Domino Effect... Still On

As I was walking out the door towards my car, I saw Isaac (our driver)... I clearly said this to him.

"Isaac, dont make any plans today at around 10:00am. I am dropping my car at the bodyshop in Shuwaikh... So I want you to pick me up from there and drop me to work"

He said ok!

So I went to work and left at around 90:00AM heading to Shuwaikh. I get all the paper work done and call Isaac.

Ansam: Can you please pick me up now.. I am in Shuwaikh?
Isaac: I am in the Coop with your mom
Ansam: WHAT! I told you that I needed you today! I will be late to work!
Isaac: Talk to madam
Ansam: Mom... can you please tell him to pick me up? I dont want to be late for work... Dad can come and get you?
Mom: Sure... we just got in, I will be done by the time hes done with you
Ansam: Thanks :-* OK so let me talk to him please
Mom: OK dear
Isaac: Yes?
Ansam: I am not at the dealership.. I am in the Shuwaikh garage.. OK?
Isaac: Yeah.. I know the place, been there with Sir
Ansam: Perfect.. Thanks
Isaac: You're welcome

15 minutes later... phone rings

Ansam: Are you out?
Isaac: Yeah I am home
Ansam: HOME!?
Isaac: Yes.. where are you?
Ansam: I told you to pick me up from the garage... THE GARAGE ISAAC
Isaac: I did not hear you well I guess
Ansam: I DONT WANT TO BE LATE TO WORK... Come to Shuwaikh NOW!
Isaac: OK

15 minutes later... phone rings

Ansam: Are you out
Isaac: Yes, outside garage #7

I did not pay attention to the numbers, but THANK GOD he came to the right place

Isaac: So you want to go to work?
Ansam: Yes please
Isaac: Which road should I take
Ansam: Any road that leads to Kuwait City
Isaac: Rd 45 or 40?
Ansam: I dont care

*I was not in the mood to talk to him cuz all I was thinking is I wanna choke him*

Isaac: OK

Now I am at work, and the minute I got to my floor...... I threw up :-S

Domino Effect!

OK... so maybe I am in a posting mood these days! I am not sure its gonna stay this way but anyhow I had a loooooooooooooooooooong day yesterday!

I left home around 7:40ishAM and went to work... stayed there till around 4:10PM. I called a few guy friends to ask them about the procedure to take when I need to get my car fixed, specially when its a case against an unknown person....

So I went to the police station at around 4:30PM to report the hit-and-run and the investigator wasnt there. I was asked to come after an hour or so. I called a friend of mine and we decided to meet for coffee... I went to Soug Sharg -the closest to where I was- to kill that hour. I first went to Debenhams, got to the makeup section and an older man (in his late 50s-early 60s maybe) wispered something to me... something like "follow me... " and I could not understand a word he said. I figured maybe he talked to me by mistake thinking I am his daughter or something.. The guy started to follow me, as I was holding a couple of pieces of clothes he would stand few meters away from me and wait! I decided to leave immediately.

At the cashier my friend called and asked me to meet at the cafe. The cashiers started to whisper things about that freaky man who was follwing me and asked if I knew him cuz he was waiting for me AGAIN! I told them that I did not know the guy! So an employee of Debenhams walked me to my car (WTG Al Shaya) *phew*

At the cafe, I ordered something to drink till it was time to go to the police station again... I went in and there were few cases ahead of me... Many of you are propably wondering why I went alone without a male relative! Well, its because I dont have brothers and we have some sort of family health issue and I felt it was selfish for me to ask someone to come with me while they have something more important to worry about....

When it was my turn to go in the investigator's office, he wasnt really paying attention... his eyes were locked up the TV screen hanged on the wall! It pissed me off! Apparently some important match/scores were on and he was more interested in that than in listening to me! He even asked if I was parked far away, which I was, so he was like "hmmm did you take a picture of it?" and "Can I just trust your description of the accident!?" And thats what he did! He did not even bother to look at the damaged part!! VIVA LA SYSTEM! LOL

By the time I got back home it was around 7:30PM... which is almost exactly 12 hours later... and thats when I had time to eat "lunch"!

