CHANNAIN'S BLOG

Channain

Channain’s DVD Odessey
Thursday, December 11, 2003

Got behind the wheel of my 1991 Chevrolet Lumina and tried to pretend it was a 1968 Corvair Convertible. Okay, since it was 20 degrees in Minneapolis, maybe not so much the convertible part. And since the Lumina is an automatic, it was a bit of a stretch at first. Them as maybe don’t understand why a Corvair need to read the Browncoat Chronicles (this blog sponsored by Sarahetc, Chronicler extraordinaire).

Since we were given a healthy snowfall the previous day (okay, only 9 inches, but still), getting from my place of employment in the northern burbs to Minnetonka wasn’t going exactly gonna go smooth. Roads were good, but the ramps were still prêt-ty prob-le-ma-tic and the last thing you want to do is spin off into the ditch. Been there, done that – do you know what a towing charge amounts to in this day and age? Kell NIGHT!

As I said, road conditions were pretty darn okay, and I was cruising along. As it was Wednesday, I hadn’t taken a regular lunch break, so I swung of 169 South onto 55 West to utilize the drive-through at Arby’s. The off-ramp was coated with ice about halfway down, but there was a definite trail where other folk had been before me, so I kept the wheels in the asphalt ruts and said a little prayer. Should have been keeping a better eye on the speedometer, though, because I was going WAY too fast for the corner at the lights. Did my darnedest to slow down in time, but there was a good 10 inches of gorram snowplow goo on the curb, which means NO traction. Funny how in those kinda situations your car suddenly becomes a horse “Whoa, whoa, WHOA!” Skidded around the corner, got straightened out and made it into the frontage road, then remembered to start breathing again. From that point on I was determined to drive Wash-like; both hands on the wheel, eyes on the road.

Picked up food and headed back to the freeway. Potato cakes called my name at the lights so I munched one. Then I had the beef and Swiss out of the bag. This is why I can’t complain so much about cell phone drivers. I mean if I keep making my car into a café, I really can’t kibitz about folks who turn theirs into a phone booth, can I? Once I discovered my beef and Swiss had magically transformed into a beef and cheddar, I continued south on 169 to 394 West. Did drive Wash-like on that ramp – three other cars seemed awfully confuzzled by the meter lights. Which lane am I supposed to be in? Is that the right shade of green or what?

Got to the mall without further incident, and found a decent parking place by one of the main entrances. Had to walk a little ways, but no worries – 20 degrees remember? Got to Suncoast, receipt in hand and was told by the nice sales guy in the Santa hat that I was getting a heckuva deal. He checked his register over before he asked the other sales guy, “Is there a button for 'we messed up'?” Other sales guy (Eeore-like), “Yeah, just punch in three.” And there it was, my shiny DVD set in a little Suncoast sack, at half the price on the sticker no less, ready to go home with me! Naturally, I had to stop by Godiva to celebrate by buying ostentatious chocolate (it was on the way - hello?). They asked me what I bought, so of course I did some show and tell. The girl behind the counter (who knows me on sight, but that’s another story) looked at the cover and said, “Ohhh, look at all the hunky men!”

The trip home was slow going because I chose to take the freeway just as rush hour was getting into full swing. Got home and it was Simon the cat and me, watching the shiny new Serenity and hearing Nathan Fillion sing the Firefly theme, despite Joss’s attempts to actually comment during the commentary.

“See?” I said to Simon. “There’s your namesake. Don’t worry, he’s not as smarmy as he looks.”

Simon purred, Nathan giggled after getting dissed by Joss and all was once again right with the world.

COMMENTS

Friday, June 11, 2004 7:53 AM

PINGJING


I've been trying to figure out how to reply to your response, and I can't figure it out. So I'll just post here:
Small world, isn't it? I noticed another wacky thing - you're an artist, and I also work at the Weisman Art Museum. I love the fan art, btw. Any chance there are more portraits coming out soon? Of Wash maybe? Or Inara in a gorgeous dress?

Julia

Friday, June 4, 2004 5:42 PM

PINGJING


Aw, that's so sweet!
Btw, I just watched my first commentary (led on by comments on a fff.net board about a red button and shadow puppets, had to know what that was about) but I didn't start with Serenity, I started with War Stories. What loveable men, Nathan and Alan. Yum.
Anyway, what brings me to post is...I work at Godiva! And I live in Minneapolis! But I work at Southdale, and you probably went to Ridgedale, so...nope, I probably don't know you.

Julia


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