The not-so-secret diary of Bing (aged 24)
Monday, May 28, 2007
Crash pics
That is a very good point Abigailhe
The first pic shows the tyre track and the guard rail.
The second shows how far I skidded. The white car in the background is how far down the road I got- parked safely of course. You can see the car tracks along the grass, and onto the road.
So yes, God really did protect me. Big time.
That is a very good point Abigailhe
The first pic shows the tyre track and the guard rail.
The second shows how far I skidded. The white car in the background is how far down the road I got- parked safely of course. You can see the car tracks along the grass, and onto the road.
So yes, God really did protect me. Big time.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
A sporting weekend and on staying alive
This retrospective (late) blog details the events of Apr 21-23 2007. The location is Texas.
In the name of cultural experience, Aaron and I went to College Station, the home of the Texas A&M 'Aggies', where Aaron went to school. This is one of the most passionate colleges I have ever been to. Albeit that Otago, Vic and Auckland haven't really had a lot of University traditions. I think in Dunedin terms, not even Selwyn and Knox Colleges come close.
Now the Aggies love their sports- their athletics complex was huge- their baseball stadium had covered seats for at least 7-8000, and apparently their American football stadium seats 80,000! They also have a softball stadium, soccer pitch, a basketball colosseum, tennis complex and several fields for intermural (social) activities. We went to see a baseball game. Although apparently not as bad as the American football games, the experience still showed a lot of the Aggie passion. For starters, there were a lot of people in home colours (including me). Firstly, some new US army recruits were presented and the US anthem sung.Then the Aggie war hymn was sung, with everyone standing shoulder to shoulder swaying at the end. This was followed by other traditions such as standing and beating the bleachers in honour of every home run scored, pointing behind the stand every time a foul ball went over it, having the sound of a shotgun played followed by the chanting of "it makes me feel so good" and then there was the ritual organised abuse of the pitcher. Started by the announcer's music, the crowd would chant the name of the pitcher it 2 syllables, really slowly i.e. "rannnnnnn-dallll". It was pretty crazy really- but fun.
Oh yeah, and the actual baseball. Well, the Aggies won 5-3, and although most of the excitement happened early (i.e. it was 5-3 after the 4th innings), and we sat in the hot hot sun for the longest time, it was better than I thought. On the drive over, Aaron and I had been discussing the differences between baseball and cricket. It seems that Cricket is a lot more intricate than baseball, although baseball did have its moments. Like some of the catches and the fake steal on first by one of the aggies to distract the opposition, whilst his teammate strolled home from 3rd base on the last out. But the major difference I felt, was the celebration on runs in baseball, whilst in cricket it's outs. Baseball also lasts half the time that cricket does, which can be nice.
Prior to the game, we had gone to meet some of Aaron's friends from school- Jordan and Alison. Afterwards Aaron and I wandered around the campus and saw such Aggie icons as Kyle field, an 80,000 seat football stadium, the memorial center, Sullivan's statue, surrounded by pennies for luck, and the main building, which had a copper dome so shiny, it used to blind planes during WWII.
Well the next day was quiet relaxing- After church, I went to the BBQ place with the Dudley's, and left with the promise to return to Nac for a try of Mrs Dudley's cooking. Then Ryan, Thomas and their brother Grayson, Aaron and myself went out and played a round of disc golf. Like using frisbees to hit targets. It's a lot more forgivng than real golf, and I don't think I went more than 3+ for any one hole. I also moved into Thomas and Katie's place. I thought it would be nice to not have the extra 10mi drive from Aaron's to Center... how wrong I would prove to be.
Monday was a long day at work. I don't remember anything particularly special about it. The week before I had talked to Rotary about Center, so that was a bit stressful but fun. However, I do remember thinking although I feel a bit tired, I'll be healthy and just stop when I feel tired rather than have a caffeinated drink. So I drove, and I drifted of for a split second and awoke to the car speeding along the grassy shoulder towards a grassy ditch and a metal guard rail.
