Every day is a new day and with that, a new opportunity.
EVERYONE is welcome and please join us each morning at 7:30 AM PACIFIC
to tell us what you're working on, share your show & tell, vent, whatever you want...
...this is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.
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Were Driver's Education and Training offered in your high school?
How did you learn to drive?
I was taught to drive by 'Crazy Hal.' Hal was our San Bernardino High School human physiology instructor who also owned a discount stereo components store. I bought my first amplifier from him.
Hal was beyond bored with teaching and would drone on in misogynistic fashion, warning the young ladies to not apply their lipstick in the rear-view window while driving and to not leave their pantyhose in the back seat after their big date. He had no similar admonitions for the young gentlemen. When his high-pitched nasal voice had just about put us to sleep with lengthy explications of the California Basic Speed Law (his personal favorite) he'd shift gears into terrorizing us with grainy versions of the California Highway Patrol's retro-gruesome Red Asphalt.
This cinematic attempt at freaking kids right out of ever driving above 10 miles per hour was dubbed by the L.A. Times as "the 'Reefer Madness' of driving: Forget trying to reason with teenagers, just scare 'em." The rest of the review perfectly captures the scared-straight tactics of the famous film series, though we only were shown the first two of four. While a thrill went through us at the anticipation of the gore we'd been hearing about since Freshman year, Red Asphalt failed to deliver on its hype, disappointing all when that rumored decapitation scene never materialized.
Teenagers.
The original 1960 version of Red Asphalt.
Warning: Though not as gross as legend would have it, still not for the squeamish.
After the classroom-based Driver's Ed came hands-on Driver's Training, using official school vehicles. Ours lacked the rumored brake pedal on the passenger side, though the occasionally rattled instructor often nervously pumped an imaginary brake anyway. These classes were more about getting the requisite hours in than actually practicing evasive maneuvers, handling hazardous road conditions or learning the effects of sudden braking. We mostly tooled around quiet back roads in sullen silence. Again, this being 1973, the instructor made no secret of his disdain for women drivers, and I couldn't help but notice he castigated the girls in far greater measure, while the boys were treated as if they'd already been driving for years and only needed a brush-up to get their license. They were allowed to do everything but pop wheelies, while the girls were continually reminded to check that blind spot and drive exactly the posted speed limit, which could be in violation of the California Basic Speed Law.
I had no one at home to practice with afterwards as we couldn't afford a car, but my best friend's mom took the two of us out in her Plymouth Valiant and spent an afternoon teaching us how to parallel park, this being in her mind both the pinnacle of driving perfection and the only obstacle between us and our license. I borrowed her car for the DMV driving test, where I was instead asked to back up the length of half a street, an unpracticed maneuver that left me weaving from one side of the road to the other. Despite these demerits I passed the rest of the test (never pausing to check my makeup in the rear-view window) and was released into the world with my 6 month Learner's Permitand the chance to finally learn how to really drive.
What did you go through learning to drive, or teaching your kids to drive?
Latest Updates on Kossack Regional Meet-Up News Below the New Day sunrise cloud
:: COMMUNITY BUILDING UPDATES ::
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Let's build communities!
Every region needs a meatspace community like SFKossacks.
We take care of each other in real life.
I urge YOU to take the lead and organize one in your region.
Please tell us about it if you do and we're here for advice.
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THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
>>>Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
NEW GROUPS IN THE PROCESS OF ORGANIZING:
Send a Kosmail to the organizers and ask for an invitation to the group.
• Northern Indiana Area: Kosmail Tim Delaney
• Long Island: Kosmail grannycarol
• Northern Michigan: Kosmail JillS
• Nebraska: Kosmail Nebraska68847Dem
• Westburbia Chicago Kossacks: Kosmail Majordomo
• New York Hudson Valley Kossacks: Kosmail boran2
• North Carolina Triangle Kossacks: Kosmail highacidity
• Caprock Kossacks (Panhandle/Caprock/Lubbock/Amarillo area) : Kosmail shesaid
• West Texas Kossacks (including Big Bend Region and El Paso) : Kosmail Yo Bubba
Note to the above new leaders: Feel free to leave a comment any day reminding readers about your new group. Also, tell us about your progress in gathering members. Kosmail me when you've chosen a good name for your group and have created a the group. Then I'll move you to the NEW GROUPS LIST. When you've planned a date for your first event I'll make a banner for you to highlight your event in our diaries and your diaries.
