car problems

For my entire driving career (and even before) I've been followed by car problems. Silly things like my mirror getting knocked off, $9000 damage fender bender, my window falling out, smoke coming from the hood, stranded on interstates where I meet one-legged people and their family (now on their Christmas card list), ticket from an aircraft while driving a loaner car, flat tire with a "security" screw that the previous owner forgot to leave me the wrench for, and the list could go on. Did I mention my Jetta Baby has been towed 9 times?! Yes, we've had a rough 5 years together.

Most recently, two entirely new vehicles have gotten the opportunity to experience my mad driving skills...in LA traffic - watch out. There have been many close calls, as there have been with 99% of LA traffic drivers but up until last Tuesday I have been ticket and accident free. Playing tour guide for the week to my sister and cousins upped my driving hours. One fateful morning, on the beginning of our Hollywood tour, it happened.

I brought the car to a screeching hault a little too late "love tapping" the gentlemen in a small truck in front of me. To my luck the right side of the highway is lined with cop cars preparing for road construction. Immediately I am freaked out. My leg is uncontrollable with thumping and contributing to my driving issues, my hand is shaking and my mouth is sputtering words I don't even remember.

The other three girls in the car add their comments and perspectives of the experience. To my great joy, at at this point the highlight of my summer, the man in the truck in front of me starts to drive. I'm waiting for him to float off on the left side of the road but he doesn't. He just keeps going. Through the shaking, I am now holding back tears of joy for this man and his grace.

Of course this has been added to the car incidents chalk-up but the effects have been minimal. Besides, its all part of the LA experience, right?

victim: license plate