starter, with a lesser problem in the alternator. So if I'd tried a bunch more times, the car probably would have started.
Tonight being the fourth and final day of "concert week," I'd been concerned enough about my car that I'd arranged for R. to deliver D. to the school, with a plan to get there myself at some point. I decided to trust in my car and called R. to cancel, then I did drive D. there, and waited half an hour in the lobby, then sat through I think 13 pieces by three bands and two smaller groups. D. is the principal clarinet in the school's most advanced band, and he had a small solo in one of the pieces, though we agreed the pieces his teacher selects aren't all that remarkable. Eventually, afterwards, he emerged, and we could drive home. Concert week is now complete. And in about an hour, J. will be home from his trip to L.A.