These are the groups that have started since * NEW DAY * began. Please Kosmail navajo if you have started a group before that.
NEW GROUPS LIST:
• California Central Valley Kossacks - Formed: Jul 29, 2012, Organizer: tgypsy
• New England Kossacks - Formed: Aug 6, 2012, Organizers:
Clytemnestra for Lower New England (Conneticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island)
nhox42 for Upper New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont)
• Houston Area Kossacks - Formed: Aug 7, 2012, Organizer: Chrislove
• Kossacks in India - Formed: Aug 14, 2012, Organizer: chandu
• CenTex Kossacks - Formed: Sep 9, 2012, Organizer: papa monzano
• Central Ohio Kossacks - Formed: Sep 26, 2012, Organizer: VetGrl
• Kansas City Kossacks - Formed Oct 15, 2012, Organizer: [Founder stepped down]
• Phoenix Kossacks - Formed Oct 16, 2012, Organizer: arizonablue
• Chicago Kossacks - Formed: Oct 31, 2012, Organizer: figbash
• Koscadia the Pacific Northwest coast from Northern California to Alaska
- Formed Oct 17, 2012, Oganizer: Horace Boothroyd III based in Portland, OR
• Boston Kossacks - Formed: Nov 7, 2012, Organizer: GreyHawk
• Motor City Kossacks South East Michigan (Detroit) Area - Formed: Nov 10, 2012, Organizer: peregrine kate
• Pittsburgh Area Kossacks - Formed: Nov 12, 2012, Organizer: dweb8231
• Salt Lake City Kossacks - Formed: Nov 17, 2012, Organizer: War on Error
• Twin Cities Kossacks - Formed: Nov 17, 2012, Organizer: imonlylurking
• Dallas Kossacks North Texas - Formed: Nov 21, 2012, Admins: Catte Nappe and dalfireplug. Please contact them to join the group. An Event Organizer needed.
• The Southern California Inland Empire Kossacks - Formed: Dec 3, 2012, Organizer: SoCaliana
• Los Angeles Kossacks - Formed: Dec 17, 2012, Organizer: Dave in Northridge
• Northeast Ohio Kossacks - Formed: Jan 16, 2013, Organizer: GenXangster
• Kansas & Missouri Kossacks - Formed: Jan 17, 2013, Organizer: tmservo433
• I-77 Carolina Kossacks who live from Columbia, SC to north of Winston-Salem, NC. - Formed: Jan 30, 2013, Organizers: gulfgal98 and eeff
• Indianapolis Kossacks - Formed: Feb 6, 2013, Organizer: CityLightsLover
• Southwest Ohio Kossacks - Formed: May 10, 2013, Organizer: Dr Erich Bloodaxe RN
• Northern Arizona Kossacks - Formed: Jul 5, 2013, Organizer: Sam Sara
• Mexican Kossacks - Formed: Apr 14, 2013, Organizer: roberb7
ESTABLISHED GROUPS LIST: (List will grow as we discover them)
• SFKossacks Founded by navajo, Formed: May 2, 2005
• Maryland Kos Founded by timmyc, Formed: Feb 23, 2011. Contact: JamieG from Md for a group invite.
• New York City Founded by Eddie C - Contact the group organizer for meet-up events: sidnora
• Baja Arizona Kossacks, Event Organizer: Azazello
• Three Star Kossacks Tennessee, Founded by maryKK, Formed: Apr 8, 2011
• Nashville KosKats, Founded by ZenTrainer Formed: Jan 30, 2012
• Virginia Kos Founded by JamieG from Md, Formed: May 3, 2011
• Kos Georgia Founded by pat208, Formed: Feb 13, 2011
• Colorado COmmunity Founded by Leftcandid, Formed: Feb 13, 2011
• New Mexico Kossaks Founded by claude
• Philly Kos Founded by mconvente Formed: Aug 29, 2011
• DKos Florida Founded by ThirstyGator, Formed: Feb 14, 2011, Currently organizing: Kosmail Vetwife to be included in next event.
