MARTA update

ok.. so when I created this blog back in August, I really did mean to post on it pretty regularly... so yeah... maybe this will be a post every few months thing :)

Anyways, since i've only written about MARTA/transportation so far, how about I continue with that theme for at least one more post... I'll update yall on the status of my "fellow traveler"! So, over the course of the last 3 months, I have been able to deduce who the 'fellow traveler' is (he described himself in the note he left on my car- skinny gray haired man). However, I decided to not let on that I knew that it was him. I would always keep my distance if I saw him on MARTA, I would walk as fast as I could to my car so as to avoid any sort of contact with him, I would never make eye contact with him- pretty much did my best to not ever be in a situation where he was near enough to talk to me.

Well, for the past few weeks, I have seen this guy pretty much everyday(whereas in the past, I would see him maybe once a week or so). I always make a point to see where he turns out of the parking lot, just to make sure he's not going my direction and wasnt following me- and he would never go my direction....until a couple of weeks ago. And then his pattern changed! he started going my direction and I had this sneaking suspicion that he was following me- just based on how he was driving- so whenever I see him around me, I get off at a different exit, go to Publix, etc... (this has only happened a few times, and I'm probably being paranoid and he's not following me at all, but it doenst hurt to be cautious, right?)

So this all leads up to last Friday, where "fellow traveler" decided to talk to me. I was leaving through the fare gate and he sort of blocked me from exiting and asked me if he could walk my direction. I was really caught off guard and I panicked so I just said... 'ok...' and then he proceeded to explain to me how he felt that we shared a mutual attraction and how he was worried about messing things up. I was pretty much in disbelief when he was talking but I finally answered- 'no- theres no attraction' or something like that, and he said 'ok- i'll leave you alone'. I proceeded to my car and locked the doors and just waited for about 5 minutes until I was sure that he had already left the parking lot.

so that happened Friday, and Ive seen him a couple of times since then, but he hasnt approached me or anything. so hopefully that was the last time I'll have to worry about fellow traveler. Looking back, I probably should have told him that no- he couldnt walk in my direction- but I was scared- I didnt know how he would react if I made him angry, so I just said ok.

I've had people tell me I should definitely get a police report, but he seems harmless. Then again, its super strange that he would leave a note on my car in August and then not approach me until now- that means he's probably been thinking about it for 4 months... which is a little scary. anyways.... what do you think?? (if you even check this blog anymore.. haha)

MARTA and cars

so, in continuing with the MARTA theme, I had a lot of people tell me to try to change up my routine a little bit in the morning- for example, park in a different place... So taking other people's advice, I parked in a different place on Monday morning. Well, when I got to my car Monday afternoon, I saw that another car had backed up into my car and damaged the front right of my Honda (there are dents, scratches,- it looks pretty bad). And when I actually wanted there to be a note on my car (from whoever hit my car), this time there was no note! I was pretty bummed about it- thankfully our insurance will fix the car bc we have Uninsured Motorists Protection, but we'll still have to pay the deductible. I got a quote yesterday and the repair work will cost over $1,000!!! Incredible huh. I've been keeping my eye out for a damaged blue car in the MARTA parking lot (bc that was the color of the paint that was on my car) but no luck yet. and in thinking about it, I dont really think there's much I could do if I do see a damaged blue car... i doubt anyone would be intimidated by me and fess up to hitting my car!!

Anyway, after leaving the car shop yesterday from getting the repair quote, guess what happened? Someone crossed three lanes of traffic and hit my car!!!!! Luckily the damage isn't too bad (I didnt call the police or anything). There are some minor scratches on the back right of my car but no dents- we're hoping that when we get the front right repaired, they can buff out the scratches on the back. I got the name, phone number, and license number of the girl who hit my car, so hopefully she'll pay for the repairs and I didn't make a bad decision in not getting the police involved. The passenger in the car that hit me was pretty belligerent about it all- he was complaining that he wasn't sure if I had my blinker on and that he had class in 20 minutes- I replied that if he wanted, I could call the police so that they could tell him that it was not my fault... The driver told me not to listen to the passenger and that she knew it was her fault.

As an aside... even if I didn't have my blinker on (which I'm the queen of using my blinker so I doubt thats the case), it still doesn't excuse the fact that that the driver crossed three lanes of traffic to hit me in the side of my car- it wouldnt have mattered whether I was turning or not- the driver still would have hit me. In addition mr. passenger, I don't really care if you have class in 20 minutes- maybe your friend shouldnt have hit my car! Goodness.... that passenger made me so angry- I'm pretty good about keeping my cool and being understanding, but I guess the combination of the hit and run that happened to me on monday and the attitude of the passenger on Tuesday almost made me lose my cool.... I mean come on!!! I'm saving your friend from getting a $150 police ticket!! so you could maybe show a little bit of remorse mr passenger (the driver was fine).

anyway, thats just me venting. Thankfully I have a great husband who calmed me down (over the phone bc he has classes on Tuesday night). On another note, I'm super thankful that Julie and Matt are ok after their terrible wreck on Saturday. Compared to what happened to them, these last two days for me are like butterflies and sunshine!

Hope everyone is having a great Wednesday!

Time to start blogging :)

Hello Friends!

I guess it's about time I jumped back on the blogging bandwagon! :) In future posts, I'll give updates on whats going on in the life of the Newton's (ex new house in tyrone, chad starting school at tech...again!, our puppy...) but for now, I wanted to share something that happened to me yesterday...

So I take MARTA to and from work everyday- it probably takes longer than it would for me to drive to work, but it saves a little bit of money and allows me to catch up on my reading!! (although I really need to go to the library to get some books- I'm rereading the HP books in French, and as you all know, I've read these books wayyyy too many times! haha). So yesterday, after walking to my car after getting off the train, I saw a hand written note folded under one of my windshields. I won't write out the entire note (its pretty long) but the gist of it was:

"Dear fellow traveler... I've seen you on MARTA several times. A few days ago, I smiled at you and was friendly, because I tend to be friendly when I see people like you, and I think you took it the wrong way. I am married with kids and was just being friendly. I'm sorry if I freaked you out. Sincerely, your Fellow Traveler."

In thinking back to the previous days, I don't remember feeling overly freaked out by any one person in particular- and I guess his note was thoughtful... but now I am a little scared! not of the 'fellow traveler' necessarily, but it makes me realize that it would be fairly easy for a person to remember where I park, what car I drive, when I get to MARTA and when I leave to go home, because I'm pretty good about following a set schedule- and I tend to park in the same general place. Makes me feel a little less safe I guess. I'm sure I'll forget that this happened in a couple of days, but until then, I'll probably be a little more cautious than normal- walk around my car to make sure noone's there- etc. And maybe you should be too!

so 'fellow traveler', I appreciate your note (sort of) but I think it did more harm than good!

-Chrissy

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