It's been an odd day!

As most of you have probably already heard, I was in a car accident this morning. I will now answer your questions that you are thinking in your head

Yes, I am okay and no Van was not in the car. He stayed the night with his granny and pawpaw.

Yes, it was my fault. I glanced over to check my blind spot to change lanes and when I looked forward again...the car in front of me that was going 65 mph was then going 0.

No, the person in the other car was not hurt. Her minivan actually drove away.

The car is totaled. See pictures below.





Just an FYI, if you were in your car between 8:00 and 9:00 and listening to your radio and they mentioned an accident East bound on I-40 near Penn....THAT WAS ME! I feel somewhat famous.

I got to meet a nice OKC police officer, OHP patrolman, many EMT's, and many OKC firemen. I met more of these people later in the day but I am getting ahead of myself.

Now for an interesting note. While sitting in the OHP car, I talked to the patrolman and he was telling me a little about his 19 years on the force. While working MVA's (motor vehicle accidents) he has been hit 3 times. I mean his body has been hit 3 times. If that wasn't enough, he patrol car has been hit 9 other times. I knew they had a dangerous job but who knew.

Now the odd part. I went to the salvage yard the Cruiser had been towed to, so that I could clean out all of the crap that had accumulated (which was a lot of crap.) I was sitting in the lobby waiting for the paperwork when I overhead the owner talking to the tow truck driver, who in a slurred speech told him where he was. 15 minutes later he called him again and in an even more slurred speed told him he was in the same spot. I mentioned to the owner that he didn't sound good and asked if he had any medical conditions (diabetes, etc). His answer was yes, he is diabetic. The owners spouse went to check on him and she promptly called back telling the owner to get there quick. I was asked to come because I seemed to know what I was talking about. When we arrived he was sitting in his truck somewhat slumped over, sweating profusely, and nearly incoherent. I told them to get a some candy and a coke and call 911. Remember when I said I met more officers, EMTs, etc. Here they came. His glucose level was 24 when they arrived and they put in an IV to get him to normal levels. He was okay with some time.




The odd part, he was the guy that towed my car that morning!

Later on, Brooke and I go to pick up the rental car and what did they give me for a rental......PT Cruiser. Brooke thinks I should buy a lotto ticket with the luck I have had today.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Just a quick post to tell my wife again, Happy 4th Anniversay!

Picture of the Week

Before you freak out, this is NOT VAN. I have not taped him to a wall..........yet.

Video of the Week!

I don't know who to feel sorry for. The man or the elephant?!?

Josh Hamilton sets HR Derby Record

The few of you who look at this are saying who cares about a HR derby record and then you are probably saying who cares about this Josh Hamilton guy. We will start with the second of those two.
Josh was drafted in 1999 by the Devil Rays with huge expectations for his baseball career. Josh didn't actually make it to the Big League before he was suspended for multiple failed drug tests. He did not play baseball from 2002-2006, during which time he became a severe drug addict. After a tough battle, he finally cleaned his act up but he credits this to God and his faith that he found during the process. Here is his story in his own words on ESPN. I know it is kinda long but if anything read the last five or so paragraphs about signing autographs after a game. He spends a lot of his time now telling people about his story and about his faith.
Now, he plays for the Texas Rangers and has made the roster for the All-Star game in his second season as a Pro. Then tonight happened.....In the first round of the HR derby he hit 28 HRs, breaking Bobby Abreau's record of 24 set in 2005. It was a truly amazing exhibition, ending up with 3 of the top 10 longest HRs in derby history. The best part of it all was listening to him give all the credit to God and Jesus.
We hear and see a lot and I mean a lot about athletes, musicians, actors, etc. that have all kinds of troubles. More people like Josh need to be getting attention, not for the problems, but for overcoming them.

