No aikido today, outdoor or otherwise. Plans were squashed to a pulp by D getting sick (poor guy) and my having to head home an hour and a half after I got to work to pick him up. I was scheming on my drive home as to how I could possibly squeeze in a run or a swim instead today but that was not to be either. Yesterday's Dish run (alone) did something not so nice to my left knee and I'm still bothered by it while walking. Did I mention that the Dish burned? Oh, and one of my friends that I run with is taking a two-week break. And P has developed eczema and HATES getting lotion rubbed on him. And daycare dropoff has been sadder than usual.
In the grand scheme of things, I'm really have nothing to complain about but these things get to me sometimes.
It'll all be better in the morning. I hope.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
The Heat is On
It's been very hot during aikido class lately. Literally. 80 F in the room. Why? Because we use the wrestling room and they like it that way. Just imagine walking onto the mat, dressed in your heavy-weight gi, and having the dry heat hit you in the face like a solid shomenuchi.
Not much need for a warm up.
We like to think of if as 'Hot Aikido.' Kind of like Hot Yoga but with ukemi. It's a little harder to hang on to your partner. It's also a little funny to see the 5th dan that you're training with look a little woozy and then realize it's not because of your awesome technique but because of the heat. Darn it.
We get kicked out of the wrestling room for the next two weeks because Wrestling Camp is in the house. It's outdoor training for us - with weapons.
Oh yeah.
Not much need for a warm up.
We like to think of if as 'Hot Aikido.' Kind of like Hot Yoga but with ukemi. It's a little harder to hang on to your partner. It's also a little funny to see the 5th dan that you're training with look a little woozy and then realize it's not because of your awesome technique but because of the heat. Darn it.
We get kicked out of the wrestling room for the next two weeks because Wrestling Camp is in the house. It's outdoor training for us - with weapons.
Oh yeah.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Still Pinoy
I spent my childhood, teen and college years in the Philippines. That made me thoroughly Filipino, not just the half that my mom contributed to my genes. But fourteen years in the US has rubbed some things off. Inspired by bonggamom's Philippine Independence Day post, I got to thinking about what Filipino traits are still quite evident in me and came up with these.
I still:
a. love to eat adobo with a banana.
b. prefer to eat a meal that includes rice with a spoon and fork instead of a knife and fork (especially if there's soup too).
c. pronounce some words strangely (How do you say 'Pythagorean'?).
d. am a mango snob.
e. say "Hay!" when I'm annoyed (usually with the kids, and I know I do this often because I've heard D say it too!).
f. revert to a Filipino accent when I talk to my friends from home.
g. looooove a bargain (that's got to be the Ilocana in me).
I rarely:
a. point with my lips.
b. say 'yes' with my eyebrows.
c. drive with one hand on the horn, so as to honk at the slightest provocation.
d. say 'open' and 'close' the light.
e. call the fridge the 'ref'.
Hmmmm. This gets me thinking about what 'American' traits I've picked up. Goody! Fodder for another post. Stay tuned.
I still:
a. love to eat adobo with a banana.
b. prefer to eat a meal that includes rice with a spoon and fork instead of a knife and fork (especially if there's soup too).
c. pronounce some words strangely (How do you say 'Pythagorean'?).
d. am a mango snob.
e. say "Hay!" when I'm annoyed (usually with the kids, and I know I do this often because I've heard D say it too!).
f. revert to a Filipino accent when I talk to my friends from home.
g. looooove a bargain (that's got to be the Ilocana in me).
I rarely:
a. point with my lips.
b. say 'yes' with my eyebrows.
c. drive with one hand on the horn, so as to honk at the slightest provocation.
d. say 'open' and 'close' the light.
e. call the fridge the 'ref'.
Hmmmm. This gets me thinking about what 'American' traits I've picked up. Goody! Fodder for another post. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Here's to You
One of my uncles passed away last week.
He was a surgeon, a gourmet cook, a skier, a tennis player, and an opera fan. He was funny and didn't sugar coat his opinions, he told it to you straight, whether you liked it or not. I remember him always with a huge smile on his face, not a hair out of place, stylishly dressed, bustling around in the kitchen, looking happy with the world around him.
