Wednesday, September 24, 2008

beware of Waverly, VA

Yesterday was not my best day.

It started with a dreaded court appearance for that pesky speeding ticket I got a while back. I totally deserved it. I was showing up to eat some humble pie and pray for grace.

I got it. Even after showing up nearly 40 minutes late. Did I mention it was a bad day? The cop testified on my behalf as "very polite". The judge was very cordial, even wished us luck in TX. The verdict: an inconvenient dose of driving school, ticket reduced to $30, and a $61 court fee. Not bad, all things considered.

So with a grateful heart I started the hour drive home. Only to be interrupted ten minutes later by those silly red and blue swirly lights. Really? Could this be happening? I didn't even know what I was doing wrong. (You see I've been a reformed driver since the first ticket. One of the safest on the road these days.)

It turned out almost humorous. The cop apolgized for pulling me over. You see I have a very expired inspection sticker on my car - this cop has hawk-like eyes! - but my PA plates kept me safe and he suggested just taking the sticker off. I pointed out that I had tried and before I knew it he had his razor blade out and was scraping it off for me. We joked a little as he helped with some other expired stickers and I was on my way. Nice guy, I said to myself.

Then, no kidding, ten minutes down the road again, the ever familiar lights. Can you really get pulled over twice in one day, after a morning at traffic court? This cop was not so friendly and slapped me with a weighty ticket for turning right on red. In my defense, you're allowed to do that in VA, just not when there's a sign saying otherwise. Sigh. If only I'd seen that sign.

I know, you're asking if I pulled out the tricks. The batting of the eyelashes, the tears, the overly-repentant heart. He was a rock, I tell you. A rock. Though, the tears I did save for later.

To my detriment, I let it ruin my entire day. Silly Karen. Worse things have happened.

My take home from this? Avoid Waverly, VA and their revenue-generating cops. It's a small blip on the atlas, but an overzealous blip nonetheless. With a really nice courthouse.

10 comments:

Muthering Heights said...

Goodness gracious! You have no manner or luck at all with the 5-0!

Anonymous said...

That is truly AWFUL. Reminds me of the kids book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day!
You must have felt like you were on TV or something when you got pulled over the second time, that is almost unbelievable!

Anonymous said...

I had a great day, my daughter called and poured her heart out to me and we shared a telephone hug,tears and laughter. Moms love it when their grown up daughters still turn to them for comfort.
Love yea!

Kerri Smith said...

you're kidding? i guess i was too specific in my praying - you got what you needed at court, not so much afterward...

Rach said...

This story is so humorously sad I am crying and laughing all at the same time! My poor Karen!

Anonymous said...

Oh, you poor thing! What a day. Hopefully your run-ins with the law are over for a while.

Megan said...

OH no Karen. Is your car red or something? Isn't that supposed to be a cop magnet? WEre in Beverly VA or PA? I had luck at one of my speeding tickets to go to court and have the cop not show up and the ticket thrown out. Hopefully you'll have a little reprieve from cops for a couple years (should I say months?).

Happy said...

You need to take yourself (on foot perhaps) to Starbucks and have a pumpkin spice latte.

Sorry about your bad day, but it did make for a mean blog post! I chuckled heartily but with much sympathy. Does that make any sense?

You should get one of those cop finding devices for your ride.

We all have em in da hood.

Anonymous said...

You deserve to eat half a bag of Double Stuff Halloween Oreos for going through all that crap. Because nothing says "I've had a bad day" like sugary orange icing staining your teeth- perhaps permanently.

I hope your doctor's appt. went well!

Unknown said...

WOW! Maybe trade your car in for a less-attractive one?!?! Better luck in Texas :-)