Pardo Nightwalker ([info]pardouncia) wrote,
  • Mood: numb

I...can't believe it

*Lowers ears and lies down sighing.* I was actually having an almost decent day. After work and doing chores I was heading to the store to pick up groceries. I wanted to stop by the corner Chevron to get a newspaper. As I turned into the parking space, I'm not sure what happened. Hindsight in such situations isn't always clear. I think I hit one of those mounds that gas stations have. Not really thinking about it or anything, the effect was that my foot jumped on the accelerator just enough to rev me over the parking bar, what is it you call those things, and nudge the right side of the bumper against the building. The building is pretty resilient, thus not really showing any damage. My Jeep, however, does. The front right light assembly is smashed, and the fender, which was already dented, is now crunched up. The lights on that side don't work, well obviously. The police came and filled out a report. I have to go in Monday to pick up a copy. This is fantastic. I start to almost feel optimistic about life. *Shakes his head.* This isn't going to be cheap to fix either. It is necessary though. You can't not have lights. I'd planned on fixing the semi-damaged front bumper, too. It could've been rigged to hang right off the right fender. I was just working out how. It's all plastic. Everything is plastic. Why can't they use steel? The light assembly is all plastic too. So I now have to think about how to get this fixed, and besides that, how I'm going to rig it so I can still drive the car without it all falling apart. It's just sitting there, the only thing holding it to the Jeep being the wires. *Closes his eyes.* I need a shower now. My sunburn is peeling and itches badly, and I was sweating like I was in a sauna today at work. I'll just see you all around. At least I'm all right. I guess that's something positive. *Stands and pads off, tail hanging limp and lifeless.*

Adding an edit:

I can sort of piece together what happened, now that I've given it some more thought. I was turning off 7th Street to go into the parking lot of the Chevron. I'd braked during the turn to the point where I needed to press the gas a little more in order to get fully into the parking spot. Unfortunately, right as I pressed the gas I was going over one of those bumps. It caused me to press too hard, and there you have it. At least this makes sense to me. I may be wrong. I can't really say. For all I know, I just hit the gas like a moron and crash. *Shrugs.*

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  • 53 comments

[info]nanakyi

August 27 2005, 02:14:48 UTC 6 years ago

*nuzzles* Don't worry...you remember my Prelude, Ronner...? The accident that caused so much damage to him (about 2k worth) was totally my fault...my pride, ego, and completive spirit got in the way and I took on a street race with a Viper...I would have won, except the breaks went out and the only way to avoid a fatal crash was my using what skills I have (damn good aim) and wedging the stop-less car between a business sign...which I later found out was a AutoBody Repair sign...talk about irony...

He still isn't fixed either. Been there, done that...life goes on. Don't let something like that get you down. Everything happens for a reason. Mine taught me a harsh lesson in humility. Your I'm positive also has a meaning...but you can't shut yourself out to it...*nuzzles and vanishes*

[info]pardouncia

August 27 2005, 02:22:11 UTC 6 years ago

*Presses his head into your fur and sighs.* Thank you, Nanakyi. I will do my best to head your words. It's not easy though. This is my first car, and I've already been in a wreck. No, it wasn't with another car, but a building seems to be a pretty good opponent. It's my only car, and I need it to get around. So I have to get this fixed. I was just starting to get a little money saved, too. It might not seem like much to most people, but a couple hundred dollars is a heck of a lot to me. It was just such a stupid thing. If I'd been paying more attention, it wouldn't have happened. It was as if I was in a trance.

I am grateful for your words and will quit whining now. I hope you're able to get Ronner repaired, too. It's horrible to see damage done to your car. It's like, I just can't explain it. My heart sinks when I look at it. Whatever confidence I had was crushed along with the bumper, lights, and fender. Aye, I'll shut up. I guess I just needed to get these feelings out. Thanks again, dear wolf. May you be well.

[info]nanakyi

August 27 2005, 03:51:48 UTC 6 years ago

Look at the bright side...*whispers from up in the tree with a mouthful of 'bark' ^^* And yes...there is one.

The damage could have been a lot worse if:

a) you were not able to be so quick to stop
b) you had accelerated faster then you did
c) someone or thing was in your path

Divine intervention perhaps, who knows? Either way you slice it, at least your car made it our better then mine. x.o Mine has a ruined drivers door, broken driver's mirror, both front fenders are dented, left headlight assembly is shattered and the exhaust was ripped off, oh and I had to replace the front tires. Little guy still runs like a champ though, and no one got seriously hurt...so even my ego-trip (bad pun) had a brighter side and no cops were invloved. *shrugs softly* That's how I get through it.