His last wish was for all his friends and family to get together on a harbor cruise on the Hudson River, decked out in tuxes and cocktail dresses, enjoying a delicious meal and champagne, toasting life, celebrating the good times that were shared and not looking back in sadness. What a marvelous idea that was. So, last Friday, all the relatives that could make it to New York boarded a boat and partied the night away, scattering his ashes into the river at the end. I was there in spirit, partying away as well. Cheers to you, Tito Drix.
Hold your family close and tell them you love them.
He was a surgeon, a gourmet cook, a skier, a tennis player, and an opera fan. He was funny and didn't sugar coat his opinions, he told it to you straight, whether you liked it or not. I remember him always with a huge smile on his face, not a hair out of place, stylishly dressed, bustling around in the kitchen, looking happy with the world around him.
His last wish was for all his friends and family to get together on a harbor cruise on the Hudson River, decked out in tuxes and cocktail dresses, enjoying a delicious meal and champagne, toasting life, celebrating the good times that were shared and not looking back in sadness. What a marvelous idea that was. So, last Friday, all the relatives that could make it to New York boarded a boat and partied the night away, scattering his ashes into the river at the end. I was there in spirit, partying away as well. Cheers to you, Tito Drix.
Hold your family close and tell them you love them.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
For Future Reference
Gin and Tonic
2 oz gin
5 oz tonic water
1 lime wedge
Pour the gin and the tonic water into a highball glass almost filled with ice cubes. Stir well. Garnish with the lime wedge.
(Source: www.drinksmixer.com)
2 oz gin
5 oz tonic water
1 lime wedge
Pour the gin and the tonic water into a highball glass almost filled with ice cubes. Stir well. Garnish with the lime wedge.
(Source: www.drinksmixer.com)
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Poker Night
All day I've had this underlying feeling of very slight nausea. Hmmmm. I wonder if it had anything to do with the fact that I had a wee bit too much to drink last night.
OH YES!
Twas the inaugural poker night with my friends from work. The variation was Texas Hold 'Em, the stakes were $5/player. Yes, we were living life on the edge. The talent was diverse (and I shall anonymize here to protect everyone - plus nicknames are fun!):
a. Leeds - experienced, plays online, silent, very methodical, very particular about the lingo
b. Aqua - experienced, likes to talk, likes to stay in the game
c. Yoga - novice, professes that bluffing is cheating, wants to win all the money
d. Curatrix - er, that would be me, novice, likes to talk the talk but really can't walk the walk
It all started out relatively well. We had a set of practice rounds and then, the game began in earnest. Out came the money, out came the Bombay Sapphire and the tonic. Into Yoga's large water glasses, no ice, mix your own, pick your strength.
------
Things I learned:
1. It's probably best not to mix your own drink especially when you've got no real idea of the proportions the ingredients should be mixed in.
2. Gin and tonic with no ice hits you WAY faster than the stuff with it because, SURPRISE, SURPRISE, the ice dilutes the drink.
3. Bachelors have no ice in their freezers.
So, one or two (or maybe three or four) drinks later, the world is a rosy place, the card game gets way more interesting (Aqua ends up winning) and I swiftly run into the next lesson:
4. The line between just a bit tipsy and drunk is a fine one.
Whoa! I am NOT driving home tonight. Please don't even let me get near my car.
5. Good place to drink: a friend's house or your home. Getting loopy in private and in the company of people that you trust and like and can still look in the eye the next time you see them is preferable to having this happen in public.
Let's just say that I got home by cab and in the company of Aqua and Yoga, who then returned to their respective homes. Drinking does tend to cement a friendship. God bless them.
6. Try to remember to remove contact lenses before going to sleep. Peeling them off your eyeballs at 3:30 in the morning is sub-optimal.
7. If you're up at 3:30 am removing glued-on contacts, it's a great idea to drink a nice big glass of water and a couple of Tylenols to ward off the headache from hell in the morning.
--------
I woke up this morning in considerably better shape than I thought I would be in. Yes, that slightly nauseous feeling remained but at least there wasn't a jackhammer pounding in my brain. And I did get in a 6 mi run this afternoon, albeit at a slower pace than usual, and it felt good.
I knew my German alcohol dehydrogenase genes would come in handy someday. (Yes, I am such a geek.)
OH YES!
