!!!

On the answering machine, here's the Springfield Police Dept. reporting that my car had been involved in some mischief there last night. I dash outside - my car is still there. I'd had to park on the street last night instead of the driveway, because R. was filling up the bed of his pickup truck with debris and needed it closest to the yard. It's not ideal to park on the street, because vandals sometimes spray paint, but I'd figured, okay, the car is 12 years old, I should stop worrying about vandals.

I call them back. They'd definitely seen my plates, but on someone else's stolen car, which looked just like mine? (Camrys are the most popular stolen car in Eugene; I'm glad mine wasn't actually taken.) I rush back outside - yes, my license plates are gone! Both of them! Stolen! Poor XAF 033, in the hands of thieves!

I call the Eugene police. They'll call back in a day or so and make a formal report; they'll try to get my plates back. Meanwhile, though, if I want to drive the car, I should apparently borrow someone else's car and drive to the DMV and spend money for replacement plates and stickers. URGH!