*eewww*
I realized when I got into the whole journalism thing that I would probably end up seeing quite a bit more than just your typical person sees in a day. I end up talking to some pretty crazy people and having some pretty silly conversations with people who take themselves way too seriously.
Today was very different. Almost surreal.
I arrived at work just after 8 a.m....the first reporter to the newsroom by chance. I was told about a wreck that happened on Interstate 75 that I needed to go cover, and that a car was pretty smashed up but I didn't know much more than that. I drove out there and took one look at the car and realized that someone must have died there very recently. It looked horrible.
There is a scene from Pulp Fiction that one of the Kentucky State Troopers recalled to me in which Samuel L. Jackson's character is cleaning up the bits of brain and skull from the back of a car. He told me that was the kind of morning he'd had.
I'm not much on blood. I don't donate blood, and I realize this is selfish. I probably would if I thought it was a desperate situation.
I slowly walked toward the car after talking to the troopers. I could see bits of, now frozen from the mid 20s temperatures, the driver remaining on the seat and all about the car. The entire top of the car had been ripped off and was underneath a semi. It was horrible.
That was a 32-year old man. All he had done wrong was fall asleep at the wheel and unfortunately do it at the exact spot where a semi was sitting on the side of the road. He had no chance.
That man had a mother and father. He potentially had a sister and brother, wife, children and friends who cared about him. It was a tragic way for his life to end. I've always hoped that I'll die an old woman...just go to sleep one night and never wake up.
I realize that I'm rambling.
It's just that I know that the mental picture of what I saw today will stick with me for years. It will probably work it's way into my waking dreams and nightmares.
All I can say is that I hope that man lived a life unworthy of such a violent death. I hope he understood his purpose here on earth and that he is able to fulfill it in the hereafter.
R.I.P.

*christmas in the 'ville*

So I spent the day in Louisville with my bestest friend Val. We had lunch at Lynn's Paradise Cafe (the sweet potato fries were excellent, I might add) and then we did some major Christmas shopping. I think I'm done. Holy cow.
It was so good to be with Val today...I'm always so excited to tell her about my current dishes, what's going on and everything else. I love hearing her reactions and thoughts on decisions I have to make. One of the things I love most about her is that she gets excited when I'm excited, and sad when I'm sad. Which is cool, because that's exactly how the Bible tells us to be. We are to be empathetic friends - something that is hard to find in most people. She really listens and I know that if she tells me something, it is because she cares about my heart and what's best for me.
We've been friends for ages and I'm so proud to call her my friend. Here's to you, Valarie. You rock.
I just realized that I need wrapping paper.
Dang it!
Just when you think the madness of holiday shopping is over, they stab you in the eye with the wrapping paper! Presents are no good unless they are kept secret! I've got a great idea though on what I'll wrap them with...here's a hint - think about where I work!
Bardstown Road looked really pretty today all decked out for Christmas. Lights. Trees. Hippies all bundled up. It was a joyous sight.
And best of all was that I got to spend time with my friend. It is true that the older you get the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
I hope to keep people like Val in my life for all of it.
If you have a friend like that, hold on for dear life. It isn't everyday you find someone who will love you despite yourself.
If I could have a day as good as today was just once a month, I'd be the happiest little Christmas elf EVER.