Twas the inaugural poker night with my friends from work. The variation was Texas Hold 'Em, the stakes were $5/player. Yes, we were living life on the edge. The talent was diverse (and I shall anonymize here to protect everyone - plus nicknames are fun!):
a. Leeds - experienced, plays online, silent, very methodical, very particular about the lingo
b. Aqua - experienced, likes to talk, likes to stay in the game
c. Yoga - novice, professes that bluffing is cheating, wants to win all the money
d. Curatrix - er, that would be me, novice, likes to talk the talk but really can't walk the walk
It all started out relatively well. We had a set of practice rounds and then, the game began in earnest. Out came the money, out came the Bombay Sapphire and the tonic. Into Yoga's large water glasses, no ice, mix your own, pick your strength.
------
Things I learned:
1. It's probably best not to mix your own drink especially when you've got no real idea of the proportions the ingredients should be mixed in.
2. Gin and tonic with no ice hits you WAY faster than the stuff with it because, SURPRISE, SURPRISE, the ice dilutes the drink.
3. Bachelors have no ice in their freezers.
So, one or two (or maybe three or four) drinks later, the world is a rosy place, the card game gets way more interesting (Aqua ends up winning) and I swiftly run into the next lesson:
4. The line between just a bit tipsy and drunk is a fine one.
Whoa! I am NOT driving home tonight. Please don't even let me get near my car.
5. Good place to drink: a friend's house or your home. Getting loopy in private and in the company of people that you trust and like and can still look in the eye the next time you see them is preferable to having this happen in public.
Let's just say that I got home by cab and in the company of Aqua and Yoga, who then returned to their respective homes. Drinking does tend to cement a friendship. God bless them.
6. Try to remember to remove contact lenses before going to sleep. Peeling them off your eyeballs at 3:30 in the morning is sub-optimal.
7. If you're up at 3:30 am removing glued-on contacts, it's a great idea to drink a nice big glass of water and a couple of Tylenols to ward off the headache from hell in the morning.
--------
I woke up this morning in considerably better shape than I thought I would be in. Yes, that slightly nauseous feeling remained but at least there wasn't a jackhammer pounding in my brain. And I did get in a 6 mi run this afternoon, albeit at a slower pace than usual, and it felt good.
I knew my German alcohol dehydrogenase genes would come in handy someday. (Yes, I am such a geek.)
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Baked Brains and Other Delicacies
Exercise has altered my brain chemistry. It's the only explanation I can think of. I mean, what else would drive me out to run at noon on a day with temperatures in the mid-80s, heat rising like a flame from the pavement and beating down from above? But head out we did (I wasn't the only crazy one) and decided on a 'hill' workout with two water breaks. Brilliant! The inevitable result: baked brains. Yummy!
So, in my heat-addled state, let me serve up some totally random things that have been nibbling at me, wanting to be in a post:
Baffling quotes:
1. Do mosquitoes bite ducks?
2. I refuse to get a cart. (referring to grocery shopping)
3. Why is it a 'jackrabbit' and not a 'tomrabbit'?
Interesting license plates:
1. JAH MON (on an Audi)
2. MSFASHN (on a Lexus SUV)
3. IS 52 (on a C-series Benz)
4. RAQOON (on a Toyota SUV)
Topics of conversation:
1. How weightlifting builds muscle.
2. How creatine works in building muscle.
(Can you tell I run with guys?)
3. What kind of earplugs are best for blocking out noisy neighbors.
Oh, I was going to eat that hill for lunch but instead it feasted on me. One does not mess with Mother Nature and she was having hot flashes today.
So, in my heat-addled state, let me serve up some totally random things that have been nibbling at me, wanting to be in a post:
Baffling quotes:
1. Do mosquitoes bite ducks?
2. I refuse to get a cart. (referring to grocery shopping)
3. Why is it a 'jackrabbit' and not a 'tomrabbit'?
Interesting license plates:
1. JAH MON (on an Audi)
2. MSFASHN (on a Lexus SUV)
3. IS 52 (on a C-series Benz)
4. RAQOON (on a Toyota SUV)
Topics of conversation:
1. How weightlifting builds muscle.
2. How creatine works in building muscle.
(Can you tell I run with guys?)
3. What kind of earplugs are best for blocking out noisy neighbors.
Oh, I was going to eat that hill for lunch but instead it feasted on me. One does not mess with Mother Nature and she was having hot flashes today.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Travelling for Work
It's getting to be that time of the year again. Time to hit the road for the annual conference season - a high-tech dog and pony show where we show everyone how fine and dandy our web resource is and all the wonderful things that they can do with it.
