Foiled by the Grinch

Yesterday I made my appearance in court for my "moving violation" that occurred several months ago. I have been stewing over this ridiculous ticket for way too long. With camera in hand, I made my way to the courthouse for the truth to be told. Too bad my camera was confiscated at the front security desk. Good thing I printed off the mapquest page. After an almost hour long wait, a prosecuting attorney pulled me into another room. He fit a stereotypical model of a schmooze. His hair was slicked back and his smile curled up just like the Grinch when he thinks of his awful idea. He used such choice phrases like "look, I'm not here to talk you out of proceeding to trial" and "Officer so-and-so is here ready to testify against you. He even took notes" and my favorite of all "I am here to make you a deal to save you x amount of time and x amount of dollars". He rolled his eyes a few times and even held back a snort when he could use his new found knowledge of traffic laws. My 12 miles over the posted speed limit now became over 20 since unknown speed limits = traveling 35 miles per hour. I tried to remind him of the ever more important rule of driving in a manner to prevent accidents, but he just said too bad you got caught.

Usually, I just think my bad thoughts and smile. This time I half spoke my bad thoughts and fumed over the lack of justice that I was witnessing. They didn't want the truth. They wanted my money. Yet, in the end, I folded. I knew I was in the right, but I was done with this escapade. I have never in my 15+ years of driving all over this country received a speeding ticket or any other sort of traffic violation. The prosecutor noted that and knock the fee to $130 with no defensive driving test and a probationary 90 days to not get pulled over again. $130 and I was free. I took a few moments to think about it. I wondered how I would win in court. I have a feeling that my hear say evidence (camera wasn't coming into the courtroom) about the over hanging branch covering the speed limit would have been ignored.

I left angry and with a better understanding of how so many countries live with corrupt leaders and "law"givers. It was too much of a gamble for me to pay the full ticket ($176) plus court fees ($100+) and have the ticket on my record (who knows what that would have done to our insurance). $130 sounded good and the attorney knew it.

What I am left with is the questions why? Why can a police officer pull me over when several other cars were driving much faster then me? Oh wait, I know, I was the only one going slow enough for him to pass two lanes of freeway entrance traffic and a solid white line and catch the dangerous driver. Why am I being punished for a bad pruning job? Oh wait, I know, because the state needs easy money. Why else would the police officer pick such a precarious spot to park his unmarked police car? Why did I not have the guts to stand up for myself? Oh wait, I know, I never do.

Oh well, I guess my painting and replacing a wretched chandelier will have to wait. San Antonio needs an easy $130.

Glorified Saran Wrap

I just received our family's Christmas cards in the mail when the weather turned. I think that the bad weather had everything to do with my "bragging" on our Christmas cards about the weather being so nice. (curious about what I said. . .well wait until you get one of the cards in the mail. . .not sure if I have your address. . .email me or leave it as a comment on this post) We have endured many a hot summer days with hopes of the pleasant winter weather. So, when the thermostat was registering 40 degrees, I wasn't a happy camper. We set our heater at 69 in hopes of not paying too much for our comfort. Too bad the heater was running all night long.

Opening windows on sunny days and baking a little more than normal helped with the heater's persistent running. We even went to the extreme tacky lengths of shoving cloth napkins in to the door crevices to help stop all the cold air from rushing in. Finally, with help from a little know product called Window Insulation Film. What is this magic product and how would it be helpful? Take the idea of plastic wrap stretched tight over a window instead of leftovers.

It is quiet a process that involves alcohol wipes, double sided tape, plastic wrap, and a blow dryer. Each window is about a 10-20 minute process and we finally finished the whole upstairs Saturday night. Just in time for us to put up the Christmas lights. Unfortunately, we usually use the upstairs windows to access our lower roofs which meant a careful removal process and a even carefuller replacement. We went to bed grateful for a sealed house and hopes of a less frequent heater situation.

Sunday morning we argued with the kids about taking coats to church assured that the weather would merit a heavier jacket. Wrong. Overnight the temperatures shot up from the low 40's to the mid 60's. That to me is window opening weather and we are sealed in. Oh well, may be it will feel like winter again someday and we will be prepared.