In the Desert

'In the desert'

In the desert
I saw a creature, naked, bestial,
Who, squatting upon the ground,
Held his heart in his hands,
And ate of it.
I said: "Is it good, friend?"
"It is bitter-bitter," he answered;
"But I like it
Because it is bitter,
And because it is my heart."

      -- Stephen Crane

Short Story--long...really long....

"

Let me take you back to February 23, 2003.  I was driving home from a friend's house.  We were supposed to have gone out, but his ex didn't come get his kids and I wasn't in the mood to babysit.  Josh and Alex had plans so I called my friend Scott who is always good company.  We made plans to meet up at Bookies around 9ish.  It wasn't even 7 when I left Hammond towards Gary so I had time to go home, have a snack, shower and do my hair.  No problem.  It being Indiana in February, it had been snowing and I didn't want to get in an accident, so I took the long way home instead of hopping on 80/94. So I'm driving west on Ridge Road when I see the light on Colfax is red.  I take my foot off the gas and decide I'm just gonna ease on up to the light and barely touch the brake in the next 300 ft.  About 100 ft from the light, it turns green.  Naturally, I accelerate.  There is a car eastbound about to turn left and just as I get to the intersection, she floors it.  We collide.  The police take forever to come, make a report and send me on my way.  She went in an ambulance.  She said her foot hurt. 

Fast forward to February 19, 2004.  I'm at work filing another garnishment order when my mom tells me my dad and I are being sued over that damn accident.  Sued?  How is that possible?  Well, my theory is that the bitch is a crack head, but that's my theory about quite a few people so take it as you will.  She sues me for repairs to her car that she didn't make, time off work that she didn't take and medical bills that she didn't pay.  State Farm gives me a lawyer.  Our lawyers go back and forth.  She won't go away.  We have a deposition at which she says, under oath!!! that she had a green arrow, that she was following 8 other cars and that she came to a full and complete stop at the green arrow and then took the turn at 35 mph in her 1987 Pontiac.  (crack head)

So I let the lawyers fight and argue, court dates come and are post-poned and finally we get a set-in-stone trial date of April 17, 2006 to possibly last 4 days.  They keep trying to get me to settle, if only for the nuissance factor.  I tell her I'd be willing to let her kiss my ass.  My offer, believe it or not, is rejected.  I looked her attorney in the eye and told him I hoped he was getting paid hourly (and not just on contigency) because if not, he was a bigger fool than his client.

I bought my airline ticket and get the time off work.  I am ready to fly to Indiana to defend this fraudulent lawsuit.  And then today I get the call from my 3rd lawyer in this case.  Case dismissed--her attorney filed the motion.  She hadn't paid her attorney (he wasn't that big a fool) and was avoiding all his phone calls and had her family say she moved to Indianapolis. 

State Farm is reimbursing my plane fare.  I get a credit from the airline.  Things worked out ok.  :)

I don't get to see my friends this weekend, but I'll be back in the region in June for Scott and Gretchen's wedding.  Now that damn crack head better hope I don't run into her ass.  Again.

"

Why I have no friends

I've been sitting home all day watching movies and laying about the house.  I'm still in my pajamas.  The most ambitious thing I've done all day is make some corn bread--instant cornbread.  mmmmm instant cornbread.  I thought about going to the movies or calling someone and making plans.  I thought about it and then I watched Shine. 

Weekend reviews

"

Closer. {Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Clive Owen, Michael Haley}   I will have to see it again as it was very good. (and I was drunk)  While I did laugh at some of the well-written dialogue, I tell you quite honestly that the cover lies; it is not a comedy.

""The Little Penguin"" wine.  We bought the one with the purple label, which is fabulous.  The wine, however,  is really bad stuff.  Damn their clever marketing people.  They have sullied the image of the penguin.

Liquid cocaine is not tasty, but it is potent.  A buttery nipple is tasty, but not as potent.  Margaritas are both tasty and potent. (depending on the bar)  Cheap wine tastes better at the bottom of the bottle. 

Life is good.

"