Seventh Entry
I awoke at 6:30 to the blaring noise of talk radio this morning. Another day of substituting ahead. I got a call from the "substitute lady" Karen at around 6:45. My assignment was to teach 2nd grade at Madison Elementary. Pretty fun, I thought. After today, the only grade outside of High School that I had not taught would be fifth grade.
I hop in the shower and shave and do all the other necessary morning stuff. I wake up my brother, who is sick, to move his truck so I could get mine out. Done. By 7:40, I am on the road to Madison.
I head down the street to Fairway, make a left. I get to Merced, make a right. I was slowing down because there was a stopping School Bus in front of me between the RR tracks and West Ave. 140th.
SLAM!!! This idiot in a tiny Dodge Neon rear ends me. He must have been going full speed because he hit me really hard. Not realizing what was happening, I accidentally let my foot slip onto the accelerator and BAM!!! right into the rear end of the School Bus. Airbags deployed, smoke all over the place. I realized that I still had my foot on the accelerator because my engine was revving a lot. I let off, applied the brake, and turned off the car.
I, by some miracle of God and seatbelt, was fine. I did not hurt anywhere.
Immediately I looked for my Cell Phone to call 911. I couldn't find it. The truck cab was full of the airbag smoke, I couldn't breathe. I pried open the door and got out for a breath of fresh air. I somewhat surveyed the damage. I didn't really care though because I was in shock. I walked over to the Neon behind me. I heard his engine still on. I yelled at him to turn it off. He did. I could tell that the two in the Neon were OK. There outside the car walking around. I went over to the School Bus and asked the driver if she was OK. She was in shock and mumbled that she was OK. She was on her Cell Phone too.
I squeezed into my truck again and found my Cell Phone on the floor. I immediately called 911. Apparently, noone had called yet and this was a good 5 minutes after the collision. I told her the situation. She asked if everyone was OK. I said "yes, as far as I know". I went back to the School Bus and asked the driver if the kids were OK. She said that they were.
The next person I called was the School District and told them that they were going to have to find someone else to take the class. She completely understood. Karen is really nice.
Then I called my brother. It seemed like the logical thing to do at the time. He had nothing really to say about it.
The first authorities on the scene were the SLPD. They came, asked everyone if they were OK. They directed traffic. They did real good. Soon there after, the CHP got there. They asked me to move my truck into the parking lot of the building we were in front of.
It wasn't until I actually moved my truck that I noticed exactly how much damage had occured. The truck bed was buckled. The front end was all smashed. At least the engine ran and I was able to drive it into the parking lot. I called my dad on the recommendation of the SLPD. He came and said that because the truck was still running, and could basically still drive, the damage was probably mainly to the body and not to the engine or other more expensive things.
I gave my report to the CHP. I was so confused that I didn't know what to tell the nice and cheery CHP lady. And then the tow truck showed up.
I got home and immediately called the insurance. They called back with a quickness. My part is done for now.
Summary:
I am not hurt except for a little neck pain and a little sprained thumb which made itself apparent after I got home. I was worried about all the hassles involved with the insurance and tow companies, but everything has gone smoothly so far.
Praise the Lord!!!
2.28.2002
2.27.2002
Fifth Entry
It has been a while since I have written in my blog. I am just lazy. I wish my computer had some sort of speech to text program on it.
Last week from Wednesday to Friday, I substituted at a Kindergarten class. I expected it to be a complete nightmare. It ended up being a really good experience. The kids were extremely well mannered and they obeyed their substitute the way they should.
One thing that was really weird about this Kindergarten class was that they tattle a lot. Every little thing was tattle-able. I had forgotten how kids their age still dont really know what is important enough to tattle. Interesting.
This class was also a bilingual class, English/Spanish. I cannot speak nor understand Spanish to save my life, but I am able to read it fairly well out loud. Some of the kids confused this ability to read and make the accurate sounds with my actual ability to speak and understand Spanish. I would speak with the kids in English and most of them understood me and could talk back in English. But some of the kids would forget that I dont know how to speak Spanish all that well and would start rattling off in Spanish to me. It was pretty funny.
