Monday November 17 2015

Gerhard Human.[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.


Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Maca Powder, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Marley Coffee Raw Protein Drink.


I had planned on going to the gym before I get an alarming call from Kevin. He's working at China Wok and his car broke down on the highway. I'm called upon to cover his full day shift. I'm not very happy. I find myself becoming very disappointed whenever my gym time or exercise time is cut out of my day.


PB&J. Banana. Honey Black Tea.


I usually have music lessons Monday through Thursday. I'm able to teach two voice lessons from 4 to 5 but have to reschedule the others to another day. This whole day has been disruptive and strange for me. Soon I'll find out just how disruptive this day can get...


I return to China Wok to continue deliveries. There's one for Bernice Place off Lynnhaven Pkwy. I pull up to a long line of traffic waiting at a red light. The car in front of me up ahead begins to move so instead of stopping I just slow down. Then, the car stops suddenly. I hit the brakes just in time. Phew. However, another guy behind me doesn't get the memo in time and plows right into my back bumper causing my car to bump the car in front of me, a "chain reaction" accident as they call it. Another disruption to my already disrupted day. The guy behind me gets out and explains it's his mother's car – he's very apologetic and accepts responsibility. Between the three of us there's obvious confusion. No one expects to be in this kind of situation but anyone who's been in an accident before knows the drill: exchange insurance information. In general I'm just flustered. The cops show up and intervene causing this whole ordeal to last another hour. It's ridiculous. The police aren't always necessary. We probably could've handled it ourselves. One of the officers pulls me aside and blatantly asks me, "Why does it smell like weed? You've got your windows open and I can smell it. I can't tell if it's coming from your car or the other guy's."

I reply, "Uh, I don't smoke weed, sir. I have no idea."

After a few more seconds of drilling me he backs off, "I can tell you're being honest with me."

Me: "Well, you're probably trained to look out for that."

This whole conversation is completely irrelevant. After listening to everyone's story they hand us the crash info exchange sheets, send off the lady who drove the car in front of me, and keep me and the other dude behind to write out "following too closely" summons. I question the officer, "Why are you writing this out for me? That doesn't make sense." He explains even though the guy behind me caused the chain reaction, because my car hit a car in front that qualifies him to write a "following too closely" ticket. You've got to be kidding me. Pre-payable offenses my ass. I'm not pre-paying a citation I'm not responsible for. I'll see you in court. Like I said, we could've handled this ourselves.


And so I continue into the night. I finish delivering the order I still had in my car when the accident happened. I explain to the customer the situation and why it took so long. He seems to understand and tips well.


Honey Crisp Apple.


Overall I'm making almost half of what I usually make in a full day's shift. That's how slow it is. After 9 p.m. the girls are sleeping in the restaurant chairs, Ling's in the back watching a movie on his phone, and Cecily is playing a game on hers.


Off work at a decent hour.

Fava Beans with Broccoli and Rice.


Dropping my car off at the shop overnight so my mechanic can fix some kind of an engine mount warranty.


Herbal Tea. Playing piano.


Sleep 4 a.m.


[i] Gerard Human.

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