Of Flat Tires and Good Samaritans

I was driving along C.P. Garcia inside the UP compound on my way to Jaye’s place. I had my iPod set up with my Glee playlist on (playing “Proud Mary”) and I was rolling, rolling, rolling past some old UP buildings. Suddenly there was a loud thud (sounded like metal on metal) and my car started skidding violently to the right. It was a good thing there were no pedestrians or street vendors there or I would have done a “GTA: San Andreas” on them (though in that game, I do that on purpose).

I stepped out, checked my car and lo, I had a blown front right tire. I whipped out my air compressor and started airing it out but it just hissed and hissed. It turns out there was a huge crack on the side of the tire, probably caused by that wild skid. (I wanted to write “I left huge skidmarks on the road” here but I didn’t want to be quoted on that).

I popped my trunk and moved all my office stuff to the backseat of my car then I noticed there was this seedy looking dude in his early 20’s standing beside me. I continued to move my stuff when 2 more guys (one was bigger than me) walked by and scouted the contents of my car, how bad the tire damage was and probably, if they can take me on. Something's not right. I closed the trunk and tossed my jack and my cross wrench back into the passenger’s seat. I also started drafting my plan:

If the big guy attacks, I’ll kick him in the crotch, hop in my car and flee on a busted tire.

If the smaller guy attacks, I’ll kick the big guy in the crotch, hop in my car and flee on a busted tire.

Ok, look. I’m a photographer/database administrator… I’m not Jackie Chan. All I know is to take pictures, maintain SQL Server 2005 and kick people in the yagballs.

This is where reality kicks in. In that Sam Milby movie, he blows out a tire and Toni Gonzaga drops by to help him. When I blow out a tire, I get 4 dirty looking guys. What gives?

Out of nowhere, this old guy from a nearby landscaping shop comes in and asks me to take my car to his parking lot so I can change my tire there. Apparently that street is known for blown tires, seedy kids and city tow trucks who’ll charge you big time. He had this very warm and mellow voice and he kept laughing and smiling. He was like Santa Claus without the beard, 3 feet shorter and wears a sando. The 4 guys left though they would still look back from time to time but wouldn't bother me again.

I drove over to the parking lot of his shop and changed tires. He even loaned me his alligator jack. I checked out the tire and it’s really FUBAR now. Sigh. These Falken 205/45R17’s cost a fortune. =(



When I was all set, I returned the jack to this old guy and offered him 200 bucks which he refused. Technically, yeah he didn’t really do anything other than point his parking lot but I was really grateful that I didn’t have to deal with those 4 characters. I asked for the name of the shop.

He said “Andy’s Rose Garden”.

I asked who he was.

“Andy.”

Wow, the owner was the one who helped me? I asked for a calling card in case I’ll need anything from there in the future. He said he was just happy to help, still with a big smile and he walked away. I drove off and arrived at Jaye’s covered in dirt and grease.


Andy's Rose Garden

It feels good to know that genuinely good people still exist in this world. =)