I usually try to stay positive on my posts, but I'm sure the news of my crash will eventually leak. That's right, Ol' Red took a spill, to my big surprise. I mean I was caught off guard as much as anybody, and I was driving the damn thing. The stretch was a dangerous negotiation, and one I always get pretty apprehensive about. It's that piece of driveway right in front of Clark's Oyster Bar, on West Sixth and Blanco. I believe it is the most treacherous piece of walk-way that I have yet come across driving my scooter around town. I can't believe that (1) it took me this long to call the city, and (2) I didn't suffer more injuries.
I was headed west along Sixth enjoying the Old West Austin surroundings. The damaged sidewalk was on my left as I maneuvered past the driveway entrance to Clark's, that doubles as a sidewalk. It looks like someone took a jackhammer to the cement there and just left it. You almost need a four wheeler to get past. The opening is only about eight feet across and leads to the parking area, four spaces on each side, just in front of the Oyster Bar.
What to do? is always a dilemma. I tried to avoid the devastated section by taking the high road around the mine field. The only problem is that surface is also on the incline, but slanting the other way. It was around 4:30 in the afternoon and the parking lot was full so I had to squeeze the scooter into a tight spot. Otherwise, I would've had to brave the shatter of broken concrete, and I wasn't in the mood to rattle my teeth.
My other option was to take the bike lane onto 6th, then travel another 10 yards before I could safely get on the sidewalk. Hindsight is so confusing. "What I should've done . . ." comes to mind. Scooters are built for flat surfaces. Until I saw myself getting thrown from the saddle and ending up under a parked car, I had no idea that was going to happen.
I won't go on boring you with the details since I have something more important to talk about. On 19 January, I'm celebrating five years since my stroke. I don't know if celebration is right word because I sure wasn't celebrating when it happened. Back then, I didn't know what to think.
But on my fifth year into this thing, I'm starting to find silver linings. For instance, my stroke got me started in the copywriting business. I'm living out my dream of becoming a writer. Before, I was in the education business and the closest I got to writing was reading student writers. Editing the flow of words by checking for proper punctuation, acceptable grammar, and holistic assessment. Then my stroke occurred, and I had few options for redemption.
The first job I had was with Pearson Education, continuing what I had done as a high school teacher only with more accountability that I was scoring correctly. I was able to work 20 hours a week. Due to my aphasia I had a hard time keeping track of all the requirements and standards. It is seasonal work, mostly around SAT time and other end of year assessments. So I was demoted to score in fifth grade papers, and soon after I lost my will to score.
I was headed west along Sixth enjoying the Old West Austin surroundings. The damaged sidewalk was on my left as I maneuvered past the driveway entrance to Clark's, that doubles as a sidewalk. It looks like someone took a jackhammer to the cement there and just left it. You almost need a four wheeler to get past. The opening is only about eight feet across and leads to the parking area, four spaces on each side, just in front of the Oyster Bar.
What to do? is always a dilemma. I tried to avoid the devastated section by taking the high road around the mine field. The only problem is that surface is also on the incline, but slanting the other way. It was around 4:30 in the afternoon and the parking lot was full so I had to squeeze the scooter into a tight spot. Otherwise, I would've had to brave the shatter of broken concrete, and I wasn't in the mood to rattle my teeth.
My other option was to take the bike lane onto 6th, then travel another 10 yards before I could safely get on the sidewalk. Hindsight is so confusing. "What I should've done . . ." comes to mind. Scooters are built for flat surfaces. Until I saw myself getting thrown from the saddle and ending up under a parked car, I had no idea that was going to happen.
I won't go on boring you with the details since I have something more important to talk about. On 19 January, I'm celebrating five years since my stroke. I don't know if celebration is right word because I sure wasn't celebrating when it happened. Back then, I didn't know what to think.
But on my fifth year into this thing, I'm starting to find silver linings. For instance, my stroke got me started in the copywriting business. I'm living out my dream of becoming a writer. Before, I was in the education business and the closest I got to writing was reading student writers. Editing the flow of words by checking for proper punctuation, acceptable grammar, and holistic assessment. Then my stroke occurred, and I had few options for redemption.
