This is how i welcomed 2013.

Last night Jan 1st i was invited over to a best friends family diner party. I looked out the window and hit the auto start and my truck started (lights came on) and then i dressed - it was 17 below zero. But when i went out to my truck it wasn't running. I got inside and tried to start it - dead battery! I live at the other end of town and they are waiting for me. So i call my folks and my moms husband comes over and boosts me. Btw, im doing all this in dress pants and a dress shirt with a light jacket.

I drive up to the diner party and have a great evening. When i go to leave i hit the auto start and my lights flicker and then nothing. I go outside and try to start it, nothing. Dead. So i have to ask one of the guests for a boost. My buddy was busy with his two young kids. Again, not dressed properly because i was only going to a diner party. (my fault)

Get home and i back in so i can get a boost in the am if needed. But i plan on returning my battery for a new one - under warranty.

Next morning, Jan 2nd, i pack my gym bag and plan on doing a fasted workout. I figure ill boost my truck at my place if needed, and then head up to the gym and that will be enough juice to restart and get me to Wally World for a new battery. I try starting manually, nothing. Dead. I borrow my neighbors car to boost. Fiddle with it for ten minutes and nothing..can't even get a spark. I call a friend with a diesel truck two batteries. Hook up the cables, nothing. Dead. Determine battery is frozen. Again, im doing this 20 below zero in jeans, t-shirt, and fleece jacket. (im a stubborn Canadian)

I ask my friend to drive me to Wally World for battery. Then we head over to Crappy Tire for ratchet extension to remove battery tie down - mine wasn't long enough. (no wise cracks Kel) Then back to my place. He leaves and i attempt to replace battery in -20C and i have not eaten yet. You see where this is going? I was out there for almost an hour messing around with this gawd damn battery trying to get my hands in places that aren't designed for hands!! I was freezing, frustrated, hungry, and had to piss all at the same time!

I finally get it replaced and start my truck but head in doors immediately to allow the truck to warm up and make something to eat. After about 20 mins or so, i head outside and get into my truck. My fan is going full blast but my red light is on. I turn the fan off and listen for a sec. My truck isn't running! My fan has been running for 20mins without my truck running. Anyway, I start it up and everything is frozen still. I sit in my truck like a dummy and wait for it to warm up. Ok, off to the gym. I meet my buddies and do a decent workout and tell them about my morning.

Im leaving the gym and hit the unlock button on my key fob. Nothing. The lights dont even blink. At this point i should tell you that i have never taken the key out of my ignition in ten years. I only remove it enough to unlock the doors. Then i leave it in that position until next time i need it. My windows are tinted and vehicle theft is non existent where i live. What happened is, when i removed the battery the auto start and key fob reset itself. So needless to say im now locked out! BUT..i have a spare key in a small magnetic box that i keep tucked into one of the corner pockets on my bed liner. Its in the pocket that does not have the steel factory loop for tying down items in the bed. So i'm able to tuck the small magnetic box in there between the plastic bed liner and the metal side wall.

But after retrieving my spare key, i attempted to put it back but accidentally pushed it too far and i could hear it bounce deep inside the box where i cannot reach it without unbuttoning the entire rear liner!

I made it home and feel safe from myself...for now...