Let me tell tell everyone a little story about how much I love my Volkswagen.
On Tuesday night, I drive to work. I currently have a pretty awful cold, so I'm already tired and miserable. But I figure, 12 hours, no biggie. 6:30am rolls around and it's time to drive home. Since I sit inside all night, I have no need for a jacket. The slacks and polo shirt of my uniform is sufficient to keep me warm all night. Walk outside, the 30 degrees is quite brisk, yet bearable considering the short distance.
I sit in the chilled seat of my Passat, and put the key into the ignition. I turn said key...and nothing. Ok, nothing to panic about. It's cold out and this happens sometimes when the temperature goes below 40. Just have to be patient. Over the next 15 minutes, I see my co-workers drive off one by one, yet still not the slightest crank of the starter is heard. I call both my roommates, and as expected, neither can be bothered to answer their phones. Nay, they are far too warm and cozy in their beds. Then it hits me, I may have to walk home. Of course I'm not one of those people with enough foresight to leave a winter coat in my trunk for ust such an occasion. All I have beyond my uniform is a baseball cap and a thin sweater to protect me from the elements.
So, I begin my 4.5 mile trek home. There's a fairly stiff breeze, and I'm actually downright chilly. After I've covered about 3 miles, I realize I've already passed all the open businesses on my way home, and it's nothing but subdivisions seperating me from a warm bed, and wouldn't you, I have to pee like you wouldn't believe. I won't go into details, as it could be considered a bit shameful, but I did manage to find a place somewhat out of the way to relieve myself, and continue home. After over an hour of walking, I finally stroll into my house around 8:15, not too much worse for the wear. Sure, I was probably a little blue in the face and fingers, and my junk had quite possibly crawled up inside me for a shred of warmth, but I survived. For the record, my cold is about 10 times worse today. But that has less to do with the weather than just th fact that I have a weak immune system.
I sleep a good 6 hours, then get up Wednesday afternoon for work. Obviously, I have no car to drive, so I must ride to work in the upper 30's coldness on the Ruckus. I'm not thrilled about the concept, but hey, it beats walking. So, I get to work around 6:20pm, and just for s**** and giggles, I walk up to the Passat, turn the key, and the b**** turns on instantly. Spectacular. Just my damn luck. $10 says it doesn't start up when I head home in 3.5 hours though, and that I'll have to ride the Ruck home, then find a ride back to my car this afternoon and hope it starts up again.
Cliff Notes Version:
It was 30 degrees yesterday morning and my Passat wouldn't start, so I had to walk 4.5 miles to get home in little more than slacks and a sweater more suited to 60 degree weather.
Where does this leave me?
1. I hate my Passat.
2. I really need to leave a jacket and walking shoes in my car for such occasions
3. I'm sorry to the person whose oak tree and flower bed I peed on.
