I have absolutely the worst sense of timing when it comes to leaving work during bad weather. A few weeks ago, I had a late afternoon dentist appointment. It was pouring rain. I went two blocks and got soaked.
Today, I had to leave when I did to be able to make the two buses to get home. I had to run for the first one, after crossing the recently-repaved-but-poorly-draining 17th Street (i.e., a frickin’ lake at the crosswalk). Running for the bus wouldn’t have been so bad by itself, except for the fact that I was wearing a suit and loafers – not exactly running gear. And the umbrella didn’t help while running. I got initially wet.
Then I had to wait for the second bus, the always-late 57 South. At least I got to wait somewhere dry and even dried out a little bit on the ride down to my stop. I got off the bus when it was pouring. Within about 15 seconds, I was soaked again. I knew there was no way to stay even slightly dry for the three block walk home, so I just kept the umbrella low and walked as quickly as I could. I could feel my shoes filling with water, which sucks if you’ve ever experienced it.
I got into the house and called for help: I wanted a change of pants and some towels to dry off. My pants soaked through to the point my underwear was wet. That’s a new low for me. I just hope the suit isn’t ruined – I like the suit.
[...] The conference went well, and I headed into work for a fairly uneventful day. We were in the process of trying to buy a new car, since I was diriving a 1995 Jeep and Karen was driving a 2000 Pathfinder. In talking to the salesman that morning, he told me that it would be worth my while to come into the dealership that night, since it was the last day of the month and that they would make me a good deal. So we decided we would head out there, which meant that I had to leave work around 5:30 (i.e., early). I get on the first of two buses to take me home and some crazy homeless person crushes (I think) a beer can (I think) in the aisle of the bus after I sat down, which get whatever liquid it was onto my suit. The one I had just gotten back from the cleaners (see my previous post on this). I am now extraordinarily pissed off – not the best frame of mind to get in to negotiate for a new car. But we’re committed to try. We know that we have another dealer to play these guys off, so if we don’t get a price we like, we’re just going to walk away and try again over the weekend. [...]