Living a superstitious nightmare; black cat to blame
Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: Perspective
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A black cat wanders the streets of my neighborhood. It snoops around the dumpster looking for food, it lies in the sun bathing itself, and it never fails to cross the street in front of me when I leave.
And, lately, I've had a ton of bad stuff happen. Call it bad luck, call it my foreordained fate, call it what you will, but I think that black cat is to blame.
First, I get pulled over for speeding. That in itself is not so bad. But when I can't find my proof of insurance and later find out my insurance has been canceled, it's real bad.
So, I do what anyone who's been to court and knows the ropes does. I buy insurance before my court date, which drops the fine from $500 to $50. I go to court, am told I have to pay $188 ($138 in court costs) and I go home, not quite happy, but relieved because it could be worse.
Of course, I have to slow down before entering my driveway and wait for the black cat to strut across. I could swear it looks at me with an evil glint in its eye.
Two days later, I get a letter in the mail telling me my license has been suspended for two years. I get so upset I'm shaking.
See, I have just gotten my license back after not having it for about three years. It's a long story, but I'll try to make it as short as possible.
I let a friend borrow my car. He wrecked it. He didn't have a license. It was his fault. I was sued. I failed to pay. My license was suspended.
Which is why I am so upset at receiving a letter telling me my license has been suspended again. I call the driver's license place. I explain my dilemma.
Why was I told at court that all I had to do was pay a fine? I ask. The lady on the phone doesn't know the answer, and sounds as if she doesn't really care.
"What about a hardship license?" I ask. She tells me the only people who can get those are people whose licenses have been suspended because of DUIs. She's using her most polite and friendly phone voice. I wish I could reach into the phone and konk her one.
And, lately, I've had a ton of bad stuff happen. Call it bad luck, call it my foreordained fate, call it what you will, but I think that black cat is to blame.
First, I get pulled over for speeding. That in itself is not so bad. But when I can't find my proof of insurance and later find out my insurance has been canceled, it's real bad.
So, I do what anyone who's been to court and knows the ropes does. I buy insurance before my court date, which drops the fine from $500 to $50. I go to court, am told I have to pay $188 ($138 in court costs) and I go home, not quite happy, but relieved because it could be worse.
Of course, I have to slow down before entering my driveway and wait for the black cat to strut across. I could swear it looks at me with an evil glint in its eye.
Two days later, I get a letter in the mail telling me my license has been suspended for two years. I get so upset I'm shaking.
See, I have just gotten my license back after not having it for about three years. It's a long story, but I'll try to make it as short as possible.
I let a friend borrow my car. He wrecked it. He didn't have a license. It was his fault. I was sued. I failed to pay. My license was suspended.
Which is why I am so upset at receiving a letter telling me my license has been suspended again. I call the driver's license place. I explain my dilemma.
Why was I told at court that all I had to do was pay a fine? I ask. The lady on the phone doesn't know the answer, and sounds as if she doesn't really care.
"What about a hardship license?" I ask. She tells me the only people who can get those are people whose licenses have been suspended because of DUIs. She's using her most polite and friendly phone voice. I wish I could reach into the phone and konk her one.
