Got right-hooked into the curb this AM by a guy not paying attention as he passed me to whip into a parking spot. I stopped to make a mental note of the renovation company ads on the truck and call the guy a fuckface and went on with my day. Unfortunately I can't find a phone number for the place on the ads so I can't call up and call him a cunt as well. Too bad.
I have a follow up phone call to make regarding an interview at an Evanston non-profit and I'm not sure I want to make it. I'm pretty unhappy at the office today and if I actually get an offer from somewhere else I'm going to have a hard time saying no.
So the day has not shaped up well at all. Let's just get to the weekend at this point.
Current beer-scale: 6.8
Showing posts with label cars suck. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cars suck. Show all posts
4/24/14
4/11/14
great, more owwwwww
Yeah, got t-boned by an oncoming car turning left this morning. I don't know how, but I'm actually not too bad. I haven't checked the bike closely but that seemed fine somehow too.
I did ask for an ambulance to get called though, b/c at that point I was pretty pissed...
Here's the view from the squad car (the officer was a good guy, walked me into the hospital so I'd get checked quicker):
Here's the familiar sight of me kicking back in the ER waiting to hear about the xray:
Here's a small bruise forming that had me worried I did officially break my hand:
And here's my pinkie in a splint thanks to a small fracture:
Big picture things could have been much worse. I'm not in a lot of pain, I can still swim on Sunday since I don't have a cast, and I have an excuse to stay home now anyway. Plus, I didn't get drugs so I can drink tonite. And I will.
Current beer-scale: off the damn charts
I did ask for an ambulance to get called though, b/c at that point I was pretty pissed...
Here's the view from the squad car (the officer was a good guy, walked me into the hospital so I'd get checked quicker):
Current beer-scale: off the damn charts
11/15/12
mush damn you
Yeah, I was part of the problem today.
Going to the police academy this afternoon, in an area where it's very difficult to get a cab back from, so screw it, I drove.
Maybe I wasn't quite part of the problem, but I was definitely witness to it. Saw a bunch of drivers I would have called douche bags on a bike or not, but I also saw a bunch of bikers make what I would consider the absolute wrong decision if I was in the same scenario. Basically, everyone commuting is dumb except me.
The fact that I found a spot right on the street and didn't have to go into a garage is something I'm considering a karmic award for good driving, which just reinforces that everyone else is dumb.
It's Thursday and I can't wait to have a drink tonite.
Current beer-scale: 9.2
Maybe I wasn't quite part of the problem, but I was definitely witness to it. Saw a bunch of drivers I would have called douche bags on a bike or not, but I also saw a bunch of bikers make what I would consider the absolute wrong decision if I was in the same scenario. Basically, everyone commuting is dumb except me.
The fact that I found a spot right on the street and didn't have to go into a garage is something I'm considering a karmic award for good driving, which just reinforces that everyone else is dumb.
It's Thursday and I can't wait to have a drink tonite.
Current beer-scale: 9.2
3/2/12
yikes
Nearly got doored last night coming home, by some chick throwing open her door on Lincoln right before Belmont. I ended up with a hand on the cab to my left to stay steady as I slammed on the brakes and started screaming at this lady clue-lessly stepping into the street. Really, full volume, letting her have it. Not my best moment, but I was already in a pissy mood and fuck that lady for not looking around. If the worst things that came out of it was me calling someone a cunt then so be it.
This is at the end of a long week where I'm not really feeling the bike right now. Taking the train on Monday should take care of that but really, the nearness of what happened last night was enough to put me back on the bike this morning just looking for someone to flip out on. And looking for beer on the way home tonite.
Current beer-scale: 8.9
This is at the end of a long week where I'm not really feeling the bike right now. Taking the train on Monday should take care of that but really, the nearness of what happened last night was enough to put me back on the bike this morning just looking for someone to flip out on. And looking for beer on the way home tonite.
Current beer-scale: 8.9
1/27/12
thanks guy
It's been a decent week on the bike. Decent enough that when I almost got rubbed into a parked car by someone veering into the bike lane this morning I simply knocked on their passenger window and kept going. They didn't seem to appreciate getting the heads up so of course they let out an angry honk. I sent back a thumbs up and shook my head.
Unless it's some-car-is-slamming-on-the-breaks-while-I-grit-my-teeth-close (which happens more than I would like with people turning left across Lincoln), I'm of the feeling the thumbs up is way better than a middle finger. Confront someone already upset with more anger and things just escalate. Give them back something positive and it can stop them in their tracks. Even sarcastic positive.
Too bad it put me in a crap mood for a busy Friday. The fact that it's idiots setting idiotic meetings on a Friday might not be helping with that either, but I'm old enough to buy beer on my way home so I don't really care. Half Acre here I come.