Did I mention hitting the road? Yes, this means time away from the family. There is a certain appeal to the travel, if you don't count the actual time spent in the airports, cabs, planes and trains. I'm referring to those nights without being woken up by wails of "MAAMAAAAA!" or the ghostly specter of one of the two boys in the doorway, just standing there. From past experience, I do miss my guys but I'm usually way too busy to think and, before I know it, I'm back on a plane headed back home.
So now I'm flying for Chicago at the beginning of July and because I have to give a presentation on three separate days, which are spread out over four days, I have to be away for five nights. Grumble. I don't like being away that long.
Time to surf the airline webpages trying to find the ideal flight schedule/fare combination. Jeepers, wasn't this supposed to SAVE us time and effort by putting the information at our fingertips? I've just been the biggest waffler in the world for the past week because I can't decide whether I want to leave in the early afternoon so as to get to Chicago by early evening local time or whether I want to leave in the evening CA time so I can see the kids before I go to the airport - but this means I get to O'Hare at just past midnight and to the hotel at some godforsaken hour. Waffle, waffle, waffle. You know, sometimes it's really nice having three airports to choose from when flying in or out of the Bay Area but, this very second, the combinations are driving me batty! Fly out of Oakland but return to SFO. Fly out of San Jose and return to Oakland. Do I want to fly through Denver or fly direct? That's really a no-brainer - fly NONSTOP!
Thirty minutes later.... Done!
I've already checked out the hotel website and they do have FREE high-speed wireless. I hear there's also a nice big lake to run by/swim in close by :) and I'm positive that there's got to be an aikido dojo not too far away. I'm guessing my bag will be half full of work clothes and half full of running/swimming/aiki gear. Oh, and there is that matter of the conference, guess I'll have to slap together a presentation for that too.
This is going to fly by so quickly.
Did I mention hitting the road? Yes, this means time away from the family. There is a certain appeal to the travel, if you don't count the actual time spent in the airports, cabs, planes and trains. I'm referring to those nights without being woken up by wails of "MAAMAAAAA!" or the ghostly specter of one of the two boys in the doorway, just standing there. From past experience, I do miss my guys but I'm usually way too busy to think and, before I know it, I'm back on a plane headed back home.
So now I'm flying for Chicago at the beginning of July and because I have to give a presentation on three separate days, which are spread out over four days, I have to be away for five nights. Grumble. I don't like being away that long.
Time to surf the airline webpages trying to find the ideal flight schedule/fare combination. Jeepers, wasn't this supposed to SAVE us time and effort by putting the information at our fingertips? I've just been the biggest waffler in the world for the past week because I can't decide whether I want to leave in the early afternoon so as to get to Chicago by early evening local time or whether I want to leave in the evening CA time so I can see the kids before I go to the airport - but this means I get to O'Hare at just past midnight and to the hotel at some godforsaken hour. Waffle, waffle, waffle. You know, sometimes it's really nice having three airports to choose from when flying in or out of the Bay Area but, this very second, the combinations are driving me batty! Fly out of Oakland but return to SFO. Fly out of San Jose and return to Oakland. Do I want to fly through Denver or fly direct? That's really a no-brainer - fly NONSTOP!
Thirty minutes later.... Done!
I've already checked out the hotel website and they do have FREE high-speed wireless. I hear there's also a nice big lake to run by/swim in close by :) and I'm positive that there's got to be an aikido dojo not too far away. I'm guessing my bag will be half full of work clothes and half full of running/swimming/aiki gear. Oh, and there is that matter of the conference, guess I'll have to slap together a presentation for that too.
This is going to fly by so quickly.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
A Quote for Sunday
"You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need."
-Vernon Howard
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Dirty Jobs
You might have some of these: tasks that you've been meaning to do for a long time (weeks, months, even years) and just don't seem to get around to because (a) they're no fun at all, (b) they involve getting really dirty or (c) both. Well, I checked three of those off the list today:
1. Clean out refrigerator. That funky smell finally got to us. M started the job off by clearing everything out and I finished it off by giving the insides a good seeing to. There was some dried sausage in there from 2003! It wasn't covered with mold but, somehow, I still don't think I could bring myself to eat it. Out!
2. Wash cushions on glider. Oh dear, dare I confess that we've never washed these in the entire seven years that we've owned the thing? OK, I confess (cringe). I did my best impression of a grape stomper in the bathtub while washing them out because they just don't fit into our washer (hence our excuse of never having done this before). You don't want to know how dirty the water was but they are oh-so-clean and fresh-smelling now.
