Friday 21 March 2008

Mindless destruction and rules for living

Last night we met up with RT and ET from next door and the friend who’s about to embark on a PhD in September as a mature student. Exciting but scary. We went to the same café as last week’s girls’ night – except that last night Himself graced us with his presence – and had a lovely evening. Lots of natter, laughs, cheered the prospective student up a bit and walked home, buffetted by the high winds.

This morning we woke up to find that our car, parked at the end of the street had been keyed – scratched by a key all over the sides, roof, bonnet and back. Himself was so upset he could barely speak. Not because we are proud car owners but because of the mindless vandalism. The fact that whoever did this has no regard for others’ property. That they did this to all the cars in the street, though not as thoroughly as ours.

And also because it was my mother’s car that we bought off her a year ago, and of course she’s coming to stay this evening. The thought crossed my mind that should we need to sell the car in part exchange – as we always do need to – it’s now almost worthless.

We had a very Silent dog walk this morning. It’s best to leave Himself when he’s that upset. A cuddle is best to start off with. Then when he’s recovered, we get the language, and just what he’d like to do to whoever is responsible for such meaningless, selfish behaviour.

I get very protective of him at times like this. I can feel his frustration, anger and sadness. It bursts out like fast growing weeds, unwanted and virulent.

It made me think of an interview I did earlier this week when the wife said that they take it in turns to be strong. She asked me if we did the same.

“Yes,” I said. “We try never to have a wobbly at the same time.”

And there you have it. Our Number One rule of Living Together.

19 comments:

Akelamalu said...

I always wonder what sort of mindless moron does this type of thing! Someone with the IQ of a plant and a total disregard for anyone but themselves no doubt. :(

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Sounds like an excellent rule to me and one that dh and I follow too.

Sorry about the car, I had that done to me a few years ago and could have turned into Rambo with rage but just had to settle with having it re-sprayed instead. Horrible.

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

Oooh that annoys the heck out of me. Mindless vandalism for no reason...not that there ever is a reason for vandalism.

Flowerpot said...

Ak - that was the gist of what Himself said - just with a few more expletives.

Debs - yes we were pretty Rambo ish I must say. We've reported it anyway.

Flowerpot said...

AOJ - infuriating indeed. Makes you want to go and scratch the hell out of their cars....

BreadBox said...

That really is awful. How upsetting. I can feel his steam building.....

N.

Cornish Dreamer said...

Hello FP. I'm actually glad, for once, that I didn't read your blog yesterday morning. It would have shocked me something rotten (because, by that time, we still didn't even realise that our car had been hit).
I was in shock when I saw our car but that quickly moved aside for heartbreak on your behalf when we saw yours.
Some people will always be mindless idiots and if they hadn't attacked our cars, it would have happened to another street.
I hope Mr FP has managed to release some of that steam! (and a very good rule to have, btw).
RT

Jenny Beattie said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your car. They are horrible mindless people. I love the rule though: very wise.

Eurodog said...

Awful. As I said to RT, I thought this only happened in big cities.

Flowerpot said...

breadbox - steam building from both of us!

Flowerpot said...

RT - I was going to ring but didnt want to wake you up with the news. Still fuming here though the police were very helpful. both women I would like to add and very helpful indeed.

jj - horrible and mindless, yes.

Flowerpot said...

ED - I thought so too but sadly not.

Ellee Seymour said...

That's horrible and sickening, I'm so sorry for you both.
Just wanted to wish you a Happy Easter. I wanted to chill out over Easter, but not to this extreme.

Cornish Dreamer said...

Yes, thank you FP. That was very thoughtful. We had a lovely morning up until then (we must lend you Brick Lane, it was v. good), and having that news broken to us would have ruined it! RT

Lane Mathias said...

That's awaful fp. I remember the fury I felt when I had every window of my car smashed. Like Himself, I couldn't speak. It's not being able to comprehend why (because there is no reason) that is so upsetting.

(I like your 'taking it turns' system:-)

Hope it didn't spoil your Easter weekend too much.

Flowerpot said...

ellee - how kind! I hope yours is good - windy here but not too cold if you're wrapped up as we are!

RT - glad you enjoyed Brick Lane - look forward to it. At least I didnt ruin your morning just then. Only the news did later.

Flowerpot said...

Lane - that sounds terrible - every window broken? That is really dire. Makes you feel sick and your stomachl urches and the world goes upside down. Or it does with me. No thankfuly we are getting out and getting about nad having a good time thanks - hope you are too!

rilly super said...

my car got smashed by a drunk driver once night flowerpot. the policeman called round and I was very polite and philisophical about it, 'it's only a car, it's just metal and glass', that kind of thing, but when we went out so see the damage my outburst in front of PC would normally surely have got me arrested. it may be just metal but you just think towards these people 'who invited you into my bloody life?!'

Flowerpot said...

rilly - I quite agree, but am so sorry you had that fracas with your car - a zillion times worse than ours. Yes it is only a car, made of metal and glass but a) it's yours (or mine) and b) it costs a hell of a lot to fix and c) why the hell did someone wreck it? See, doesnt take much to get me going again...!