When I was in elementary school I walked home past a corner that was usually overgrown with grass and had dirt over the concrete. Seems the city had been doing some work there and left it as it had always looked, sans the grass. I walked across what I thought was a bit of dirt on the concrete beneath only to suddenly plunge into a slurry of watery mud above my knees. I caught myself from sinking deeper by grabbing the curb and pulling myself out--ruined my tights and skirt. I thought my mother would be furious with all of the mud--and she was, but not at me--she made a call to the city that I won't forget! The next day that corner was blocked with barricades and blinking lights and tape. (Corner of Tulalip and 34th St, for any of you familiar with Everett, WA.)