As I was JUST getting comfortable on my Friday night at home, I get this call. Samantha: Whatcha Doin? ME: (excited) Nothin, just sat down to watch the boob toob. Samantha: Oh, do you know how to get cars out of the mud? ME: Huh? What'd you do? Samantha: Well, me & Bridget were driving down Silvers Road to check out the river, and we saw this couple standing on the side of the road. They were trying to turn around in the middle of the road and slid the back two tires into the ditch. (keeping in mind that it has rained 6 inches here this week!) ME: Yup, I know how to pull cars outta the mud. What time is it? Samantha: 10 o'clock. ME: *grunt* well, it's gonna be like 20 minutes before I can get there, because I have to get to the shop to grab a tow strap so I can pull them out. Where are you, anyway? Silvers Road isn't exactly small. And anyone who doesn't LIVE on Silvers Road should NOT be driving down there after dark. It's a scray place. Samantha: Ok, see you then. I get my lazy butt off the couch and head to the shop to grab my tow strap, all the while wondering what I was going to encounter when I got there. 20 minutes later and a very windy snaking road later, I find them. Get this: Ford Ranger parked perpendicular to the road with its back two wheels sunk up to the frame. Oh goodie, this oughta be fun..... It's a young couple that moved from CA recently....about 18 years old. So I hooked them up to my truck & pulled him out. I was hoping for a workout, so I could see if the 8.1L was up to it. I never even felt the truck grunt:beer I unhooked him and chatted for a few seconds...a handshake and a wish of good luck later, they were gone. Smantha and her friend thanked me and we went our separate ways... Now, I'm not looking for any handouts, but is it selfish of me to be upset that pretty much got the cold shoulder from everyone? Or should I just let it roll off my shoulder and write it off as a good deed? o No: :boring: :Comp:
You weren't motivated by getting applause so don't be surprised you didn't get it. Dont' worry, you were being watched and whether you or the couple involved know it, you were sitting on the couch, had the time, the ability and the tools needed at your disposal at the exact moment they needed assistance in an area that you refer to as "scary". Samantha and you were involved for a reason, a reason that you may never know. But someday that couple, ungrateful as they may have been, may look back on their lives and say to themselves; "If that guy hadn't pulled us out of the mud that night...... God brings people into our lives everyday and we may not know why but he does. You did the right thing.
yep! I actually got a little bit of a rush out of it. It's not normal that you get to "come to the rescue" like that... Thanks for the replies guys:beer
I'm with Tom. I do good deeds, but never expect anything in return - even refuse unless they force it on me. I'm doing it to be nice, and figure some of them will do the same for someone else someday.
Well.....it would have been a better ending if you, Samantha AND Bridgit went out for a wild nite of partying with the couple hundred bucks the couple slipped you ..... .....But you learned to do "The Right Thing" somehere's down your road (Scouts ?? judging by the title ??) and that in itself is its own payment. Payback comes in all sorts of different ways (or sometimes not at all !!) Quick Story - when I was dating my wife years ago, I saw an oooold guy broken down on a street just like 224 in boardman/salem. His car was sticking out in the right lane about half way and he was standing about 3 feet behind the car trying to waive off cars as best he could ou: Of course he didn't have his hazzards flashing or any lights on for that matter ou: I pulled over about 20 feet behind him, put my flashers on and went to get out. My date asked what I was doing ?? I said - "Im gonna go save that old man's life before someone plants him into his car !!" I damn near did myself I pushed him off the road and let him use my cellphone...... .....About a year ago I did another good deed for the day with my wife nearby and later she asked if I remembered helping that old man out years ago. i said ....Yeah why ?? She said "Because right then and there I knew you were a guy I could count on. Thats one of the reasons I fell in love with you....." hearing that was a HUGE payback !! You're a good guy, Adam Martin :TU: Maybe with a bigger cam and a few other mods you won't finish last :moonu:
Maybe she'll payback Mr. Rescue another time ..... :Brow: :laugh: :eek2: :jd: :beer :TU: PS - Good things "come" to those that wait ! :Brow:
Youve got one up with the karma gods:Brow: This is a good thing and has rewards far beyond the scope of mortal man. My buds and me have a "code red" protocol for these kind of situations. You get the call for a "CR" and you just go and do, rewards are over rated. Besides, if you had not come to the rescue you most likely would not have slept very well knowing there were people who thought so much of you to call for help and you failed them. This scenario is much better. Nice pull Adam:3gears: :TU: Once again you prove that you are a one hell of a nice Guy:TU: D.
