I should probably start this off by insisting that I'm usually very responsible. I double-check everything, don't do anything without thinking it through first, and generally don't go off on impulses or do stupid things.
But lately I've been having a giant run of stupid that I can't seem to get out of, generally involving very important things. Like my keys. As most people would agree, keys are important. They are, in fact, vital to getting in and out and around places. And I used to have a spare key to my car at least, but unfortunately, the magnetic box that I had it in fell off of the underside of my car and I never bothered to get a replacement. That was a poor move on my part, but I do have my moments of being young and stupid.
And for some reason, those moments of being stupid seem to be coming more and more often.
Exhibit A:
About three weeks ago I was headed to an interview. I got ready on time, had directions handy, was decent and fed and not nervous one bit. I step out of my house and shut the door behind me, completely ready for this adventure, and dig in my purse for my keys. Only to find that there are no keys in my purse. And then I remember that instead of tossing them back into my purse when coming home last night, I instead left them on my dresser. So I call my interview and inform her that I will be late, and then call my land lady to come and let me in.
Exhibit B: Two weeks ago, I went to the car dealership to get my oil changed. Their procedure involves pulling the car up to the dock, getting out, checking in, signing a thing or two, getting the car mileage, and then waiting. So I pull up, leave my keys in the car because they're going to be needing them soon anyway, and go to check in. But unfortunately, because of habit, I lock the doors before I get out. The very nice car check-in person goes to get a wedge and a long metal stick to unlock the door. I am saved the cost of a locksmith.
Exhibit C: Last week, I stopped after work to get gas. I work late. That means I get off at around 11:30 or so. Nothing is open except this one gas station. I pull up and there's a gas truck there with a burly gas-trucker pumping out gas. I ignore him while keeping an eye on him at the same time and get out to pump my gas. All of that is uneventful. I put in $20 worth of gas, put away the pump, close my gas lid, and turn to get back into my car and drive off. The car door is locked. The keys are in the ignition. I have locked myself out yet again. And, of course, my phone is also in the car, so I can't call anyone. I look around and of course, there is a McDonalds and a Taco Bell that are open, but they are across very dark and menacing parking lots. My best option, at this point, is the trucker.
So I go over to the trucker and ask to use his phone, which is fortunately a smart phone. I can look up locksmiths (which are all closed), a towing agency (which doesn't do locks), and the police station (which is closed). I'm about to call my mom to facebook a friend to text a friend to come get me, when the police answering machine gives me the number for the dispatch. I call the dispatch and they send an officer to come and unlock my car, and until then, John the Trucker offers to stay with me to make sure I'm alright.
Exhibit D: Today, I'm going on a camping trip with three other girls. So I go to run some errands and then when I get back, I decide it would be a good idea to clean out my car. I move to the back seat and pull out things that shouldn't be there, lock my car, and then go to the front door to unlock it. Lo and behold, my keys aren't in my purse. They are, in fact, still in the ignition. Fortunately, just yesterday I went to the hardware store and had copies made of both my house key and my car key. My spare car key is under the car in a magnetic box that hopefully won't fall off.
Moral of the story: Keep spare keys. Truckers named John are friendly. Keep your keys on a zip chain attached to you at all times. Don't invest in things that require locks.
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