3. Do some bike maintenance. My poor bike! It's been years since I gave it a cleaning. Today was the day. A couple of hours later, I had a cleaner bike and a much dirtier yet happier me.
There is something deeply satisfying about cleaning up, isn't there? Maybe not while you're doing it, but definitely when you're all done.
1. Clean out refrigerator. That funky smell finally got to us. M started the job off by clearing everything out and I finished it off by giving the insides a good seeing to. There was some dried sausage in there from 2003! It wasn't covered with mold but, somehow, I still don't think I could bring myself to eat it. Out!
2. Wash cushions on glider. Oh dear, dare I confess that we've never washed these in the entire seven years that we've owned the thing? OK, I confess (cringe). I did my best impression of a grape stomper in the bathtub while washing them out because they just don't fit into our washer (hence our excuse of never having done this before). You don't want to know how dirty the water was but they are oh-so-clean and fresh-smelling now.
3. Do some bike maintenance. My poor bike! It's been years since I gave it a cleaning. Today was the day. A couple of hours later, I had a cleaner bike and a much dirtier yet happier me.
There is something deeply satisfying about cleaning up, isn't there? Maybe not while you're doing it, but definitely when you're all done.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Don't Think, Just Do
Ugh. Today's class started out with R Sensei asking me to get up in front of the class to demonstrate a back roll. (Presumably for the benefit of the brand-new student who came for the first time - he picked the wrong person.) Stage fright set in and I did it incorrectly, FOUR FREAKING TIMES!! Good grief! Go over the shoulder opposite to the leg that goes down first! In the effort to do the rolls well, I thought too much about the process and imploded. Sigh. The rest of the class reminded me that shouldn't think that much.
After working on a set of techniques (tsuki kotegaeshi, tsuki kokyu nage, tsuki irimi nage), the rest of the class sat down in seiza to watch two of the higher ranked students do a little free-style practice. This is always very cool to watch because it's done at full speed and, at the higher ranks, you can really see why aikido is a martial art. There's innovation, split-second timing and the evidence that repetition does result in muscle memory. Cease to think about the response, you just do. It's all about practice. Practice, practice, practice.
In the meantime, to feel better, I can always do front rolls, which I love.
After working on a set of techniques (tsuki kotegaeshi, tsuki kokyu nage, tsuki irimi nage), the rest of the class sat down in seiza to watch two of the higher ranked students do a little free-style practice. This is always very cool to watch because it's done at full speed and, at the higher ranks, you can really see why aikido is a martial art. There's innovation, split-second timing and the evidence that repetition does result in muscle memory. Cease to think about the response, you just do. It's all about practice. Practice, practice, practice.
In the meantime, to feel better, I can always do front rolls, which I love.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
School's (Almost) Out For Summer
Next Thursday is D's last day of school. First grade will be done with. I don't know who is going to heave the biggest sigh of relief: D, his teacher, or us, his parents. It's been quite a year. Let's just say that there have been issues with paying attention, wandering around the classroom, not listening to instructions - and I'm not talking about his teacher.
Somehow, D has managed to learn his math facts (to 20) along the way - well, mostly. He can write descriptive and narrative paragraphs. He's reading up a storm and loves books. He's collected an impressive number of pink slips (that's code for misbehavior citations) but has also earned a few blue ones (aka merit slips).
I know he's been under stress in class. Hmmmm, maybe it was the 'I hate school! I don't want to go to school." refrain that I've heard at least once a week.
I don't know. Is it just me or are kids required to know much more at a much younger age these days than when we were kids? Tonight at dinner, D was telling me that he was learning fractions in class. I can't remember when I learned fractions but I'm pretty sure it wasn't first grade. At this rate, there will be AP Calculus by fourth grade. Good grief. I can tell you this: requiring kids to know things by the end of the first grade isn't going to magically happen if these children are not yet mature enough process that type of information. We can drill them into submission and regurgitation of facts but is that really what we want? Is it?
Last Sunday, I was reading a really interesting opinion piece in the San Francisco Chronicle about testing for second graders in CA. I agree and think expectations are too high. Kids just need to be kids, especially six- and seven-year olds. Sure, we want to instill good study habits early but is all this drilling going to result in a love of learning? I don't think so. This is the time to make learning an enjoyable challenge. I bet those people who setting the learning standards are far removed from remembering what a 7 or 8 year old is like.
