I'll never forget the first time I was called a donkey (or at least, that I heard someone call me that - it's probably happened many times and I haven't been present or haven't noticed).

It was last january, and my mom had an early flight to one of the out islands, so I volunteered to take her since it would mean I would be up extra early and then I could head out to the north shore for a dp.
I got there by like 5:30 am, so it was still dark and I headed to starbucks to kill sometime. When it started getting light, I drove over to log cabins to check it out.
Thinking it was still too early for anyone else to really be up (stupid mistake), I was nonchalant in pulling my car over far enough to leave the little side road (I think it is ke iki rd.) open for another car to pass by.
When I ran up the trail to check it, I could tell it was good - just a little overhead - and no one else out. I excitedly skipped back to my car, already a little nervous for the waves (hey - I'm no charger, I'm a townie born and raised). As I got close to my car I suddenly heard someone laying on their horn and just yelling their head off. Uh-oh. When I reached the road I saw a very angry local guy cursing up a storm and calling me every nasty name I had ever heard. My car was blocking him from heading to work.
But what I remember most is him yelling, "The last thing I need is some HEE-HAW blocking my way!!! F****** DONKEY!!!!" I mumbled my apology, and scurried into my car and out of his way. My heart, which had already started beating faster in anticipation of the waves, was thumping hard since I figured I was lucky not to get my a** beat.
Mostly, I was embarassed - I like to pretend that I'm more than just a weekend warrior out in the country, but in that moment, I was fully aware of my permanent townie kookness.
But the funny thing was, once I got in the water, I was a lot more calm than usual, and I got a couple nice nuggets that day. I think the tongue lashing took the edge off.
So next time someone calls me a donkey (or a hee-haw), I don't think I will mind as much - hopefully it will motivate me to try to rise above my usual barney status.
