Mugged!

Last night I was getting gas at a station near downtown because it was 8 cents cheaper than the one near our house. As usual, once I got the pump going, I got out my PDA to enter the mileage. (In other words, preoccupied.) Next thing I know, my purse was being violently yanked by some asshole. Like an idiot, I instinctively refused to let go, so the force he used to take it knocked me to the ground. On my head. On solid concrete. A kind bystander helped me into the cashier area. I think I got up by myself but I honestly can't remember. I never lost consciousness or anything, but I was very disoriented at first.

The police came and I filed a report, but I couldn't help them much since I didn't get much of a look at the guy and didn't even see the getaway van since I was too busy hitting my head at the time. I was of course crying by this time and shivering uncontrollably from the adrenaline. I borrowed a cellphone (mine was in my purse, of course) and tried to call Paul, who wasn't home. I was upset at missing my ballet class at the Masonic Temple, where I had no way to get ahold of anyone to let them know I wasn't going to make it.

An EMS ambulance came by next, took my vital signs, suggesting the idea that they should take me to the hospital, just in case. I was reluctant to just leave my car there--if it got vandalized or stolen, it really would make the evening suck. We kept trying to call Paul every two minutes. It happened at 6:30 and he still wasn't home by 7:20, which was extremely unusual. My panicking mind started worrying that something had happened to him, too.

I was able to drive home (at least it was only about 3 miles away) and I called Paul at work, where he answered. It turned out that he was stuck in the lab because stuff wasn't working. As soon as I told him what had happened, he just left the mess as it was.

After canceling my cell phone, credit card and ATM card and eating a quick dinner, we drove to the emergency room at the Cleveland Clinic (8 blocks from home). Good thing we brought books. It took almost 3 hours between checking in and finally getting seen. It's a good thing it turned out not to be too serious or the delay might have complicated things. Mostly I just have a nasty bump on the head with strained neck muscles from the impact. They gave me two presciptions, one for heavy-duty Motrin and one for Orphedadrine, a muscle relaxant. Of course, I couldn't fill it then since it was now 12:30 am. Good thing the pain wasn't too bad.

I was exhausted from the ordeal but couldn't sleep until at least 3 am, worrying about all the pain-in-the-ass things I would have to get replaced immediately (driver's license, proof of insurance, etc.) When I did finally sleep, it wasn't very good sleep and I had to get up for work only 4 1/2 hours later.

At least the weather was beautiful--sunny and 50 degrees. I drove to Case (which I never do) so I would have time to get stuff done between classes. I was able to get to the bank to get cash and get the prescriptions ordered. After class, I picked up the drugs. Armed with my passport (thank God we had those, or I would have been sunk) and my tax return (couldn't find anything else with my Social Security # on it, lost track of the card years ago) I drove down to the BMV, thinking it would be a zoo on the day before Thanksgiving. Surprisingly, there was only one person ahead of me. The bad news is a tax return isn't an official document--it has to be something officially from the government. They suggested I go the to SS Administration building and get an official printout and then come back.

I drove out of there with a big black cloud over my head, with tears of frustration, fatigue and low blood sugar. It was a race against time. I had to get the license before closing time today because Paul and I are driving to East Aurora, NY tomorrow to visit Betty and Kurt for Thanksgiving, and every minute I drove without it I was breaking the law and tempting fate should I have an accident or get pulled over.

The SS building's parking lot was nearly empty. Oh no, I thought. Did everybody go home early for Thanksgiving? But no, thank God, there were only 2 customers there, and I was in and out with my printout in 15 minutes. Bonus: a new card will come in the mail within 10 days or so.

So back I went to the BMV, which was slightly busier now, but I was still out of there with my new license after about half an hour. By the time I left, it was quite busy, so at least I managed to beat the rush!

When I got home, I went online and printed insurance verification documents and temporary insurance ID cards directly from the Progressive website, then ordered a new AAA card online. I am thankful I only have one credit card, and that I only had $10.51 cash in my purse. All the other cards (grocery store discount cards, Blockbusters, etc.) are trivial so I can deal with them another day.

I still had the energy to bake 2 pies tonight, one pumpkin and one apple-cranberry-orange. Paul had to teach tonight, but he had time to help make the crusts, which he's really good at. I am really looking forward to tomorrow, when I can just relax, get away, and not have to deal with any of this stuff. And be thankful I'm in good shape now so didn't break anything, and that no weapon was involved, and no abduction or worse.

Now I'm off to take this drug which has some lovely side effects. I hate taking drugs. Side effects--collect 'em all! I usually do. I don't mind drowsiness or dizziness (hey, maybe I'll sleep harder!) but I sure could live without the constipation. Who wants to be constipated on Thanksgiving?