• Oklahoma Roundup Founded by BigOkie, Formed: Feb 13, 2011, Currently organizing: Kosmail peacearena to be included.
• DKos Asheville Founded by davehouck, Formed: Feb 13, 2011 - Organizing Assist by: randallt
:: Events Currently on the Books for ALL Kossacks ::
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Saturday, October 19th
Los Angeles Kossacks Dine at Saladang Song Again
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Saladang Song
383 S Fair Oaks Ave • Pasadena
ORGANIZER: Send Dave in Northridge a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Dave in Northridge
2. 714day
3. SanFernandoValleyMom
4. susans
5. otoelbc
6. philipmerrill
7. gmats
8. ducktape
9. Shockwave
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: LA Kossacks: Meetup: October 19, 2:00 PM, Pasadena, Saladang Song
Saturday, October 19th
DKos Asheville Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: The Bywater
796 Riverside Dr. • Asheville
ORGANIZER: Send randallt a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. randallt
2. davehouck
3. Joieau
4. Gordon20024
5. gulfgal98
6. DawnN
7. Sandy on Signal
8. Mr Sandy on Signal
9. Munchkin
10. Alecia
11. Mr Alecia
12. cultjake
13. flwrightman
14. Otteray Scribe
15. Burns Lass
16. bobwilk
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Maybees:
people power granny
One Pissed Off Liberal
Christian Dem in NC
SteelerGrrl
SteelerGuy
polecat
Audri
Phil S 33
Elaine
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Latest diary: DKos Asheville - Weekly Open Thread
Sunday, October 20th
MEGA Philly/NJ/NYC Kossacks Meet-up!
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Stuff Yer Face
49 Easton Avenue • New Brunswick, NJ
ORGANIZER: Send mconvente a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. mconvente
2. belinda ridgewood
3. thankgodforairamerica
4. gchaucer2
5. sidnora
6. rubyr
7. mattc129
8. hayden
9. mallyroyal
10. Avilyn
11. blue jersey mom
12. ericlewis0
13. Rogneid + husband
14. aoeu
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Maybees:
aravir and son
ask
Cinnamon
No Exit
andgarden
asterkitty
pfiore8
joanneleon
renzo capetti
MRA NY
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Latest diary: Philly/NJ/NYC Mega Meetup! Additional Call for People Interested in Attending!
Friday, October 25th
LAKossacks & SoCal Inland Empire See Lewis Black!
TIME: 9:00 PM
LOCATION: Agua Caliente Casino Resort & Spa
32-250 Bob Hope Dr. • Rancho Mirage
ORGANIZER: Send 714day a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. 714day
2. jakedog42
3. susans
4. Otoelbc
5. Chiwere
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Maybees:
Shockwave
SoCaliana
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Latest diary: L.A. Kossacks, Lewis Black Fans in So Cal
Friday, October 25th
Meet the Daily Kos Editorial Staff!
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Daily Kos HQ
Address given privately to RSVP'ers • Berkeley
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
You will need to bring Potluck.
HQ will be providing the main course; Salvadoran pupusas queso y loroco, (thick corn masa tortilla stuffed with cheese & Salvadoran vegetables and served with curtido & salsa) tamales de sal, (chicken tamales with potato & gravy steamed in plantain leaves) tamales de elote, (white ground corn served steamed) fried yucca and plantain.
Please volunteer for beverages & side dishes needed below.
- POTLUCK SIGNUP -
Beverages:
20 bottles of wine [11 down, 9 to go]
16 six-packs of beer [7 down, 9 to go]
8 six-packs soft drinks [1 down, 7 to go]
6 six-packs bottles of water [6 complete]
Appetizers:
5 appetizers, anything goes here. Whatcha' got? [3 down, 2 to go]
Side Dishes:
4 green salads needed, each to feed 10 [4 complete]
3 black bean side dishes needed, each to feed 10 (need Salvadoran inspiration?)
3 rice side dishes needed, each to feed 10 (need Salvadoran inspiration?)
Desserts:
6 desserts, a dozen hand-held desserts each [5 down, 1 to go]
ANNOUNCING: A Carved Pumpkin Contest with 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prizes. Feel free (or not) to bring an already carved pumpkin complete with candle. They will be placed on the tables for decoration and then voted on by attendees. Remember, a PRE-carved pumpkin.
