Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003 - 10:20 a.m.
So, umm, do you wanna hear the story of how I almost died last night?
(How's that for a dramatic start?)
I had my usual Monday night play rehearsal in Frankfort, which is no big deal. The drive home from practice usually goes pretty quickly, as there's no traffic on the interstate at nine at night. Last night I was traveling at a decent pace, probably at about 65 mph considering there was still a bit of snow and slush about.
About three miles east of Frankfort, I noticed a seemingly unending line of cars sitting stationary just around the bend. I slowed down to about fifty, downshifted into fourth, and coasted down about another ten miles per hour. As I approached the mass of stopped vehicles, I started to apply my brakes, only to realize that the entire road was one continuous sheet of ice.
The brakes locked up and the car started sliding sideways toward the median at about thirty miles per hour. I stayed calm, steered slightly into the direction I was about to spin, then the car completely reversed direction, pointing me to the shoulder. I steered again, coming even closer to the mass of cars in front of me.
In what can only be called a miraculous turn of events, my car instantly righted itself, placing me square in the left-hand lane so I could come to a safe stop just inches from the rear bumper of a dark green Mercedes. I just sat there numbly for a few minutes.
Traffic eventually started to move at a snail's pace. I continued the rest of the fifteen mile journey at less then five miles per hour, which is no small task when you're driving a stick shift! The entire way to Lexington, there was a solid mass of traffic creeping along as far as the eye could see. Cars of people who weren't nearly as lucky as I was just a few minutes prior were practically piled into the snowy median and icy shoulder.
Needless to say, the last thing I wanted to do was go grocery shopping when I got back to town! But, I had nothing to eat and was completely out of tea. I usually wouldn't worry about that, but I contracted a hellacious case of laryngitis over the weekend and am keeping myself on a strict regimen of Earl Grey tea with honey and lemon to get my voice back.
Right now, I sound like an odd combination of a phone sex operator and Harvey Fierstein. Strangely enough, that's a 200% improvement from Sunday!
Play rehearsal is going extremely well, and everyone seems to be pleased with my progress. It's an interesting situation, as the group had originally practiced to perform the play back in November, but due to budgetary and time constraints, they had to cancel. Thus, the majority of the people already had most of the play memorized. I am one of four people who is starting from scratch, and seem to be fitting in pretty well.
We are starting to integrate the music into the play on Thursday, which means I'm doing my damndest to have a semi-normal voice by then. So, for anybody who happens to call me at home, don't be surprised if you get my answering machine. I must preserve my vocal chords!
With that, I must be off to do more office magic. Who's the king of the fax machine? That would be me.
