Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Scared out of my wits!


Ok, so last Friday night, I went out with some of my friends from work. We went to a little place near where I teach. The logo is above, which in light of the story I am about to tell, is very ironic :o)

If you don't remember, I work on the west side of downtown Chicago. It is not a great area to say the least. But it was still light, so I thought that it wouldn't be a big deal.
I left there at about 8:00pm and left with a friend to go to a diner close by to get some breakfast for dinner. Well, it was about 9:00pm when I left to go home. I was really silly and forgot to get directions to the highway. Well, I had a map, so I looked at it, but ...I went the wrong way (anyone who knows me, knows that is not uncommon :o) So I basically went into a worse part of town.

Well, I am driving down North Avenue minding my own business, when a cop car (or the po-po as my students say) slid to a slanted stop in front of my, cutting off the road. The officers jumped out of their car and drew their guns, pointing into a crowd of people (away from me fortunately). Before I knew it there was glass breaking, people shouting, and guns shooting! I could not believe my eyes!

I was less than 20 feet from all of this! I was so nervous! I thought for sure I was going to be one of those innocent bistander's that is in the local news for getting shot!
I called Tim right away and he told me to keep driving slowly until I could get past all of the craziness.So as I drove by I saw people in handcuffs, yelling, and mulling about. Just as I got past the area, 5 more cars/SUV's swarmed the area. I got out of there as quickly as I could, my heart racing! Tim had a map and navigated me out of the area! PTL!

Before I knew it I was home safely in my own house! AAAhhhh I have never been so scared in my life.

Ok, so now Sarah Branine, Katie Zakes, um I mean Barker, and I have all had some close and crazy encounters! This is starting to get weird!

A Few Lessons learned:

1. Do not stay in west Chicago much after dark (especially by yourself)
2. Get directions BEFORE you leave somewhere (especially downtown)
3. Have your husband by your a tom - tom ;o)

10 comments:

Laura said...

OH my word Julie! I am so glad you are safe. . and yeah your story, Katie's and Sarahs. . . its all a little weird. Stay safe. . . oh I prefer garmin to tom-tom (for what its worth) :)

Anonymous said...

WOW, what a story! I am so glad that you are safe.
Amanda Lee

Becky Gravley said...

julie!! we are so glad you are safe...that was a CRAZY STORY!!!

Katie Barker said...

Jules, that's so crazy. I can't believe something happened to both of us on the same day!! Was it a full moon??

Next year maybe we shouldn't hang out together on March 7th?? Did you find out what was going on?

Of course glad all is well :)

Kristin said...

Glad you were safe!! You girls have crazy "luck". I can't imagine being in that situation.

Tim, Kristen , Megan, Emily, and Anna said...

Wow that is a crazy story!! How scary.

jeileenbaylor said...

Kate, I found out that it was an incident of road rage... the locals were going crazy and had fired some shots, so the police came firing as well! It was nuts. Yes, let's definitely hang together next March 7th, or maybe not... it might be worse if we are together :o)

cranny + b said...

okay, for a minute there I thought what happened to us was happening to you!!! Too crazy!!!! So glad you made it home safely;)

Prince of Paupers said...

Jules this is your Father speaking! ACCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCK! Yikes little girl! I am sooo glad that we gave you to Jesus first and Timmy B second!

Tim, a tom tom for sure! Jules let me know if you'll carry a 9mm (JK - sorta.)

Okay... I can almost breathe now. Nite, sweet dreams and stay safe pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease! DAD :O)

Karis said...

That would have given me nightmares for several nights I think. YIKES!