Current beer-scale: 8.3
Unless it's some-car-is-slamming-on-the-breaks-while-I-grit-my-teeth-close (which happens more than I would like with people turning left across Lincoln), I'm of the feeling the thumbs up is way better than a middle finger. Confront someone already upset with more anger and things just escalate. Give them back something positive and it can stop them in their tracks. Even sarcastic positive.Too bad it put me in a crap mood for a busy Friday. The fact that it's idiots setting idiotic meetings on a Friday might not be helping with that either, but I'm old enough to buy beer on my way home so I don't really care. Half Acre here I come.
Current beer-scale: 8.3
1/19/12
Off day
The wife has a Dr's appointment this afternoon as she heads into the start of her third trimester so it was the train for me this morning as we're meeting up so I can go with her. Yah responsible parenthood!
It feels like a good time for a break as last night's commute home drove me crazy. It's wasn't too cold or too wet but I left a few minutes late and the assholes were out in full force. The hardest part about leaving late is all I want to do is rush home, but I have to remember to slow down and let any cars driving like dicks make their dick moves while I'm in the cold waiting for them to finish. Last night was particularly abrasive so the train didn't sound too bad today.
Once I was on the train that changed pretty much immediately, but it will be worth it to ride home with the wife tonite. Especially if it's below zero out like they're forecasting. Sounds like the dog is getting a short walk tonite too.
Current beer-scale: 7.7
It feels like a good time for a break as last night's commute home drove me crazy. It's wasn't too cold or too wet but I left a few minutes late and the assholes were out in full force. The hardest part about leaving late is all I want to do is rush home, but I have to remember to slow down and let any cars driving like dicks make their dick moves while I'm in the cold waiting for them to finish. Last night was particularly abrasive so the train didn't sound too bad today.
Once I was on the train that changed pretty much immediately, but it will be worth it to ride home with the wife tonite. Especially if it's below zero out like they're forecasting. Sounds like the dog is getting a short walk tonite too.
Current beer-scale: 7.7
11/11/11
One more day
Four days in the car and I'm losing my mind. A guy riding his bike on the sidewalk while walking his dog almost set me completely off yesterday when I finally got home. I need to make the shift to the 'it's the holidays' mindset and get back on the bike as soon as possible.
So lets get through one more late friday and gear up for the ten day countdown to having time off.
Current-beer scale: 8.9
ETA: and 10 hours later I've called it a day and I'm waiting for a train freezing my ass off. Christ I need to go to bed.
So lets get through one more late friday and gear up for the ten day countdown to having time off.
Current-beer scale: 8.9
ETA: and 10 hours later I've called it a day and I'm waiting for a train freezing my ass off. Christ I need to go to bed.
11/9/11
Surrounded by asshats
It's a bike-light week this week, out at O'Hare for a conference. And that means two hours in the car and a$22 parking fee each day. Joy.
So I'm surrounded by the same asshats that piss me off when I'm commuting, only I'm in the exact same boat. It's a blast.
Yup, that's $22/a day worth of parking right there.
I need a beer.
Current beer-scale: 5.9
So I'm surrounded by the same asshats that piss me off when I'm commuting, only I'm in the exact same boat. It's a blast.
Yup, that's $22/a day worth of parking right there. I need a beer.
Current beer-scale: 5.9
9/29/11
Explain it to me.
Seriously what is wrong with people. The first morning it's not raining all week and someone takes the time to roll down their window and hurl obscenities at me while I'm riding down Wilson. Traffic was moving, I wasn't in anyone's way, the sun was coming out, but this guy felt butthurt to the point of rolling down the passenger window of his Escape and telling me to get off the road and go fuck myself.
What am I supposed to do at that point? I'm in my bike area and he's not too close, so I didn't necessarily feel threatened. What I felt was dumbfounded at why this guy was screaming at me and what his problem really was this morning. Unfortunately the more I think about it the angrier I get but there's nothing to be done at this point. I'm at work in one piece, and I'll be back out there when it's time to go home. The control I have over things ends at my handlebars. All I can hope for is that things don't get crazier than I can handle I guess.
Damn I need a drink this morning.
Current beer-scale: 8.7
What am I supposed to do at that point? I'm in my bike area and he's not too close, so I didn't necessarily feel threatened. What I felt was dumbfounded at why this guy was screaming at me and what his problem really was this morning. Unfortunately the more I think about it the angrier I get but there's nothing to be done at this point. I'm at work in one piece, and I'll be back out there when it's time to go home. The control I have over things ends at my handlebars. All I can hope for is that things don't get crazier than I can handle I guess.
Damn I need a drink this morning.
