How I very nearly was #43

I was sort of in the narsty 42 car pile up on I-90 this afternoon. I was heading to Chicago for a week of Rapid Track RHCE training (and exam), and knew the weather was going to be bad, but underestimated several things (visibility, mostly).

I noticed it was getting pretty damn white out after I hit the interstate, and slowed down. I noticed hazard lights blinking in the distance, sort of half in my lane, and half in the ditch. Hit the brakes a bit (yay antilock brakes), and noticed what was going on soon enough to turn into the ditch, and stop without hitting anyone. Then, I saw and heard several other cars still coming behind me, and moved off into the grass far far away from the problems. I sat there for an hour or two until the emergency people did their things, and told me I could go since I wasn't injured, and my car wasn't apparently damaged. However, as I was leaving, the state trooper pointed out that my bumper was hanging off at a bad angle--a very important bit I must have missed due the all the tall grass I was sitting in (or maybe a bit of shock). He told me to pull behind a fire truck and wait...so I did. As the firetrucks and cops were leaving, I managed to flag down another trooper, and ask what I should do. Since I didn't hit anyone, and no other cars hit me, he decided not to count me in the 42, and told me I could just file a report later on.

So, no RHCE for me, and we'll see how much I have to pay for repairs--I've got a $500 deductible, so I'm probably out that much at least.

Ah well, I just got 8 hours worth of $75/hr freelance computer consulting in on Saturday--that should cover it nicely.