RSVPs:
1. Markos
Editorial Staff:
2. Susan Gardner
3. Meteor Blades
4. Joan McCarter
5. Hunter
Staff:
6. Faith Gardner
7. Will Rockafellow
8. Jen Hayden
Activism Team:
9. Paul Hogarth
10. Chris Bowers
11. Rachel Colyer
12. Michael Langenmayr
Tech Team:
13. Jason Libsch
14. Scott
15. John
16. elfing
SFKossacks:
17. navajo + large ice chest with ice + 4 bottles of red wine
18. Lusty + dessert
19. side pocket + four 6pks beer + 2 wines + stuffed mushrooms appetizer
20. paradise50 + two 6pks beer
21. smileycreek + 2 wines
22. citisven + beer + beet dip
23. norm + pumpkin bars
24. Lorikeet + big bowl of fruit
25. kimoconnor + appetizer
26. remembrance and TLO + 1 wine
27. Glen the Plumber + Pasta Mystery Dish
28. madhaus
29. dharmasyd + brownies
30. ceebee7 + green salad
31. lineatus
32. Dave in Northridge + 2 bottles of wine
33. linkage
34. LinSea + six 6pks of bottled water
35. Shockwave
36. catilinus
37. FogCityJohn
38. justiceputnam + grilled balsamic veggies
39. zmom
40. exlrrp + souvenirs ;) !
41. shanikka + salad
42. DAH
43. BroadBlogs
44. jpmassar + dessert
45. PatG + dessert
46. LaughingPlanet + one 6pk of juice drinks
47. Mrs. side pocket
Maybees:
Cedwyn
Saturday, October 26th
Drinks and Dinner at Lefty O'Doul's
TIME: 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Lefty O'Doul's
333 Geary St • San Francisco near Union Square
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. smileycreek
3. paradise50
4. dharmasyd
5. kimoconnor
6. Glen the Plumber
7. remembrance
8. norm
9. Dave in Northridge
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Maybees:
Eyesbright
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Saturday, October 26th
Houston Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Cafe Mezza
6100 Westheimer Road • Houston
ORGANIZER: Send Chrislove a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Chrislove
2. suesue
3. Mr. suesue
4. Mary
5. Alan
6. doraphasia
7. htowngenie
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Maybees:
Delilah
Mr. doraphasia
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Latest diary: Houston Area Kossacks: Meet-Up Scheduled for Saturday, October 26!
Saturday, October 26th
New England Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 10:30 AM
LOCATION: Silly’s
40 Washington Avenue • Portland, ME
ORGANIZER: Send nhox42 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. nhox42
2. rebereads
3. Portia Elm (a potential mileage winner!)
4. bjedward
5. nailbender
6. Bill in Portland Maine
7. Common Sense Mainer
8. mdevine
9. theMarti
10. patmoshimer
11. commonmass
12. Actbriniel
13. LoreleiHI
14. mayim
15. Jane in Maine
16. Padula
17. bluesheep
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: C+J Kossack Fall Meetup (Updated 9/25/13)
Saturday, November 2nd
SFKossacks BBQ in the Wine Country
TIME: NOON
LOCATION: Andrew McGuire's home in the Wine Country
Address to be given privately to RSVPs • Windsor
Andrew McGuire is Executive Director of California One Care
We will also be honoring Día de los Muertos with an altar, feel free to bring something to place there.
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Andrew McGuire
2. navajo
3. Shockwave
4. Hunter
5. elfing
6. Hunter/elfling offspring
7. smileycreek
8. paradise50
9. dharmasyd
10. maggiejean
11. norm
12. Lusty
13. dksbook
14. Mr. dksbook
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15. kimoconnor
16. jpmassar
17. side pocket
18. Mrs. side pocket
19. ceebee7
20. ceebee7's sister
21. leema (will carpool from Marin)
22. Meteor Blades
23. Glen The Plumber
24. remembrance
25. TLO™
Maybees:
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Send navajo a kosmail if you post a diary about an event so we can update our round-up.
Okay. Floor's open.
Tell us what you are doing on this NEW DAY?