Back :-)

I am back home after this long weekend... Spent the holidays in chalet away from the madness... well, kinda.... I was having a massage earlier... I go back to my car and see a dent and scratch! Perfect! The a$$hole who hit (and run) my car did not even leave a note! Nor did the small store next to my car or the guard at the building near by! Lucky me!

Enjoy the pics!

My Car Accident!

I was driving on third ring road last Sunday heading east and waiting at the traffic light on that bridge of Rawda-Nuzha X Hawalli-Qadsiya... The light turns yellow... then red, and after wee seconds it turns green for us to drive forward. I was in the middle lane, a bus to my right, and GMC-brand car on my left. Since I have the smallest car I was a little bit ahead of them when we drove off... another SUV suddenly decides to cross the red light from the opposite lanes and speed off towards South Highway 40.... Everyone starts honking from that side, but to me all I saw is a car in front of me... I slammed on my brakes but I hit the car anyway! I could not avoid it no matter what!

I went deaf for a moment, my mouth felt very dry! I am checking myself... am I OK!? Yes I am I look left and right... where is that SUV that appeared out of nowhere!! There I see it, is he gonna run away... I check his plates, I try to memorize the numbers! Cars are slowly driving by me and looking/staring at me! I gather my strength and drive a bit forward and turn on my flashing lights... I get out of the car, while I look to check the SUV I cant see it anymore... I go to the front and my car is damaged :'-(

I see someone approaching me... running towards me! Its the SUV driver.. I think!!

SUV: I'm so so so sorry! I know its my mistake! I know I run a red light... but are you OK? Are you hurt?
Ansam: I'm fine.... are you OK? What were you thinking?
SUV: Sorry, I wasn't thinking I was on the phone... I wasn't paying attention.
Ansam: Are you for real!!!! On the phone while driving! Thats not even legal!!! (I did not have anything else to say!)
SUV: I know, I know... Sorry! I am calling the police now

I walk back to my car to get my phone and call my dad.... Then I hear someone..

"HELLO?! ARE YOU OK? I SAW THE WHOLE THING!!... HELLO?!"

I look and its a young man on the opposite lane waving at me... he runs towards me, and asks if I was OK? And then tried to calm me down and telling me that he saw the whole thing and that he is furious. He checks my car, asks me to turn it off... and goes to the SUV driver.

I call my dad, and I tell him: "Dad.. I am fine, 100% fine, but I had an accident". My dad is on his way to me. Good!

The other guy who witnessed the whole thing comes back to me with the SUV driver, and gives out his phone number to both of us since he saw the whole thing. His name is HB. He again tries to calm me down and telling me that he will stick around until my father gets here.

My father arrived and rushed to my car... checked if I was OK, and then went to talk to the SUV driver and HB. The traffic police arrived shortly after to draw a little sketch of the accident. Listen to both, the SUV driver and HB... So he got the story that when he came to me he just asked me if I was fine! I answered: "I am OK" and smiled!

I guess they were all waiting for me to cry LOL!

We had to drive to a nearby police station... HB came to say bye, and again told us to just give him a call if we needed a witness. He was really nice.

At the police station... a place I hate to be in "JUST HATE" to be in... Remember my previous accident post? I just dont get the system or how insurance works, even if you are fully covered. Well... anyway, while we had to wait for the investigator I was asked to wait in a room... and right there, when I was alone I broke into tears! My dad came in and calmed me down, gave me some tissues... I did calm down after a minute! I guess I just needed to let out some!

We go in and the police take the SUV driver side of the story... I must say again he is one decent and honest man. They did not even ask me to speak out! The story was well said. In this case, that SUV driver is in serious trouble.. Red light? Phone? Accident? I really feel bad but I am too angry to just let it go! Being polite and nice doesnt give you the right to #### up somene's day! So the best we could do is do it on personal level rather than going to court and such! He told us that he was willing to pay for the damages. My insurance was full coverage, his was liability! My rights with the police station to file a case were reserved for few days in case he fails to pay.

Next day we go to the workshop and guess what!? They estimation was high... a KD1,930 high! Yeah yeah! My car is 2009, brand new, and all parts are expensive!

