August Happiness Challenge

Ok, I’ll admit to it, I couldn’t commit.  With that said.  Today, I’m happy because I get to start my next college semester.    Yippee!  Although the two classes I’ve chosen to take will probably kick my arse!

Wish me luck!

August 08 Happiness Challenge Day 2

Day two should really be day 5, but who is counting?  Certainly not me.

You know, many of us have no idea what civilization was like back in the early days.  Well, I suppose some might.  Especially if you have older parents, grand parents or even great grand parents.

I’m sure back in the day the heat wasn’t as big a deal as it is today.  Today’s world has Conditioned air.  Which controls the temperture in the places we frequent the most.

The air was out today at work.  Yuck!

Now, I am home.  With Air Conditioning!  I am happy to be home.

Happiness Challenge Day 1

I know I am a bit late. Four days late, but I don’t think it is to late to participate. I hope you don’t mind

Today, I was a bit confused. I was a bit down. I was torturing myself with downright depressing thoughts, but then I remembered all the wonderful people I know. I remembered where I was ten years ago. I remembered that I am who I am because of all the stuff that went on in my life.

My life is much better today, than ten years ago. Ten years ago, I moved to Tennessee and started a new life.

Today, I installed a new CFL bulb.

Can’t Catch A Break

Of all the times I stop at this place, I didn’t tonight.  Of all the times, who is sitting there waiting for me?  La Vergne Police, that’s who.

That’s right folks, your favorite bus driver just got his first ticket in over 7 years.  The officer was very nice, seemed a bit nervous.  It could have been her first day on the job, not sure.

You know, I really think our police officers do a wonderful job, I really think they don’t get the respect they deserve. Honestly!  I admit, I did not stop completely.  However, I did not just flat out run the stop sign.  I almost stopped, that should account for something.

Hell, it should have at lease counted as a warning.  The officer could have just said, “sir, this is just a warning” “please stop, completely, then turn” but no, it is going to cost me $95.00 @$#$%#$  Of course, I have no money, it’s summertime and money is tight until that first bus check………

URGH!!!!!!!!!!

Sitting and Waiting

How’s it going people? I’m not sure who all reads anymore.  I rarely have anything to write about.  Well, that isn’t true.  I usually think of plenty to write about.  During the day when I can’t write.  So when i get home I never can think of those really good things to tell ya.

Some of you know, I’ve started a part time job at Red Robin.  It’s a bit stressful working 40 hours and then 20 or so at the store.  I can handle it though.  It’s only part time, I keep telling myself.

Tonight, was our opening.  It went pretty smooth as far as I can tell.  Wish i was a server though.  I fucking hate wearing a hat.  I’m not in the kitchen cooking, I’m making sure the food is right before it goes out to the guests.

I’m thinking I’m taking two weeks of vacation here soon.  I really want to go to Six Flags.  Anyone want to go?

So as far as updating, I’ll try harder to at least write once a week.  Is that cool?

Caught in the Moment

in October 2003, I purchased a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo.  Ever since I saw the body style and drove one for the first time, I knew I wanted to own one.  Four years and eight months later, my suzy had 97,000 miles.  Never have I had a huge mechanical bill.  I’ve kept the oil changed, tires rotated and the interior clean.

Here recently I’ve been thinking about a new car.  So I started just looking around to see what was out there.  As I said above, it was love at first sight when I got the Rodeo.

Well, as luck would have it, I stopped at Hickory Hollow Kia.  I found a car that was nice.  It was simple, sporty like my rodeo.  Salesman came up and we chatted.  Like I did with the rodeo, I took it for a test drive.  WOW!  It was great.  Sticker price not so much.

Next thing I know I’m in the sales floor talking and then I’m in the finance department.  You would think I would wake up any minute and say wtf are you doing Dewayne?

Nope, not what I did.  I was caught in the moment and signed my life away.  Yet again!  Just sixteen payments away from have the rodeo paid for.  Now I have a few more years to get out of debt.

