I'll start with the bad news. My scooter, aka 'The Red Devil', 'El Poderoso', and 'Jake', was stolen from in front of our house about 2 weeks ago. It was there late one night as we arrived home from a friend's house and wasn't there the next morning. I called the po-po and filled out a report, called insurance, and have since been taking the train. The cops think it's probly been chopped up for parts. Hmph. Here's the weird thing- I don't really care.
Intellectually it stings a little because it's finally warm and I just made it through my THIRD winter on that thing, freezing just about anything that freezes. Also, it was pretty much our second car, so that's pretty inconvenient. But here's where the not-caring comes in. One, the week before I had started to really feel not safe on it. Like something was going to happen to me on it. All it takes is one person, particularly in an SUV, not paying attention for a second and I could be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. So I feel like maybe I dodged a bullet in that sense. Also, I'd just started reading A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. I'd just finished the part in the book where he talks about how our ego tries to stabilize itself by attaching itself to material things. Once I became aware of that process, which felt totally true, I became much more able to not do that. When I looked out the window and saw that it was gone it helped to not feel like a part of me had been taken, which is how the ego typically responds. When I tell people I feel like I should be more outraged or hurt or something, which feels like the social script for something like this, but I don't. More than anything it's just inconvenience.
So in the next week or two I should be getting an insurance check which should be enough to get a new bike or two that the three of us can bike around the lake on. And I'll probably get a train pass. Not that I'm a fan of public transit. Like many people I imagine I think it's good for a lot of reasons, mostly environmental, but it's not something I really like doing. I liked having that time in between home and work all to myself, thinking my own thoughts and singing my songs in the safety of my helmet. Maybe one day I'll ride a scooter again, but probly not for a while.
I should probly also apologize to the person slated to receive my scooter that's named in my will. Will a nice bike do?
Intellectually it stings a little because it's finally warm and I just made it through my THIRD winter on that thing, freezing just about anything that freezes. Also, it was pretty much our second car, so that's pretty inconvenient. But here's where the not-caring comes in. One, the week before I had started to really feel not safe on it. Like something was going to happen to me on it. All it takes is one person, particularly in an SUV, not paying attention for a second and I could be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. So I feel like maybe I dodged a bullet in that sense. Also, I'd just started reading A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. I'd just finished the part in the book where he talks about how our ego tries to stabilize itself by attaching itself to material things. Once I became aware of that process, which felt totally true, I became much more able to not do that. When I looked out the window and saw that it was gone it helped to not feel like a part of me had been taken, which is how the ego typically responds. When I tell people I feel like I should be more outraged or hurt or something, which feels like the social script for something like this, but I don't. More than anything it's just inconvenience.
So in the next week or two I should be getting an insurance check which should be enough to get a new bike or two that the three of us can bike around the lake on. And I'll probably get a train pass. Not that I'm a fan of public transit. Like many people I imagine I think it's good for a lot of reasons, mostly environmental, but it's not something I really like doing. I liked having that time in between home and work all to myself, thinking my own thoughts and singing my songs in the safety of my helmet. Maybe one day I'll ride a scooter again, but probly not for a while.
I should probly also apologize to the person slated to receive my scooter that's named in my will. Will a nice bike do?
That's great that you can be so detached Hank! I've had that book, A New Earth, on my nightstand for almost six months and i haven't read it yet!! Now i think i'll open it up :) thanks
Posted by: Juicebox | July 05, 2008 at 03:14 AM
Dohhh!! Hank, I thought we'll ride on our red colored two wheelers. NO? You're awesome dude. But don't pick my pocket. just kidding.
Posted by: Vijay | June 01, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Your attitude regarding this whole situation is awesome, Husayn. Inspiring even. (I've been wondering about that book! Good to know it has some great info in it!) I also think it's pretty fabulous that the three of you are going to end up with bikes to ride together!
Posted by: Heather | May 27, 2008 at 01:51 PM
i can relate. my place was broken into a couple weeks ago and my tv, digital camera and all of my gold jewelry were taken. it's not a nice feeling that someone was rummaging their grubby mitts in my dresser drawers, but i came to the conclusion pretty quickly that these are just material things....and that i'm glad i wasn't home when this happened. however, i am glad i have renter's insurance!
Posted by: Dena | May 27, 2008 at 01:21 PM
Ah, bummer! I have to admit that I didn't know what your Red Devil Scooter was. I thought it was one of those little scooters that every kid in town has and I was imagining you riding around on that... of course, it appropriately fits, I think. :)
I'm impressed that the ego lesson in your book is helping you cope with this loss.
Posted by: Claire | May 26, 2008 at 01:01 PM