(nearly) Lost Buddy: what COULD have happened, but didn't...

maryvu · Post by **maryvu** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:55 pm

First of all, I can't believe I'm sharing this story in the first place. It is hugely embarrassing. But, hopefully it will be a lesson learned for all of us!

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I went to a concert last night at the Zoo in Seattle. General Admission Lawn Seating, I usually put the keys in my jacket pocket. My jacket spent most of the night on the back of my thermarest seat with the zipper pocket unzipped.

after the show, as we were approaching Buddy, I started to panic because my keys were not in any of my pockets or bag! What if we have to search the lawn for my keys!! Imagine my horror, very sudden heart rate increase, massive embarrassment, relief, etc. When I saw that the keys were still in the IGNITION!!

Holy cr*p. Here are the major factors I believe caused me to not remove the keys from the ignition.

1. I was late getting to the concert. While I was 'de-gearing' I had my gf on speakerphone, so we could triangulate with my ticket.
2. I had a lot of gear on board. A wrap of my stadium chair and blanket on the back, and a canvas bag bungeed on the floorboards. This was the first time I had this much 'stuff' with me.
3. I use a cane occasionally when walking in crowds, longer distances and uneven ground for my MS. All three of these were involved, and I think I was nervous about this, plus carrying all the stuff.
4. I'm a space case sometimes. But not usually about leaving keys in the ignition for anyone to steal my precious scooter. (I DID think to lock the front wheel!)

I am grateful for whoever walked by my scooter, saw the keys and did not take it. So, seattlites, thank you! And thank the Scooter gods above for letting me ride my Buddy another day.

louie · Post by **louie** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:16 pm

i love lessons learned that don't hurt.

MrNatural · Post by **MrNatural** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:03 pm

I've done the same x2 for short periods of time 45min - hr in areas where it could easily discovered by an ill-doer. I feel your panic as you search for the keys and immediately realize they on tantalizingly hanging from your ignition. I just kept thinking, "please be there, please be there...YES!!!!"

Scootress · Post by **Scootress** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:03 pm

Just one of the many reasons to love Seattle!

codemonkey · Post by **codemonkey** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:22 pm

I left my keys in my buddy at work once. Luckily it was in a parking structure with a security guard and a barbed wire fence.

un_designer · Post by **un_designer** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 12:55 am

wow. that is extremely good luck! good karma