Anyone who has known me for a length of time will have heard this statement from my lips more than a few times.  It doesn't always precede an unfortunate experience like a snow plow/lawn mower crashing into my car, seeing a criminal on the news that spoke to me the day before, or showing up to what I thought was a dinner with friends to find out it was a blind date.  I've often used it to talk about great things like getting some amazing stuff free for no apparent reason (long list...it's my super power!), being COMPLETELY surprised by birthday parties, or receiving money from insurance or tax returns that I didn't know about.

This time it falls in the "unfortunate" category, but it was funny all at the same time!  The event took place on this past Thursday night as I was in City Centre with some friends for tapas (Spanish appetizers).  Thursday is late night in town...this means stuff doesn't close at the typical time of 6pm.  So I drove downtown and parked my car in one of my favorite spots right on the Liffey River.

After an enjoyable evening with friends, I headed back to my car around 10pm.  As I got closer and closer to my car, I decided that my rear windshield looked a bit strange, but then decided it was the glare from the street lights.  When I made it to my car, I realized my preliminary assumption was wrong!  My back wind shield had been COMPLETELY smashed in!  There wasn't much glass left intact at all! 

Now I know you may find this hard to believe, but there was nothing in my car but 4 Cd's (thanks, Brooke) and a couple of maps...so I ruled out theft.  No other cars around mine were damaged...so I also ruled out vandalism.  While circling my car and surveying the damage, a Dublin bus driver came over to tell me that he saw what happened...it was the Guarda (police) he said!

With this, I was completely frustrated...especially because I hadn't seen the note they left me.  After reading the note, I called my Irish family to see what to do first.  At their advice, I visited the Guarda station a couple blocks from my car to get the story.  Apparently the guards were arresting someone, and while trying to restrain him, he got free.  Once free, he took his anger out on my car!  Go figure!

Well this is great, I at least know that I'll be reimbursed for the repairs, but I also have to appear in court when this guy is on trial to testify that he damaged my car while resisting arrest.  Should be an interesting experience.

No worries, my friends and I used a combination of plastic bags, cling wrap and tape to make some temporary repairs.  The next morning, I got on the phone and had a new window before lunch!  Oh well, what can I do but laugh!  Here's a before and after...

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