Bad Things Happen Everywhere
Monday, December 21, 2009 at 1:13AM | Becks Davis I had already planned on what today’s post was going to be about. We have been in Detroit for just over a year now, we arrived December 9th of last year. So I was going to do a rundown of our highs and lows during our first year in Detroit.
I was going to talk about all the fabulous places we’ve been in and around metro Detroit and all the cool events we’ve attended. I would have probably mentioned meeting Gordie Howe and Ronnie James Dio, going to the Tigers game, and the horrible weather and outcome of the U of M game we attended.
We have also had many trials and tribulations since our arrival. Months and months and months of unemployment did not help our emotional well-being or bank account. We knew what we were getting into, moving to Detroit in December of 2008, but it still took its toll.
My biggest trial has been sharing a car with my husband. The husband and I share our fabulous 2001 mini-van. And by share, I mean that my husband uses it all the time and I get dropped off and picked up like a teenager. It truly sucks. Not only do I get stranded at home quite often but also I miss out on social situations and covering events for Detroit Moxie. This needs to be fixed.
Anyway, I decided not to talk about all that today.
Saturday night after attending the awesome Mayer Hawthorne gig at the Magic Stick we found our car had been broken into. The passenger side window was smashed to bits and glass was everywhere.
The thieving rats only took our GPS, $60 of goods we just bought, and our bag of quarters that we keep in the glove box to feed those pesky meters.
My stupid husband had most of his tools in the car. His tools are his livelihood. He dotes on them. They are a part of his soul. And they didn’t get stolen. We are very fortunate.
I shiver just thinking about all the whinging I’d be hearing if they took his blessed tools.
But no, the post isn’t about that either. What is it about then? The comments and the Detroit bashing I’ve heard since the break-in pissed me off, you know, “well, you WERE in Detroit.” Ugg!
Yes, my car got broken into while we were in Detroit. People, cars get broken into everywhere! My friend Beverly Cornell recently had her laptop stolen from her car, ON HER DRIVEWAY, in Madison Heights. Miraculously, she got it back due to an angel. Seriously, if it happened today we'd be calling it a Christmas miracle.
Crime happens everywhere and more so in big cities.
While living in Chicago, my apartment got broken into two days before Christmas. I was in the apartment at the time, sleeping off a hangover from the Christmas party the night before. It took me awhile to realize what was happening but I scared the intruder away. He did, oddly, get away with my plunger.
Also in Chicago, my car got broken into. Same situation as here, the passenger side window was smashed. Luckily, there was nothing in it to steal.
Oh, and Milwaukee, have I got stories about Milwaukee!
My college sweetheart had a soft top Jeep. It didn’t even have door locks; this Jeep didn’t even have keyholes! People would bend back the plastic windows to get in the car. Or, they’d cut through the soft top. Just open the door, ya freaks! It’s open! But no, they were so stupid that they had to cause damage to get into the vehicle.
The big winner was the person who knew they could just open the door. They also figured out they could pop the hood. We found a Danish sitting on the engine one day. It was quite a nice looking Danish too! No, we didn’t eat it.
Did I mention that I lived a few blocks away from the psycho Jeffrey Dahmer while he was cannibalizing young men in Milwaukee? Yep, it’s true.
Bad things happen everywhere. This was a small inconvenience.
Am I going to stop going into Detroit? Hell no! I’m going to keep on embracing this city, just like I have been doing. Things happen. We move on. We get back up.
You want to know what I’m most annoyed about? I only had that damn Garmin lady out of my life for one day. She was replaced today, an early Christmas present for the husband.
Reader Comments (21)
Great article Becks. Love your positive attitude, keep it up!
Hilarious!
Yeah, I could tell you some swell stories about things that happened in the 'burbs, but I'll save 'em for another day. I'm glad you didn't lose anything truly irreplaceable.
I had to laugh about your quick replacement of that beloved Garmin lady, though!
Thanks, your post perked me up today. By the way, my business is slow right now so if you need a ride anywhere let me know...I believe we live near each other.
Sorry your car got broken in to, but kudos to you for keeping the positive attitude! You're absolutely right - this could have happened anywhere! It didn't happen because you were in Detroit. I've been to events at night in Detroit several times and never had anyone touch my car. It's always good to keep anything valuable out of sight, no matter where you leave your car.
Happy holidays, Becks! Looking forward to more positive stories from Detroit in the new year.
