"Dose of Reality" Volume.1 Issue.4-No Paddle

• NO PADDLE

If you’re familiar with, “Up shit’s creek without a paddle,”then you understand how important it is to plan. Unfortunately, my reluctance to plan landed me waist deep inshit’s creek. Over time, I learned life is akin to a labyrinth with divergent paths around every corner, so it’s in your best interest to use everything at your disposal to help you navigate it. “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

Agendas keep you on track to accomplish tasks in a timely and efficient manner. Because you'll have dozens of distractions over the course of a day, you set yourself up for failure by trying to take on the impossible task of trying to remember everything. Create a plan. An agenda will help you achieve 3 things:

• 1. It will keep your mind organized. An organized mind is more productive and insightful.
• 2. Because you are organized, your agenda will alleviate the stress of having to remember too many things.
• 3.In addition, an agenda will maximize your time and ability to complete your goals, creating opportunities to carry out more tasks or enjoy free time.

Can you remember your first time behind the wheel of a car? Recall the tension in your hands as you ease on the accelerator. Remember your focus and how, after only a short while, you became comfortable driving. Unfortunately, that confidence led me astray. Convinced I had things under control; I found myself inattentive to the condition of the road ahead and began steering down the wrong path. I failed to plan and in time, I was in peril.

In accordance to my usual car maintenance, “Crustacea,” my ‘96 green paint peeling Honda Accord was on her way to the shop for an oil change. In an attempt to get better service for my beloved, I flash my pearly whites and bat my lashes as a courtesy to the gentlemen in the shop. Confident that no respectable man would allow a lovely lady to risk life and limb, my first question was, “How do my tires look?” Praying for an honest answer while being met by a bunch of raised eyebrows, a sense of urgency in Spanish twang tried to reason with me. My service tech says, “Mama please go purchase two new tires ‘cause it’s not looking good.” Generally, I’m all for new shit, but with respect to my bank account, I couldn’t afford brand new tires. When I arrived home, I ran down the events with my mom and she quickly offers to pick up the tab. With foolhardy pride and much ignorance, I decline without hesitation; after all, I had just moved back homeand I don’t mooch.

I couldn’t believe I would be out of $243.17 because at the time, that price looked like the whole arm and leg, so I opted for an alternative. I concluded that used tires would be my solution and boy did I get used tires. Initially, the road trip went well, however, 27 miles out of Gainesville, while traveling upwards of 80 mph, my car starts shaking uncontrollably. Permeating the air were sounds reminiscent of gun shots and my vehicle began veering left. By God’s grace, no one was in my path and as the car struggles and slows I tried my best to avoid the median. I exit Crustacea, and as I assess the damage, I see that there’s a fat ass hole in the wearily worn discount tires, the outer layer of rubber is approximately 25 ft behind me and all I can see are exposed wires caught in my axle dangling in the dirt. I couldn’t believe my luck! I drove on those tires less than 10 hours and they already failed me.

After gaining my bearing, I reenter my car, turn on my emergency lights and navigate the slow lane to the first available exit. I travel at a snails pace, 10 mph, and spot a tire shop. As luck would have it, it was closed, but I kept the faith! I make my way back to the interstate and travel for an additional 23 minutes before I approach the next exit. This time, however, luck is in my favor. I found another used tired shop in what I can only describe as Hicksville, USA. Fortunately,or shall I say unfortunately, I’m greeted by attentive gentlemen who clearly weren’t used to Hispanic women. As I ignore the advances of the boss and the virgin employee that he tries to put off on me, I finally resolve my issue and make my way to my destination after an hour delay.

In time, I would attempt to return home still ignorant to the hazards I would face on the path ahead. After experiencing another blowout, my tire and car were in such ill repair that I couldn’t even slow roll Crustacea to the next exit. Realizing I would have to hoof it, I get out no worse for wear, dressed in a green button down, a pair of brown tights, and some fire knee high brown leather boots, determined to get my problem resolved. Before I could take 10 steps, a car pulls up behind mine. Behind the wheel was a Georgia Tech alum that’s a mechanical engineer and a member of a Camaro Club. He had a pump, the tools, and know-how to get the job done for me. After putting on my spare and rotating my back tire to the front, he followed for an hour to I-10 where we went our separate ways. In parting, and after I thanked him for his time and expertise, he stated with conviction, “I just wish someone would do the same for my daughter if she was in this situation. ” Apparently, I was about a year in age to his baby girl.

Hopefully, you learn from my trails and use this advice to your benefit before you find yourself in a precarious situation. Remember:

• 1. Don’t allow your pride to interfere with what’s in your best interest. There are people in your life that can lend a helping hand. I could have killed myself twice over dumb ass tires. Remember, a little help goes a long way.
• 2. Think before you act. If I evaluated my situation properly and been patient, I could has purchased new tires. I should have done some research before jumping on a leap of faith.
• 3. Keep your composure and be assertive. My faith and determination allowed me to work through both situations. Although I was in shock, I never doubted that I would find resolution. I was positive and assured that through my cool demeanor I could work through the dilemma.

After realizing I lost my way, I reestablished my bearing and although I was driving down the wrong road, one thing remains paramount; planning leads to a structured life filled with worthwhile days. Truth be told, even your best efforts to prepare for what’s ahead are still subject to chance because, as many of you have found out, one day you’re driving a working vehicle and in the next, you’re staring at your car as you leave the dealership because you can’t pay for repairs. Recently, I fought this bout with fate.

While attempting to drive to work on a lovely Wednesday afternoon (I thank God I have a job) I put my car in park, per routine, while reaching for something in the back seat. As I returned my car to drive—it didn’t move. Instead, cutting through the tranquility of the moment was a sound which can only be described as the friction between metal on metal, from what I perceived was coming from underneath my car. Unfortunately, as I noted above, my car was NOT moving and there was NOTHING underneath my car!!! With velocity swift enough to set land speed records, my stomach sank to my toes as my money woes erupted in my mind. I had a blown transmission, a very BIG deal because just as I begin getting all of my ducks in a row I’m beat back by a bitch called misfortune.

What’s a girl to do? Dust off and formulate and plan. It’s common knowledge that life has its ups and downs, but throughout it all you must find solutions. When you arrive at that fork in the road ahead, planning will ensure that you don’t have to stray too far from the track. Remain focus andprepare because it is your best chance to be successful.