no good deed...

goes unpunished.

have you ever heard that saying? no good deed goes unpunished.


i don't believe it, but...here's our story.


my brother and sister-inlaw and kids have been in the u.s. for a little over a month. today is the day they fly back to south africa. now, they came over with as a group of 5 people, with 4 or 5 checked bags. they returned to s.a. with 10. that's right, ten. two of those are my aunt's who is moving over there for a bit, but htere rest were theirs. now, rarely are you able to get ten bags in the same car you brought 4 in. of course they didn't all fit. heather and i volunteered to go down to l.a. with some (4) of their bags yesterday. this also gave us a chance to spend a little bit more time with them family.


they were staying @ a certain motel with a number in the name, less than 7, greater than 5, that promises to leave something on for you. this location was right near lax, very convenient, and had a free shuttle. the rates were good, too. so, heather and i got a room there. we drove down, checked in, helped them with all the different bags and stuff and then went to dinner. nice meal @ an english restaurant in santa monica. buy the time we got everyone back, returned their rental car, and then hit the hotel it was about 11:30 pm last night. the parking lot was mad full, so we parked our civic in an available spot. surrounded by cars. pretty well lit lot. again, tons of cars. this morning, the stewarts were getting on the shuttle @ 5:30, so we got up @ 5 to help with the bags and kids. mission accomplished.

then i figured, why not move the car closer so when we leave (noon checkout) it'll be closer, easier. so, i walked out to the car, and then...











dang. dang. some jackhole smashed a few windows. i go inside, talk to security, call cops. literally 3 hours later, the cops showed up, i could get inside the car and not worry about screwing up any possible investigation (which there was none). nothing taken. didn't try and punch the column and steal it. just smashed the windows.

(if you want, we've got some random stories about the interesting characters around the motel. it's not the motel's fault, they actually have security on foot that patrols, and inglewood police also allegedly patrol the lot. and, the motel staff was very helpful with the problem. we'll see if they comp. my room later after their risk management people examine what the motel manager sends them. i'll keep pushing for it.)

so, now i've got a case #, and insurance report, and a rental car. we had a nice, hot ride home from l.a. with a busted window and the air blastin. hopefully our civic will be ready friday afternoon. until then, we've got a rental toyota solara with a full tank of gas.

thankfully, the stewarts got off from the hotel without any problems, and they didn't even know i'd have such a lame start to the day. and, thankfully, they only busted the windows and put a couple of knicks in the paint. we've got insurance, and it'll get fixed.