A good night it wasn't.................

Let me start my tale of woe by saying, I've lived alone for the last 9 years and I've loved it...can't say enough about how much I've loved it. I've never been afraid. But since childhood I have always tried to have a plan, just in case. For instance, when I cross a high bridge (I am afraid of heights) I plan my exit strategy all the way to the top at which point I just pray nothing happens as I have no exit strategy for really high points...it will be death I'm certain. Anyway, when I have to think about night plans my only plan if someone broke into my house was to act like I was asleep and hope they ignored me...great plan..no actually it's not but it's kept me going for 61 years until 2 nights ago. All the lights were out in my living room, I was laying on the sofa watching T.V. as I was having a problem going to sleep (not uncommon this time of year due to the stress of getting the hotel up and open). As I lay there I heard noises but every time I muted the T.V. there was nothing. At first I thought it was coming from upstairs and wondered what they hell they were doing at 2:00 a.m. but each time it stopped I figured it was over. But at some point I decided that it wasn't upstairs but outside my apartment. I turned my head just a little and could see someone trying to get my window up and open. I jumped up (so much for playing dead), turned on the light, walked over to my window and said, "Hey, I see you now get the hell off my property". (apparently I completely forgot my exit strategy). While I could have gone outside and gone for help as he was at the side window, I just figured what the hell I'm inside and he's out. So I'm standing at the window yelling at him, he's looking at me, shrugs his shoulder and then started slamming into my side door trying to break it down. (Frankly it's surprising that he didn't accomplish that.) Anyway, at this point I yelled I'm calling the police and called 911. (For future reference, plug in the police emergency number into your cell as 911 isn't that hot! She kept asking me for the same information which I told her carefully so I wouldn't have to repeat myself and the process would move faster, but apparently that wasn't part of her plan since she continually asked me the same questions over and over. Finally while still answering questions, I did see a police car go by...and down the alley, no lights or siren. I decided the only way to handle this was go outside so when he came by again I would just wave him down. Dispatch was telling him he rode by the house (and what do we have numbers on our building for...plus at this time of year I'm the only one with lights on...duh). The next minute here came 6 police cars...still no sirens or lights, but cars at least. Obviously not much going on at the moment. By this time the poor idiot was gone but I showed the officers where he tried to break in...he broke the railing off the porch plus left his one flip flop on the steps. As I'm explaining to them for the 4th time exactly what went on plus a perfect description since I was inches away from him and there was light I heard someone scream..."We Got Him." So I said, well if we're done I'm going back in. Yeah, right like they were done with me. After another hour in which I said what happened for the 8th time, I then had to write what happened for the 9th time, after which I had to I.D. the guy and then I went back in where I was then fully awake until 5:30 a.m. Needless to say, I was late for work. And unless they strike a deal I have to go to court over this...I'm hoping they strike a deal. I really feel he was higher than a Georgia pine on alcohol or drugs and once off them he will see the error of his way. I also apparently wasn't afraid of him regardless of the tattoos (I find them a little scary when there are so many...and he had tattoo sleeves on both arms. Plus he had a black t-shirt with a skull in the middle). I'm sure he is a pussycat though and all his neighbors and priest will vouch for him! I just don't want to find out. Keep off my property. And that stitchers is how I spent my night. Hope you night went better. It's always a fun time in Ocean City, especially now and through the summer. I still remember the Mexican man who stole a carpet cleaning van with hoses hanging out of the back and came down Baltimore Ave. the wrong way until he lost control and plowed into my building....all around 2a.m. That seems to be the magic hour for me. My building seems to be the magnet for every jackass in the area....in fact I think it must be on a bulletin board somewhere in the city...FOR A FUN TIME TONIGHT GO BOTHER SALLY. If you see that message anywhere please erase it or take it down. These people are wearing me out.