If you asked how I planned to spend Labor Day weekend, I would not describe what happened the past few days.

Tough Hikes, Fast Friends

Friday exceeded expectations, even though I had a tough call with a customer before logging off. It seems he has trouble talking to his team. Their deadlines were not realistic, their communication random and uncoordinated. But the day did not end the way the work day did.

Instead, my lady and I shipped up to another town thirty minutes away for a hike. See, about two weeks ago, a young woman named Mary shared her feelings online via TikTok. She wasn't happy about the social scene; only the bars and clubs appeared as options. She didn't have luck with book clubs or hikes either.

Her honesty resonated with the viewers and a comment suggested she make a Discord server. The following phenomenon can be described as viral. The group membership doubled many nights in a row. It sits around 1400 strong now. Melani joined early and found ways to organize the server for the ease of a lot of new users, including Mary, the original poster.

So the group formed, and the desire known to many led to a hike organized for Friday the 29th at the Sleeping Giant Tower Trail. It was glorious. An excited group of young people clamored up the trail before sunset, broke the ice sharing things they were grateful for, and hustling down the trail as light faded fast.

I met a lot of young ladies and the energy was infectious. I could see how a bunch like this could do a lot. That sentiment was shared by all who decided to grab a bite at Wood 'n' Tap, a local eatery in the area.

^{Had Sunday not happened, this would've been the title photo and this post would've been much different.}

If Only Sunday Was As Simple As Saturday

Saturday made for an uneventful day, something I longed for after yesterday afternoon.

Sunday made for the weekend I currently write about ending with frustration.

Yesterday, the plan was to visit family for a small cookout. It was a beautiful afternoon. In an effort to spend only what I have in cash, I drove us to the bank on Main Street and back. Melani had other shopping to do, but I was beat after Friday's hike and another brisk walk on Saturday. I hung back.

It was 2:51 when Melani parked the car in the garage and came upstairs concerned about a different matter. In the next 20 minutes, she went on to explain how she faced a ban because of a mass report from someone who thought her profile picture reminded her of a scammer.

We confirmed later that she was dealing with social engineering attempts to take money from her.

Maybe 30 minutes after she gets home, while she explains how these fakes want her to stream her bank info, we hear a vehicle speed up and collide near the end of our building.

We ran outside calling emergency services. It was a real mess outside, no doubt.

Little did we know it would not compare to the one with which we are dealing now.

So Much for 'Sunday, Fun Day'

Some driver rammed their Jeep Laredo right into the beam between our garage and the neighboring one. He bungled the garage doors bad. The crash cleared bricks right off the steel I-beam supporting the structure. The beam itself has the curve of a J now. Police put him going at least 60 in the parking lot to leave this kind of mark.

His mark went deeper than the garage though. Inside, our brand new lease of this year's Hyundai Kona sat marred. Left taillight shattered. Bricks visible and stuck in the wheel well. A smashed rear panel that appears clearly out of place. The other side sports dents and scratches from the bricks flying off the impact.

^{It may not look it, but what you see here could be estimated up to $15,000 in damage costs.}

Thanks to this, I am now more familiar than ever with the insurance claim process. Instead of reminiscing with a full tummy of cookout fare on the great weekend and cool people we met, we're nursing hangovers from drinking after dealing with this headache.

I put aside my complaining mind to once again express gratitude. My girl could've been down there, coming back from shopping. I could've been there, getting a gallon of water for our cooler. Any number of kids outside playing, mothers communing or fathers walking and talking with friends might've been there.

^{Friday night was fun, after all. But I have to shill my referrals more than ever now that my new car has been in an accident...}

I want compensation, sure. Some consideration might feel good, too. But as I write this, and as I've written in the past before, I write because above all, I want change. I can't change the past, but I sure as hell can affect the future.

Look forward to my continued updates on details as I navigate this misfortune.

^{Now that my new lease sports an accident history, I could use your help. Use my referral link and earn $30 cash back when you spend $30 on qualifying purchases at Rakuten.}