It happened last Saturday (18-12-2010).
Here's the story:
I'll start with the previous day (Friday). We were suppose to play in a club in the old Bazaar (very nice place - great acoustic). I was very happy for this, since I had a delegation from Holland (from work), and one of the guys is a guitarist, so this was a perfect chance to invite colleges, friends, and have a great night and play sessions.
Unfortunately - the owner called us just as we were preparing to load the equipment onto the car, to tell us that there's no electricity in the club. The gig got cancelled, and my friend Peter from Holland went home Saturday morning. We didn't got the chance to jam together...
So, just as I thought all the bad things ended Friday - came the Saturday gig (in another place)...
The weather was freezing - the coldest night this year!!!
The gig went well, except for the part that people started smoking in the club, and since it's a small place - we chocked in 5 minutes... Awful - I forgot how it was when we played in smoking environments. I almost lost my breath. Lucky for me, the gig ended at 01a.m.
At the end of the night - the owner payed us only half the $$$, because there were not many people (once again, because of the beautiful freezing night).
As I was loading the last item in my car (Marta's cowbell adapter/pedal). I noticed a car behind me that got stuck in the snow/water hole. Naturally, I turned towards the guy and said "I'll help You"...
So, I pushed, he somehow managed to get out of the hole, making my pants all wet and snowy. "No big deal, I said - with a smile", and shook the snow off the pants, when suddenly I screamed:
"Marta, my ring is gone!!!" That's right, my wedding ring fell from my finger, because of the freaking cold, as I was cleaning myself.
(the time s 01:20am)
So, Marta, me, the bass player, the guy in the car I helped - we all looked everywhere in the snow. Nothing...
All that is left was - it was in the hole. Without hesitation, I went with my boots inside, and with my bare hands searched through the freezing water (a thing I'll never forget).
Naturally, I found nothing...
We decided to quit the search at 02am...
BUT, I didn't gave up on hope. Quickly got home, took a snow shovel, and a broom - then off to the pratcice room to leave half the stuff...
I then said to Marta - "I'm going back in the water hole, to search, even if it takes me whole night!!!" I must find my wedding ring!!!
Marta was in the car, with the headlights turned on, and I was in this damn hole, throwing snow and water all over the place. With wet pants, soaking boots, frozen hands and face, and almost crying from anger...
An hour - nothing. People passing by and looking at me like some kind of a nut... Marta couldn't stay in the car any more, so I said to her "go, I'll come. I mustn't stop"...
5 minutes as she left, one move with the broom, and something shined in the water!!!!!!!!!
I quickly called her to come and pick me up.
Epilogue - frozen, with a cold, wet to the bone, exhausted from all the negative that happened, but with a BIG smile and a BIG thanx to God.
With my wedding ring on my finger!!!
Drove Marta home, went to the room to leave the rest of the stuff, then finally got home around 5 a.m.
Good things happen to good people - I always say... No matter how many bad stuff happens before...
Marta said - "You always help people on your own cost. Like the one time that you helped this guy at the parking, and from all cars, he scratched yours on his way out (yup, this one is true guys
)
I quickly replied - "yeah, but IF I didn't help, I would have NEVER found the ring!!!" I'm positive that me helping that guy, made me find the ring...
Doing good helps...
That's why ALL of us here are friends!!!