Blowout!

So today's killjoy is the tire-blowout on the Garden State Parkway while on my way home. Mile marker 166.9. I won't forget that. I've never changed a tire before, but I came close to doing it myself today.... except that I couldn't loosen the wheel nuts, and the piddly little assembly that came with the car didn't give me enough leverage to loosen them. So I paid the tow-truck guy $26.50 to change my tire for me. It could be worse, right? Bless his soul, he told me where to get some air for my donut wheel that was low on air pressure, and where to go get the tire serviced. So there is God in the small stuff, yet again. So I get some air and a nice strawberry shake from the Carvel that was at the rest stop. That was refreshing, because it was hot and muggy today. Thanks, God, again. Then I find the service place and they are good - 2 new tires for a decent price. Another blessing. And another blessing mixed in: the original set of tires that they were going to put on ("sturdy but inexpensive") couldn't be put on because they only had one. So I was blessed in that a better tire ended up costing the same price. So I've got some sturdier tires without a price increase. Boo-freaking-yaaaa. And so it's about 4:30 before I am on the road again. I should have been almost home and driving through Maryland by that time, considering the time I left, but whatever. I'm just happy to be home. And I now have a new bike! I had been bike shopping on CL and posted a wanted ad for a nice hybrid bike that someone was willing to part with. And boy did I get one! It's a relatively late model Gary Fisher Tiburon. It's nice and light. The tires need air, though. I think I'll just go get it tuned up and get a few accessories for it (kickstand, mirror, lights, etc.) so I'll be ready to go biking and get my ass doing something more physical than walking up my stairs to come and sit down at my computer desk. I'm anxious to try out the numerous bike trails that are around here. I don't want to ride on the roads because I really don't feel like playing Dodge-Car. But things are looking up! Maybe I'll post on CL to find a biking partner that is willing to show me the trails. That sounds like a good idea and nice way to make a new friend. In the meanwhile, I have to see about finding a good bike rack for my trunk - since I discovered tonight that the bike won't fit in my trunk, even when I take off the front wheel. So, now I'm home, I've showered, and I've got my cool new bike here. Plus, I've cleaned out my trunk! For a stressful day, I think I've taken it pretty well, and I have found God in the small stuff. Of course, it's tough to do that when you consider what kind of stupid sheep people can be - damn rubberneckers, don't you want to go home?? - but let's focus on what's good in the world and call it a night - a good night.