Thursday, March 27, 2008

Pitfalls

This morning I took my beloved BMW 330 Ci in for servicing because the check engine light came on. When I got to the BMW dealer, they scanned the key and told me that Blue wasn't due for full servicing until another 5000 miles. The check engine light was due to the gas cap not being tight enough (sensitive little bugger). They decided to check a wiper blade and the head of the service department went out to find one of the mechanics. She told me to grab a cup of coffee which I did.

Anyway, I saw her walking back with a mechanic and went out only to hear her say, "I'm so sorry. I left your car in neutral without the brake on and it rolled into another car." The result is that Blue has a badly scraped and bent right rear bumper.

This is a high class and very professional dealership so I knew that all would be okay. I reassured the lady that sometimes things just happen. One of the fellows in the office said that if everyone had my attitude the world would be a better place.

So I'm driving a new BMW M coupe until tomorrow. Blue is going to get detailed and the scrape and dent will be gone. She's bent but not broken.

I feel good that I wasn't upset in the least. And I'm glad that I could ease the mind of the apologetic and worried service manager by telling her that the important thing was that no one was hurt. Sometimes, crap just happens. And Shadow and I can laugh at the fact that our cars are a bit damaged but will be good as new soon.

In the mean time, zoom zoom.

It is clear the future holds opportunities - it also holds pitfalls. The trick will be to seize the opportunities, avoid the pitfalls, and get back home by 6:00.
--Woody Allen

10 comments:

  1. I love that you call her Blue and I agree with the service manager, the world would be a better place if more people had your attitude!! You always give me faith that there really are some nice guys out there, I just need to be be patient, Thanks Syd.

    ~k

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  2. Hiya Syd!

    I'm giving myself permission to say, "Yaaaayyyy, Al-Anon!"

    Great Self-control and self-focus on your part!

    Anonymous #1

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  3. love the car name of "Blue".. pretty car! my Tahoe's name is "Fred". DO NOT ASK ME WHY.

    Anyhoo - I love that you handled that situation so calmly. Nice job! Eckhart would be proud.. heehee

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  4. Poor Blue! But lucky you. Practicing these principles in all your affairs. The world would be a better place and doesn't your world feel good?

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  5. Quantum Mechanics, blimey, that is a mind blowing subject, Yes I gotta admire you what happened to Blue, I have learned something by that, ill remember next time I am going to fly off the handle

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  6. Isn't it great to have a new way of living?!?!

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  7. "Bent but not broken." That's me in a nutshell. Getting better every day I stay clean.

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  8. oh no!!! i know exactly how you feel! the service you got is excellent though. and fast. there's that. and soon to be 'good as new'! i cannot wait to take mine out for a long, fast drive when she's new again, wanna race?....

    looking forward to your meme post. i wanted to tag you but saw you already were...

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  9. Hey Syd - with Al-Anon, the program really teaches us how to "cope" with what we cannot change and just deal with some things. Great example here of dealing with "it" and allowing the other person to catch a break (no pun intended).

    I have a black BMW - my daughter calls her "Blackie" - she's only 10 (both car and daughter)

    Joe

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Let me know what you think. I like reading what you have to say.