Passed A&I Literature, messed up my car

[Ronny]

This morning I drove to the University of Akron to take my CLEP at their testing center. I parked in the visitor's parking deck and walked over to Simmon's Hall to take my exam. I was nervous going in to it because I had been getting 49s and 50s on the practice test in the back of the REA guide. I went in and payed my fees and started the computer process, entering name, address, school to report grades to... I was very relieved to see the passages were much easier to understand than the passages REA had selected. My spirits lifted as I kept an eye on the clock, time trouble had been my ever present companion as I took my practice tests. I read the questions first and then went back to read the passages as was recommended by another member on this forum. I answered the general questions and reread the specific passages to answer specific line related questions. There were no questions on poetic meter and only 3 total in which I had to identify a simile or alliteration or another literary device. All in all this was an easy test. I got my score report, a 66. Not bad for a days work. I was giddy. So, then I stroll back over to the parking garage to leave and back smack into the side of a giant support pillar!!! Oh my gods! I messed up my car. Getting out to assess the damage I realized that I had both dented it, damaged the rear tail light and scraped paint from the side of my vehicle and from the bumper. I was at once both disgusted and sick to my stomach. I threw up there, on the floor of the parking garage. The parking garage attendant (the woman that takes your money when you leave) came over to me, she had seen the whole thing, and she offered me a cigarette to make me feel better. I declined telling her I don't smoke but thanks for offering. She took some measure of pity on me, she let me leave without paying the usual fee...

I don't feel like writing more, depression is setting in on me, so I'll skip ahead to where I am now... I took my car in for an estimate at Hudson Collision and it's about $1500 in damage. I've filed an insurance claim with Erie insurance and the girl in their office told me the claims adjuster will be probably be calling me at work tomorrow. I've had a perfect driving record up until this. I asked if I'm at risk of having my policy canceled and was told no, but to expect a 20% premium increase on my next bill. I don't care about the CLEP I've just passed, my car is a mess and my emotions are a bigger mess. I am very sad.

[gcalvin]

Hey Ronny,

I've been there, and I know that feeling. I know it's hard to believe it now, but nearly everyone smacks into a parking lot obstacle at some point in their driving career. Go ahead and feel what you're feeling now, but try to be aware in the back of your mind that this feeling will pass, and in a relatively short time you won't care a bit that this happened. The car damage will be fixed in a short while, the extra insurance premium will sting, but won't cripple, and those six credits you earned will last forever.

-Gary-

[knucyt]

Ronny – so sorry to hear about your car woes – I know it is no consolation, but Gary’s advice is right on and it’s true as to the – “been there, done that” ....First day driving my barely used (new to me) whopping Volvo “tank” in an overseas city in a dark garage first day on a new job…did the same thing that you did - and smacked it up pretty darn good I did! I felt pretty stupid and was so mad at myself! This to shall pass and Gary’s right – you will always have that great score on your CLEP!