Memorial Day 2017: Fast and Furious

What a summer so far, and it’s only just started! I've spent part of it helping my sister pack and move halfway across the country, from the West Coast to Missouri.

As former military brats, we are veteran packers and movers, so the only thing that slowed us down was when someone tried to make off with my car in a hotel parking lot in Portland, Oregon.

Yes, the photo is the steering column of my trusty old Acura Integra, fondly known as the “White Can.” (The name comes from my son and I imagining what the cat must think when we put her in the car.)

The insurance company (Allstate) was absolutely worthless in getting it fixed over Memorial Day weekend. But a helpful hotel clerk found a mobile car-repair person who got her running again within a couple hours of my frantic call. (BZ Best Mobile Mechanics, you were sent from heaven.)

The mechanic and the officer who helped me file the police report both mentioned that these little cars are magnets for thieves. “They’re in the Fast and Furious movies,” I was told. “Kids steal ‘em, soup them up and race them.”

Who knew? My idea of a hot car is one that’s left sitting in the sun. I've since found out that for years, Acuras like mine have been on the Top Ten list of most-stolen vehicles.

"You were about one minute away from losing your car," said the mechanic. But the thieves were foiled—either because they forgot to bring something or were spotted mid-crime—and the White Can is still mine.

I may not be fast—but I was furious about the prospect of losing such a great car. I'll keep a closer eye on her from now on.