Wow.
Well, I DID leave work early...and paid quite the karmic price.
I figured that I was early and that a side trip in the wrong direction to pick up a manbag wouldn't be too big of a deal. Traffic heading there should be lighter, and traffic the way back is nonexistent.
Hah! Traffic was horrible heading there. No problem, I know an easy alternate route, so I cruised the exit lane, got off the freeway and headed down surface streets...only to find a major intersection (Talber and Magnolia, for the locals) with a blinking red traffic signal and a 1/2 mile backup.
No problem, I know an easy detour to this alternate route. So I flip a bitch, and make the turn for the detour...only to run smack into a "road closed except for local traffic" sign. It seems the easy detour around the easy alternate route is closed for construction
Ooookay, fortunately, I know simple detour around the closed easy detour around the obstructed easy alternate route to the jammed freeway, right? Oh hey, the simple detour around the closed easy detour around the absturced easy alternat route to the jammed freeway is
also closed! 
So yeah, I'm yelling at this point. Not helped by the pain in my back and the doofus drivers causing me to miss lights. Grrrrr. But I finally made it (5 minutes with no traffic, 45 minutes today) and got my manbag (first one posted above).
And got home later than if I had just stayed at work and left at 5. Sigh.
But no matter, I had some quality time with my lover (aka one of those car seat massage mats that I just plug in, lie on, and, well...mmmmmm), got some kisses from Munchkin, had me a sidecar, and a nice chicken picata dinner with CP. I'm feeling much much better.