Up until today, I've prided myself on one simple fact, in particular. I'll soon tell you what that was but for now, let me indulge in a little bit of storytelling.
I woke up this morning and leisurely enjoyed my Saturday morning, working on photography until it was time to go play basketball with our elders quorum. I'm often designated the driver for who knows what reason but I gladly volunteered to drive a few of my ward friends to the stake center in Mapleton. Jacob B, Jacob P, and McKell joined me for the ride.
I used my trusty GPS to guide me there since I didn't know how to get to this particular stake center and was unfamiliar with the area. We arrived, enjoyed a couple hours of ball, and ended with a sloppy-joe lunch.
We headed home and I was in absolutely no rush whatsoever. The road leads from Mapleton to a windy road into Springville, and ends on the east side of Provo. Being involved in the conversation which I no longer recall, I paid no attention to road signs--I just was remembering how to get where I wanted to go, and making sure I didn't make any wrong turns.
I was alarmed by coming around a corner and seeing a car's brake lights immediately in front of me. I immediately slammed on my breaks--I had been on a highway where the speed limit was 50 mph. This was a bend that led us immediately into Springville. Just after I slammed on my breaks because of the slowed car, I saw a cop who also was enjoying a leisurely Saturday. This overweight man was probably in the middle of biting into his donut when he saw me round the bend.
I told my friends that I figured he'd pull me over. "No, he won't--you weren't speeding." "Yes, he will," I responded.
Sure enough, I saw him go into gear and come after me. Soon enough, lights were on and I pulled over.
"Do you know why you're being pulled over today?" asked the cop. "I imagine I was going fast around the bend," I responded.
"I need your license, registration, and proof of insurance" he stated. I was pretty proud of myself--I already had it out and ready for him when he asked for it. "You are right, Devin, you were going 47 in the 30 when I clocked you and I noticed you slammed your brakes just when you saw me. Just a moment while I go back to my car."
We waited and I was more calm than I have been before when being pulled over. Quite frankly, I knew I was likely guilty because I hadn't even SEEN the speed limit signs. I had no idea it was a 30--I was just barely in a 50 mph zone!
Soon enough, the cop returned to my car and said, "Ok, I've got a few things to review with you. First of all, this is a citation I have issued--I lowered it from 47 to 39 so only 9 over. This will be the cheapest ticket and also have the smallest impact on your insurance."
"Thank you," I said. Wait...why did I say thanks??
"Now, the second thing I need to discuss with you, Devin, is that there is a warrant out for your arrest."
"WHAT?? Why??" I asked, wondering if I had been confused with another Devin Olsen. I am aware of seven other Devin Olsens in UTAH who spell their names just like mine.
"The warrant is for shoplifting, DUI, and for previously not having insurance. I'll need you to turn off your car and step outside the vehicle."
Jacob P was thinking, "Wait, what's going to happen with us? Are we going to have to join him in the cop car??"
McKell thought it was a joke.
Jacob B believed the officer and thought, "I guess Devin has a dark side!"
The officer leaned in to the car handle and just before opening the door, he stopped himself and said, "I'm just kidding. Things could be a lot worse today, couldn't they? Have a good day." He then walked back to his car and left me with a neon copy of the citation.
Growing up, I was the child in the back seat who could not tolerate my father's patience behind the wheel. He never seemed to feel an urgency to get from point A to point B quickly. People would pass us by right and left! I soon became known for my simple and oft-repeated phrase, "GO FASTER, DADDY, FASTER!!"
As a small and innocent child, I was labeled as one that would have significant problems with cops once I got my driver's license. I somehow evaded this label, however, and remained ticket-free until today, in over a decade of driving. This is what I mentioned before as my source of pride in regards to driving.
I guess I don't have as much bragging rights as my father who went FOUR decades of ticket-free driving! That shortly ended when he got a ticket a couple years ago, and he got ANOTHER just a few days after that! Let's hope I don't follow suit by getting another ticket...
