Tempting Fate

Last week I did something crazy. Something I would never do (except once - accidentally) in D.C.:

I left my car running while I ran into a store.

And it wasn't just any store. It was a liquor store. I needed to pick up a bottle of wine...

So, why in the WORLD would *I* ever do such a thing? Me who has three stolen car incidents to my name?

Well, because it was freakin' freezing cold, that's why, and I wanted my car to run a few minutes more before I forced it home.

Sure, I've taken some risks since being here...I've left my apartment unlocked, my car unlocked...but I had yet to leave it ready and waiting for someone to just take.

This is something I wouldn't advise doing in D.C., or most other places for that matter. But here...eh. I wasn't that concerned. And I wasn't the only one. There were any number of cars left running while their owners ran inside.

I figured safety in numbers, right? It worked this time, but I'm not sure how soon I'll be doing this again. It's probably still a good idea for me to not tempt fate.

Avoiding the Inevitable?

Last week a local news report warned residents that car theft in the area is up.

Great.

We all know what that means...I'm somewhere on the hit list.

But I'm trying to avoid this inevitable fate.

The police chief said it was primarily due to people leaving their keys in their car. This I do not do. Yes, I know I did this once in D.C. - and it was the only time my car should have been stolen but wasn't.

Here people leave their keys in the ignition - with the car running. Particularly in the winter when you don't want to warm/defrost your car again after a five minute trip into the post office. I guess thieves are just now catching on that if ever there was a time to get the job done, this might be it.

Car theft/damage hit close to home a few weeks ago when my coworker's girlfriend's car was broken in to. Her purse, iPod, credit cards, phone, everything was gone. They left the car, however.

Being a victim of stolen purses, and stolen cars, and sometimes the two together...I could sympathize.

The cop told my coworker that car theft and burglary was on the rise, and there had been a rash of incidents recently around town.

I know I am an absolute magnet for theft, but I am determined to turn my fate around. They will not get me! Not this time! Not in this town...!

Do you hear me...um...fate?

Makin' It Real

I just came in from putting my Wyoming license plates on my car. I've had them for a long while now, but just haven't gotten around to getting it done.

In the last seven months Gwennie, my car, has worn "Taxation Without Representation" D.C., plates, "Greenie" Colorado plates, and is now sporting some shiny county 2s.

So, it's official!

Or at least nearly.

On Friday I went to get my new Wyoming driver's license as well. THAT will be weird. But I won't have to worry about it for roughly three to four weeks, which is how long it will take for me to get it in the mail!

I forgot this about Wyoming. I assumed I'd walk out with a stunning new I.D. in hand, like you do in D.C., but nope. Instead I have a paper version and my old D.C., license to tide me over 'til the real thing arrives.

I do get to keep my D.C., license, which is nice. Since I'll very likely never live there again it'll be neat to have proof that I did.

If only the picture weren't so terrible and my weight was correct...

Parking Paradise

Today we had our monthly payday bowling outing for work. On the way to the alley, I stopped by my apartment to scarf down a salad so I wasn't tempted to eat bowling alley food.

As I headed back to my car I noticed my parking job and actually said to myself, "Wow! I parked really close to that car!"

In reality I was about a foot or more behind it, which is more than generous in my opinion. But it struck me then how my perception on acceptable distances between bumpers had changed.

I am the Queen of Parallel Parking - and not self proclaimed either. It has often been noted how I will/can fit a car into any spot. And I'll do it without damaging any vehicles. In D.C., you just have to be willing to do a little bumping if necessary, and know you will be bumped just as often. That's because the number of cars needing parked FAR outweigh the number of parking spots. Consequently, drivers squeeze themselves in as tightly as a can of packed sardines.

In Wyoming, I have all the parking space in the world! Actual inches, sometimes feet, between cars! I could park a semi in some of the spaces I've seen.

So, when I saw how (relatively) close I had parked my car to someone else's I was surprised. I still park close from time to time, but I usually correct myself when I do. I gave a guilty look around to see if the owner of the other vehicle was watching to see who the rude parker was...

And while I'm on the subject of parking...I'd like to note how nine times out of 10 there is parking directly in front of my apartment any day, any time. I have never, ever, ever had to drive around my neighborhood in circles for 15, 20, 30, 50 minutes looking for parking. Ever.

Now, I may miss a lot of things about D.C., but this is about on the bottom of that list.

It's like a parking paradise!

Not D.C. Specific

So, it turns out no matter where I am, I'm not immune to theft. Even in Wyoming.

