The good news is that my stupidness of yesterday, while no less stupid, went unobserved today, which thereby removes that bit of angst from my noggin.
The great news is that I got my Vue back today from its aforementioned need for reconstructive surgery. It's like-new all over again (photos forthcoming) and good to have it back. Though there were some nice things about the larger vehicle, I'm glad to be able to park again without seven adjustments just to get somewhat near between-the-lines. In total, I'm out $786 (rental, deductible, gas), not to mention time lost at work dealing with accident related crud. I'd sure like to recoup some of that cost, so remember to call the authorities if you see the hit-and-runner wandering somewhere around the world.
The less great news was that, despite 50-something degree weather and rain, Darby's ballgame was NOT cancelled this evening. The game was supposed to start at 8:15, but was late-starting because of the length of the prior game. The weather really impacted the way the girls played, so the other team went up 7-0 right away. Fortunately we were able to come back. Darby hit a two-run homer (inside the park and error induced, but cool all the same), and that got us on a roll. We tied it up at 7-7, but by then it was already 9:15 (i.e. past the original 55 minute game time had we started on time), raining harder, and a bit colder. So, upon tying the game, our head coach decided to call it. One of our girls had already left because she was freezing. The coach said enough was enough, and that it wasn't worth the girls' health to play further. So while we didn't get a chance to win it, it was our third straight non-loss.
So are you still wondering what warranted yesterday's high dumb-factor rating?
Well, considering I was called at 9:42am by the body shop, informing me that my car was being detailed and therefore would be ready late in the afternoon, I should have gotten my Vue back yesterday. However, I hesitated because of my stupid act, which involved a certain pole in a certain parking lot and a certain vehicle not of my ownership.
Yes, I backed into a pole with the rental car. And I had previously chosen NOT to buy the extra rental insurance. I am an ass. But I really was looking quite intently as I backed out. It's just that the pole was quite non-visible through the tailgate of the pickup in the rearviewmirror, and also wasn't visible via the side mirrors. AND, the passenger in the vehicle didn't see it either (so there).
As it turns out, I put a rather noticeable dent in the rear bumper of the rental, so I thought for sure I'd get nailed for it this morning. I took it by my dad's house last night to see if it was recoverable with a little parental assistance, but he didn't think it would be. So I crossed my fingers and took the rental back this morning. I hoped they would be so busy they wouldn't have time to inspect the vehicle. But nope. It was rather non-busy, and they did in fact inspect the vehicle. But much to my rejoiceful surprise, they did NOT notice the bumper impurity. Yes, I still feel quite guilty about it. But I can't imagine the rental agency won't continue to get their full value out of the vehicle via future rentals.
Please pardon my atypical parting with integrity. I don't intend on making a habit of it.
So here's the car saga of the last two weeks in executive summary format:
-Car fails to yield to oncoming traffic
-I hit said car
-Driver of offending car is insurance-less
-Deadbeat driver flees the scene of the accident
-I confirm that I've got to pay for my own rental since there's no other insured driver to pay, and since I wasn't smart enough to have rental coverage
-I get huge, gas-guzzling rental
-I learn there's $4,300+ damage to my car
-I learn that the estimated duration of car repair is 19 days
-Car repair completes early, in 14 days
-On the last day of rental usage, I damage the rental
-I return the slightly damaged rental, damage un-noticed
-I get my car back
-I've yet to hear from police hit-and-run investigators
-The assailant remains at large
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