So yesterday we go to the police station and turn out the amount is too high for him to afford :-( and so we have to go through our awesome systems and bureaucracies. One thing that I will add to the corrupted police system we have in Kuwait was the investigator's suggestion... That is to sign on a paper that says Mr. SUV driver did not cross the red light to save him from the major consequences of that act... Which will automatically make the whole accident my fault since he was driving and "did NOT cross the red light" and I just BANG! Beautiful! Ain't it? Ahhhh and lets not just say that I did not make a big deal of mentioning that he was talking on the phone!!! Whatta system!!

Accident!

As I was driving North on Gulf Road earlier this afternoon... A white car was swerving between cars.. the driver was a total idiot/maniac and was recklessly driving. Suddenly his car hit another on the same road, but he just sped off! A total hit and run in the day light! Nice! I was able to spot his plate numbers and it was too late for me to stop and aid the other car, so I just called 777...

First time the line got disconnected after ringing more than four times..
I redialed and finally I got an answer... a very "helpful" lady!

777: Hello, how can I help you?
Me: Hello.. I hope all is well, I was driving on Gulf Rd between............ (I told her the story)
777: And?
Me: Nothing, I am just reporting an accident that I witnessed and I have the plate numbers?
777: What do you want me to do with the plate number?
Me: Excuse me?
777: The people involved in the accident should go to the police station!
Me: It was a hit and run!!!!
777: Sorry, but I cant take the plate number and I cant do anything about it
Me: OK! Thanks!!!
777: You're welcome

HUH!!!!!

Chain Reaction!

Last week (and the end of the week before that) I had a chain of accidents. It started of like this...

I was in my closet trying to find matches for my top... I held a skirt up my waist to see if it matches... so as I was backing up, I accidentally stepped on a box of photos I had on the floor that I wanted to store and forgot about.. so I quickly lifted my foot up in the air and fell... I ended up with a broken nail, a huge paper cut above my left ankle (from a HUGE paper shopping bag), and bruised elbow :-(

Few days later, my skin was acting crazy! As we were preparing for the party, anything that touches my skin turn into bumpy skin rash! I am talking carpet, clothes, moving furniture around... it was just scary and it did put me down! The thing is it would appear and disappear in a matter of minutes!! If you can recommend any dermatologist please HELP!

After the party I took off my heels of and accidentally kicked it.... It SIMPLY broke my toe nail which hurts A LOT more than my nail!! Its bad!

I guess I turned clumsy after this... I went with my dad to my grandma's house and guess what????? I closed the door on my toes!!! My dad asked "Whats wrong with you? You are like an accident waiting to happen!?" Then when we went grocery shopping and as I was pushing the cart through the isles, I rolled it over my broken toe nail and help the pain in so that I dont freak my dad again!

WHATS WRONG WITH ME!!!!

Way To Go FCC

With the new traffic law banning the use of cellular phones while driving I find it hard sometimes to reach our driver! Apparently he did not get a headset (according to MOI, a fine will be charged for those who violate this order unless using a hands-free or headset). So I told him, the driver, that I will be getting him a headset.

A lot of stores have raised their headset prices like there is no tomorrow! Its insane! Some of which have doubled their prices! Other stores are completely out of headsets. I decided to head to a NOKIA - FCC branch which is so close to where I work (Remember my FCC gift? I decided why not check their branch!)

To my surprise, the headset suitable for the driver's phone was for ONLY KD 5.000!!! (other places were selling it for KD 10.000!!!!!!!!!)

I really am happy with FCC! First they did some sort of cooperation with the MOI going around colleges giving lectures on car accidents and alternatives available to use your phone while driving. Second the FCC press conference held for that same purpose where they clearly stated that they did not increase their prices and also promoted their products available to use -that are in compliance with the new traffic law-, and best of all when they started to hand in free headsets to random drivers on the roads on May 1st!

WAY TO GO FCC :-)

Must Be Gift Giving Week For Me ;-)

My friend who works in Future Communications Company - FCC sent me a gift earlier today at work.... Just in time with the new traffic law that dont permit using cellular phones while driving in an effort to minimize road accidents... A bluetooth/headset.

Thank You Razan, and FCC :-)

SNAPS!

I spilled water all over my desk and skirt AND PHONE (but its working fine).... talking about GRUMPY DAYS!!
Also, I decided to snap away!

