Interesting Day

Some days are more interesting than others. Last week proved that. Last week I headed out that morning to pick up my new boss on the way to my first day at my new 2nd part-time job. I had stopped to pick up sustenance at McDonald's and was attempting to unwrap my breakfast burrito as I cruised along the highway. Glancing to my right I realized that was currently passing a state highway trooper. Oops! I slowed down and managed to pull over in his lane in front of him. Too late. His lights went on along with his siren. This is the point where you imagine the deep sigh that I emitted.

I pulled off to the side which caused him to have to squeeze between my vehicle and the railing to be safe. I politely handed him my ID and insurance card as he asked if I was on my way to work. I replied that it was my first day at a new job hoping that he might take pity on me.

As I sat in my little Escape (which wasn't helpling me to escape), I utilized my time by eating my two breakfast burritos and drinking my tea. What else was I to do? Wring my hands? Cry? Heck no! I could see the officer on his radio as I ate. I knew that I wasn't a convicted felon, so I should be safe. Hmmm.... How many points do I currently have on my license? Hmm... not sure....

I watched with only a little trepidation as he returned to my passenger window with my cards....... and unfortunately a speeding ticket AND the handy pre-addressed envelop with which to send in my fine if I should so choose as to not appear in court. Sigh......

Not a great start to the day as I am already late picking up my boss and haven't called her. No problem, she called me only moments later as I pulled away from the side of the road. She was gracious about the whole event. The rest of the morning went well, although we decided security at my new domicile were idiots since they couldn't figure out how to set up my new ID for my job. Another day for that.

I managed to drop my boss off after noon and head to the last day of NASA Camp for my 1st part-time job. I wasn't as early as I had hoped and didn't have quite as much dry ice for the afternoon's experiment as I had hoped due to evaporation, but all was well. The afternoon went well, the dry ice comet was awesome, and I was told I had the Gold Award for Mad Scientist according to one of my young charges. ( She had attended several Mad Science events, so she should know.)

Then we went outside to shoot off our rockets. Okay, so the engine was a bit powerful and the rocket went w-a-a-a-y off into the trees. No problem, I sent a student in to get another rocket. As I talked with the rest of the group outside, one of them said, "Is that a fire?"

Those are NOT words you want to hear, especially when you are in charge of a group of children. I thought perhaps it was smoke from the recently launched rocket. Oh, no, that would be too easy. There were flames near the launcher. I dashed over to look and yelled for another student to run in and get a pitcher of water. (Yes, I forgot the water!!!) As I stood there watching the grass burn, I picked up the launcher. One of the three legs was on fire and was melting as I watched. What to do? The flames were too big to stomp on, right? I didn't want that nasty black plastic on the bottom of my shoe. I did finally step on the grass fire, but blessedly the water arrived and I was able to put out all flames.

Surprisingly (after telling some of the screaming girls to sit down and act appropriately), we launched a second rocket with the lopsided launcher propped up. It went up quite nicely, but still headed way out to the woods. Oh, well, time to go in. In the last 10 minutes, fun materials were handed out and everyone left happily.

However, is it any wonder I went home to unwind and forgot a friends 60th birthday celebration? A person can only do so much.