Oh, and here's another good boo-boo I pulled. You know my mechanical counter-part, Dutchess, right? While driving in Colorado I hit a patch of black ice and being younger and inexperienced, like a dumbass, I stomped on the breaks (which your not supposed to do but I didn't know) and this was the result:
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

The bright side of this one was her -full coverage- insurance just activated -that day- so not only did I not have to pay for repairs, she got all that damage fixed with new parts, basically restoring the front half of the body. ^^

Everything has a brighter side, Pardo, I promise. *grins*

[info]pardouncia

6 years ago

[info]longbottle

6 years ago

[info]pardouncia

6 years ago

[info]longbottle

6 years ago

[info]pardouncia

6 years ago

[info]longbottle

6 years ago

[info]pardouncia

6 years ago

[info]longbottle

6 years ago

[info]pardouncia

6 years ago

[info]longbottle

6 years ago

[info]pardouncia

6 years ago

[info]longbottle

6 years ago

[info]pardouncia

6 years ago

[info]longbottle

6 years ago

[info]pardouncia

6 years ago

[info]longbottle

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[info]pardouncia

6 years ago

[info]longbottle

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[info]pardouncia

6 years ago

[info]longbottle

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[info]silver_huskey

August 27 2005, 03:04:00 UTC 6 years ago

*Hugs gently.* I'm sorry to hear this Pardo. =/ It seems with cars if it's not one thing it's another. Perhaps you can have only what you really need to be repaired done and worry about the rest later? And maybe you can try to shop around for prices, so you can get a good deal? Though I'm not sure what the selection is like where you live. However, it never hurts to shop around or maybe even find a person who'd knows about cars and would charge less. Or maybe get a free estimate and get the parts yourself so a shop would only charge you for labor. Autozone is a good place to at least start: http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=C002&UserAction=performAutomotiveSearch&Parameters=%7C%7EREGULAR+PARTS+LOOK+UP%7C%7EElectrical (Not sure about this link, it may have the data for my car saved.)

I definitely know what's like to have problem after problem with a car. Though I haven't directly damaged anything (except minor scratches here and there) my car was in an accident, so I'm still finding the effects of it. Especially weird things like a non-working A/C system that will cost well over $1000 to fix, a cracked oil pan that will probably cost a few hundred and power steering and alignment problems that will also cost another few hundred. I can relate to that kind of pinch, especially when you'd rather be doing other things with your money.

Hang in there Pardo, things will get better with time. I know it's hard to stay optimistic in the face of such harsh things but you must keep striving forward. Life has it's downs of course, but it certainly has it's ups. This blow is just a temporary set back that won't keep you down for long. *nods*

[info]pardouncia

August 27 2005, 03:29:40 UTC 6 years ago

*Hugs back.* Thanks, Silver. I will hopefully be able to get the important things fixed and worry about the cosmetic later. I'm not sure though. In order to fix the lights, I might need replace the fender. Even if I don't have to do that, the front bumper is pretty bad and most likely will have to be replaced. I just hope the overall cost just to get it to where the lights work and all won't cost too much. Thanks for the link. I'll take a look.

Better, yeah. I'll continue to hope so.

[info]pardouncia

6 years ago

[info]nexrad

August 27 2005, 03:43:23 UTC 6 years ago

Wow.

I'm sorry that suckage happened. I've had a couple "almost" wrecks, so know how easy it can be to do something in error. At least there wasn't any building damage and of course that you weren't hurt. Does the light not work only because of a busted bulb? If not, the wiring is probably easy to tape up with some electrical tape. If you can wedge a light in the assembly, it ought work just fine. And be thankful for the plastic - steel is way more expensive to work with or replace.

[info]pardouncia

August 27 2005, 03:52:49 UTC 6 years ago

Re: Wow.

Thanks, Jay. *Hugs.* I hope it's only because of the busted bulb, but until I can see a mechanic, I won't know for sure. Steel is much more sterdy though. I'd probably not have any damage if it were all made of that.

[info]werewolf_song

August 27 2005, 05:34:55 UTC 6 years ago

[Scratches your ears] Everyone makes mistakes like that. I de-mirrorized the car a few months back when I was looking at the buildings for an address instead of looking in front of me and the truck that looked like it was moving wasn't. (I pulled around it... but not quickly enough. Powk! Mirror suddenly hanging by wires. Still works, though!) I still feel like a freaking moron when I think of it. But there's no such thing as a perfect driving record.

[info]pardouncia

August 27 2005, 05:38:36 UTC 6 years ago

*Myrrs, closing his eyes.* Thanks. I still can't believe I ran into a building! For crying out loud! LOL

[info]chrisbrewer

August 27 2005, 05:45:50 UTC 6 years ago

Seriously though my furriend ::nuzzles:: You should look into doing this work yourself. It's NOT that hard to do, metal hammer, rubber / plastic hammer [for fine tuning]. I can help guide you through it if you need guidence. You KNOW i've done it before....remember Derek's 200sx? it was called as 3/4 totalled by the insurance company. $500 later the car was rebuilt and repainted. I know, the expenses suck, but at least it's a learning experiance and most importantly....you are alright. ::hugs tight:: Vehicles are fixable, furs and people aren't as easy to mend. At least you're still here to purr along with us!

