The story is a bit long, but bear with me.
Many years ago I was less wise, more reckless, highly stressed and a bit more
irresponsible. This, combined with a bit of bad luck led to, not only my most
embarrassing Olympus moment, but my most embarrassing moment period.
At this time in my life I worked at a very stressful job. To blow off the
stress I spent much of my time alpine climbing. I also spent a lot of my time
driving too fast to and from these climbs. On one such occasion I was pulled
over for speeding, but let off with a warning on the speeding, and a
ticket for
driving with a non valid license, which I had neglected to renew. Unbeknownst
to me, this was not really a favor on the part of the state patrol, as it
apparently entailed a mandatory court appearance.
The date for the appearance coincided with a long planned trip to the
?Canadian
Rockies for some climbing. Callow youth that I was I merrily mailed in my fee
and a copy of my new license and headed north for some wonderful climbing.
Upon my return I was informed b the court that my mail solution was not good
enough and I would indeed be expected to show my face in court to answer
for my
misdeed. On the day of the second court appearance I was very ill and forgot
all about it. I was informed that I now also had a crime of 'failure to
appear'
added to the list of infractions. No amount of pleading with the court clerk
was going to resolve this one, I had missed two court dates, thus branding me
as a criminal, deadbeat, and all around scoundrel. No other court date
would be
set until I reported to the county jail as a warrant for my arrest had been
issued.
At this point I made yet another poor choice, I decided to just forget about
the whole thing and go about my life, albeit driving more carefully. As time
went on I pretty much forgot all about my status as a 'fugitive' and lived my
life as a any ordinary citizen.
Much later I was asked to take photos at the wedding of two friends. I was
honored and readily agreed to do so. I had only done a few weddings (all of
them with my trusty OM1 & 2) but had done rather well and was excited at the
chance to do theirs. The wedding was scheduled for the same weekend as my
birthday. I excitedly planned the wedding, purchasing film, and brushing up on
my wedding photography, reading books, going through photo albums, ect.
The Friday before the wedding (which was on a saturday) I was out teaching a
climbing class. On the drive home I became very tired and decided to
pull into
a roadside rest stop to sleep for a bit. I awoke to flashing lights a local
police officer and a state patrol officer! apparently they had run my license
plate and discovered my fugitive status. I was subsequently arrested and held
without bail! Those who have a failure to appear charge are not allowed to
post
bail! Imagine being in jail for driving on an expired license and watching
accused rapists post bail and leave! It was most depressing. I would not be
able to leave before my day in court, which was not until Monday of course!
I spent the weekend in jail, missing both the wedding and my birthday, thus
leading to my most embarrassing Olympus moment. The couple actually took it
rather well, but I will never live it down. It is always a big joke around
Melanie & Willies anniversary. "Hey guys, you want to see our wedding photos?
Oh, forgot we don't have any because Jim was in jail that weekend!"
Jim Couch