Current beer-scale: 8.7
6/2/11
Time slows to a crawl when you're waiting for a tow truck. Especially when you're supposed to be moving into your new home.
What's that pooling under the car? Why, it's coolant after a pump broke loose, ruptured a timing hose, leaving us to stall out on Lawrence Ave during our first trip of the day for the big move. This was at 9:30 in the morning. Awesome way to start the day.
We heard a terrible rattling sound we hoped wasn't our car, but realized it was. We decided to try and make it up to the new place, and made it nearly all the way there. The car died on Lawrence as we were pulling into the left turn lane for Rockwell. You can see the trail of coolant from us pushing the car through the intersection to the curb.
Luckily this didn't fuck up our day too much. We had made a few trips the night before, and the movers weren't coming until 3 that afternoon. We got a tow to the shop in the old neighborhood, had the brother-in-law meet me at the old place to pick up the dog and few loose boxes, and I stuck around prepping for the movers.
Whew.
Current beer-scale: all-time high
What's that pooling under the car? Why, it's coolant after a pump broke loose, ruptured a timing hose, leaving us to stall out on Lawrence Ave during our first trip of the day for the big move. This was at 9:30 in the morning. Awesome way to start the day.
We heard a terrible rattling sound we hoped wasn't our car, but realized it was. We decided to try and make it up to the new place, and made it nearly all the way there. The car died on Lawrence as we were pulling into the left turn lane for Rockwell. You can see the trail of coolant from us pushing the car through the intersection to the curb.
Luckily this didn't fuck up our day too much. We had made a few trips the night before, and the movers weren't coming until 3 that afternoon. We got a tow to the shop in the old neighborhood, had the brother-in-law meet me at the old place to pick up the dog and few loose boxes, and I stuck around prepping for the movers.
Whew.
Current beer-scale: all-time high
5/26/11
it's a wide open road
Two rainy days and the path and streets have been relatively bike-free. Now if only they could be car-free, and my ideal morning would be complete.
I've caught myself reminding myself to slow down and take it easy a few times since getting clipped and it bugs me. I was the one wronged in that scenario, and yet it's me that has to watch out for other douches in their cars not stopping or turning on red. That's just how it goes on a bike. Especially in the rain.
But I don't have to worry about cars on the path, and Bike the Drive will hopefully help me shake the insecurities that have me riding feel a little uneasy lately. It's spring in Chicago, let's roll.
Current beer-scale: 8.8
I've caught myself reminding myself to slow down and take it easy a few times since getting clipped and it bugs me. I was the one wronged in that scenario, and yet it's me that has to watch out for other douches in their cars not stopping or turning on red. That's just how it goes on a bike. Especially in the rain.
But I don't have to worry about cars on the path, and Bike the Drive will hopefully help me shake the insecurities that have me riding feel a little uneasy lately. It's spring in Chicago, let's roll.
Current beer-scale: 8.8
5/13/11
Wow. Blogger goes down for a few hours and I go from having a great afternoon/evening to getting clipped by some asshole making a u-turn this morning.
So I took a long ride up north yesterday to pick up an academic robe for tomorrow's ceremony. I've been getting ready for this event for weeks and the mere thought of it being close to finally over is making me smile. But before it's over I get to wear a gown that's at least 50 years old. Awesome.
But I capped off last night with a trip to the dog beach, always awesome. My favorite spot in the city on a night that felt more like summer than early May. Good times.
So I woke up happy this morning, happy it was Friday, happy the week was nearly over, happy I was on the bike, only someone decided morning rush-hour on Fullerton was a good time to swerve right into the bike lane then whip around and pull a bitch. Clipped my back wheel as I tried to get around him since I had no idea what he was doing. I'm fine but the wheel is severely out of true. Hopefully a trip to the shop tonite isn't full of bad news.
Damn. And I was feeling pretty great too. That's swirling down the toilet, and I just want to get out of the office and punch random people driving their retarded cars around. Ah Friday.
Current beer-scale: 9.6
So I took a long ride up north yesterday to pick up an academic robe for tomorrow's ceremony. I've been getting ready for this event for weeks and the mere thought of it being close to finally over is making me smile. But before it's over I get to wear a gown that's at least 50 years old. Awesome.
But I capped off last night with a trip to the dog beach, always awesome. My favorite spot in the city on a night that felt more like summer than early May. Good times.
So I woke up happy this morning, happy it was Friday, happy the week was nearly over, happy I was on the bike, only someone decided morning rush-hour on Fullerton was a good time to swerve right into the bike lane then whip around and pull a bitch. Clipped my back wheel as I tried to get around him since I had no idea what he was doing. I'm fine but the wheel is severely out of true. Hopefully a trip to the shop tonite isn't full of bad news.