Yesterday, when I was loading a bunch of stuff in my car to take to my new apartment, I noticed the area around my hitch was unusually vacant. I've become so accustomed to taking extra large steps around the hitch to avoid knocking my shins that I barely notice I'm doing it anymore.

After a few trips to the car it dawned on me that I was taking my usual precautions for no good reason. Yep, the ball and receiver on my hitch were gone. Stolen, is the only conclusion I can draw.

I was mad - oh, beyond mad! Like, I could hardly take a breath mad! I just can NOT understand why 1) people can't keep their hands to themselves, and 2) why this continually happens to me - even in Wyoming!

Of all things that could be stolen here hitch parts make the most sense. I mean, if my whole car went missing in Wyoming I would be completely flabbergasted. But a hitch? Well, that just seems to fit.

That doesn't make me feel better though. I don't typically hold grudges, but in this case I do wish with all my heart that what goes around comes around and whoever took my stuff will get theirs.

As Tyler said, I'm just a magnet for theft I guess.

Don't ask me why, because I certainly don't have the answer myself.

Comin' Through

I was driving down Grand Ave. (a main road in Laramie - for those unfamiliar) yesterday afternoon when I saw a fire truck and ambulance coming up the road from several blocks down.

I was impressed with how quickly drivers got over even though it would be several moments before the emergency vehicles got close.

This doesn't happen around D.C. I know, I know, there's more traffic, the streets are narrower, yadda, yadda. But the attitude there is different. People don't seem concerned enough to even try to get over until they absolutely have to.

So, yesterday I joined a long line of cars that got over and parked it until they passed.

Just something that really stood out to me.

Road Rage Rising

I had my first real bout of road rage this evening since I've been here. I'm talking road rage at D.C. levels.

I'm in Colorado Springs for the weekend hanging out with my parents, who are in town for a conference.

After driving up and down Nevada Ave. about a hundred times looking for the resort, we finally pulled in to the parking lot near our room.

I had to back up to get into a spot, and at that exact moment a Minivan came careening around the corner and pulled up right behind me.

Now, I'm of a mind that car manufacturers put things like back-up lights on vehicles for a reason. Not everyone understands this, however, and so the Minivan sat.

Already slightly annoyed, I was not in the mood to sit there all night waiting for them to figure out they needed to move. So, with no danger in hitting the Minivan whatsoever, I decided to prod them a little by slightly backing up. And they honked.

Oh dear. The lesson to be learned here is: do not EVER honk at me when you are in the wrong. Their action, of course, warranted me getting out of the car and a further...conversation...when they parked two spots down from me.

Linds C. and Cins: Good idea in packing Road Rage Pills into my going away bag. Too bad I gave them to Tyler because I thought those days were behind me.

I Spy

I keep getting all excited every time I see a Wyoming license plate in Colorado.

Though there are several Wyomingites in D.C., seeing a Wyo plate there is still kind of a novelty. Upon spying one, I would always wonder out loud, "Who could THAT be," then punch the gas so I could try to peer in their driver's side window.

A little stalker-esq? Maybe...but the chances of actually knowing that person were pretty darn good.

I've found myself doing the same thing in Colorado, as if Wyoming plates were an incredibly unique discovery here.

Not only do I realize how silly this is, but Carrie and Tyler are likely very tired of me gasping and trying to crane my neck to see who's in the car.

This is one game of "I Spy" on which I need to throw in the towel.

(Tail) Pipe Dreams

With four days to go before packing up a U-Haul I should be, well, packing. Instead I spent my entire morning at the D.C. DMV's adjudication services. This was done just so I can spend even more time with them tomorrow trying to fix what was screwed up today. What a black hole for time, efficiency, logic, and justice that place is.

I will not mince words here: I HATE THE D.C. DMV. Hate. Hate. Hate.

If I had one final wish on my way out of here it would not be one of good fortunate for the DMV.

I really would like to spend more time and detail on exactly what my wishes for the DMV would be, but will refrain at the risk of landing myself in prison for expressing some highly illegal desires.

On the other hand, the afternoon was much more productive. I spent it with U-Haul getting the hitch put on my vehicle and all the wiring taken care of for the trailer.

I'm pretty darn proud of that hitch. I feel like my car has become a real Colorado car. Like putting it on there just made it more rugged and...mountain-y. It just makes me want to pull things - boats, snowmobiles, trailers filled with livestock...doesn't matter. I just want to pull it down the road!

Now, if the DMV would just get out of my way!