There and Back Again

I'm not sure whether to be relieved things worked out the way they did in the end or angry. If I was angry it would have to be at myself, as there was really no one else controlling it.


Jayar asked me to go to a 5:00 appointment with one of his clients, Denise. I called her at 4:40 to touch base and let her know that I was indeed coming and double check the address and time. I told her that my cell phone had died so I would just look for her when I got there. I then gathered up my things and headed to my car.
I was pretty sure I knew where to find my exit, but when I passed the entire Strip and still hadn't seen my exit I was a tad confused. I kept going, thinking maybe it is a just a bit further. When I was absolutely sure I was going the wrong way there were no exits off the freeway. I was stuck going the wrong way. And I was late.

Then my gas light turned on.

I started getting a bit freaked out when I saw all the signs for Baker, CA. Finally there was an exit into Henderson. I got off the freeway and did about 3 U's until I figured out how to go the other way. I didn't want to just get back on the freeway, as I had seen how incredibly backed up traffic was. I ended up driving down Las Vegas Boulevard until I got back into the city. It was almost 5:45 at this point.
I knew that trying to drive down the Strip would add another hour or so onto my time so I headed back toward the freeway. I-15 was completely packed. I had one choice: Frank Sinatra Boulevard. I really needed to find a gas station, but hadn't seen one yet. I didn't want to go too far away from the streets I knew, as I get lost easily. So I took Ol' Blue Eyes Road for about twenty minutes, five of which I spent in stopped traffic next to a Louie Anderson sign, basking in his gap toothed glory.
My gas gage was dipping under the line, so I left Frankie and headed toward Main Street. I passed a 7-11, but it was full as well as scary. I headed past Utah Ave, which is a nasty dirty street, and decided to turn back to the 7-11.

I was absolutely freaking out by this point--fullblown anxiety attack. I was out of gas, my cell phone was dead, I was an hour late, I was disappointing people by being late, and so hormonal I was bursting into tears every ten minutes.

I finally got a few dollars worth of gas into George and sighed in relief. I jumped back on the freeway and quickly found my correct exit. I passed the same spot I had flipped a U about ten minutes before--apparently I was a bit preoccupied with the thought of getting gas that I didn't note the street name. Soon I was at the correct intersection. But where was the number? I was looking for 915, but I found 800 and 880 and 970 and 1030 and a lot in between but no 915. What the?!??

At 6:45 I gave up the search and headed back toward the freeway, only to be welcome with a sea of red lights. I was completely wiped out mentally, emotionally, and physically. I started bawling. Complete "ugly cry", as Oprah would say. After the whimpering and sniffling died away I finally got home--about 7:15.

I plugged my cell phone into its charger and listened to my voicemail. At 5:20 Denise had called saying it wasn't what she wanted afterall, and that she hoped I hadn't left yet, or that I would call Jayar and find out, or that I just never found the place and went home. 5:20. 5:20 I stopped my search at 6:45, feeling I had let everyone down.

Jayar just told Elizabeth get me a car charger for my cell phone. Hahaha.