Hurray for summer and the freedom it brings. Yes, we'll still be reading and writing and doing some math (I'm not crazy - "Use it or lose it" is definitely a factor.) but, without the threat of testing hanging over our heads, we are going to have fun along the way.
Somehow, D has managed to learn his math facts (to 20) along the way - well, mostly. He can write descriptive and narrative paragraphs. He's reading up a storm and loves books. He's collected an impressive number of pink slips (that's code for misbehavior citations) but has also earned a few blue ones (aka merit slips).
I know he's been under stress in class. Hmmmm, maybe it was the 'I hate school! I don't want to go to school." refrain that I've heard at least once a week.
I don't know. Is it just me or are kids required to know much more at a much younger age these days than when we were kids? Tonight at dinner, D was telling me that he was learning fractions in class. I can't remember when I learned fractions but I'm pretty sure it wasn't first grade. At this rate, there will be AP Calculus by fourth grade. Good grief. I can tell you this: requiring kids to know things by the end of the first grade isn't going to magically happen if these children are not yet mature enough process that type of information. We can drill them into submission and regurgitation of facts but is that really what we want? Is it?
Last Sunday, I was reading a really interesting opinion piece in the San Francisco Chronicle about testing for second graders in CA. I agree and think expectations are too high. Kids just need to be kids, especially six- and seven-year olds. Sure, we want to instill good study habits early but is all this drilling going to result in a love of learning? I don't think so. This is the time to make learning an enjoyable challenge. I bet those people who setting the learning standards are far removed from remembering what a 7 or 8 year old is like.
Hurray for summer and the freedom it brings. Yes, we'll still be reading and writing and doing some math (I'm not crazy - "Use it or lose it" is definitely a factor.) but, without the threat of testing hanging over our heads, we are going to have fun along the way.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Caught on Film!
It's finally happened. After almost 18 years of driving, I've gotten my first ticket. Ever.
Sigh.
It was one of those Saturday morning surprises where I opened my mail, wondering why the Traffic Enforcement Office was writing to me. Looky-loo! A nice set of photographs showing someone, who was most definitely me, driving a car that was most definitely ours, turning right at a red light without coming to a complete stop.
The 'bail' for this violation? $361. THREE HUNDRED SIXTY ONE DOLLARS!!!!!! Good grief! It practically erases all the gas money that we've tried to save by driving our more fuel-efficient car most of the time. Grrrrrrrr.
So, it's off to court for me, or I can pay the bail and request to attend traffic school to keep the point off of my licence. Apparently I can do the traffic school online. Hey, I'm all about online courses. Sign me up, sir. But I still have to pay up.
Double sigh.
Then I started reading the fine print. It says: "...On Wednesday, May 30, 2007, I placed this Notice to Appear in an envelope addressed to the registered owner, lessee, or identified driver as shown above, sealed it, and deposited the envelope in a United States Postal service receptacle..." (boldface mine)
Now, the envelope arrived at my house unsealed and with no noticeable wetting of the envelope glue. My privacy has been violated! Do you think I can get off on a technicality?
Sigh.
It was one of those Saturday morning surprises where I opened my mail, wondering why the Traffic Enforcement Office was writing to me. Looky-loo! A nice set of photographs showing someone, who was most definitely me, driving a car that was most definitely ours, turning right at a red light without coming to a complete stop.
The 'bail' for this violation? $361. THREE HUNDRED SIXTY ONE DOLLARS!!!!!! Good grief! It practically erases all the gas money that we've tried to save by driving our more fuel-efficient car most of the time. Grrrrrrrr.
So, it's off to court for me, or I can pay the bail and request to attend traffic school to keep the point off of my licence. Apparently I can do the traffic school online. Hey, I'm all about online courses. Sign me up, sir. But I still have to pay up.
Double sigh.
Then I started reading the fine print. It says: "...On Wednesday, May 30, 2007, I placed this Notice to Appear in an envelope addressed to the registered owner, lessee, or identified driver as shown above, sealed it, and deposited the envelope in a United States Postal service receptacle..." (boldface mine)
Now, the envelope arrived at my house unsealed and with no noticeable wetting of the envelope glue. My privacy has been violated! Do you think I can get off on a technicality?
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