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Wow, Dwight, you are brave to post that. I can so easily imagine doing
the same thing! but being too horribly embarrassed to tell it
publicly. Grateful to know that the car theft in the neighborhood did
not happen.<br>
<br>
Regina<br>
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<div class="headerdisplayname" style="display: inline;">Subject:
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[RP TownTalk] mea carpa</td>
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<div class="headerdisplayname" style="display: inline;">From: </div>
"Dwight Holmes" <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:dwightrholmes@gmail.com"><dwightrholmes@gmail.com></a></td>
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<div class="headerdisplayname" style="display: inline;">Date: </div>
Wed, 7 Nov 2007 11:25:50 -0500</td>
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<div class="headerdisplayname" style="display: inline;">To: </div>
TownTalk <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:towntalk@riverdale-park.org"><towntalk@riverdale-park.org></a></td>
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<div class="headerdisplayname" style="display: inline;">To: </div>
TownTalk <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:towntalk@riverdale-park.org"><towntalk@riverdale-park.org></a></td>
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<br>
Though I'd rather forget completely about the entire episode, I feel
compelled to report this here to TownTalk, simply so that those of you
who worried about what a car theft from a driveway on Riverdale Rd
might mean for you and your neighbors may return to "as you were", and
put this episode aside...
<br>
<br>
Here's my report on what happened with our car last week. <br>
<br>
---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>
<span class="gmail_quote">From: <b class="gmail_sendername">Dwight
Holmes</b> <<a href="mailto:dwightrholmes@gmail.com">
dwightrholmes@gmail.com</a>><br>
</span>
<div><br>
Perhaps all is well that ends well. But that leaves open the question,
what, where, when is the end?<br>
<br>
The car is here. Safe and sound.<br>
<br>
It was never stolen. I found it on Thursday exactly where I'd left it
on Monday. Yep.
<br>
<br>
Let me explain a bit -- but keep in mind, I can explain momentary
confusion. I can't explain three day amnesia.<br>
<br>
We live literally around the corner from the MARC train station. My
usual commute involves walking to the station, catching the train to
Union Station, then taking the Metro from there four stops to Farragut
North, from where I walk 3 blocks to work. (Pretty much a perfect
commute, but that's a different topic).
<br>
<br>
On those days when at least one direction on the MARC isn't convenient,
I drive the mile to College Park Metro and leave the car there, where I
can get either the MARC or Metro. So for example, if I have to wait for
the plumber in the morning and can't get the 9:06 train, I'll drive to
College Park, take Metro in, and then return in the evening in the
usual way, by taking the MARC from Union Station. Except, astute
readers may note, it's not entirely the "usual way." It requires that I
remember that the car is at College Park, so that I don't get off at
Riverdale, but continue on to College Park on the train, where I get
the car and drive home.
<br>
<br>
One day last spring I forgot, and got off at Riverdale. But as soon as
I turned on to the sidewalk at our place I realized what I'd done,
presumably because I noticed there was no car in the driveway. <br>
<br>
But last Monday, when I forgot the car was at College Park Metro and
walked home from Riverdale station, I had no such realization. Didn't
notice the empty spot in the driveway -- not when I arrived home, and
not when I took out the garbage around 11. In fact, not only did I
not notice the car wasn't there, I later (the next day) I had a very
distinct visual memory of the car having been there as I walked around
it carrying the garbage!
(In reconstructing things, I figured out that clear image in my mind
was from the previous night)<br>
<br>
And then -- it gets better -- or worse, depending -- three days passed
and I continued to not have any inkling of what I had done with the car
on Monday.
<br>
<br>
When I came downstairs Tuesday morning a little after 6 the first thing
I noticed was that the car wasn't in the driveway. After checking the
street I called our RP police and reported the car stolen. (Talk about
a fast police response -- they were at the house in about 5 minutes).
<br>
<br>
You might think -- and I might hope -- that at some point between then
and three days later it might somehow occur to me -- "D'oh!" -- that I
had left the car at the Metro on Monday. But no. It was only because
on Thursday I had to drive the rental car to the Metro, as I wanted to
come home early to help Michelle with the Farmers Market. Entering the
parking lot at the Metro, I had one of those surreal moments as I first
noticed the car and went through the inevitable sequence of thoughts --
hmmm, funny I don't remember ever seeing another forest green Forester
here before .... and it really does look a lot like our car... and
that's in the area where I usually park.... Oh. $#^%$^. <em>Are you
kidding me?<br>
<br>
</em></div>
<div>So that's it. Thanks to those of you I've been brave enough to
tell the story to who have been supportive and kind - albeit amused to
no end. Most of you have even claimed it could easily happen to you
--I wish I believed you! And I should also say I hope it never does. <br>
</div>
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-- <br>
Riverdale Park Community Wiki
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<br>
-- <br>
Riverdale Park Community Wiki<br>
"Build it -- and stay awhile"<br>
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<br>
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