Picture of the week

Long Time, No Blog

I know that there really aren't many people who look at this but, after over two months of staleness, I have something that has gotten my attention long enough to remember to blog about it. Really, there are two somethings:

1.) OKC is a BIG LEAGUE CITY The team formerly known as the Seattle Supersonics are going to be in Okc starting next season!! I am not a big NBA fan but for some reason this has really gotten me jazzed up. I was happy to have the Hornets but knowing that this team is here to stay (as long as we support them) makes it so much better. Just think we could be having NBA playoff right here in OKC in the next few years. I won't be a season ticket holder but I will go to a few games, and probably buy a shirt or hat or something.

2.) I got a new set of golf clubs. Don't ask Brooke about them she gets all vaclempt just thinking about it. Hopefully, I will now be on my way to an amateur golf tour to make my mark on the world of golf. Hey, you never know. Nate and John, try not to be too jealous.

Well, there you go. Nothing earth shattering but it is a blog entry.

And now for a way overdue Picture of the Week:

Picture of the Week II

Picture of the Week

Here is something new I think we will give a try. I post a picture and you get to create the subtitle. Post your best subtitles.

Our Body the Universe Within!

Last night Integris sponsored a night at the Oklahoma Science Musuem. For those of you going where is that??? (AKA The Omniplex) I was one of the lucky 200 employees and their guests that was able to go for free. If you are at all wondering about this exhibit let me tell you that I think it is truly fascinating and would recommend just about anyone go and see it. Brooke ,my guest, would tell you that I am a physical therapist nerd and that this isn't for everyone. Here are a few pictures from the exhibit: (disclaimer-I did not take these pictures they are from the official website.

I do have a couple of quick precautions before you go:

1. Do not take young children unless you are prepared to answer a lot of body part related questions, if you get my drift.

2. There is a prenatal room. You do not have to go in this section but if you go in here be prepared for exactly what the room is named for.

If you choose to go I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did!

Why do socks always disappear?

Have you ever wondered what the inside of a washing machine looks like? Not the basin you put your clothes, but the actual inside. I hadn't.......until tonight! Brooke had put a load of laundry in and it wouldn't drain the water out of the basin. After a call to my know it all handy man, aka Dad, I decided fix the problem myself. You would be surprised at how little there really is to the inner workings of a washing machine. The other thing that would surprise you, the amount of water that your washing machine holds. I mean copious amounts of water, a cornucopia of water, a plethora of H2O, and it goes everywhere.....fast.... when you take the water pump loose. After all was said and done, the problem......one of Van's socks had gotten lodged in the pump. It really was an easy fix.

The meaning behind the story....you always thought your washing machine ate your socks. It is true, and if you get lucky it may just choke on it as well.

The Best Things in Life are Free!!!

We have all heard the saying.....the best things in life are free.....IT IS TRUE!!

Take a look at the new addition to the family.

A Sony 51" Widescreen HDTV! We are the lucky recipients, due to a lack of space issue for it's previous owners.

Complete Opposites

I know that many of you have been concerned about Liz and her recent cholecystectomy. Before she went in for her surgery on Thursday I called her surgeon and told him that everyone would like to see what her gall bladder looked like when he took it out. He sent me this picture yesterday.

Now you can understand why it was causing so many problems. Congrats Liz on getting rid of a non-essential organ!

On another note, a couple of weeks ago I had the chance to smoke an entire turkey! If I do say so myself it looked great and according to the 4 helping of turkey Brooke's dad ate, it tasted good too!

MMMMMMM.......turkey!

Back Again!

I know that many of you were attempting to blog everyday in the month. Well, I had my own challenge......try not to blog for over two months!! I have to say it was difficult but I was committed to excellence. As for those of you who did not post every day in November, you could only wish to have the stamina and fortitude to finish things they way that I have. Anywho.....

Quick Rant:

Went to Wal-Mart this afternoon after work. Got what I needed and with my 2 items decided the self check-out was the way to go. Here is how this should have gone:
Get in line wait 5 minutes at most for the couple people in front of me to finish and quickly scan my two items, pay and leave.

Here is what actually happened:
All lines had a butt load of people. Got behind a couple that had a full cart but looked as though they had things going well. I was WRONG. They took 15 minutes to finish, then couldn't get find a credit card that worked (6th time is the charm). Finally it was my turn. My card is now being declined, after a few attempts the front end person comes over and says "Are you using a debit card? The self checks aren't taking any debit cards."

