Nefarious and I finished Charlie and the Chocolate Factory today. As is surely no surprise to anyone it was a big hit, and I’m looking forward to starting on the sequel tomorrow.
Today began with flying — reviewing stalls and spins, which are lots of fun, although spins/spirals are a little disconcerting because of the G forces being so much higher than anything else I’ve done in the Cessna and it really doesn’t seem like it can take that much loading. I would love one day to learn aerobatic flight, although what I really want is a sea plane, so I think getting certified on that, along with my instrument certification, is what I want to do next.
On the way to the airport I got hassled by the cops once again (they ignored the blatant speeders and pulled me over instead). First they tried to tell me that my tires weren’t street legal — even though they are, and it says right on them that they are. Then they complained that they stuck out too far, which they don’t, because I have extra-wide fender flares to cover them. Finally they fell back on the old standard of “you need to have mudflaps”, which first of all is not true, and second, even if it was, they can’t cite me for it on a sunny day. Failing to find any legit reason to ticket me, they told me that they were going to send me to the ministry so they could do a complete audit of my truck for legality and roadworthiness — right then and there. I told them that I was headed to school, and pointed out my books and headset, and the cop rolled his eyes and said something snide like “oh, it figures you’d be a pilot.”
He did end up letting me go, after I promised to put mudflaps on later in the day. Largely to save myself the headache of constant harassment from power-tripping pigs that don’t know the law, I actually did end up picking up a $30 set of mudflaps that I’ll screw on next time I have a spare moment. I’m not flying again until Friday, but tomorrow I’ve got my medical for my pilot’s license, and then on Thursday I’m at the hospital for other stuff.
After supper I took Nefarious and her friend Cassie to the park — it’s really nice playing there in the evenings because it’s a little cooler. Someone had left newspaper lying around so I made paper hats and paper planes for all the kids in the group to play with and we had tons of fun. Caitlin stayed home and tells me it was good timing on account of our neighbour (the one with the band) and his girlfriend having one of their screaming matches.
Before going to the park, we stopped at McDonalds to get McFlurries at the drive-through. They took my order and confirmed it, and then took my money. The line was moving slowly, so I probably had to wait about five minutes by the time I got to the final pick-up window. The girl stuck her head out the window and asked me what I ordered. I repeated that I’d gotten three McFlurries, and she said, “oh, the ice cream machine is broken so we’re not serving those today.”
Then she goes back in to doing other stuff. I’m sort of confused by this, and wait. She comes back to the window and stares at me, as if she’s wondering why I haven’t left yet. I’m like, “um… so… I’m not getting my McFlurries?”
“No, we don’t have them today.”
And she just stares at me.
“So… are you going to give me my money back then?” I ask.
“Oh, you wanted to get a refund?” she says, acting surprised.
“Of course I want a refund if you’re not going to give me what I ordered!” I tell her and, after waiting another couple minutes, she comes back with my money. Very strange that she would think that I wouldn’t want my money back.
Anyway, other than that Nefarious has been putting on concerts, which are arrangements of her own songs, combined with a dance routine. What I thought was really cool — and certainly beyond anything I thought to do as a six year old — is that she’s not only been writing out lyrics, but when she writes them out, she also scripts her choreography! I just love it… she really lights up my life! She’s been asking to be put in a performing arts program (singing most of all), so I think it’s definitely time for that and when the school year starts, something will be sorted out for sure.
13 Comments
sounds like a very odd day. however, nefarious’ musings are awesome. lyrics and choreography?! inspiring. most popular “artists” (if you call lil wayne an artist) don’t even do that. watch her closely (as if you could NOT watch her), she is going to do great things. i have a gut feeling.
My oldest, Lilly (9) writes songs all the time. She’s had a song journal for as long as she’s been able to write. I LOVE her shows…she even gets Bella (her little sister) to sing back up for her :)
You’ve got a place you can go to get an official, final ruling on whether or not your truck is street legal? Can you go there on your own without the cops sending you there, and get it documented in a form you can carry with you? Might save hassles in the future, if you present that document to the cops tactfully.
Or, alternatively, get it printed as a 3-ft-wide tailgate decal, or something similarly subtle.
Where to begin ;)
RE – the truck. Paint arrows pointing to each item the cops pick at – and also paint the specs of those items by the arrows :P So, when they opt to pull you over, you already have the items listed so there isn’t “confusion” :P (well, it’s a nice idea anyways :P )
Also: Paper hats: Kudos to you! Being able to find things to have fun with (without needing to spend money on them) is an AWESOME thing!! It is these items that show that there are things in life that you don’t need to spend an arma and leg on — yet they are just as fun (maybe even more),
Re: Nefarious and her concert/choreography stuff:
In a way, that reminds me of the Bronti sisters :)
She sounds very talented, and when she gets a bit older, she will have many options for her future (be it as a writer, artist, or beyond). :)
And RE: you flying….
Should I look up the coordinates for my location and give them to you so you can either fly overhead – or stop by and take me to Canada :P
i am intrigued by the spirally characters/bits.
FtP!
While there is the unfortunate need for enforcers of the law since apparently there is an element of society that cannot behave without being told they will go to jail or Hell, it’s REALLY unfortunate when those in the position trip on it. Gr. It gives them all a bad name but I suppose that’s no more fair than being a racist or a sexist, blah blah blah.
Waterplane, yay!!!
I too really enjoy the spirals done by Nefarious and cant help but think she’s one of the luckiest people I know of as far as her support system and native intelligence goes.
even after you put the mudflaps on though, won’t they still harass you for something else? They seem to enjoy pulling you and that car over.
I loved Roald Dahl books as a child (and still do). A client of mine recently recommended the Inkheart series to me and they sound pretty good. Are you familiar with them?
“oh, it figures you’d be a pilot.”
Now that is just odd. Because pilots are know for being scoff-laws? Police are very strange sometimes.
Pilots, esp non commercial ones are known for being arrogant. *shrug*
“um… so… I’m not getting my McFlurries?”
LOL…
I don’t think cops like off road vehicles full stop. I drive a Land Rover Discovery here in the UK. Drive around the streets with nutters in cars driving like assholes and causing chaos all day and night, not a cop in sight. Drive a 4×4 on mountain road and within 10 minutes max you get stopped. If theres more than half a dozen 4x4s together they even get a helicopter out. To be honest i’m sure they hang around on mountains because it’s quiet and they don’t have to do real police work. Look after yourself Shannon and take it easy.
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