hmatt's blog

I was driving down the freeway and I noticed that one of my headlamps was out. No biggie I thought. I would simply stop by Pep Boys in Pasadena before teaching my improv class and replace it in the parking lot.

This was 7:00pm.

I didn’t know which to get, but they have that handy calculator thing that tells you. So I bought it and walked over to my car.

I plopped down and turned the ignition. The lights came on, but it wouldn’t start!

Last time this happened the battery connection was loose. I told Chris at the service department and he came over with the battery checking unit and tested it for me.

After a series of trying different things, he thought that it might be the starter. Unfortunately, he could work on it until the next morning.

I called my old Pasadena roommate and asked if I could crash on his couch for the night. Incidentally, something happened like this a year ago. One of the radiator hoses fell apart and my car was overheating. Luckily he agreed again.

I called the family I nanny for and she was totally okay with me arriving later the next day.

I still needed to get a ride to workshop and I didn’t have anyone’s number. However, I remembered that a student always had his iPhone with him so I emailed him to call me.

At 7:30 Mike was there to pick me up, and we arrived late to class. Everyone was already doing a warm up exercise and then we had an awesome time.

The other Matt was able to give me a lift to Lindygroove.

I should also mention that I’ve been hauling around an Ikea bag with all of my stuff, including my backpack with camera and laptop from earlier that day.

After the dance Char gave me a lift to Eric’s place and after a quick visit I went to sleep.

This was around 1 am.

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The next day I figured it would be a good time to check levels on the antifreeze. The day continued normally, but the radiator started steaming, and I figured I put too much in and it was about to boil out to proper levels.

After DSB anniversary dance, I began the trip home when everyone was stopped on the 210. Marianne and Jason were nearby so I chatted with them and let my car cool down because it had started to overheat.

After the traffic started up again I noticed that the temp gauge went straight back up! Yikes!

I drove off the freeway to this secluded area and tried adding more fluid– and to my surprise, the radiator cap was off.

Which answered what the clunking sound was on the freeway.

2 am.

I didn’t want to drive any further because it kept heating up and I didn’t want to damage my engine. So I drove a few miles near an AutoZone. Then, slept in my car until it opened at 8.

After I put it on, it still overheated. So I put some more fluid directly in the radiator and that was it. Good thing I remembered to put the extra antifreeze in my car.

I then remembered that I once kept extra food and a blanket in the car… I’ll have to put that back.

Now, after two nights, I will finally be sleeping in my own bed.