Superfunkomatic - Observations of the Socially Inept

okay, coldest day i can ever remember in calgary with the windchill it’s minus 49 (-32 celcius without the wind). halfway home from my teaching assignment when the throttle locks 100% open - i.e. full-tilt. obviously the cold aided the breakage of the throttle cable. it’s an unlikely and untimely event, multiplied ten fold by the inclement weather - really, really bad timing.

i was able to negotiate the brakes and keep the truck going until i could find a safe place to stop - middle of glenmore trail and the off-ramp at elbow drive - heading west. at least i’m safely out of the way of traffic and can wait for a tow.

another unlucky soul had a blown-out tire but no tools and no warm clothing - ouch! so, not only did i get stuck, but i also get to help someone change their tire. no problem, glad i could help. borrowed the phone and called home for a ride. got his tire changed with a combination of his jack and my tools and he was off on his merry way.

what astounded me was the lack of help from the hundreds, if not thousands, of passing vehicles. not a single person had offered to help this poor guy out, not even when he tried waving them down, for a half an hour. sad statement of calgary’s ‘volunteer spirit and pride’.  what’s even more troublesome is that three, yes three, of calgary finest, the calgary police service drove right by not even stopping to see if anyone needed a help.

i can’t believe that in minus 50 weather that not even one person would think to stop and help. with temperatures that cold it quickly becomes a life-threatening situation. while we were changing the tire many actually honked at us because we were in ‘their way’ - unreal! i can only hope they experience the same situation as this poor guy at some point in their life to realize how little sympathy people have these days.

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