Midnight Rider
So here I am, riding down a deserted road at near midnight, a truck battery in a pack on my back..
But I digress. The story really starts here...
A couple of weeks ago I was driving back to San Francisco from Sacramento. I had taken a bike ride after work, so by the time I needed to stop for gas, it was dark, about 10 in the evening. I pulled into a gas station on what must have been my truck battery's last legs. By the time I was done filling up, the battery was so dead it wouldn't even accept a charge from the one person willing to help me.
So after pushing my truck off to the side, not one person in the parking lot would give me a ride the six miles to a Walmart for a new battery. Luckily I had my bike in the back of my truck.. and a knapsack. So an hour and half later, at midnight... after the aforementioned ride.. I was back on the road.
But what's up with people not helping people anymore?
A few years back, I was traveling through Colorado, and out in the middle of nowhere I stopped to get something to drink. I happened to notice that the car next to me was leaking transmission fluid on the ground. The owners, two young women driving from somewhere back East to Portland, had just bought it and didn't realize their transmission was nearly empty. I happily sent them on their way with a full transmission and two quarts to spare. I hope they made it.
I'm not trying to suggest I'm anything special; I certainly hope I'm not. But looking back on a lifetime of changing oil and flat tires, helping people move, installing ceramic tile.. the list goes on.. I can't relate to people not stepping up to help their fellowman.. fellow person.. anymore.
At the same gas station Friday night, people are waiting in line for gas.. I waited. As I'm pumping, two young women pull in through the exit into an empty slot, displacing a person waiting that was about to pull up. When I mentioned it, I got asked, "What do you care?" and shown the finger.
Next time you can.. make a difference.. I certainly hope we're not all headed in that direction... are we?
But I digress. The story really starts here...
A couple of weeks ago I was driving back to San Francisco from Sacramento. I had taken a bike ride after work, so by the time I needed to stop for gas, it was dark, about 10 in the evening. I pulled into a gas station on what must have been my truck battery's last legs. By the time I was done filling up, the battery was so dead it wouldn't even accept a charge from the one person willing to help me.
So after pushing my truck off to the side, not one person in the parking lot would give me a ride the six miles to a Walmart for a new battery. Luckily I had my bike in the back of my truck.. and a knapsack. So an hour and half later, at midnight... after the aforementioned ride.. I was back on the road.
But what's up with people not helping people anymore?
A few years back, I was traveling through Colorado, and out in the middle of nowhere I stopped to get something to drink. I happened to notice that the car next to me was leaking transmission fluid on the ground. The owners, two young women driving from somewhere back East to Portland, had just bought it and didn't realize their transmission was nearly empty. I happily sent them on their way with a full transmission and two quarts to spare. I hope they made it.
I'm not trying to suggest I'm anything special; I certainly hope I'm not. But looking back on a lifetime of changing oil and flat tires, helping people move, installing ceramic tile.. the list goes on.. I can't relate to people not stepping up to help their fellowman.. fellow person.. anymore.
At the same gas station Friday night, people are waiting in line for gas.. I waited. As I'm pumping, two young women pull in through the exit into an empty slot, displacing a person waiting that was about to pull up. When I mentioned it, I got asked, "What do you care?" and shown the finger.
Next time you can.. make a difference.. I certainly hope we're not all headed in that direction... are we?
so...not as an excuse at all, but as a woman, i have to say i'm particularly aware of my surroundings. i'm aware if there's a male walking behind me, or paralleling me across the street, or glancing at me in any fashion, particular or not. although my heart goes out to people along the road, my brain reminds me of serial killer stories, all too true and all too random many times. I vow not to be a statistic.
that being said, when i noticed the car in my rearview mirror get a flat tire and swerve over, i turned around and offered the male driver a ride into town (only about 16 miles in our rural area). of course, i had to provide advice regarding the parking of his car (he just parked on the road!!). he did not try to accost or kill me...but all along i was thinking about my escape plan.
so, i guess, it's a crazy world we live in. sad but crazy. i'm sorry for what you went through -- i'm sorry you have to face ugly-hearted people. but this is all why i passionately believe in rural america -- and why i think rural america is the only way we'll escape this deep recession with a soul left.
just my 2 cents worth
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I definitely agree and understand that! I would never recommend a single woman give a man a ride. To that end, I would never ask a single woman for a ride either.. so as not to put her in an awkward position. It's those guys in pickups that blow my mind.. ah well.. at least I got some good exercise.. right?
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no doubt! it doesn't make any sense at all. great attitude tho
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