The first job I had was with Pearson Education, continuing what I had done as a high school teacher only with more accountability that I was scoring correctly. I was able to work 20 hours a week. Due to my aphasia I had a hard time keeping track of all the requirements and standards. It is seasonal work, mostly around SAT time and other end of year assessments. So I was demoted to score in fifth grade papers, and soon after I lost my will to score.
Copywriting Conference I have always been a sucker for ads in magazines that can make you rich by going into business for yourself. I remember my first attempt at selling stuff was through the snail mail, before the Internet, back in the 80s. Little did I know, that was a marketing ploy created by a copywriter. So I became familiar with that type of business when I was in my 30s, before I started teaching. So here I am again, now that I am trying to redeem myself. There's a lot more at stake than when I could fall back on the teaching option, way back when.
I would like to start saving money again, in a big way. Chris and I would like a vacation to visit family in Manchester, England. Also, I need a new vehicle. If this copywriting gig works out the way AWAI describes, I will have plenty of work to not only keep me busy, but that will fill my sparse bank account. But it is not easy, nothing ever is. Especially when you have disabilities. You have to study real hard and create magic through research and persuasion. And then you have to attract clients! But it gets easier, and you just have to have faith.
That's how Donald Trump won the election. Besides being a showman, he is a master marketer. By employing proven techniques such as tapping into the same shared emotions of fear, love, loyalty, anxiety and vanity that copywriters use, he convinced the right voters in the right states, and was able to get more than 271 Electoral College votes. As demonstrated in the election, copywriting encourages people to take action, but usually to spend money for goods or services. But all politicians employ copywriters.
That is how I intend to make a living. By using the techniques of persuasion, I can help a nonprofit or a goodhearted businessperson to get more notice in this seemingly chaotic and digitally overloaded society. If I can make sense of Google and tame the slew of information coming at me all the time, then I will have taken the first steps I need to be successful. I already completed one job and got another one doing search engine optimization, or SEO. I really need study to learn the processes and to make them stick.
I would like to start saving money again, in a big way. Chris and I would like a vacation to visit family in Manchester, England. Also, I need a new vehicle. If this copywriting gig works out the way AWAI describes, I will have plenty of work to not only keep me busy, but that will fill my sparse bank account. But it is not easy, nothing ever is. Especially when you have disabilities. You have to study real hard and create magic through research and persuasion. And then you have to attract clients! But it gets easier, and you just have to have faith.
That's how Donald Trump won the election. Besides being a showman, he is a master marketer. By employing proven techniques such as tapping into the same shared emotions of fear, love, loyalty, anxiety and vanity that copywriters use, he convinced the right voters in the right states, and was able to get more than 271 Electoral College votes. As demonstrated in the election, copywriting encourages people to take action, but usually to spend money for goods or services. But all politicians employ copywriters.
That is how I intend to make a living. By using the techniques of persuasion, I can help a nonprofit or a goodhearted businessperson to get more notice in this seemingly chaotic and digitally overloaded society. If I can make sense of Google and tame the slew of information coming at me all the time, then I will have taken the first steps I need to be successful. I already completed one job and got another one doing search engine optimization, or SEO. I really need study to learn the processes and to make them stick.
Me being Safe I didn't mean to leave you hanging about my crash. When I found myself hurtling towards the asphalt in the parking lot, a lot of people witnessed it, also. About six or seven good citizens, patrons of the Oyster Bar, helped me up and sorted me out with my phone and front basket. I had no cuts or scratches. Only shaken, like a good James Bond martini, but fine enough to ride the rest of the way home. I have since taken to wearing a helmet every time I go outside on my scooter. Since, I have found a safer option around the damaged concrete, now I cruise through the area more cautiously and apprehensively. But Chris called the city to report the incident. As of date, nothing has been done about it. Incorporating good breathing techniques has made me more relaxed and attentive to possible obstacles.
With my copywriting jobs, ironically enough, I'll have to create more time for the blog. Be safe out there and always wear your helmet.
With my copywriting jobs, ironically enough, I'll have to create more time for the blog. Be safe out there and always wear your helmet.
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