Although there was no naptime, there was a snack time where the kids were served Apple Juice and Crackers. I noticed how none of the kids could hold the cup of apple juice straight up and were always flirting with spillage.
On Thursday night, Amy, Carolyn, Lisa and I went to some Indian restaurant in Alameda. Carolyn was in the mood for some meat. And by meat she meant beef. None of us realized that Indian people do not eat beef. There was a collective duh when the waitress informed us of our misfortune. No matter, I guess, cuz we went on and ordered our chicken, lamb and "quesadilla". The dinner was pretty good. The after dinner rating gave it a solid 7.
That same night, I found out that Americas golden girl Michelle Kwan won only the bronze medal at the Winter Olympics of Salt Lake City 2002. That upstart teen from Long Island, Sarah Hughes, is the one that won the gold. Bitter. Whatever...
On Friday night, Amy, Carolyn, Jen, Lisa and I took Louis out for his San Leandro birthday dinner. It was a good dinner at Paradiso restaurant in the lovely North Area of San Leandro. I had been there before and recognized the waitress who was serving us. I had pork chops which were cooked to perfection. I wish I could say the same for the "wilted spinach". It looked like crap and almost tasted as bad. The mashed potatoes were absolutely perfect!!
After dinner, we all decided that it would be fun if we all went Karaokeing. At first I thought we would go to the Hayward place...our usual karaoke venue. But someone came up with the idea for Manor Bowl. Freeeee!!! I did not sing, neither did Jen or Lisa. Amy sang once, and sang well at that. Louis sang about 5 or 6 songs.
After Louis Karaoked, I took everyone home and Jen and I went exploring. Actually, at first we were looking for the Tapioca Express in Newark without taking the freeway. At least that is what I was doing. No such luck...we got lost in Newark and ended up near the entrance to the Dumbarton Bridge. At that point, we decided to go home. It was an interesting drive though. I got to see parts of Newark that I had never seen before. Not like I will remember any of it anyway cuz it was dark when I saw all these things.
Saturday...class in the morning...boring.
Saturday night was supposed to be our first annual drunk night. We were just going to get drunk and watch DVD's or TV. Three people flaked, so all that was left was Jen and me. We made Pina Coladas and Screwdrivers and watched Sex and the City. Very funny show.
Sunday morning, I awoke to my dad telling me to get up. After 4.5 hours of sleep, it was time to go to the snow again. We were all psyched up for this trip. When we got there, there wasnt even half the snow that there was the previous weekend!! Apparantly it had rained during the week which melted some of the snow and turned the remaining snow into hard packed ice...very slippery. We drove for quite a bit and finally found the last good patch of snow that was not full of people. It was on the side of the road. At first we didnt see any potential, but on my insistance we stayed. After a while we found what would become the perfect intertube run. Steep, narrow, and long it was all the things a successful run needed to be. After we took a shovel to it and shaped it, we were ready to ride. And ride we did. It was really cool.
After a tiresome day of snowplay, we went home. I slept forever.
Monday morning, I went to substitute a 3rd grade class. They were good kids. They listened, they worked. Some of the kids were a little hyper, but I could manage. It was quite a big contrast with the Kindergarten class from the previous week. They were more aware, and were more helpful. It was fun.
On Tuesday, I was assigned to the same class and it was also fun. The kids seemed a little more restless. I think it was hotter on Tuesday than on Monday.
And that brings me to today, Wednesday. I had lunch with Lisa. We went to Ray's Sushi. It was really dark in there. We realized that they were not open yet. OOPS. Then we tried Rock 'n Roll Sushi next. They were open. I had a Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box. It was cheap and good, but not very filling. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.
It has been a while since I have written in my blog. I am just lazy. I wish my computer had some sort of speech to text program on it.
