Ouchies
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So, I definitely crashed on my scooter this morning. Blah. Stupid rain. I was driving (at a reasonable, safe speed, despite having played Mario Kart a bit recently) through the constant drizzle this morning, and I got to a snaking portion of coastal road on Oshima, and I hydroplaned through a hard right into a skid. I separated from the scooter as I went down on my right side, and it spun out ahead of me as I slid after it mostly on my right side and then on my face. As in previous experiences, the weirdest crap went through my mind. I remember worrying that the friction would give me burns and being thankful that I’d warn a full face helmet today. Luckily, I was covered head to toe in my rainsuit and had gloves on. They took the brunt of the damage. Both the rainsuit and suit are ruined, though. My slacks were torn through in 3 or 4 places.
I collected broken pieces of my scooter, my belongings that had been strewn about, and checked myself over for substantial injury. When I was sure I was gonna make it to the city, I said thanks to the kind soul who stopped for me. He told me to be careful, and I said I would be. I put my jacket back on and kept going. I stopped at a convenience store. That was preplanned, actually. I needed the 200 yen for the bridge, so I was going to buy a drink to break my 1000 yen bill. But instead, I bought gauze and a towel. I just wanted to prevent myself from bleeding onto my clothes. I finished the drive in the cold all the way to school and walked in looking pretty bad. Despite my crash, I made it in just after morning meeting.
A teacher I’m friends with walked me to the nurses’ office, and they disinfected my cuts, put patches on my bruises to help with swelling, and arranged a change of clothes. I am wearing black track sweats. Ha ha. With a tie. It’s a weird combination. But that’s life. They treated me really well. So now I just have to deal with classes today and then I’ll be free to head to the store. I need to buy a new rainsuit, a haircut, a new suit eventually, and try to accept the damage done to my scooter and my pride. Ha ha. But thank goodness I’m ok. As they say here, 不幸中の幸いだ。 A bit of happiness in misfortune. 
on April 24th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Tell the truth Deas; you were ogling a pretty girl when it happened.
But for cereal, glad you are okay!
claytonian’s last blog post..Last term in office
on April 24th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Ok…I admit it…I was very likely ogling a pretty girl in my head when it happened. I can tell you it wasn’t a real pretty girl, cause…they all left to find work elsewhere. Or to find pretty boys elsewhere. Or both. But one thing’s for sure - unless she was elderly or a fish, it was in my head.
And for cereal, I’m glad I’m ok too!
on April 24th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Isn’t it strange how the moments leading up to (potentially) major bodily harm seem to slow down as time stretches, leaving you with quickly flowing thoughts that slightly irk you because they won’t help to stop the imminent pain?
I had a pretty nasty accident involving a hill and skateboard in high school, and as I flew through the air in what felt like minutes instead of seconds, my thought process went something like this:
“Dear God, not the face. The arms and legs I can deal with, but please not the face. Am I really flying into stone-riddled asphalt right now? There aren’t any soft things like bushes around, are there… OK, now I’m sliding on my shoulder and left arm. This is asphalt under me, and I’m wondering why I’m sliding on it for this long. Why won’t I stop sliding?!”
Then I stood up and the first regret was, “Aww man! This is my favorite shirt!! Well…was my favorite shirt.” I tried to get home with as few people as possible staring with horrified looks on their faces at my blood-red left side. I had to sleep on my right side for about two months after that, and I came out of it with two cool scars, one on my elbow and the other my shoulder. You can actually see the small grooves where pebbles had embedded themselves in my shoulder. As my mom always says, “Scars are cool - They give you character, and stories to tell.”
Alex’s last blog post..And here I thought ?irony? was a foreign concept in China.
on April 24th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Alex - you nailed it, man. Every time I’ve been in a dangerous, violent, sudden moment of panic, the flow of time changes abruptly. And you always do think weird things. And I’m always amazed at how my body knows what to do when my conscious mind doesn’t. Watching a reflex in slo-mo, or noticing that your body chose the least damaging way to fall somehow is amazing. And scary. But yeah. Well, that makes one scar for each year I’ve been here. During my first summer I was branded with a hot cinder block held by a student at a summer camp. Got a funny triangle discoloration for that one on my arm. We’ll see if my cuts turn into anything worthy of a completely made up battle story. (Let’s face it…hot cinder block doesn’t cut it…neither does “I slipped in the rain.” Ha ha.) I can be creative, though. We’ll see.
on April 25th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Deas, glad that you are OK and sorry to hear about all of the stuff you’ll have to replace but it’s just stuff, you are still with us!
Here’s a good ‘made up battle story’ for you. My Dad has a scar on his belly that he used to tell us kids that he got in a sword fight. I believe him for a long time and thought he was so brave - turned out it was the scar from having his gallbladder removed!
Shane’s last blog post..Yabusame - Japanese Archery
on April 25th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Dude, I didn’t realize THATS why you needed a new suit. You conveniently left that out and I had to read it on your blog. Glad you’re okay!! And feel free to come on over to our lovely mall for a new suit. Damo just bought his wedding suit there.
Nicole’s last blog post..We Are One.
on April 25th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Shane - Thanks. Cute battle story. I guess I should figure out if I’ll even have scars before I let my mind kick into creative overdrive. Ha ha. But swords….that’s a good start.
Nicole - Well, I didn’t want to freak you out! The suit pants are toast. I think I can salvage the jacket via drycleaning. The blood came out of my dress shirt like a dream, though. I was shocked at that - cold water and soap, and just a bit of scrubbing. And poof! Clean! Awesome. I love that shirt even more now. Besides, it’s a lovely pale yellow color. Goes great with my blue hue ties.
on April 27th, 2008 at 4:29 am
Deas, Just talked to Will and he told me about your accident. Glad to hear you are ok. Hope your bike survived well enough to keep you going. I have downloaded Skype so get to talk to Will when we are up at the same time for free, pretty cool stuff. Take care my man and keep on keepin’ on.
Larry & Bonnie Mangum
on April 28th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Hey Mr. Mangum! I saw Will over the weekend twice. We went to eat okonomiyaki on Friday and then shopping on Sunday. Good times. Ha ha. I have Skype too - so I’ll look you up on there sometime. Thanks for the well-wishing. I’m healing up marvelously and I’ll be at 120% in no time.
It was just minor stuff anyway. Ha ha. Thanks for the comment.
on June 1st, 2008 at 8:01 am
Just wanted to let you know that Mrs. Mangum retired today from teaching. We are excited about our life know that she doesn’t have to show up every day. Hope all is well in your camp. Take care my friend.
on June 2nd, 2008 at 10:20 am
Hey Mr. Mangum - happy retirement! That is so cool. My mom’s a teacher, and she’s excited about just getting out for summer finally. I can’t imagine how free you must feel. Enjoy it!