Management would appreciate it if you stopped trying to kill Alyssa

Last night I walked home up Newbury Street and waited for the light to cross the street to the Boston Public Garden. Several months back the city finally installed a proper stoplight and crosswalk signal for the intersection.

I always wait for the walk signal because I've been hit by a car before. That's how some people learn. Stove hot, cars dangerous. See?

Anyway, the light had been red for several seconds - long enough for cars to be fully stopped and lined up near the crosswalk. I was about half way through the crosswalk when an Audi blew through the red light - in the one open lane - just a few feet from me. If he'd hit me I'd be a dead blogger.

I was so stunned, as were the other pedestrians, that we just stumbled to the sidewalk and stared for a moment as he sped away. I kept heading home. I didn't think much more about the incident until this morning.

A few minutes ago I had to physically throw myself out of the way of a Honda Element. I know what it was because the grill was dangerously close to my body. Once again I was in a crosswalk, I had the walk sign, I was looking just to be sure and again a car gunned it and blazed around the corner to come within inches of hitting me. It was the closest call I've had in a very long time. I had to take evasive actions to avoid death.

The driver waved and apology. I waved a fist and my giant magenta umbrella. I suppose he didn't see me - like the guy from last night. I'm hard to miss with big red hair, my purple raincoat and my hot pink umbrella.

I suppose I was asking for it. I am perpetrating a crime against fashion.

Labels: 2008, Boston, weird stuff