Trying to Catch My Breath

I can't believe that it is February! Wait! I can't believe that February is more than half over! I certainly don't have any pictures to show for it.








I started the year off with an ear infection that prevented me from getting outside...







Then we were into mid-terms and semester report cards...







And then there was the car accident...







Yes, two weeks ago I was involved in a car accident. My car "Ursula Sinead Popodopolis" was a total loss. I didn't even get pictures of that... My shoulder is still bothering me some but that is the extent of my injuries...I'm thankful that I wasn't a total loss. Actually, I am thankful for a whole lot in this situation.

Had I been 6 inches farther down the road my door would have collapsed in on me.  After the lady ran into me I ricocheted off her vehicle through two lanes of traffic.  There was no one next to me or behind me so I didn't hit anyone on my way through the lanes and I didn't get hit by anyone else.  I hit my shoulder but I didn't hit my head.  I was driving a Toyota so my car was worth $1000.00 more than what I owed on it.  The lady that hit me was honest with her insurance company so there was no "fault" dispute.  Ten days after the accident I was in my new car.  To borrow one of my favorite quotes, "God is...God is...God is God, you know?!"




So, I have a new car and the upcoming weekend is supposed to be warm (mid-50s) and sunny so I am headed to the Outer Banks this weekend. Maiden Road Trip for Shamgar "Chuck" O'Malley...







I am hoping that by choosing a tough and manly name, people will be less likely to run into my car. So I have christened my new car Shamgar "Chuck" O'Malley. Shamgar...as in the guy who is only mentioned in one verse of the Bible, Judges 3:31, yet killed 600 Philistines in one day--with a pointy stick. Chuck...as in Norris. And O'Malley...representing my inner banshee and every Irish curse connected to my heritage.







Anyway...time to get on with the journey.

You Know Those "Search Overload" Commercials?

This is part of my Bits 'N Pieces series...

You know those "search overload" commercials where someone asks an innocent question and suddenly everyone around them is offering random, meaningless information?...that is my 7th grade class.

T: It would be a lot more interesting if they dropped a super ball off the building on New Year's Eve instead of a ball on a stick...
C: When people fall off buildings they go like this (followed by mad flailing in his seat)...
R: Why do they always dance like that in Bollywood movies?...
G: Did anyone see Indian Terminator?

I am so glad that their words do not have actual mass...I would come home with a concussion on a daily basis.

R: Why do you want to know who was burping in Justin's face?...
T: I said G was talking about reproducing in space...
G: No. I asked if you could produce food in outer space...

Somebody just shoot me now.

Why Isn't This on the Radio?....oh.

So I am on my way to work this morning when I hit the parkway (which you cannot see until you are already committed and on the ramp) which is a parking lot.  I think to myself "hmm. I didn't hear anything on the radio about an accident..." I sit there...and sit there...and sit there. For 40 minutes I'm sitting there and every 10 minutes I hear the traffic report and there is absolutely no information on what is going on.  Finally, I get to where I can see the situation.






There are two trucks with lighted arrows, directing everyone into one lane.  There are three cars on the side of the road with their emergency lights on.  There is a couple of pieces of clothing in the middle of the unused lane...just clothing...











...and a dog....














...standing...












....on top of the clothing...













...with a couple of people kneeling in front of him.


No wonder it was not mentioned on the radio.  Everyone who normally calls the radio station took one look at the situation and thought..."how in the world do I explain this?!"