Almost by instinct I pulled back onto the road, skidded across it, and hearing Aaron's (the stoner guy used to cut grass with) voice telling me to steer into the skid, I spun round twice, apparently nearly flipped the car and came to a stop facing the same way in a cloud of smoke and that burnt rubber smell. Upon reflection, I was incredibly lucky not to have had anything coming the other way or following. I know this sounds tright, but I did feel God's presence about the halfway through the first rotation. Lets just say, that I was really protected. So as everyone stopped or came down from the house on their ride ons drinking Dr Pepper to check I was OK, I was probably the most awake I had been in the past 10mins. I was shaken, but thankfully not stirred and was able to drive back knowing that I hadn't hurt anyone.
I was grateful to see Stephanie, one of the nurses from work, pull up, and she escorted back to Nac, via a brief stop in Martinsville for me whilst she picked up her husband. She also called the clinic who were all worried about me, and by the time I got home, everybody seemed to know (Thomas is Suzanne's middle son) all about it. I got Aaron (Dudley, not the stoner) to check me over that night too just in case.
I took the next day off (well I was told to stay home), took the car (cautiously!) to the rental place, who were real good about it. They just changed the car to a Chevrolet Monte Carlo (sporty) and got my insurance details. There wasn't a scratch on the car, but they rightly wanted to check it over before putting it back on the road. I then called Abbey, who consoled me with a cup of coffee at Java Jacks. Ryan and Anna popped by too so we all swapped crash stories and played with the camera on my computer. The afternoon was spent reading Thomas' comic collection and playing Wii. I was kinda glad as it really began to pour that afternoon, and driving home in that would have been a challenge.
I checked the site later in the week and it looks like I skidded 250m, and missed the guard rail by the length of a 600ml bottle. I.e not a lot. I think I was incredibly lucky, and have learnt my lesson about driving tired. Firstly, I should try get enough sleep/rest during the week. Secondly, if it's a question of having some caffeine or not, the answer should always be caffeine. Finally, I really should look after myself better, or as someone suggested find someone to look after me.
Which might not be such a bad idea.
This retrospective (late) blog details the events of Apr 21-23 2007. The location is Texas.
In the name of cultural experience, Aaron and I went to College Station, the home of the Texas A&M 'Aggies', where Aaron went to school. This is one of the most passionate colleges I have ever been to. Albeit that Otago, Vic and Auckland haven't really had a lot of University traditions. I think in Dunedin terms, not even Selwyn and Knox Colleges come close.
Now the Aggies love their sports- their athletics complex was huge- their baseball stadium had covered seats for at least 7-8000, and apparently their American football stadium seats 80,000! They also have a softball stadium, soccer pitch, a basketball colosseum, tennis complex and several fields for intermural (social) activities. We went to see a baseball game. Although apparently not as bad as the American football games, the experience still showed a lot of the Aggie passion. For starters, there were a lot of people in home colours (including me). Firstly, some new US army recruits were presented and the US anthem sung.Then the Aggie war hymn was sung, with everyone standing shoulder to shoulder swaying at the end. This was followed by other traditions such as standing and beating the bleachers in honour of every home run scored, pointing behind the stand every time a foul ball went over it, having the sound of a shotgun played followed by the chanting of "it makes me feel so good" and then there was the ritual organised abuse of the pitcher. Started by the announcer's music, the crowd would chant the name of the pitcher it 2 syllables, really slowly i.e. "rannnnnnn-dallll". It was pretty crazy really- but fun.
Oh yeah, and the actual baseball. Well, the Aggies won 5-3, and although most of the excitement happened early (i.e. it was 5-3 after the 4th innings), and we sat in the hot hot sun for the longest time, it was better than I thought. On the drive over, Aaron and I had been discussing the differences between baseball and cricket. It seems that Cricket is a lot more intricate than baseball, although baseball did have its moments. Like some of the catches and the fake steal on first by one of the aggies to distract the opposition, whilst his teammate strolled home from 3rd base on the last out. But the major difference I felt, was the celebration on runs in baseball, whilst in cricket it's outs. Baseball also lasts half the time that cricket does, which can be nice.
Prior to the game, we had gone to meet some of Aaron's friends from school- Jordan and Alison. Afterwards Aaron and I wandered around the campus and saw such Aggie icons as Kyle field, an 80,000 seat football stadium, the memorial center, Sullivan's statue, surrounded by pennies for luck, and the main building, which had a copper dome so shiny, it used to blind planes during WWII.
