“I don’t quite know how to say how I feel”

One small step for man and one giant LEAP for Sam.

Today, I faced one of my biggest fears. In fact, I have not visited it since the incident occurred. Today ladies and gentlemen,  I entered a car wash.

Yes, it’s true… car washes happen to be a fear of mine. The reason being a tramatic experience that happened a little over a year ago. November or December of 2005 on a warmer day I decided to get my first car wash by myself. Having had a car for all of 2-3 months at that point I thought it was about time. So I go to the counter, tell them my account (aka- discounted car washes heck yes), grab my ticket and go. Of course as the car approached the code thing I had to get out of my car just to enter in the numbers (how annoying). Once that was done I drove into the large contraption listening to the radio and fairly calm. I drove in until the sign flashed to stop! and then sat there….for an hour.

This is past the point when a person begins to get concerned.  I didn’t have my cell phone to call anyone and began to think of what my tombstone might say, “Girl trapped in car wash…idiot” I could barely see through the large garage doors of the car wash but at one point saw the guy working at Kum & Go attempt to “rescue” me before he ran away. So I sat there. Why didn’t I leave you ask? Probably because I had no idea where the door was and also was absolutely terrified of being sprayed by some powerwash.  

Finally, an brilliant idea came to me, and I put on my hazard lights. Thankfully, the lady behind me saved me by reading the sign located above the door of what to do in case of emergency. I had noticed it before entering.  After thanking her I drove away with a dirty car and plans to never return.

Last week the guy at the gas station gave me two free carwashes (Long story) and today was the day a flock of birds decided to mess my car up like crazy and I could take it no longer.

I went to the car wash and made it out alive.

Be proud.

 

Lyrics from Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol.

 

*** Edit: So you know how yesterday or last night or whenever this was written I told you to “Be proud” of my accomplishment? Yeah, definitely don’t be proud because I am an idiot. Seriously. I thought it was warm enough to get a car wash and get away with it but you know what? My mom drove me to school this morning because the key hole was frozen shut…still is in fact, even after using a de-icer made specifically for key holes. Why am I so dumb??