Today's unexpected errand

So, it turns out that it's quite unusual for a 1998 car to still have its original battery (for the record, I knew the battery was old, but I didn't know it was quite THAT old.)

And old batteries like that tend to go kaput.

Yes, my car battery went belly up while I was at work. As luck would have it, this was the absolute most perfect place for it to happen, since I could get some help and a jump from a couple of folks there. I got over to the local Toyota dealer just before the service department closed, and they were able to squeeze me in for a quick battery change today instead of having me leave my car overnight... 20 minutes later and for LESS money than the estimate, the car was all taken care of. Quite possibly the most painless car trouble ever.

I also kicked back and got a couple of Simple Knitted Bodice rows knitted while waiting in their large and elaborate waiting lounge. :) You know how normally, auto repair "lounges" consist of 7 cushionless chairs and a 13" TV that only gets very staticky antenna reception of Jerry Springer? Not this place. Big screen TV, and a multi-piece couch that went all the way around the room, plus another couch island in the middle... it was downright cushy.