And I have you to thank Dana, do bustin your butt to go grab me a new voltage regulator while I was sitting dead in the staging lanes.... I need to start a new thread about that one
Redneck Fun Just had to reply. Kudos to Adam. Speaking as the person who was usually the one getting pulled out - the knight in shining armor was always appreciated. Although, it's always been my policy to offer some cash or a 12-pack or a drink at the local watering hole in return. Growing up redneck, getting stuck was sometimes the GOAL. Unfortunately, I was always driving the family truck, always 2WD. So, I was always the 'stuck' one. I've been stuck in mud, sand, wet grass, weeds, you name it. As to be being buried to the frame - well, let's say it less embarrassing (at least in Redneckville) to ask for help when you're REALLY stuck, than say, spinning on wet grass. Which happened to me, my 350 Vortec, 3/4 ton, '98 Chevy pulling my horse trailer at an auction, stuck on slimy grass. Had to have a Ford Ranger 4x4 pull me out. Vowed right there never to be without 4WD again. Talk about embarassing. Anyway, your story just had me reminiscing for the good 'ol 4 wheeling days. A call like that around here would have turned into a full-blown truck pulling, mudbogging challenge - with 3 or more 'trucks' down there vying for the opportunity!!
I've helped and been helped so many times, I've lost track of whether I'm up or down on the "master list" of favors. I think that's for a reason. If I don't know whether I'm in the red or the black, I have to keep on helping people to ensure I'll get help when I need it. Several times that I helped someone out, when it was really inconvenient for me or afterwards they didn't seem grateful, I just gritted my teeth and said to myself "maybe one day someone helps my mom when I'm not around" . And they have! Looking at the big picture, I can't complain. I'd rather help out and get the cold shoulder this time, than look the other way and have others do the same to me some day.
I believe in a Karma bank. You make deposits and withdrawls. The recent deposit to your account will come in handy on a rainy day. Me? Unfortunately I kite too many karma checks, quickly doing a good dead before my account becomes a deficit. Not a good way to do business. I have become synical from spending too much time minding the ledger, so to speak. Not healthy.
Adam - Well done!!:TU: :bglasses: Just a note.....whether it's your money, or your time - Giving isn't really giving, if you 'expect' something in return. Your evening reminds me of a modern version of the Good Samaritan from the Bible. And that's never a bad thing.:TU: :TU:
Job well done Adam. I totally belive in what goes around comes around and some day when you least expect it your good deed will be paid back.
Dude, you got New Yorked. Royal. But, while we should always do the good deed, and never expect reward, it sure is nice if the people you are helping out actually act like they give a damn and pretend to be grateful, at least! You saved me in Salem by taking me to get a battery, and I feel bad that I couldn't take you to get a voltage regulator because I was racing. But it was best that you went by yourself because the guy tested your alt and battery. You just made a deposit in the ju-ju bank (the less hip refer to it at kharma, I suppose... ). While I'm at it, didja ever get your starting problem sorted out?
What exactly were you expecting? If you take a look from their side, they probably were very late for something. Most likely lost if they were turning around, mad, and soaking wet from the weather. Not the most ideal time to be very friendly. Everyone has done something for someone that was a pain the twig & berries, with little to no gratitude in return. What can you do? The people who are "poor thankers" are generally the people who wouldn't give favors, not with out something in return of course. :Smarty:
The last rescue I made was a couple of young ladies that had a blow out and put their Olds in the big ditch down the road. I don't think they were old enough to buy us the 12 pack we requested. But Smartin, like many have said, you do a good deed, whether they are thankful or not, if you feel good about it, that's all that matters! Cause that's the way life is, and then there's guardian angel watching out for you if you ever need a hand! I've rescued one friend's GSX, LeSabre T-type and a truck his son had just bought, on just a phone call for help! They now own their own trailer so I don't get those calls anymore! But one thing for sure, is that having a cell phone or a address list with phone numbers when you are out and about in an old car or a new truck in the ditch never hurts! RV
Haven't gotten the starting problem figured out yet, but it hasn't happened since then. My voltage regulator keeps clicking away though! Every minute or so....that is definitely NOT normal. I don't mind that I didn't get anything in return, it's just that I was getting so comfortable and happy being able to sit down and watch "Field of Dreams" by myself and eat cheezy poofs on a wonderful Friday night. Ya, I know....field of dreams...flame away.
One of my all time faves. No flaming needed here, cuz. My kids bought it for me last Christmas, and I LOST IT!!! :af: I have no idea about the clicking volt reg dude.