Well the next day was quiet relaxing- After church, I went to the BBQ place with the Dudley's, and left with the promise to return to Nac for a try of Mrs Dudley's cooking. Then Ryan, Thomas and their brother Grayson, Aaron and myself went out and played a round of disc golf. Like using frisbees to hit targets. It's a lot more forgivng than real golf, and I don't think I went more than 3+ for any one hole. I also moved into Thomas and Katie's place. I thought it would be nice to not have the extra 10mi drive from Aaron's to Center... how wrong I would prove to be.
Monday was a long day at work. I don't remember anything particularly special about it. The week before I had talked to Rotary about Center, so that was a bit stressful but fun. However, I do remember thinking although I feel a bit tired, I'll be healthy and just stop when I feel tired rather than have a caffeinated drink. So I drove, and I drifted of for a split second and awoke to the car speeding along the grassy shoulder towards a grassy ditch and a metal guard rail.
Almost by instinct I pulled back onto the road, skidded across it, and hearing Aaron's (the stoner guy used to cut grass with) voice telling me to steer into the skid, I spun round twice, apparently nearly flipped the car and came to a stop facing the same way in a cloud of smoke and that burnt rubber smell. Upon reflection, I was incredibly lucky not to have had anything coming the other way or following. I know this sounds tright, but I did feel God's presence about the halfway through the first rotation. Lets just say, that I was really protected. So as everyone stopped or came down from the house on their ride ons drinking Dr Pepper to check I was OK, I was probably the most awake I had been in the past 10mins. I was shaken, but thankfully not stirred and was able to drive back knowing that I hadn't hurt anyone.
I was grateful to see Stephanie, one of the nurses from work, pull up, and she escorted back to Nac, via a brief stop in Martinsville for me whilst she picked up her husband. She also called the clinic who were all worried about me, and by the time I got home, everybody seemed to know (Thomas is Suzanne's middle son) all about it. I got Aaron (Dudley, not the stoner) to check me over that night too just in case.
I took the next day off (well I was told to stay home), took the car (cautiously!) to the rental place, who were real good about it. They just changed the car to a Chevrolet Monte Carlo (sporty) and got my insurance details. There wasn't a scratch on the car, but they rightly wanted to check it over before putting it back on the road. I then called Abbey, who consoled me with a cup of coffee at Java Jacks. Ryan and Anna popped by too so we all swapped crash stories and played with the camera on my computer. The afternoon was spent reading Thomas' comic collection and playing Wii. I was kinda glad as it really began to pour that afternoon, and driving home in that would have been a challenge.
I checked the site later in the week and it looks like I skidded 250m, and missed the guard rail by the length of a 600ml bottle. I.e not a lot. I think I was incredibly lucky, and have learnt my lesson about driving tired. Firstly, I should try get enough sleep/rest during the week. Secondly, if it's a question of having some caffeine or not, the answer should always be caffeine. Finally, I really should look after myself better, or as someone suggested find someone to look after me.
Which might not be such a bad idea.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Not an update
Yes, I enjoyed New York, and still miss Texas, and I do have some blogs on the go about them. But in the interim, here's a wee (yes, you can all laugh)tale that occurred whilst we were at High School Musical on Saturday night.
We were sitting above some tweenie boppers and were crushing on Sam, yes our Sam Benton, in a big way. About how great he was etc, etc.
And then this gem come out:
Tweenie: "Sam Benton is so great! (To anyone listening) Sam Benton rocks sox everybody!"
So there you have it. Sam Benton, High School idol.
Yes, I enjoyed New York, and still miss Texas, and I do have some blogs on the go about them. But in the interim, here's a wee (yes, you can all laugh)tale that occurred whilst we were at High School Musical on Saturday night.
We were sitting above some tweenie boppers and were crushing on Sam, yes our Sam Benton, in a big way. About how great he was etc, etc.
And then this gem come out:
Tweenie: "Sam Benton is so great! (To anyone listening) Sam Benton rocks sox everybody!"
So there you have it. Sam Benton, High School idol.
