Posted by Raul on February 10, 2011
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To the problems of cold weather that have made very slow the progress in the engine rebuilding I’ve been working on, just a couple of days ago I had the “pleasure” of ditching on the job.
With the accumulated snow and very low temperatures at night that created ice under the fresh snow, my van slid sideways while doing my delivery job, and I got stuck by the ditch at the side of the road.
Three o’clock in the morning; around -15 degrees Fahrenheit, and still one third of the route pending. I called the warehouse manager and got his best wishes in finishing my route. Fortunately, and with a borrowed car, I was able to finish the pending part of the route and go home.
The next morning a hired tow truck pulled my stranded van from the ditch, and after some strange reactions from the brakes, suspension and doors while driving it back home, the vehicle recovered itself and was ready to tackle the next delivery day, without emergency repairs needed (phew!).
I must admit; I don’t like cold weather! Even though I’ve tried to see the nice part of it (beautiful snowed sights), after many years and these kinds of events, I still long for the return of spring with its warmer temperatures, longer days and greener views, so days could be used more productively while enjoyed at the same time.
Raul
Posted by Raul on November 5, 2009
They were waiting for me…I know.
The night was too silent, too quiet!
I could feel some sort of shiver in my back while driving.
At some point decided to turn on all the lights in my van; just a precaution!
Or maybe it was fear, I don’t know.
The empty street seemed to extend forever, the houses were obscured and silent, no one around.
My heart was beating at a faster pace every second!
But I just kept driving, afraid and excited with anticipation, poisoned with fear and curiosity.
The engine was running smooth and powerful, the stereo was playing a soft melody, and all the needles in the instrument panel were stable, like holding position afraid to move!
Then it happened!
The engine died! The lights went off and the stereo fell silent; the van coasted to a halt.
My heart was racing! I could feel my skin itching. Eyes wide open and some drops of cold sweat running off my forehead.
I don’t know how long I remained seated in the vehicle before I was able to get enough courage to open the door and venture outside.
I can’t remember all the details, just some images, like an old black and white movie.
It seemed that time was standing still.
No sounds, no movements.
I started to walk with no direction, no destination, like under hypnosis.
I could feel my body, myself, my thoughts.
There was something there, someone!
Walked for a mile or two, I don’t know.
Walked like a robot, a machine.
Walked without looking back.
Walked without showing my fears, my doubts, my curiosity.
Walked to an open space.
Walked to a halt!
Dark, silent, motionless night.
Then light! Warmth, excitement!
Light from above!
No sound, no noise, no nothing!
Just light.
Silently it moved to my right, then drop to the ground.
Darkness again!
Something was there, I could feel it!
Like a hum, a very smooth vibration in the air.
A sweet, almost imperceptible sound that went across my body and relaxed me,
an unknown feeling that comforted my mind and fears.
Then light again!
A vertical, rectangular door of light to my right was growing from nowhere!
No…there was something! I could barely distinguish a silhouette of some sort around the light; a shape.
Like an oblong figure.
Like two dishes facing each other, one standing on the ground, the other on top, the rectangular light in the middle.
I was shaking, yet comforted, afraid yet reassured, worried, yet excited!
Then I saw it!
A shape in the light!
A body; someone, some sort of being coming out of the light.
Or maybe it was just a person walking thru a door, I don’t know.
A defined shape, a body, looking at me while walking to me!
He stopped walking when reaching about forty feet from me.
Just there, just standing, just looking at me!
A dark silhouette surrounded by intense light.
Fear, excitement, cold sweat in me.
How long? One minute? Twenty minutes? One second? I don’t know.
Images raced thru my head!
Feelings crossed my body!
Heat and cold.
Darkness and light.
Fear and happiness.
Excitement and boredom.
He turned around and walked back to the light.
I could see the shape going away.
I could feel my body being drained.
I couldn’t move.
No thoughts, no feelings.
Just standing there!
Everything went dark.
Every feeling was shut off.
Like someone’s life terminated!
I don’t remember what happened next.
I was seating in my van.
The engine was running smoothly.
The stereo was playing a soft melody.
The needles were stable.
I was looking forward, motionless.
I checked the gear lever. It was in Park.
Changed to Drive and started driving.
Finished my delivery shift.
Went home.
Went to bed.
I couldn’t sleep.
I don’t know what happened.
I don’t know if it was real or just my imagination.
I can’t remember more details.
This morning the phone ringed.
It was a salesman offering something.
He waked me up.
I was tired, needed more sleep.
I was mad!
The mirror in the bedroom exploded!
Did I do that?!
What’s happening to me now?!!
