Who knew? California’s DMV has YouTube videos to help me pass my Behind the Wheel test

Posted on September 27, 2010 by sharisax

This post is for EVERYONE who needs to take the Behind-The-Wheel driving test — whether they’re 16 or 60.

Driving definitely is a privilege that I now appreciate in ways I could never have imagined before my 55 days as a passenger. Despite being cleared by doctors, I’m scheduled to take the Behind The Wheel driving test — which I haven’t taken since way back when.

The student in me was really excited to learn that California’s Department of Motor Vehicles [DMV] produced dozens of videos, and below you can view the ten clips featuring the most common reasons that people fail the test. Continue reading “Who knew? California’s DMV has YouTube videos to help me pass my Behind the Wheel test” »

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In which you get to know Guest Blogger Mike Maynard & his Wit & his Farmville strategies

Posted on September 25, 2010 by sharisax

For those of you who “get it” — i.e., understand that Web 2.0 is all about the (a) democratization of publishing, (b) discovery of genius, and (c) creation of Wisdom — you’ll appreciate this opportunity to Get Up and Personal with writer Mike Maynard, whose brilliance fills the blog-within-my-blog entitled “Say NO to credit cards . . . and YES to getting rich & famous” Continue reading “In which you get to know Guest Blogger Mike Maynard & his Wit & his Farmville strategies” »

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It’s no Small Thing to lose your driving privileges . . . and it’s NO Small Thing to get them back!

Posted on September 18, 2010 by sharisax

at your fingertips 150x150 Its no Small Thing to lose your driving privileges . . . and its NO Small Thing to get them back!You can’t believe the difference that driving a car actually makes!

It didn’t matter that my first morning driving [after two months of sleepless nights, extended waits, untolled hours on public transportation, and endless calling of friends to drive me] . . .  involved a multi-accident traffic tie-up that meant I could have ridden the 7.5 miles on my bike in less than the 55 minutes it took in my car. Continue reading “It’s no Small Thing to lose your driving privileges . . . and it’s NO Small Thing to get them back!” »

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When it’s very, very, very difficult to be happy about Good News

Posted on September 11, 2010 by sharisax

Good news 225x300 When its very, very, very difficult to be happy about Good NewsThe weather was beautiful today, but . . .

1. Early in the morning, my doctor sent an email:

“The preliminary reading on your ultrasound suggests some dysfunction of the heart, though I’m not certain this would have anything to do with the episode of loss of consciousness. I’m going to discuss the results with the cardiologist, and I’ll get back to you.” Continue reading “When it’s very, very, very difficult to be happy about Good News” »

Posted in Griping, Stories with Morals | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

Call your mother, but keep check on those car keys

Posted on September 8, 2010 by sharisax

Of the 45 “Instructions for Life” I typically share with my English students at the beginning of every semester, one of the most meaningful to me has always been #15 “Call Your Mother.”

Grandma 150x150 Call your mother, but keep check on those car keysThis post is dedicated to my mom, Rebecca Balcher, who passed away three years ago, five days after her 90th birthday. Continue reading “Call your mother, but keep check on those car keys” »

Posted in Memories, Pearl under the Rock | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

She says, “Thank you, Sir, for this ride.” He says, “Thank you, M’am, won’t you be my bride.”

Posted on September 7, 2010 by sharisax
Faith Kinslow’s creative genius never takes a rest. Ever since I met her online during a social media teleclass, we have been fans of one another, and she is continually thinking of new ways for ME to become Rich & Famous.
Posted in blog-within-a-blog, Pearl under the Rock | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Say NO to credit cards . . . and YES to getting rich and famous

Posted on September 3, 2010 by sharisax
Writing a blog about not being able to drive has taken on a life of its own because of the cool people coming into my “vehicle-less” life. And I’d like to invite EVERYONE to meet EVERYONE else by stopping back at the first post “How to Get Rich and Famous on the Web.” Continue reading “Say NO to credit cards . . . and YES to getting rich and famous” »
Posted in blog-within-a-blog, Pearl under the Rock | Tagged , , , , , , | 58 Comments

So pull up a chair and get it off your chest . . .

Posted on September 1, 2010 by sharisax

My original intention was to write about all the awesome things happening for me BECAUSE I can’t drive myself around — like deepening relationships with my friend-drivers — but then today’s public transportation mis-adventures happened. Continue reading “So pull up a chair and get it off your chest . . .” »

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Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. It’s ALL small stuff. Or is it?

Posted on August 29, 2010 by sharisax

Three buses, two BART* rides, and another two friends to get me back and forth to Oakland for the English class I teach at Laney College. Lots of Drivers du Jour . . . and one conversation worth noting: Continue reading “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. It’s ALL small stuff. Or is it?” »

Posted in Small stuff?, Stories with Morals | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments