100 Word Challenge: Idiot

*Submissions deadline extended to Nov. 15*

There are several dashboard indicators on my car that I call “idiot lights” – in that, I’m an idiot about vehicle maintenance and I need obvious visual clues that something is wrong. I even have a percentage countdown for when i need to change my oil.

The one light that I appreciate most is my ‘low tire pressure light.” I have an inordinate fear of having a flat, and not realizing it until I’m grinding down my wheel rims. In my mind, I know how to change a tire, and in an emergency I probably could change a flat, I’ve just never had to and never want to. Hence, my relying on my indicator lights.

So… one recent morning I head out on my errands, but about a mile from home I noticed the little flat tire light. I pull over check my tires and none of them look low, but I don’t want to take a chance.

I didn’t have enough change for a gas station air pump, so slowly drove back home where I got out my trusty pen pressure gauge, checked my tire, then got out my bike pump. I felt kind of dumb using it, but it worked.

The light didn’t go out, telling me there is still a pressure problem somewhere. I remember that not too long ago I had a roofing nail find its way in a tire and wondered if that was a possibility.

I topped off the tires and I headed to the store where I purchased my tires, you know, after death by roofing nail.

More backstory – the temps where I live dropped drastically the night before my tire drama. I am aware that temperature extremes can affect tire air pressure, I also acknowledge that my Idiot Light might be faulty. Still, I didn’t want to take a chance.

The nice man at the tire store checked each tire, filling up the ones that were low and sent me on my way… free of charge.

Considering what I paid for the last set of tires, I should quality for free maintenance the rest of my life. Because, I am not going to practice changing tires anytime soon.

“Any idiot can face a crisis, it is this day-to-day living that wears you out.”  Anton Chekhov

This week’s word is:

Idiot

What to do:

Using “idiot” for inspiration, write 100 Words – 100 exactly – no more, no less. You can either use the word – or any form of the word – as one of your 100, or it can be implied. Include a link in your post back here, and add your story to the Mister Linky list. If you don’t have a blog, you can leave your submission in the comment section, or as a Facebook status post. Remember to keep spreading the love with supportive comments for your fellow Wordsters.