Derek's Guide to Self Check:
Fewer than 10 items only.
No fresh vegetables/fruits
You must be younger than 50 and older than 20
No Children scanning items
No Checks
If you think that it looks difficult it is, don't try it
Do you have trouble setting the clock on any device, don't try it
Have you ever had to ask someone how to use an All-in-One remote, let a professional do it for you.
Does it look like fun to scan your own items? It's not

In short don't use the self check lanes. That way I can always get out quickly!

Thanks

Your Vote Matters: Part Two!

Yesterday was the final day to have a hand in determining the fate of Barry Bonds 756th home run ball. The results are in, drum roll please.........Brand It! A resounding 47 percent of people chose to have an asterisk burned into the ball and sent to Cooperstown. Here is the proclamation, Vote756.

Your Vote Matters!

I am sure that very few who read this will actually care about this but I thought that it was funny.

Mark Echo, founder of the Echo Clothing line, has purchased the ball that Barry Bonds hit for his 756th HR to break Hammerin' Hanks record for $750,000. He has decided that he will let the public decide what should be done to the ball. This is your chance to make an impact on Baseball history. Here are your choices:

A. Bestow It: To Cooperstown to be preserved for all to see and appreciate.
B. Brand It: Take a branding iron of an asterisk and burn it into the ball before sending it to Cooperstown.
C: Banish It: Put it on a rocket and send it into Space.

Go and vote, then post what your vote was and why.

College Football Challenge

How about a friendly College Football Challenge? If you have listened to any sports radio show, they always have a Lock of the Week. Here is how it works:

You pick one game each week against the spread.

How do I do that you ask?

1.Take a look at a website such as Yahoo Sports. Below is an Monday Night example.

Monday, Sep 3
Favorite Open Today O/U Underdog
Florida State 3 3 45 at Clemson

Florida State is the favorite. They are favored to win by 3 points. Open is what it originally started at and after people have bet Today is what is has changed to.

2. Pick a team

If you choose Florida State -3, they have to win by more than three for you to be right. If you choose Clemson +3, they must not get beat by more than 3 points for you to be right.

How do you win? Pick the most Locks of the Week correct over the season.

Post your pick each week as a Comment and I will keep a running track for everyone. Please post your pick as "Team" + or - "Points". Good Luck!

Countdown to Kickoff

Licensure Exam!

The last few days have been a bit stressful for me. I was scheduled to take my Board Licensure Exam on Wednesday. This has been something that I had been putting off most of the summer, mainly for two reasons:

1. I just finished school, I didn't want to study anymore.
2. How can you study when you have a new addition to the family??

Okay, maybe there is another reason....... What if I didn't pass? I had spent the last three years of my life working to have the opportunity to take that test!

As you probably know, I don't really get stressed out about much of anything, other than OU football. See other post for Countdown to Kickoff. But this really had me freaked out. So much that I didn't study for it like I should have. It didn't help much that between the two practice tests they gave us in school and the three practice tests that came with my study I passed a grand total of ZERO!

I took the test yesterday, it only took me 4 hrs and 10 minutes. I left with my brain feeling like someone had taken it out and played with it like playdough. They told me it would be between a couple of days and a couple of weeks for find out how I did.

Just for the fun of it I decided to check the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure to see if they had updated my application. THEY HAD! The moment of truth had arrived pass....fail.....pass.....fail.....PASS!!!!! I will let you take a look for yourself. The right hand column where it says fully licensed, that means I passed.

To those of you who prayed, fasted, ate curly fries, etc for me on Wednesday I appreciate it.

I am a smoker now!

Through a series of rather fortunate incidents I have become the proud owner of a Bradley Smoker . This past weekend I had the privilege to cook up a couple of slabs of ribs. I have to say that this has become my new hobby.

My next endeavor will either be some quality pork tenderloin or maybe a some jerky. Any and all suggestions are invited.