Emergency Hotline

Apparently, last Friday one of the neighbor's visitors parked next to our house and hit the water meter, broke it, and left without saying a word. Our driver woke up in the morning to find that the street was full (flooded as he explained) with water and called emergency hotline.

On Sunday afternoon some workers came to shut down the water supply to our house, explaining that they were given those orders! To make the problem even worse my dad wasn’t home so I had to talk to them with my sister and the driver gave me the number of the person to talk to.. HE WAS SO RUDE!!! I basically was talking nicely and politely to him, he said I have orders and I follow orders. I was trying to tell him in many ways that people are living in the house.. he told me with a tone..

"the water will be shut down today whether you like it or not.. even if I had to bring the whole police station on your head" (some of it is lost in translation)!!!!

Whatta civilized person to be working and answering the emergency hotline! I saved his cell phone number, but I did not do anything about it! I don’t know if its worth it.. I mean to try and get back at him!

The good part is that water is STILL running, because I had to call someone else to fix the problem! Come on! We are not robots or computerized to follow orders.. I mean they want to follow orders when they want and when they feel like doing so! How stupid!

After Work!

I was heading to my car in the parking after work, and from a distance I saw an orange cone behind my car and the security guard standing next to it with some papers! When I reached my spot, I saw my car! IT WAS HIT FROM THE LEFT CORNER! The car next to me was even in a worse condition! Damaged from the back, owner is Egyptian.. Then the security guard explained the accident to us;

"A Pakistani guy came and hit both cars, the blue car and then the green (mine)! Let me go get his information for you!"

I was so upset! Then came SS, my colleague, who insisted to help me out (Thanks a million buddy, I really appreciate it) and then came MB, who also wanted to stay but I told her to go home, that its already been taken care of cuz I called OT -my long lost brother ;-)- (Thanks a whole bunch, you dont know how much your help meant to me)

Imagine with the police system in Kuwait, you have to do some paper work at one station and finish up in the other, OT and SS did everything for me while I waited in the car (HOW SWEET) and I only had to go in to talk to the inspector and sign some papers.. (This all took over 2 long hours).. let alone that OT had to stay longer to wait for the papers.

I am so upset though!!! I love my car!
This is such a bad start for my week :-(

Is it just me or is it Windex?!

It not that I am practicing road skills or anything... But I almost hit a bird when I was driving to work today! I am not crazy, but sometimes I think birds target me in the morning when I drive.. I am talking crazy birds who want to commit suicide! I swear!!! They fly right in front of me when I am driving, when I can't slow down in time, or slam my brakes!

It could be the season when olives ripen, and that some birds steal and eat them and get "drunk" which messes up their senses and tiny brains, often causing them to fly into windows in the morning when they are hung-over!

The first incident happend late last year when I was driving to work and a stupid pigeon decided to land right in front of my wheels when I was driving! All I saw in my side mirrors were feathers.. lots and lots of feathers! I was like this is a bad start for my day!

The second incident occured not long after the first one.. It was January! I was also driving to work (I think that is the peak time for pigeons' stupidity!) and another stupid pigeon flew straight to my window! I swear I almost had a car accident when it slammed on my window!

Few days later that month another very similar incident happen, only I was looking at the bird this time flying straight to me, with the pavement on my left and a car on my right.. it was unavoidable one! I was looking at it flying fast and I tried to slow down but that didn't work!
BAM! in the window and then on the passenger's window! I was agitated and disturbed at how long this bird-craze will go on!

At that day I was suppose to go to the mall with one of my colleagues, and when she wanted to get in the car she saw feathers on the window and was like: "WHAT IS THIS!!"

So I told her about it... and the "birds-flying-to-me" phase ended right there... TILL THIS MORNING! When I almost run-over a bird!

I know one thing! I will try to avoid it as much as I can, but not to the point where I could injure myself! I mean come on, birds run into glass doors/windows for the same reason people do! But what the hey! Its NOT my problem! I don't care if they're drunk, stupid, or in mating season! I will just drive to work everyday and live my day! Whether I kill a bird on the way or not!!!


Also check: http://magazine.audubon.org/features0403/alert.html