Seven Seconds
They say that when you get into an accident your life flashes before your eyes. But it doesn't. There just isn't enough time. But seven seconds is long enough. It was enough time for Hoop to yell "Oh shit!" while he slammed on the brakes and turned the car to impact on his side. It was long enough for my drink to levitate out of my cup and splatter across the dashboard and windshield. It was enough time for me to close my eyes, and for there to be $3,000 worth of damage to Hoop's car.
Fortunately, we're OK. The car and our pride were the only things injured.
We were headed to Universal Studios for the day. It didn't turn out the way we'd planned. I was talking about Friday's post when I looked up and saw the back end of the car in front of us. There had been an accident. People slammed on their brakes. We noticed too late. Not even thirty seconds later, another accident happened behind us. That one involved two SUVs. One had a baby in it. The airbags deployed. No one was hurt. We all stood around, the passengers of six cars, and thought about how screwed our weekend was.
While waiting for the cops, other cars passed. They cheered. They took pictures. One guy mooned us. College kids on the way to the beach. I wanted to hurt them. How can people be so cruel? Hoop and I surveyed the damage. His beautiful new car! It was bleeding coolant on the hot cement, the word "Taurus" tattooed into the front bumper. I wanted to reverse the morning, take the hurt out of Hoop's eyes. Weren't we laughing just a moment ago? Seven seconds. Amazing how everything can turn upside down in so little time.
But what can you do? Life throws you lemons, you make Long Island Iced Tea. You regroup, reprioritize your money, and be grateful that you have someone to lean on.
It still sucks about the car though.
Courtesy of Odd Mix:
REJOICE in the HEAT:
Reggae Sunday
Look at all the people!
I wonder if they charged him admission.
(Random Pictures)
I Spy...
...a Rat Snake.
Think Green
White Oak
Duff's Decapitated Pony
Two For One Special: I'm guest posting over at Sunshine's today as well. Her computer got zapped and she's down and out for the week. So show the girl some love, since you know she's having withdrawals right now.
Labels: People/Life, WWC
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34 comments
34 Comments:
I am so sorry about Hoop's car, but so thankful that you and Hoop were not hurt in the accident.
Wow, Tink! That post gave me chills. Seven seconds can change a person's life forever, thankfully in your case, it was just a car (although that it devastating in itself).
Aw man, car accidents SUCK. And yes, yes, thank god everyone is okay. But it still sucks. So sorry.
Oh (((Tink and Hoop))). Glad you weren't hurt, but that just stinks. Your poor new car! :(
I'm glad you two are okay. That really bites!
I LOVE the photos of the snake and frog!! I would be glad to have that snake around. It eats stuff that I think is worse, RATS and mice.
I'm so sorry about the pretty new car...that really stinks. ('m glad nobody got hurt, but still...
Oh Tink, I'm so sorry about the car. That stinks, but Hoop is my hero for trying to take the damage on his side. I'm so glad you're both ok.
I hope you enjoyed the weekend in spite of that, looks like it was beautiful, from your pictures.
Even though it sucks about the car I'm glad you guys are ok!
I definitely dig your philosophy about making Long Island Ice Teas when life gives you lemons.
Hey Tink; been checking you out for a couple of weeks. I can sooo relate to this post. Check out my blog and the post called "as if I didn't have enough excitement in my life". Our experiences are very similar and my car is pushing $6000 in damages :o( Its enough to make you want to cry, but glad everyone was okay.
Damn that sucks. Does the insurance cover it?
Good to hear that both of you are ok though.
i feel your pain.
speaking from too much experience ... that crunching metal sound is one of the sickest sounds there is. SHIT!
Eric: If there's a hell, I think that's the sound you'd constantly hear in it.
Tawcan: Hoop only has liability insurance. The other car is covered. Ours isn't. :(
Newt: I know, right?! I think someone has cursed us.
That sucks big giant donkey ones. Just glad you guys were okay though.
We just did Universal over Spring Break....it was really fun. Sorry!
Oh no, only liability? Woe!! *hugs* to you and Hoop - and I am glad you're ok!!
OH thank god you are both ok!
