Troubles

Car troubles:
I tried to start my car on Thursday and nothing happened. I stuck the key in like I always do and turned, all I heard was a little clicking noise and it wasn't even from the engine. So, almost immediately, I jumped into PANIC mode because #1) I don't have triple A and #2) it just became ever so apparent that I have no FRIENDS or FAMILY here that could help me with my car problem. Neither is there any Lexus dealerships I can even tow the car to so they can fix the problem. So I call my parents and tell them what happened and ask what I should do. My dad told me to call the dealership while he calls his mechanic friend. So when I looked around the glove box for the dealership's number, I only found the dealership we bought the car at, but not the one we frequently go to for servicing. Oh well...whatever works. So when I called them they told me that it's most likely a battery issue and I should call my insurance to see if I have roadside assistance. I had to call my parents back and ask for our insurance guy's phone number. When I got our insurance guy on the phone he was so reassuring, promised me that we have roadside assistance on ALL my parents' cars so I'm totally set. Then he doubled check and realized we do have roadside assistance on ALL the cars EXCEPT the one that I'm driving. GREAT. So I ended up just paying over $50 to get my car jumped. It took like 3 secs. Really, the easiest money you can make.

So I didn't get my battery changed until Friday afternoon, so from Thursday-Friday afternoon, I had to get it jumped three different times and the very last time I tried to jump it, it wouldn't start for the longest time. I really thought the car was a goner for a few mins there. I thought I'd have to get it towed. Anyhow, after all of this, I've decided it's probably best I get triple A, for my own sake.

I had this discussion with my dad about getting triple A and his exact words were "I don't think we need it, I've never had any car problems". And then I recall how many times I've been stranded at various places because the battery died, or I had a flat tire, or I locked my keys in the car, or the batteries on the alarm died and I couldn't deactivate the car alarm, etc etc....and then I began to think...Do I just have bad luck with cars or am I just not careful with them or is this all just bad karma or what is it?? I don't know...this will remain a mystery forever.

Another Encounter with the Authorities:
I was about 12 miles from home driving on the freeway when I see this set of headlights speeding towards the back of my car. It stops about what looks like 1 inch from my rear bumper and tailgates me for a few mins. So I take a little while to consider switching lanes and then the cop lights flick on. It was then I realized "Oh, it was cop tailgating me. eeek!" I immediately look around my dash board as I signal to pull over. "Are my lights on? Yes. Am I speeding? No. Ok...why am I getting pulled over? Eeek". So after I pull over to the side, I open the window on the driver's side and I patiently wait for the cop to walk over to me. Then I hear a tapping on the passenger side of the window and realized he went on the other side. So I open the window and...

Cop: Hi
Me: Hi
Cop: I was trying to get you to move over
Me: Sorry, I realized that now.. :(
Cop: You should have moved over to the slower lane
Me: I'm sorry...I was trying to...
Cop: License and registration please
Me: *looks for license and registration
Cop: I noticed your registration is expired
Me: OMG! Really? My dad just put the sticker on yesterday!
Cop: Someone must have stolen it
Me: OMG! STOLEN?!?!?
Cop: most likely, you need to go get a new one.
Me: Ok...where?
Cop: The DMV.
Me: right...that makes sense
Cop: Is this your car?
Me: No...it's my parents'
Cop: Ok, I'm going to give you a verbal warning, go get your new sticker and put it on your car
Me: Ok... thank you!!

So I get back to my apartment and take a good look at the sticker. It's 2015. I don't know what the cop is talking about. It's NOT expired. He was probably just upset I was driving so slow and ruining his smooth ride. This isn't the first time something like this has happened to me. The last time this happened, the cop just switched on his lights and went on his mega phone and said "MOVE OVER!!"

I think the same gesture would have been very appropriate in this case too. He didn't have to pull me over and then freak me out by saying someone stole my registration sticker. Aiya.

Always have low expectations:
My brother promised me he'd drive here to spend Thanksgiving with me. I've been really excited about it for a LONG time now. Meaning, HIGH EXPECTATIONS that this is going to go down and it's going to be fabulous! So this weekend when I wanted to confirm with him if he's coming...

Me: so you are still coming Thanksgiving right?
Brother: actually, can you come to me?
Me: SERIOUSLY?? I only get ONE day off, just Thanksgiving. I can't come to YOU, I have to work the next day and it takes me 4 hours to drive to you and then 4 hours back.
Brother: right....see, my professor wants to shoot this movie with me and he already booked the venue and it's going to go down this weekend
Me: Well, we had this arrangement for you to come here for months now...
Brother: Fine, I'll just come for a day or two and then I'll go back
Me: omg, that's too much driving for you, is that even worth it? Just don't come.

*sighs, Always a disappointment when it comes to dealing with my brother.