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frank...
This
is a story about Frank, but also about coincidence, it's
just that my
life seems to involve a tremendous number of them.
I
don't know if any thing really means anything. Sometimes I think we may be
given signs. But
signs of what? Here's true story
about one day in late December 2003:
I
woke up with a sore back and shoulders. It must have been the way I slept.
Anyway, I’m in a lot of pain and all I did was sleep. (Imagine how much damage
I could do to myself when I’m awake? )
So
I’m awake and in pain and I’ve got a lot to do. My motorbike is not working I have to fix it. The ignition switch is broken. But
the bike is such a rare and antique Italian thing that the switch in not
available. They have to fly it in from
Bologna
or somewhere. Probably first class.
Which means the bike, which I love the way some people love horses, could be out
of action until the first or second week of January.
A prospect that
does not please me.
Anyway. So my friend, Frank (who can do anything), has agreed to help me fix it.
I love Frank. Frank knows about such things and will give me his time.
It’s hot, like 30 something degrees. I’m driving around, getting bike parts,
in a lot of pain and stuck in traffic.
Is
Ravi
feeling happy about all of this? No, not really. Anyway 3 hours later we’re ready to begin. Frank is experimenting with the
wiring. He shorts out a fuse.
He
reaches
to replace fuse, drops it and, at almost exactly the same time a black out
hits. It’s like Frank caused the black out. The timing is remarkable. The power in the whole block goes out when he drops
the fuse.
What are the chances of that?* I mean it’s got to be a million to one. Is this a sign or something?
Frank is in the dark, the bike is in bits, I am in pain, and the heat is
relentless.
Ok, so a few hours later the lights are on and the bike is working. I get in my
car to drop Frank home.
I
turn the ignition. Nothing happens. I mean nothing at all. Zip.
I
am in a lot of pain. Hot, tired and the car is not working. It’s a problem
not even Frank can fix. I call the NRMA. The battery is stuffed. I need a new
one.
Get this. The very minute the bike works, the car breaks down. Is
this a sign? And
if so, of what?
I have a large 4 wheel drive. The battery has the words ‘truck and tractor
battery’ printed on the side. I mean this is a huge agricultural kind of
vehicle. It’s also twice as expensive as a normal car battery. So they call
for a replacement to be sent.
It’s now 6 pm.
Frank and I have spent the day doing this. The whole day stuffing around.
How is it possible for this to happen?
The
battery arrives. By 7 pm the whole thing is over - 7 pm.
Camilla picks up Frank. I am bewildered. Sometimes, life is like this...
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