The one and only car accident I was in afforded me enough time to envision me and my car busting through the guard and careering to a fiery death below. Fortunately the spin on the vehicle made it slam the ass end and that forced the front end to slam and I ended up parallel with the guard. Crying. But only minor bumps and bruises.
And this?
"Life throws you lemons, you make Long Island Iced Tea" --Classic simply classic.
um careening...careering is a whole nother thing.
Thank God nobody was hurt.
But, I do have to admit that I would have been one of the people slowing down to take pictures. It wouldn't be anything personal though, I swear! LOL
I hope that snake wasn't hanging around your house!
It feels like the longest 7 seconds doesn't it? And the sound - it's a sound you never forget. Poor car. I hope Hoop is feeling ok. I'm glad you guys didn't get hurt.
So sorry about the car. Glad to hear that you are alright though!!
Ouch! That car is so sad. I'm sorry, that really bites the green burrito.
But maybe the car wanted to be a Taurus. No?
Oh Tink and Hoop. That blows! Your pretty car :( One day soon it will pretty again!
I'm sorry your weekend didn't go as planned, but I am sooo happy that you two weren't hurt, nor were the others involved.
aw geez...glad you guys are ok...what a sh...crummy way to start the weekend
Tink: I'm sorry to hear that. Totally sucks! I'm glad the two of you are fairing better than Duff's pony and are alright.
I'm really glad you guys are okay. In the end, it's just a car, just a weekend, and you'll have many more to appreciate...but it does make you stop and think, doesn't it?
I'm so glad your are both ok, there really is nothing scarier to go through, but it does make you realise what is important. i hope everything gets sorted out for you. thanks for your reply to my comment yesterday, Leff
Damn, you can see taurus! Thats just wrong!
Glad you are ok.
yes, seven seconds can change a life. Wait, I was referring to conceiving my kid.
LAME JOKE! If my hubby ever read blogs Id be in trouble.
I'm so glad you are ok!
I wasn't sure what to write yesterday when I read your post. I felt shocked. I mean it was a great post, with great photos. But the realization that there could possibly even BE a life without a Tink in it? or a Hoop to go with her? As everyone else says, I am so happy that things turned out as well as they did, despite the repairs. Then I was thinking,,how suddenly it didn't matter so much to me that the house is driving you bonkers. I was happy you were around to BE driven bonkers. I'm happy you're not spending days on end in a hospital bed, or sitting next to one that contains Hoop. I know this post was another addition to the endless stresses you have been slammed with. Somehow though I just ended up being grateful. Is that completely backwards? I'm so happy you get to go home every night this week and ponder termites. I'm so glad you get to make dinner, and get the car fixed and maybe even clean up doggie barf. I'm so glad you both are ok. I'm so glad you're both still here. A world without tink, is a world that would never sparkle the same like shells on the beach at night.
Spellconjurer: Your comment choked me up girl. Life has a funny way of putting things into perspective. I think that's why the rest of our weekend turned out so great. Because suddenly, nothing else mattered. We were grateful to HAVE a weekend, to have each other. Thank you for such a wonderful and heartwarming response. ((HUG))
Lily: I couldn't believe it when I saw it. My Mom asked what kind of car we'd hit and all I had to do was send her that picture. Talk about a LASTING impression.
Debbie: Glad you had a good time in Universal. You bitch. ;D
Thank you all for your comments! I'm so very lucky to have such awesome friends like you.
I LOVE decapitated ponies.
Also, sorry about the car!
Whew! You're okay and that's all that matters. Sorry 'bout the car, Hoop. :o(
Love the decapitated rainbow bright doggie ponie.
Sorry to read about the car :(
I like the picture of white oak.
It always fascinates me to hear what people think just before they hit another car. My friend thought, "Oh man, I just bought those burritos." My thought was, "Yep, ... gonna hit him."
What was your thought?
~Jef
Edge: I think it was, "Where'd that come from?" Because the only thing I saw when I looked up was the back end of the car in front of us.
Your picture of Reggae Sunday reminded me of the Fourth of July at Baltimore's Inner Harbor. It smells like BO and there are so many people you can't move. I hate it - it freaks me out.
I liked your picture of the white oak, though. And sorry about your car, Hoop. Glad you both are OK.
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