Flat tire not enough to get some sympathy

If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.

-- Law of the Alibi

There's like some law in the universe where, if you make fun or tease someone about something, the same thing will happen to you. Soon.

That's what happened Election Night when our intrepid political correspondent Sylvia Cooper ran over a bottle and got a flat tire. She returned to the newsroom looking for support, and we were too absorbed in vote-counting to offer much.

I think the best she got was the suggestion to not run over a bottle the next time she sees one.

Two days later, I was standing in my driveway listening to the slow hiss and trying to remember where the jack on my car was.

The car will be 10 years old in just a few months, and I had never had to change one of its tires.

It wasn't all that hard, as I told my wife later, looking for some flicker of admiration. In fact, I think I changed it pretty fast.

She didn't look up from what she was reading but said something like, "Next time, try not to run over something that can puncture it."

Sympathy's sure hard to come by these days.

TRAVEL NOTES: Pat and Wayne Fuller , of North Augusta, sure do get around. They sent not only a post card from the Panama Canal ("What an experience!"), but also sent a card from the mountains of North Carolina where they were enjoying the color of fall leaves. Their card shows one of the legendary white squirrels of Brevard.

(Everyone knows how much I think of squirrels.)

Joe Fournier , of Evans, sends a post card from Belluno, Italy. He writes: "I find Belluno has the beauty of the Dolomites and the charm of the more famous places but without the hordes of tourists."

Finally, Cliff and Erna Hull , of Augusta, outdid themselves, shirking post cards for a full packet of photos from what looks like a great trip through Austria. My favorite is a big color photo of a road blocked by a herd of sheep.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Don't shoot fast, shoot good."

TODAY'S JOKE: Here's one from Charlie Williams .

Two guys were talking in a bar when one said, "Ever since we got married, my wife has tried to change me. She got me to stop drinking, smoking and running around until all hours of the night. She taught me how to dress well, enjoy the fine arts, appreciate gourmet cooking and classical music, and even how to invest in the stock market."

"Sounds like you may be bitter because she changed you so drastically," remarked his friend.

"No, I'm not bitter," the fellow replied. "But now that I'm so improved, she just isn't good enough for me."

Reach Bill Kirby at (706) 823-3344 or bill.kirby@augustachronicle.com.