Lately, I've noticed that Time has been swirling around me...but it came to a slamming halt when his car hit my car this AM.
I was turning left into a parking lot, he was careening around the SUV that was giving me the high sign to cross. I hit the brakes. He hit his brakes.
Time actually held for a beat, when I knew that he would hit me.
It actually felt like everything around me froze - Hiro style - while I sighed aloud and rolled my eyes at the pending impact. The moment passed and boom.
We did all the responsible driver bidness. I pointed at him to pull into the parking lot, which was about the crabbiest thing I did. We traded insurance info. He followed me in his Civic for three blocks to file a report at the police station . While we agreed on all the details of the incident, and were very calm and civil to each other the entire time, I had a hard time looking directly at the guy.
It was an accident. A very minor fender bender. My car seems find - just another lump on my very beat-up beater. His car didn't even look scratched. I'm still having everything checked out, in case my axle breaks in a week's time.
The good news is, nobody was injured and both cars are in (fingers crossed) running order.
The bad news is, MAN. Nothing screws your brain around like a stupid fender bender.
The funny part is that after leaving the police station, I went right back to the place the impact happened. I still needed to pull into that lot and hit the ATM. Of course, 30 minutes or so later, much less traffic. Easy peasy.
The thing that keeps rolling around my brain is that moment when time froze:
When I knew the hit was coming.
When I knew we'd all survive it.
When I knew that I'd be late for work.
When I was glad I didn't have coffee.
When I thought about what the SUV driver must be thinking.
When I knew that my car insurance was paid.
When I added up all the car expenses I've had in the last 6 months.
When I thought, I should have entered the lot from Lawrence.
When I sighed.
Trippy how many things can run through your head in an instant.
As much as I think I would dig a Hiro style superpower...it would be wasted on me. I would just use it to take naps. Or attempt naps.
I look at the calendar and see that it's already February 4th.
Time traveling like a run-away locomotive.
What do I do whenever I get overwhelmed with Time?
I make a list.
I'm going to publish my list and see if it keeps me honest.
February 2009
- File Taxes (mine and Pop's)
- Collect items for Box o' Crap Giveaway* (at least 12 items)
- Organize Kitchen (this is the big one.)
- Keep/Trash ONE box of stuff in the spare room.
- See Touch...New Leaf Theater.
- See They Put Handcuffs on Flowers...Right Brain Project.
- Rally the troops for a Quizzo Night (one year and still rockin'.)
- Climb back onto the WW wagon. Lose 5 pounds
- Bathe Olive (she's never gone this long without a bath. Oof.)
- Start a writing/research schedule and stick to it. (Must have something NEW finished to submit for WC in March.)
Okay. 10 to-dos is a decent enough start.
Feel free at anytime to publicly ask/shame me about my list.
But, give me a 24-48 hour running start, please.
*Box o' Crap Giveaway will be a monthly giveaway of sundry items offered to the populace for 7 days. (Books, cds, weird garage sale-esque crap I hold dear.) If no home found, items will be donated to the thrift store/library/salvation army on the 8th day.
Please note that at no time, will the Bo'CG ever include the Monkey Pirate Nutcracker.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
Hey, glad that you were okay. I was just in a crash a few weeks ago and I had many of the same flashes-in-an-instant you did. Crazy, crazy stuff. I often wish my mind could work that fast when I need it to!
And, I had coffee in my hand. when the accident happened, I spilled coffee on my lap...the steam rose and I thought, for a second, that the car was on fire. Hilarity ensued.
Oh no! I am so sorry. I know how bad even a little fender bender can shake you up. I am glad you are ok!
I am thinking of you and your box o crap giveaway. I am happy to report that we took a carload of stuff to Brown Elephant over the weekend. It was liberating.
xo
Snrub - I'm not sure, but I believe your post was probably what made me happy that I had no coffee in the car. Erp.
Also...you thinking the car was on fire? Still funny.
Erica - Woot! You go, lady! I need to work my way up to the carload, but your trip to BE shall be the fire under my ass!
Thank ye, for your fine example.
Holy cow, Rebar.
I have been lax on my blog readin' for days now. I'm so glad you're okay.
I think that's why the"Great Clockmaker" caused our experience of time to be so speedy. I think we'd all go crazy if we had to go through every moment in bullet time.
...and I'm kidding about there being a "Great Clockmaker". I haven't gone all Ben Stein on you.
I'm glad that only irritation and no blood was the result of your crash, lady!
-j-j-
test
test
test
Post a Comment