Thanks everyone, I'm glad you enjoyed the post.
Dominique,
Yeah, unfortunately the Garmin lady is back! She's still in her box right now though, I haven't let the hubby have his ways with her yet.
Catherine,
I may have to take you up on that offer sometime, thanks! I didn't realize we lived near eachother.
Nikki,
I know, I know. The GPS was hidden away. The fact that the tools were in the car to begin with still annoys me! We know better than that. Happy Holidays to you, and everyone else, too!
Yeah. It happens a LOT in Midtown. Just be happy you weren't robbed in person. Just about every single person I know has had their window smashed in while in Midtown at some point in the past 2 years. Or robbed at gun point at / around the Magic Stick. In the last 2-3 months, though, it seems like robbery is on an upswing in Midtown. I know personally of 3 car windows being smashed, and 1 apartment broken into during the middle of the day (all major electronic stolen), 1 laptop stolen while in the library, 1 unarmed fork-over-your money since August. Desperate times!
You are, of course, right -- same stuff happens in the suburbs. My poor friend had all 4 of his tires stolen off of his car the night before final exams in Royal Oak.
Sorry it happened to you though, bonus that they didn't take his tools.
That sucks. I'm really sorry to hear your car got smashed up. Just a curious question for my own sake, where did you park? I go to the stick a lot.
I love your optimism...great post!
Dea,
Thanks for the crime report! I'm certainly not saying crime doesn't happen in Detroit, just that it happens north of 8 mile too. Still feel very lucky about the tools!
Steve,
We were on Alexandrine, the street just south of The Majestic, about 3 cars in on the east side of Woodward. We park their all the time. Well, we won't be anymore! People have suggested to park at the lot by Union Street, we just usually hate to pay for parking. ;-)
Dominic,
Thanks!
Hi! I'm new and wanted to de-lurk and tell you how sorry I am about your car. I just moved downtown a few months ago and my boyfriend has lived downtown for several years. His car was broken into while parked in his apartment's garage, which one would think would be secure.
It's so frustrating, but you're right, these things happen everywhere. My parents had their home broken into in the smallest town they ever lived in...a small town in Kansas.
Ha. Good stuff. (By the by, I refer to my boyfriend's GPS as "the trip bitch." Hate that thing.)
DJM,
Love it! Maybe we should start a support group? ;-)
thank you for this! i am so tired of people giving me a hard time about moving to detroit and acting as if i am going to get shot the moment i step out my door.
also. i, too, HATE the garmin lady! you would think with all the technology gps is capable of, they could create voice options that are less painful. ;)
Super Girl,
Thanks for de-lurking and sharing your stories. Yeah, you would think if your car was in a garage it would be safe but these crooks are clever!
Erika,
You're most welcome. I, too, am tired of the grief I'm given for wanting to move back here and for spending time in Detroit. It seems we have another member of the "I hate the Garmin lady" support group!
My family and I went to the Lions game last Sunday. Im a Bears fan....DA BEARS.
Srayed Sunday night in Dearborn at Merriott. We woke up with our van stolen.
We rented a car to get home. I am now with three kids to run around and no vehicle.
Last time we spend time in Detroit.
Beth,
I'm so sorry to hear about your van, these things are never easy or fun.
But I'm a bit confused. Your van got stolen from Dearborn not Detroit, right? So shouldn't you be saying that you won't be spending time in Dearborn again?
The point of this post was that these things happen everywhere, not just in the city of Detroit. Cars get stolen in Chicago too. And, as I said, I had my car broken into in Chicago.
Congrats on the Bears vs. Lions game!
Thank you for giving the city a chance :) and realizing that bad things do happen everywhere. We need to stick together to ensure that more good things happen vs bad.
I love living and working downtown. I am going to create my own blog about how I love the city.
Maybe together we can make it a better place!!! If you are ever downtown let me know, I would love to hang out!!
Tina
Tina,
We love spending time downtown and get down there quite a bit. Actually, I'm a bit jealous of people who live and work downtown.
Please send me a link when you start your blog, I'd love to take a look.
I think, by working together, we can make Detroit better place and improve outsiders perceptions of the city.
Thanks for stopping by and adding your thoughts. We'd love to hang out downtown with you!
I appreciate the optimism and I love Detroit so much, even though I no longer live there, Detroit goes with me wherever I roam! And Go Detroit Lions!!!