ice storm

[threeplusfire]

Some days.

I was driving slow, but not slow enough I guess. My windshield had started icing over already in the rain, and I was on 183, heading south. On the ramp arcing over to Mopac, which I never should have taken, stupid stupid stupid girl. The car slid suddenly out of my grasp, and I bounced off one side of the ramp and then the other. I honestly thought I was going to die, going to flip the Ford Explorer over the edge and plunge down onto the freeway below. It was so clear, and so frightening, and straight out of my childhood nightmares about driving and ramps and big cars and dear god I was so fucking scared. I skidded through the entire curve, and only when I hit the downslope to the access road was I able to get control of the car again.

I took several deep breaths, and I might have screamed once in the silent haven of my car. At work I broke down into shaking sobs, and someone pressed their cup into my hand and made me get some coffee. My supervisor let me go home, because I was mortally afraid of being stuck there. So I went home, half an hour for a ten minute drive, stopping and starting on the access roads and the smaller streets packed with people trying to escape the ice. It's coming down hard out there now, and I went to the apartment instead of my mother's house.

So I'm going to make myself a drink, and cry a little for being so damn stupid and lucky, and make sure Gene and Melynda get home safely.

Comments

Re:

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Me too. I'm very glad they sent me home, because I was in no state to work, and sitting there by the window all night thinking about having to drive home in the dark and the ice would have made me insane. Plus, if I had gotten stuck up there, my mom wouldn't have been able to go to work in the morning since we share a car. Bad all around. Thank you for the good thoughts.

[neflhim.livejournal.com]

Glad you're OK. There is nothing scarier than loss of control in a vehicle. You did fine.

Re:

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I was oddly calm, trying to turn the wheel in the right direction to get the car to stop. It was only afterwards, when I was back on the ground, that I started losing my head.

[genders.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's how your adrenalin works. Thank heavens.

Re:

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Gods above, I'm not getting back on an overpass until summer. That was just the most unpleasant sensation, my big heavy car out of control.

[tinywarrior.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness!!! I saw that you'd called, but I was on the road as well and I guess I didn't hear the phone. I'm home safe and sound. Glad that you are now too. This ice sucks!! I can't believe it was almost eighty degrees yesterday and now this. : (

Re:

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I know! I was wearing a tank top yesterday when I went out. Argh, and now it is 27.

I'm glad you are home, I was just calling to make sure you were alright. It really shook me up and I was worried about everyone else.

[coyotegoth.livejournal.com]

Yikes; glad you're all right./

Re:

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

It ranks very high on the list of things I never want to do again. Eesh.

[silentjack.livejournal.com]

{{{{HUGS}}}} I'm very happy that nothing worse happened. Try to relax -- gos above, you need to after that. If you need anything, let me know, and I'll be there.

Re:

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Now, now. You should stay home. I know you're wise in the ways of frozen water, given that you're not a native Texan. ;) But stay home and stay warm good sir.

[janoux.livejournal.com]

i'm so glad that you're okay.

we just had an ice storm here (last week for 3 days) and it was a little touch and go. i never even thought that it could happen in texas and you guys are even less prepared than we are!

i never fall apart until after the ride is over, so at least you have company.

smooch.

call me if you need to talk (i should be hom by 10:30 est)

Re:

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

It's funny, because on the weather scale it's a fairly minor winter storm. But it's so dramatic here, because it's texas and we don't do weather like this.

Thank you, thank you.

[sammka.livejournal.com]

Eek! I'm glad that you're still alive. I hate those little jarring moments, they leave you shaky for a really long time.

Re:

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Me too. It reminds me now of your scary moment on the street in Prague. Evil ice. Ick.

[newbabel.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad that you're all right. I know how very unsettling such an experience can be.

You're always welcome to come visit me in South Florida, by the way. No ice here at all. Ever. :-)

Re:

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Thank you. And normally, there's no ice in Texas. ;)

[mielikki.livejournal.com]

(((((((hugs)))))))

Re:

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Eee.

[roadnotes.livejournal.com]

Don't DO that!

Aieeee.

Re:

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I am thoroughly chastised by the universe. No more. Pardon me, while I go hide under the bed.

[razorart.livejournal.com]

Eghads. Glad you're okay.

Re:

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Me too. I can not die before I go to New York again!

[puella.livejournal.com]

I would have been scared shitless. Yay for being alive

Re:

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Yay for being alive. Damn right.

[msmarlamae.livejournal.com]

OH honey!i'm so glad you are okay, and oh man how terrifying that must have been *big huge smooshes*

i'm so glad you are okay. i'm stayin in, and glad for it.

Re:

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Did your Man make it home alright? I saw your very worried post last night befor eI crashed on the couch.

We should all stay inside and hide. Ice is scary.

Re:

[msmarlamae.livejournal.com]

yep yep, he made it home just fine, took him 2 and half hours to make a 20 minute drive. Not fun.

Yep, ice is scary, even for those of us that grew up on it.

I'm glad you are safe and sound.