Everyone Makes Mistakes
April 20, 2007 (9 comments)
Yesterday, like every other work day, I got up at the same time and drove the same way to work. I was listening to the news on the radio as I pulled in the parking lot a minute or two before 8am, and jumped out saying hello to a couple of my fellow coworkers. We walked to our own separate corners of the building and went about our days just like usual.
Work was going very well that morning. I was solving some problems, fixing some issues, and adding some features. I had just been issued a PDA to use for work and was installing ActiveSync so I could put my calendar on it. About 11:30am, something really funny happened that I will be telling my grandchildren one day (FYI: I don't have any yet, I'm only 24).
The phone rang and the caller ID on it said, "MSU Police." I picked it up slowly, wondering what they would be calling me for. The lady came on the line and said, "Mr. Mizell, do you drive a tan Dodge Avenger?" Yes, I drive a car like that, so I'm thinking at this point someone has smashed my car or broken into it. "Well, sir, your car is running. It has been running for several hours." Both my hands quickly slapped my pockets checking for the keys. They were no where to be found. I think at that point my face turned bright red with embarrassment.
I'm not sure how I did it, but I got out of my car at 8am and left it running and unlocked. It ran until about 11:30am. Luckily, no one had stolen it or anything in it while it sat there just hanging out. Students walk by that lot all morning and are just feet away from my car, someone had to have noticed.
I'm very thankful it turned out like it did. No one stole my car, very little gas was used, and the officer at the scene told me it happens quite often, so I wasn't that embarrassed. I feel really bad about the way I treated my car, though, and hopefully I will not be reported to social services.