Broken Glass (802 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.8 on 17 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by engine13 (View user info) at 2004-11-19 15:09:24 EST
Maybe it's not "new" but it feels nice, and new to you. Sure, other people have used it, tested it, dirtied it. But, now it's clean, looks great, and yours to do what you want to with. And, you don't have any of that depreciation straight off the floor shit. Who wants something that doesn't have a little experience under its belt anyways. So, you take it home, you vow to keep it clean, treat it right, and keep up with the required maintenance to keep it running as well as the day you bought it. That's always the plan in the beginning though, isn't it?
One day you are driving home and it happens. A rock shoots out from under the wheel of the asshole Ram driver in front of you. Hits the windshield, you flinch, scream obscenities at the driver, and search the windshield to find the chip. You are sure you heard it hit but you can't find the evidence. Whew, must have just bounced off, you think to yourself. Close call. That's all it was.
As the weeks wear on, you have fallen off in your maintenance duties. The exterior is covered in dirt, the interior is littered with empty cigarette packs and gum wrappers, there's dried coffee all over the middle console, and you are over a thousand miles behind on your recommended oil change date. So much for that plan.
Then you see it. That rock that hit the windshield weeks ago and seemed to be just a close call has turned into a crack. The rock hit right below the windshield wiper. Just low enough you didn't notice it at first. Now there is a crack emanating from the middle of the windshield stretching horizontally across to the driver's side. Shit. Well, all we can do it watch it and hope it doesn't go vertical or get much worse.
For months, the crack stays put. You check it everyday, analyzing its path. You know that the crack will take the path of least resistance. Seek out the impurities in the glass and take advantage of that weakness. You watch it with a morbid fascination as it slowly obscures the view.
Finally, as winter rolls around the crack makes its presence known again. It has finally spread to the passenger's side. Not only did it travel horizontally, but has gone vertical at the edge of the passenger's side windshield. Well, you think to yourself, I guess it was bound to happen eventually. Nothing can stay flawless forever, especially the way I drive.
Another long winter, another one ruined by the passage of time and the miles behind it. Funny how the right impetus can turn such a small banal object into cause of the broken thing you now see before you.
User Reviews
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2005-01-04 12:51:57 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Damn, this slipped by me. Good stuff.
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2004-11-21 16:59:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by engine13 (user info) at 2004-11-19 17:50:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Ahahahaha. I love Shlongy's comment. Maybe next time.
Snark-You're writing something not to be posted on Uber? Come on, we need more of your stories out here in Uberland. I'm not really into commenting back and forth on my post, but if you want to chat more feel free to e-mail me engineak13.at.hotmail.com. And, I have to get back to work.
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2004-11-19 17:38:35 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I understand the sleep thing.
Last night I couldn't sleep so I was lying in bed thinking about what would be the best way to cook Michael Bolton when suddenly I had a great idea for a story.
I jumped up, yelled "Eureka" and then ran to the computer... OK... I yawned and scratched myself and then had a smoke but the result is the same. I finished half of a story (One of my best, won't appear on Uber) before going to work.
I had just spent about 4 hours before bed staring at a blank screen.
Funny how it works sometimes.
Oh yeah... definitely deep fried.
Submitted by engine13 (user info) at 2004-11-19 17:32:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks Snark! I've always wanted a tea bagging done in my name.
I don't write more often because I don't really have all that much to write about. Most of my writing is true with a few embellishments here and there. I can't really do funny stuff very well. But, this site has helped me to get back into writing. My job doesn't really allow me to work the creative side of my brain, so it's nice to get it out there somehow. Oh yeah, and always feel free to insert criticism into your comments. I would appreciate it.
And, most of my ideas come to me at night right before I fall asleep. Then I'm left with the question of whether to get up and write them down, or go to sleep. I like sleep.
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2004-11-19 17:29:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
You write pretty well, but I'll be honest.
I thought that in the first three paragraphs, you were drawing us a parable...or at least making an analogy...about your pussy.
I'm serious.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2004-11-19 17:26:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2004-11-19 17:21:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Hmmm just went through your stuff.
How come you don't write more often?
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2004-11-19 17:13:43 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Grats on your birthday.
In honor of it I just sang Happy Birthday to my coworker and then Tea Bagged him.
You're welcome.
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2004-11-19 16:59:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Nicely done.
I got hit in the head by a rock once. The crack travelled across my forehead in very much the same way you describe here.
Submitted by engine13 (user info) at 2004-11-19 16:59:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Yay for me. Today is my Uber Birthday. One year old.
I have no where else to post this, so its going here.
Happy Birthday to me!
Submitted by LadyPlural (user info) at 2004-11-19 15:49:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Cool. HAHA, we don't get snow here. It freezes occasionally, but not often. HA!
Submitted by engine13 (user info) at 2004-11-19 15:46:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I hope this came across right, it's a metaphor. . .
Is Broken Glass a Fugazi song? I didn't realize, but love Fugazi while working - keeps me awake.
Submitted by GodLovesALittleLovin (user info) at 2004-11-19 15:34:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I had a Firebird and I as well had a rock cause a minor chip in my glass, escalating to five huge cracks running across my entire windshield. +2 for nostalgia, Firebirds, and rocks.
Submitted by JenBee (user info) at 2004-11-19 15:26:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Plus two for being awesome.
Plus two because I am listening to Fugazi right now.
No fours.
Will you settle for a two?
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2004-11-19 15:14:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Good stuff. I like your style of writing.
Submitted by knucklesnelson (user info) at 2004-11-19 15:11:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
good read