(such a) Fickle Stitcher

I guess PIF (pay it forward) is not as recognizable an acronym as RAOK (random acts of kindness), but both occurred to me yesterday.

Sitting in a line of traffic at a signal light on my way home from work, movement in my side-view mirror caught my eye. The gentleman behind me was getting out of his car. As he walked forward toward my car, I also saw why: the door to my gas tank was open. I rolled down my window to thank him, and realized he was replacing the gas cap as well!!

What an encouraging event in these trying days. Oh, and he had out-of-state plates on his car!

As I drove home, I recalled the very first “accident” I had as a new driver. I had exited the highway on my way home from college, and was sitting at the stop sign at the end of the exit ramp, behind only one car waiting for traffic to allow us to turn left. I saw the car in front of my move forward, and thought it made the turn, but ran into it because it did not.

I was horrified and scared to death. I don’t remember what kind, or whether there was any damage. What I remember is that the grandfatherly gentleman let it go.

There must have been some kind of damage to my vehicle though, because I had to tell my father. All was well, though, and he related that his father, my grandfather had been rear-ended in a similar manner by a young girl once. And he had not reported the accident, but allowed her to go her way without getting into trouble….

ROAK & PIF

I will look out for my chances to “pay forward” the stranger’s kindness from yesterday.

–title stolen shamelessly from Chic Knits–

Last fall, following a particularly large-score win by the USM football team, I went to the campus Barnes & Noble to take advantage of their discount (equal to the wining score difference up to 25%). I wanted a warm jacket, and when I found what I wanted it was only available in cream… I promptly managed to let coffee dribble on the front a few days later. S’okay, though; it washed out. I’m pretty sure I managed to do it more than once, too. Swiss cheese for brains can’t quite be possitive this morning.

Today is the first day I wore it this season. As I stood at the counter getting my coffee, I wondered if I could manage NOT to spill coffee on it today.

I couldn’t:

Not only all over the jacket, but on my pants leg and all over my car! Everything is sticky and wet, and I’m slightly chilled. I *knew* the lid wasn’t quite right. I don’t know if it was mal-formed, or if I didn’t get it on correctly. I also know *better* than to hold it from the top — but don’t we all when putting the cup in the cupholder?

I do hope this is the worst thing which will happen until the Election tomorrow, at least.