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?

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.

To Lock or Not To Lock

For many in Wyoming this isn't even a question.

Nobody locks their homes, or their cars. In fact, I just had a friend tell me he keeps his keys IN the car. Around here that isn't insane and on top of it all the car is usually left running. I admit I used to do that myself back in the day. I left my keys in the car once in D.C., without meaning to, and it was the only time my car should have been stolen and wasn't. Thieves like to wait until they can actually break into something there. I guess it's not as fun when it's just handed over to you...

Anyway, after having my car stolen three times, my purse stolen countless times, and my bike stolen right before I moved, I think it's understandable that I'm a little leery about leaving everything unsecured.

I'm trying to be better though. At Linds' I park on a road right next to the prairie, but I notice I still hit the lock when I get out of my car. It's just habit. Lately, however, I've caught myself doing this and will flip it back reminding myself that unless I'm afraid of a prairie dog making off with my car then there's no need to worry.

I even locked my car at April's ranch the other day, which is completely ridiculous. They are miles from anything let alone someone interested in driving away with my vehicle.

And locking one's home...? It's customary to leave them open - wide open - during the day around here. We lock up at night, however, because who wants to be caught off guard and killed in their bed?

So, I'm trying to regain that small town level of trust. It's just slow going because with my luck? That one lone circus-trained prairie dog turned-free will find my open car and will be headed for the open road.

One for the Road

Given my track record for having things stolen in D.C., and the bad omen I was apparently born under, most of you readers won't be a bit surprised to learn that another possession of mine has fallen into the hands of a D.C. criminal.

I understand that many of you might stop reading at this point. I mean, why waste time reading a story you've heard time and time again?

But for those of you who are still with me, let me fill you in...it was my bike. (Quick aside - did PeeWee's Great Adventure pop into anyone else's head here except my sisters'?)

Anyway...

Twenty-six days before I'm supposed to leave - for a place where I can actually enjoy my bike - it's stolen.

What I would like to say is, “COME ON!! Give me a break! I can NOT believe this happened the month I’m supposed to leave!”

But I can’t. Because it’s simply so believable.

In fact, I would nearly go so far as to say this is pretty darn fitting. It just wouldn't feel right to leave without having at least one more thing stolen. It’s almost a little sweet. Like maybe the city was trying to say, "Here you go old pal…here's one for old time's sake!"

This was hardly my first reaction however. That was to curse like a sailor after my friend told me he didn't see it chained to his storage cage the way he left it.

You might be shocked to know that I still find it slightly curious, even after all the things stolen and knowing how my luck runs, that this has happened.

I mean, isn’t it a little baffling that, of the nearly 15 other bikes in the same area, some of them barely secured, that the thief would walk to the most hidden storage cage in the darkest corner of the parking garage and choose my bike?

I still kind of think so. Even with three incidents of grand theft auto, multiple purse, phone, and credit card thefts, and a number of other unlucky scenarios.

Even after all of that, I just don’t get it.

But maybe I’m not supposed to. Maybe I’m just supposed to say, “Thanks, D.C., for helping me feel better about leaving and for doing little things like this to help ease the pain of our parting.”

See? That IS sweet!