Last week from Wednesday to Friday, I substituted at a Kindergarten class. I expected it to be a complete nightmare. It ended up being a really good experience. The kids were extremely well mannered and they obeyed their substitute the way they should.
One thing that was really weird about this Kindergarten class was that they tattle a lot. Every little thing was tattle-able. I had forgotten how kids their age still dont really know what is important enough to tattle. Interesting.
This class was also a bilingual class, English/Spanish. I cannot speak nor understand Spanish to save my life, but I am able to read it fairly well out loud. Some of the kids confused this ability to read and make the accurate sounds with my actual ability to speak and understand Spanish. I would speak with the kids in English and most of them understood me and could talk back in English. But some of the kids would forget that I dont know how to speak Spanish all that well and would start rattling off in Spanish to me. It was pretty funny.
Although there was no naptime, there was a snack time where the kids were served Apple Juice and Crackers. I noticed how none of the kids could hold the cup of apple juice straight up and were always flirting with spillage.
On Thursday night, Amy, Carolyn, Lisa and I went to some Indian restaurant in Alameda. Carolyn was in the mood for some meat. And by meat she meant beef. None of us realized that Indian people do not eat beef. There was a collective duh when the waitress informed us of our misfortune. No matter, I guess, cuz we went on and ordered our chicken, lamb and "quesadilla". The dinner was pretty good. The after dinner rating gave it a solid 7.
That same night, I found out that Americas golden girl Michelle Kwan won only the bronze medal at the Winter Olympics of Salt Lake City 2002. That upstart teen from Long Island, Sarah Hughes, is the one that won the gold. Bitter. Whatever...
On Friday night, Amy, Carolyn, Jen, Lisa and I took Louis out for his San Leandro birthday dinner. It was a good dinner at Paradiso restaurant in the lovely North Area of San Leandro. I had been there before and recognized the waitress who was serving us. I had pork chops which were cooked to perfection. I wish I could say the same for the "wilted spinach". It looked like crap and almost tasted as bad. The mashed potatoes were absolutely perfect!!
After dinner, we all decided that it would be fun if we all went Karaokeing. At first I thought we would go to the Hayward place...our usual karaoke venue. But someone came up with the idea for Manor Bowl. Freeeee!!! I did not sing, neither did Jen or Lisa. Amy sang once, and sang well at that. Louis sang about 5 or 6 songs.
After Louis Karaoked, I took everyone home and Jen and I went exploring. Actually, at first we were looking for the Tapioca Express in Newark without taking the freeway. At least that is what I was doing. No such luck...we got lost in Newark and ended up near the entrance to the Dumbarton Bridge. At that point, we decided to go home. It was an interesting drive though. I got to see parts of Newark that I had never seen before. Not like I will remember any of it anyway cuz it was dark when I saw all these things.
Saturday...class in the morning...boring.
Saturday night was supposed to be our first annual drunk night. We were just going to get drunk and watch DVD's or TV. Three people flaked, so all that was left was Jen and me. We made Pina Coladas and Screwdrivers and watched Sex and the City. Very funny show.
Sunday morning, I awoke to my dad telling me to get up. After 4.5 hours of sleep, it was time to go to the snow again. We were all psyched up for this trip. When we got there, there wasnt even half the snow that there was the previous weekend!! Apparantly it had rained during the week which melted some of the snow and turned the remaining snow into hard packed ice...very slippery. We drove for quite a bit and finally found the last good patch of snow that was not full of people. It was on the side of the road. At first we didnt see any potential, but on my insistance we stayed. After a while we found what would become the perfect intertube run. Steep, narrow, and long it was all the things a successful run needed to be. After we took a shovel to it and shaped it, we were ready to ride. And ride we did. It was really cool.
After a tiresome day of snowplay, we went home. I slept forever.
Monday morning, I went to substitute a 3rd grade class. They were good kids. They listened, they worked. Some of the kids were a little hyper, but I could manage. It was quite a big contrast with the Kindergarten class from the previous week. They were more aware, and were more helpful. It was fun.
