Dearest people of the world:

If you lock your keys in the car…while it’s running…always make sure you have an extra set somewhere. Oh and if you have cellphone, make sure you actually have that with you to call to get that extra set of keys.

-Matt (March 2006)

Yep. That was my night tonight. I was on my way to floor hockey and had to drop off a letter in the mail. When I came back to the car, the doors “magically” locked. Ask me if I was impressed? Let’s just say that kids near by needed to cover their ears as the “trucks” and “mits” were flying out of my mouth. And what’s even better, I remember leaving the house and noticed I didn’t bring my cell phone. I thought, ah forget it, I won’t need it, I’m just heading to hockey and back. Next time that thought goes through my head - I’m heading back for the phone.

So I’m standing there, I can’t get into my car and no cell phone to call anybody. I figure I might as well walking somewhere, anywhere but standing like an idiot in front of my running car. Now the big man upstairs must have felt sorry for me as low and behold Doug just happened to be at his old apartment just cleaning the last few things out of it just as I was walking by.

Vegas Odds: 1.4 billion to 1

So after trying to phone various tow truck/locksmith companies, I was basically out of luck as most of them didn’t have the “tools” to get into the car or they were in the North East and would take well over and hour to get there or they were going to charge $70 to open it…um no thanks - I’m a frugal Ukranian. Doug says that Jo has CAA so we decided to head back to his place to get Jo to call.
So we leave my illegally parked, running, full-tanked car by the mailbox where I dropped off the letter there, and call CAA from Jo and Doug’s house. After some hastle (them wondering why we weren’t at the car?), they were on their way. 1/2 hour later, I got back my now very warm car….no charge.

Thanks Jo. The Ukranian in me rejoices in my savings.

Here’s hoping the week goes a little better.

PS. I missed my floor hockey game.

-The Frugal Ukranian