Orange Light

Alarm went off at 6:10 this morning as it has been the last few days. Today however my body was creaking as I got out of bed which it hasn't done embarrassingly for quite some time. Last night we played squash and every unused muscle I have had in the last six months is reminding me about their presence today. It's going to be a fun day to play with kids. 7:10am.

In route to work on a rainy, light traffic Tuesday. Monday as it turns out is horrific and I was pleasantly surprised how fast we were moving. Then, just when I thought this Tuesday was off to a good start despite my easing soreness, my stress level instantly shot through the roof. 7:25am.

As I am driving along rocking out to a morning playlist on the radio too good to be true, that little reminder that there is not enough gas to get you the hell out of anywhere went on. Great.

So next thought, do I stop now and risk being late to a new job or just wing it and fill up after work? I'm a slight risk taker but today none of that mattered. I was stuck with choice B because just as I was deciding whether to be professionally risky or potentially stranded I realized the next worst thing. My wallet was in my backpack. At home. Behind me. Full of francs. Awesome. 7:27am.

Ring ring. "Hi, can you check my backpack? Can you tell me if my wallet is in there?" "If you mean the grey one, yes, its here. Do you need it???". Ummmmmm. Kind of. Shit. Okay, be cool. Make it to work and figure the rest out later. Don't panic. 7:29am.

Arrive at work, 48km from home. 7:59 am.

I suppose I could ask someone from work to spot me 20 francs until tomorrow. It's an emergency and they made need a favor some day too right? I've been here for 4 days. There's no way in hell I'm asking. Next.

Have a good day! See you tomorrow! Yeah, having temporarily forgotten my dilemma I hustle back to the car and hope that I have a secret emergency 20 hidden somewhere. No such luck. I did however manage to scrape up 10 francs in rappen (change). Okay, let's see how far this will get me. 4:10pm.

Pump one. No coins. Pump 2. Cards only. Shit. Pump three. Minimart. Perfect. I pump the gas and hit a perfect 10.00. Now comes the humiliation. A late 20 something coming in to pay for gas with a handful of dimes essentially....with a big boasting smile of course! So I put the coins down, he starts slide counting , as if the situation wasn't embarrassing enough he needed to make sure I wasn't chimping him 10 cents. It was all there and then my favorite part. As I was walking away he said "excuse me, we are offering pan sets at 75% off...." No danke!!! 4:17pm.

Get back into the car, turn on the engine, wait for the light to go off. Wait for it, wait for it. Nope. Barely made a dent. So, the little orange light and I set out to make our way home. All 45 kilometers.

Finally, the Saab and I pull onto our cozy street. I run into grab my wallet to refuel and when I turn the car back on the fuel needle was out of the orange! What?!?! I stressed out about not making it home and being stranded and not even being able to get a bus or train ticket when I was fine this whole time?! Then I started driving and the orange light went back on like laughing in my face, but this time it was okay because I had made it to the station and market before they closed without further embarrassing myself. 5:16pm.