A Rant

My dad was wearing a bright yellow jersey and two blinking lights when he was hit by a driver about two hours ago, as he was leaving home for a ride. The guy turned right into Dad and kept going, not knowing that he hit my dad, a man who is 6'1" and about 170 pounds. He only stopped when a witness raced after him.

Dad went to the hospital in an ambulance, while my mom followed. She brought clothes, food, and water, already knowing that they are going to be in the hospital for awhile. This is not our first rodeo. Dad was hit in February 2007 by a driver on his cell phone. He had several vertebrae cemented together but a mere 2 months later, he was back on the bike.

Right now, they're waiting to hear back about x-rays and CAT scans. The bibs had to be cut off and he's got road rash. Dad's coherent, so there's not too much for us to worry about...until results of scans come back. He could have internal injuries or fractures. And if that's the case, his livelihood and his summer plans for next month are completely ruined.

I WANT TO BERATE THE CRAP OUT OF THE DRIVER. 

I HOPE POLICE CHARGE HIM 

WITH NEGLIGENCE 

AND RECKLESS DRIVING.

These accidents shouldn't happen. But they do. ALL THE TIME.

Impending Deadlines

In case you haven't seen me lately and have been hoping to see me soon, here are seven reasons as to why you won't see me for the next 4 weeks (sorry Scorchers!).

1. Monday, April 8: First draft of MPR is due
2. Thursday, April 11: Op-Ed & Book review due
3. Wednesday, April 24: Transportation policy paper due 
4. Friday, May 3rd: MPR is due

In addition to these due dates, there's:

• Parking studies: Wed. April 3, Thurs. April 4, Mon. April 8, and Tues. April 9*
• Presentations: TWO presentations on Tuesday, April 30, one for my MPR and the other for a campaign strategy assignment.
• Work: I just put in for extended leave from employment! BUT... I will be using the work time to spend late nights finishing papers.
• Packing: My partner and I have decided to be completely moved out, with our belongings in storage, by the time graduation rolls around. 

I'm at a crossroads in which things are falling comfortably into place, but I've begun to question how I will handle the constant stress of the coming weeks. I've turned to cigarettes and Adderall before to get through crunch times like these and I'm wondering which is worse: addictive tobacco or a mild, legal form of speed? [Opinions and comments welcomed!]

My thesis is ongoing and I'm tying up loose ends. I feel one hell of a bonfire beneath my butt when it comes to the deadlines but as things start to knock off, it will be easier. In the meantime, please forgive me for being absent for the next four weeks. Check back; you may find rants, epiphanies, and other commentaries on here. Hopefully, some successes too. :)

*Still looking for volunteers to help with parking studies. Reach out for information!*

This is, more or less, how I'm feeling about my deadlines. Where's the water?!