2. I was returning to Hayward (KHWD, home airport) class D. I was
approaching from the south, and was told to fly inbound on a "modified
straight in" (whatever the hell that is supposed to mean).

In my experience this refers to a specific track along the ground
(such as at EMT, following the channel, which is sort of aligned with
the runway, but not really all that closely). If in doubt, ask. OF
course there's the danger that the other airplane doesn't know what it
is, and didn't ask either.

Jose
--
Freedom. It seemed like a good idea at the time.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.