Do you ever get that feeling that a stroke of misfortune is 'meant' to happen?
That it simply helps set you upon a path where you have the opportunity to do some good?
Well that is the story that I'm sticking with - as it makes me feel better. ^_~
Well this is my story for yesterday evening.
A couple of weeks ago my car's wipers decided to die.
When the casing was removed to see what had happened we found that not one but both sinkholes in the compartment responsible for draining water from it were blocked with dirt and debris.
So, whenever it rained, water would slide down my windscreen and into this compartment, which would begin to fill - and submerge the motor responsible for moving my wipers.
The result was a burnt wiper control motor.
And it turns out that replacing that thing costs upward of €300, or just shy of a third of that my car is worth according to insurance companies.
Fortunately e-bay is a thing and a compatible motor should be on the way for less than half that price.
Unfortunately its kind of difficult and dangerous to drive a car in less than ideal weather without functional wipers.
Which was fine until yesterday, when I wanted to join in for a Christmas party.
As I walked out I took stock of the light drizzle and overcast skies. I 'thought' that I could make it without trouble.
Even as I walked to my car the wind blew fiercely, threatening to knock both me and my sturdy umbrella over.
As I got on the move I quickly realized that things were a little worse than I would imagined. Raindrops clung to my windshield and would shine with the refracted light of oncoming traffic. I would have appreciated their beauty a lot more had I been a passenger but instead I made a mental note that effective visibility was down a good 50%.
I figured that the rain would let up over the next hour and so I rolled over to the nearest Lidl, grabbed some beers for the party, locked them in the back and rolled over a short ways to Burger King.
I walked in and made my order. If I was going to try to wait out the rain then I might as well get a fill of junk food.
'Scooby Doo' was playing on 'Boomerang' and so I ended up watching the better part of yet another formulaic episode of another modern spin-off of the franchise. Televisions are a bane to me. They invariably grab my attention regardless of whats on.
And then I noticed something unusual.
"Are you for real?" The words struck me as being out of place even if they were not directed at me, and I noticed a number of employees moving out from behind the counter and towards the entrance.
Curiously I looked over my shoulder, and against the glassy wall I could see a few employees and what seemed to be a struggle.
I momentarily turned back forward, blinked, took another bite of my burger and laid it down.
I stood and walked out the restaurant to find two women doubled over - with their long hair in each others' grasp. The Burger King employees were trying to convince a break up in the fight.
In an instant I realized why none of them were getting more involved.
They had jobs to lose.
Without a thought I ducked in between the two young ladies and used my arms to force some distance.
It was not enough - and at this point I had three main options - although only the third came to mind at the time.
I could have sought to lift and bear the more aggressive woman upon one shoulder trusting that the loss in footing and orientation would force a break.
I could also have forced two fingers into her nose and pulled up, and this would also have forced an immediate break - although it would have been the most unpleasant and confrontational - but also most effective.
But no.
What I did was attack the belly and sides with my fingers - attempting to tickle her into breaking.
A few seconds later she did and I straightened up.
The staff members got between. I walked back into the restaurant, sat down, and took my next bite of burger.
The Adrenalin was pumping and my heart-rate was elevated. I could feel both.
Not a word had I said throughout the episode but I quietly felt good about myself - and bad-ass.
The other woman went into the ladies room, followed soon after by a couple of employees. I guess that she was slightly hurt. Looked like she was covered though.
I calmed. I reflected upon how many people simply wouldn't get involved in such an altercation - and how the so-called law would likely have spun my efforts as 'indecent assault'.
...
I am pretty sure that I was correct in doing that which I felt was necessary.
Including abandoning all plans to go to a party when one notices that the rain has increased. The road was reasonably well lit but the amount of water on my windscreen now was a proper danger. I limped home at low speed and visibility dipped critically low - and excused myself via sms.
That and I 'might' have lost a glove to the wind. I have a bad habit of losing small pieces of winter clothing - but the annoyance doesn't ever go away. Its fresh each time. Not too bothered though as I suspect its just hiding someplace at home.
And... that is how my evening went... A little weird but OK. _
Thank goodness I had an umbrella.
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Sincerely,
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