[info]pardouncia

August 27 2005, 07:03:36 UTC 6 years ago

As I said while we were chatting, I'll take a look tomorrow. If I think there's any chance I can fix it, I'll go to the local junk yard and see what they have there. I might not end up fixing it myself, but I will consider it.

[info]indigo_the_cat

August 27 2005, 05:55:31 UTC 6 years ago

[hugs] Sounds like you need some friend to just talk to and get comfort from.

[huggles again]

[info]pardouncia

August 27 2005, 06:26:17 UTC 6 years ago

*Hugs back.* Thanks. All the hugs in the world are welcome.

[info]john_pullinger

August 27 2005, 11:28:35 UTC 6 years ago

That's unlucky about your car, don't let it get you down though, crashes happen sometimes, like falling off your bike, it's just part and parcel of having a car. ^_^ Why do we fall, Batman? *Pats him on the shoulder*

-John

[info]pardouncia

August 28 2005, 21:19:43 UTC 6 years ago

Thanks. I'll drive still, but I'll be more careful about it. That was just really stupid. Now to get it fixed. That's gonna be fun.

[info]john_pullinger

August 30 2005, 10:08:26 UTC 6 years ago

It wasn't stupid, it was just unlucky, good luck getting it fixed. :-)

-John

[info]acanis

August 27 2005, 12:15:56 UTC 6 years ago

That sucks, I know first hand what it is like to damage your own vehicle, not a good feeling but look at it this way, it is an excuse to do soemthing silly with it now, if you have replace parts then look for parts that are a bit different :D

[info]pardouncia

August 28 2005, 21:20:02 UTC 6 years ago

I will look for the cheapest replacements I can get, actually. ;)

[info]acidchylde

August 28 2005, 02:12:14 UTC 6 years ago

These things do happen. I remember backing into the garage once when I was in hs, and I had the door open and was looking out it behind me. I failed to notice the door was open far enough to catch the bumper of the car already in the garage, at least until I'd already put a mark in the bumper and bent the door open a bit farther than it was supposed to go. Dad has taken the passenger mirror off the truck twice - the first time within a month of getting it. The son of one of my mom's friends put it in the wrong gear once and backed into a building instead of pulling out of the parking space.

The expenses suck, as does the feeling. Don't let it get to you too much. *scritches*

[info]pardouncia

August 28 2005, 21:21:21 UTC 6 years ago

LOL Well then, I'll try not to feel so bad about what I did. Still, I ran into a building. Yeesh! I'm going to try to find parts at a junk yard if I can, though I might have to buy new.

[info]longbow986

August 28 2005, 19:38:54 UTC 6 years ago

damn o.O i just got my truck out of the body shop after i wrecked it...x_X im really sorry to hear that happened to you too Pardo o.O

[info]pardouncia

August 28 2005, 21:19:17 UTC 6 years ago

How'd you wreck it? Yeah, it sucks. I don't know how I could be so stupid.

[info]longbottle

August 29 2005, 10:58:33 UTC 6 years ago

Steel costs more then plastic. All modern cars (that I know of) have plastic bumpers. So do most trucks and SUVs. I think idea behind using plastic was origionally that it absorbs more energy from a collision at high speeds. It also breaks easier at lower ones.

I might suggest using zip ties and duct tape. In this instance, bailing wire may be helpful as well.

I've done the same thing before, albeit to a lesser degree. It's those fucking speed bumps in parking lots. I find that the best thing to do with those is to take your foot off of the gas completely, and hover it over the brake. That way, the worst that happens is that you stop.

Hey, at least you learned something. And as they say, any parking job you can walk away from... :D

[info]pardouncia

August 30 2005, 03:09:48 UTC 6 years ago

I used some duct tape for now. I'll be more careful in the future, that's for sure. Yipes. This is one experience I hope to never repeat.

[info]longbottle

August 30 2005, 03:39:53 UTC 6 years ago

A word of warning: You should NOT have called the cops. If you only have liability and there was no (significant) property damage, the only thing that will happen is that your insurance rates will skyrocket. As soon as you go to pay your next insurance bill, you'll see it jump something like 20 or 30%.

[info]pardouncia

6 years ago

[info]longbottle

6 years ago

[info]pardouncia

6 years ago

[info]longbottle

6 years ago

[info]pardouncia

6 years ago

[info]longbottle

6 years ago

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