On Tuesday, I was assigned to the same class and it was also fun. The kids seemed a little more restless. I think it was hotter on Tuesday than on Monday.
And that brings me to today, Wednesday. I had lunch with Lisa. We went to Ray's Sushi. It was really dark in there. We realized that they were not open yet. OOPS. Then we tried Rock 'n Roll Sushi next. They were open. I had a Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box. It was cheap and good, but not very filling. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.
2.19.2002
Fourth Entry
Saturday was Louis and Lamars 23rd birthday party in lovely Davis, California. The party was very nice, the food was good, the beer was good and although the party was heavily populated with Davis people, the company was good...an overall nice experience.
We played Cranium...that was really fun...I draw a very good belly dancer apparantly.
On the way back from the party, Jen, Carolyn, Amy and I went to the local IHOP and had a "nightcap" of pancakes and eggs. mmmmm. After I dropped Carolyn and Amy off at their homes, Jen and I went to Walmart for a late night Walmart run. I bought much junk food.
Sunday my family and I went to the snow. It was really cool. I got the gold medal for the most accidental flips...2 in all. From what I hear, it was a miracle that I did not kill myself. It will take a lot more than an out of control intertube and some angry snow to do me in.
I built a baby snow man...it was fun.
After a few hours in the snow, we came home and I slept for what felt like an eternity! It was a good experience.
It was a good weekend.
Saturday was Louis and Lamars 23rd birthday party in lovely Davis, California. The party was very nice, the food was good, the beer was good and although the party was heavily populated with Davis people, the company was good...an overall nice experience.
We played Cranium...that was really fun...I draw a very good belly dancer apparantly.
On the way back from the party, Jen, Carolyn, Amy and I went to the local IHOP and had a "nightcap" of pancakes and eggs. mmmmm. After I dropped Carolyn and Amy off at their homes, Jen and I went to Walmart for a late night Walmart run. I bought much junk food.
Sunday my family and I went to the snow. It was really cool. I got the gold medal for the most accidental flips...2 in all. From what I hear, it was a miracle that I did not kill myself. It will take a lot more than an out of control intertube and some angry snow to do me in.
I built a baby snow man...it was fun.
After a few hours in the snow, we came home and I slept for what felt like an eternity! It was a good experience.
It was a good weekend.
2.14.2002
First Entry
This is my first entry into the daily, probably less, recording of the goings-on in my life. You'll laugh, you'll cry...its gonna be good.
Nothing happened today...just kidding.
I did not get called in to substitute today. Mixed feelings on that...no crazy kids to deal with, but at the same time no money to deal with. **shrug**
Today, I took my truck into the Ford Store San Leandro for its 5K mile "check-up". I will pick it up later today.
My dad picked me up from the Ford Store and we took a detour and passed by Doral's auto shop to see if they had intertubes. Nope.
Then we went to the George Oren Tire place on Alvarado and they had intertubes! So we got three for free!! Oh yeah, we need them cuz we are going to the snow on Sunday.
Just a thought: I think that the Canadian Pairs Figure Skating duo, Jaime Sale and David Pelletier, were robbed of the gold medal. But I dont think that they can do anything about it.
Oh well
This is my first entry into the daily, probably less, recording of the goings-on in my life. You'll laugh, you'll cry...its gonna be good.
Nothing happened today...just kidding.
I did not get called in to substitute today. Mixed feelings on that...no crazy kids to deal with, but at the same time no money to deal with. **shrug**
Today, I took my truck into the Ford Store San Leandro for its 5K mile "check-up". I will pick it up later today.
My dad picked me up from the Ford Store and we took a detour and passed by Doral's auto shop to see if they had intertubes. Nope.
Then we went to the George Oren Tire place on Alvarado and they had intertubes! So we got three for free!! Oh yeah, we need them cuz we are going to the snow on Sunday.
Just a thought: I think that the Canadian Pairs Figure Skating duo, Jaime Sale and David Pelletier, were robbed of the gold medal. But I dont think that they can do anything about it.
Oh well
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