A car-related PSA

Say you're driving happily down the road and one of your radio stations stops playing. Just stops. Wierd, right? So you switch to another and listen for a while, until it, too, goes silent. In fact, the whole radio has stopped working.

Shortly thereafter, the fan in your heater/AC spins down.

And you notice that the indicator lights on your dash - including the one that's supposed to be on, the one for your running lights - are dark.

Folks, it's time to look for a nice safe spot on the side of the road, because you're driving on borrowed time. Your alternator is about to DIE!

Third time is sorta the charm; this is the third time I've had an alternator blow, and this time I did get somewhere safe. Somewhere off the road, close to a food vendor and a bathroom. Somewhere I was meeting someone with an AAA membership. Mind you, the bus lane of the New Carrolton Metro Kiss and Ride isn't the coziest spot in the world to spend almost two hours of your life, but it could have been much, much worse. I didn't even have to push the car; it croaked blocking the construction exit just as two trucks were pulling out, so four beefy men climbed out and and shoved me out of their way.

I would like to take a moment to mourn the much-anticipated breadmaking class maureen_the_mad and I were originally heading to, and to thank my brother for leaning over while I was learning how to drive in a parking lot, yanking out the keys, and saying "Now steer around that lamp post and brake." I also want to thank Smap for coming to rescue the two of us when we finally ended up at the repair shop (which was, to my shock, still open at 7:30 pm! The guy at the desk told us sick but hilarious stories about having watergun fights with headless chickens at the family farm. You may have had to have been there.)

Two pieces of advice, that I have decided in retrospect are very good ones, so I'm passing them on, since I had to rely on the kindness of my marooned passenger for both:

1) AAA membership may not be used very often, but when you need it, you need it. I've called on someone else's card twice in 5 months. I just rejoined.

2) Someone I know carries a $100 bill for emergencies; it's too big to spend lightly, but big enough to handle common emergencies. Like being towed from New Carrolton to Annapolis.

He swore last night that the car would be fixed today. I took a taxi to work, so now I'm huddled by the phone waiting for the call that says I'm mobile again...

Now, WHAT a good idea!

From officialgaiman, a literacy event with a twist. Noting the connection between poor literacy rates and high crime, the police in Waynesboro, VA have kicked off the Book 'Em Bookfair.

Books of all types and genres are included, such as historical, non-fiction, mystery, romance, suspense/thrillers, fantasy, horror, and true crime. There is also a large number of children's authors, ranging from preschool books through the teen years.

Admittance to the annual book event is free. The proceeds from the sale of the books goes to organizations dedicated to increasing literacy rates, decreasing crime rates, helping police solve crimes, and raising public awareness of the link between high illiteracy rates and high crime rates. The 2004 event benefited the following charities: Central Shenandoah Crime Stoppers, Friends of the Library from Waynesboro, Staunton, and Augusta County, and the Shenandoah Valley Reading Council.

They held the first last year, so they're desperate for authors to come beef up numbers/bring in bodies. They are serious enough about the commitment to have signed a contract to keep doing these fairs through 2025. (!)

I can't think of a cooler concept. Please help spread the word/help out the fair.