How do you say 'Ouch!'....


Yesterday I was sitting in a parking lot chomping on a McDonald's Cheeseburger. I parked in such a way I can observe traffic in front of me. I know, you're saying 'this guy needs a life' but, I assure you, I was only parked there to finish my lunch. Watching traffic, is better than staring at a brick wall, so that's why I was watching passing cars. Directly across the street is a Burger King Restaurant. It's lunch time and cars are pulling into the parking lot. Not very interesting, I know but, wait, it gets better. 

Along comes a new white shiny SUV. The woman driving has a cell phone up to her ear. She's waiting for traffic to pass so she can make a left turn into the Burger King parking lot. Making a left turn with a cell phone against your left ear will impair your vision. How do I know this? Well, she makes her first left turn into the parking lot, then attempts another left turn to reach a parking spot. Problem is she didn't see the island that separates the parking area form the parking lot entrance. Consequently, she doesn't see the very large decorative boulder sitting squarely in the middle of the island. Unbelievably, she drives over the curbing, up to, and onto the boulder with the driver's side tire. The tire literally climbed the boulder and stopped, perched atop it. The boulder is at least two feet tall and has no intention of moving. The front fascia, the lower front end of the car body, buckles and twists upon impact with the boulder. Now she decides to back off the boulder. The fascia again buckles, twists and finally rips off the car. it hangs on only by the wires that connect the front turn signals.

During the entire time she never put down the phone. However, now I could tell she was calling her insurance company. Not easy to see now she is going to blame this on the boulder. After a considerable time on the phone, she exited the car and inspected  the body damage. She wiggled, pushed and kicked the fascia...I think she was upset! She then took photos of the car and the boulder with the phone. Once she was satisfied, she got into her car and drove away. She never did go into Burger King...guess she'd lost her appetite. I waved to her as she drove off...I think she waved back..at least, I think it was a wave!  (-;

Today I'm lunching at Ruby Tuesday's restaurant. My wife and I are seated close to a window that looks out on the main road. It's a four lane road clogged with traffic. On the opposite side of this road we spot a young girl that waitresses at this restaurant. She's attempting to cross the road and come back to work. She navigates the traffic until she reaches the last double lane. Traffic halts to let her pass. She starts to run but, as she does, she waves a thank you to the stopped drivers, momentarily losing concentration. At the same time she steps onto uneven pavement. In an instant she stumbles and is catapulted forward and downward. She lands spread-eagle on the pavement. Her face is only inches from smashing into a granite curbing. Items in her hands go flying, including her cell phone. Slowly she regains her composure, stands and walks into the restaurant. looking back to where she fell, there is her cell phone on the side walk. Traffic is held up by a traffic light. Many in the cars are eyeing the phone on the sidewalk. At the same time a couple of kids, sitting with their parents, ask if they can retrieve the phone and give it to the waitress. They run out together and get the phone. They are beaming with satisfaction when they return it to her.

I had a chance to talk with her before we left the restaurant. She ended up with a few scrapes and was a little sore but, considering how hard she fell, she was lucky. Her biggest concern was her new cell phone. It was the new Iphone 4S. She had just purchased it earlier this morning. It smashed and would need to be replaced. Mom and dad would be springing for another one!! She didn't mention the other injury...her pride but, that should heal quickly on it's own. My wife and I were relieved she was ok..very nice girl.

Jake T