Stupid Tax!

Rate Hike, Again?

Damn, What’s up with the U.S. Postal Service?  Are they not out of debt?  I can’t keep up.  I will not by another roll of stamps.  EVER!!!!   I’ve always purchased stamps in the 100 stamp roll.  Seems as I never ran out when I do this.  Purchasing stamps by the book, I never had enough.

Now, I bought a roll of stamps back when they were 37 cents.  Then, not long after, they went to 39 cents.  Not a problem, I only had a few left, so I went and bought 1 cent stamps.

No sooner than I was done with those I bought the new 39 cents stamps in the 100 count roll.  And wouldn’t you know it, they would raise the rate again.  This time to 41 cents.  WTF?

Again, I say, what’s up with that?  Last I heard, the US Postal Service was out of debt and had a great thing going.

No wonder why I’m starting to use E cards.

Happy, Happy!

Today is a very special day.  Today is mom’s day.  Be sure to spend time with her!  I knew I wasn’t going to be able to put flowers on my mothers grave today, so I went a few weeks ago and bought her some beautiful flowers and placed along her tombstone.

Remember all the sacrifices moms make for us.  Moms do all kind of amazing things, so lets make this a special day for them.

Today, my cousins and I are taking their mom to a restaruant she wants to go to.

What are you doing?

Happy Moms’ Day!!!

Never Imagined

I’ve been putting off the inevitable for a few weeks.  I was suppose to go last night and completely forgot.  I remembered today.  Of course I would remember, today, I don’t feel well.  I’m sure it’s just allergies but that’s another story.

Today, I went to Wal-Mart.  I know, I know, I’ve been saying how much I hate that place.  Well, tonight was very different.  I drove up, not very many cars in the parking lot.  I walk in, same thing, not many people inside either.

I do my shopping, browse serveral aisles, and see many associates stocking shelves.  Everyone of them asked how I was doing, and if I needed help.

Finished with my shopping, I walked up to the checkout and didn’t have to wait but a few short minutes.  The cashier didn’t seem wore our, she smiled, and asked if I found everything ok.

I would have never imagined walking into a Wal-Mart and having this kind of experience.  Perhaps the new Super Target has offered the management new ideas on how to operate a store.

A Day In The Life

We all have our moments in time. Days in our lives we never forget, or want to forget. Each day also brings something meaningful, or we make some mistake and we learn from it.

This morning was no different. This morning I awoke and started my normal routine of getting ready for the day. It’s the usual wake up, get a shower, get dressed, turn the TV on to watch some news, etc… There was nothing out of the ordinary except the little earthquake that rattled some of us here in Middle Tennessee. I slept right through that.

After taking my little kids to school I started picking my middle school students. Two of the students that I have purposely separated asked if they could sit together and work on a school project. My response of course was no that that was why it’s called “home work” I thought to myself “it’s TCAP week, there shouldn’t be any projects going on” As they went to sent down one student said to the other “Don’t worry about it, he doesn’t care”

These kids were saying that I do not care. Do you know how upsetting this was for me? All I could think about was how special each one of these kids are to me. I let this build up to the point of tears.

Before I let them off the bus I started to ask for a show of hands of how many of them thought I did not care. I didn’t though. Instead, I told them about the comment and how one comment no matter how directly or indirectly it is said to someone, can hurt.

What I did want each one of them to know though, the fact that I’m just a bus driver isn’t the issue. I’m not a bus driver because I have to be. I am a bus driver because I want to be. Then I wished them a wonderful day.

Just as teachers and administrators are in those rolls for a reason, it takes a special person to do what we each do. There’s a poster hanging in the school that says “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” That is exactly how I felt.

It is amazing at how simple the day can start. Just as any other day, we do our routines, and then it just changes dramatically. In the end though, you realize, learn, and remember why you do what you do.