[AllyOops!]

I was 17 yrs. old & I was working at Disneyland. My Grandma & Grandpa had just bought me a brand spankin' new Toyota Corolla SR5. All sporty & blue! My new car didn't even have plates yet.

One night, I stayed out way past curfew (only because I was spending the night at one of my best girlfriend's house, who worked in Frontierland). She was already home (since Frontierland closed way before Main Street, where I worked) and after I kissed my boyfriend, the Big Thunder cowboy, good-bye, I raced to her house. The reason I'm being so detailed, I suppose, is that I can remember every single moment of that night crystal clearly. I remember my entire outfit (but um, I remember every occasion by outfit. )

And race I did. While I was on the freeway, I decided to see how fast I could take my new car. In my youthful wisdom, I decided to see if I could take the needle to end of the speedometer.

WHY ARE WE SO RECKLESS AND THOUGHTLESS IN OUR YOUTH?

As I took my car to 110 MPH, I realized, "Hey! There's the freeway ramp I need to turn onto!" (I needed to take two freeways to get to my girl friend's house)

I turned my wheel to turn onto the second freeway, but at the speed I was going, I lost control. My tire also struck an object on the road and I blew a tire. I began spinning in circles and screaming. I couldn't grab onto my wheel. It was spinning too fast. I thought "PLEASE don't let me hit the median! I'll crash my car and be in big trouble!"

Then, I began to pray I'd hit the median, since my other option was toppling off the embankment.

Of course, I toppled off the embankment. I remember 3 trillion thoughts entering my mind all at once, and as fast as the speed of light. When the car flipped onto the roof, I was knocked out, and thankfully, I rolled five times with my car in a peaceful & relaxed state.

When I came to, I was hanging upside down, restrained by my seatbelt, which I struggled to unlatch. I was so disoriented all I could think was "I've seen enough Charlie's Angels, CHiPs & Dukes Of Hazzard episodes to know this could explode!"

Okay, not likely. But what did I know? I was stupid enough to race my car.

I crawled out the shattered back window, and I remember looking at my hands and thinking, "I didn't even break an acrylic nail! I must be totally fine!! I bet I can just push the car over and all will be well. " I ACTUALLY THOUGHT THAT. Heaven help my parents.

However, upon escape, I flew up the hill, wonked on adrenaline I suppose. I screamed so loudly for help that I woke up a couple at an apartment complex across the way. When I called for help on the call box, I told the operator that I felt completely fine. They asked me to check for sure and see. When I looked down, my outfit was splattered in blood. I fainted. On the side of the freeway. It was just a NIGHTMARE from beginning to end. It was like a scene from "Faces Of Potential Death For Complete And Utter F*cktards That Take Lame-Ass Chances" (if that existed). The paramedics & police arrived, and stuck an oxygen mask on my face (I was hyperventilating like a nutjob) and strapped me up and rushed me off to the hospital after they determined I was under the influence of nothing (except being an idiot).

My car, of course, was completely totaled. In retrospect, I could have been totaled. My belt is what saved my life.

I was fortunate. I was totally fine except for minor cuts and lacerations. What do I remember most? My mouth and face full of dirt. I had bits of weeds, gravel & glass in my mouth. ACK. My Dad alternated from screaming at me to hugging me at the hospital. I certainly don't blame him. Looking back, he probably should have whacked me upside the head with my destroyed bumper.

It's been so long since I've told that story! I've been in quite a few accidents. That one totally took the cake, however.