Damn. And I was feeling pretty great too. That's swirling down the toilet, and I just want to get out of the office and punch random people driving their retarded cars around. Ah Friday.
Current beer-scale: 9.6
5/4/11
shake it off
Got to spend most of my ride in this morning shaking off the adrenaline rush from nearly getting sideswiped by some chick swooping into the bike lane on Fullerton to drop someone off. She was close enough for me to knock on her window on my way by so I could be sure she saw me flip her off. I'm regretting that now as my messed up middle finger is starting to swell a little but it had to be done.
I was hoping a lenten season spent trying to curb my over-eager middle-finger-ing on the bike would last past Easter, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Some other idiot got a passing finger after blocking the bike lane at the back of a line of traffic. She'd be damned if anyone was getting past her on either side, bike or car. After nearly getting clipped I wasn't in a patient mood so she got the finger along with some derogatory shouts.
The great part of all of this is in a few weeks my commute will be that much longer, giving me even better odds of having to interact with some retard on their phone or stuffing their face with burger king takeout while they haphazardly drive to work. Both of which I've already seen this morning, both of which make me want to throw my ulock through a window.
I'm taking a long ride up to lakeshore campus this afternoon and potholes or not, I'm taking the path for as long as possible to avoid all these idiots in cars. It's gonna be a long end of the week.
Current beer-scale: 9.1
I was hoping a lenten season spent trying to curb my over-eager middle-finger-ing on the bike would last past Easter, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Some other idiot got a passing finger after blocking the bike lane at the back of a line of traffic. She'd be damned if anyone was getting past her on either side, bike or car. After nearly getting clipped I wasn't in a patient mood so she got the finger along with some derogatory shouts.
The great part of all of this is in a few weeks my commute will be that much longer, giving me even better odds of having to interact with some retard on their phone or stuffing their face with burger king takeout while they haphazardly drive to work. Both of which I've already seen this morning, both of which make me want to throw my ulock through a window.
I'm taking a long ride up to lakeshore campus this afternoon and potholes or not, I'm taking the path for as long as possible to avoid all these idiots in cars. It's gonna be a long end of the week.
Current beer-scale: 9.1
4/26/11
For fuck's sake
I know not everyone understands why people bike to work. Hell, I do it and sometimes I don't understand why. Today happened to be one of those days. But with gas still slowly creeping towards $5/gallon and Chicago dealing with the highest gas prices in the country, I don't understand how the holy fuck car traffic could be so backed up either.
I might still drive occasionally, but I will laugh my ass off this summer as gas prices go absolutely nuclear. Picture the clusterfuck on lakeshore drive during the snowpocalypse, then imagine a summer where people are abandoning their cars where they stop b/c they're completely out of gas. And there's me, on a bike, gleefully weaving around some douchebag blocking the bike lane.
It almost puts a smile on my face just thinking about it.
Current beer-scale: 8.9
I might still drive occasionally, but I will laugh my ass off this summer as gas prices go absolutely nuclear. Picture the clusterfuck on lakeshore drive during the snowpocalypse, then imagine a summer where people are abandoning their cars where they stop b/c they're completely out of gas. And there's me, on a bike, gleefully weaving around some douchebag blocking the bike lane.
It almost puts a smile on my face just thinking about it.
Current beer-scale: 8.9
4/7/11
close call
After all day on the bike yesterday, I was looking forward to a normal day and taking it easy on the way in this AM. Which worked out, b/c if I had been in a bigger hurry I probably would have been doored out onto Lincoln.
When I got up to the light at Fullerton, Lincoln, & Halsted, Fullerton had a red but Lincoln had just gone green so I turned with the foot traffic onto Lincoln. As I'm turning this lady in traffic whips over to the side about two feet off the curb. With a line of traffic backed up on Lincoln there's no way I can squeeze through if she opens her door which I know she's going to do so I slow down. Better yet, after she throws her door open she tells me to slow down when I give her an 'on your left' as I'm trying to get by. Thank you very much ma'am. I'm glad my face didn't put your door in danger.
Getting doored would have been a good sign that I should have taken today off beyond even how tired my legs are from yesterday. Walking the dog was rough this morning, but as long as I was headed into work it was going to be on a bike. All part of the job I guess.
Current beer-scale: 4.1
When I got up to the light at Fullerton, Lincoln, & Halsted, Fullerton had a red but Lincoln had just gone green so I turned with the foot traffic onto Lincoln. As I'm turning this lady in traffic whips over to the side about two feet off the curb. With a line of traffic backed up on Lincoln there's no way I can squeeze through if she opens her door which I know she's going to do so I slow down. Better yet, after she throws her door open she tells me to slow down when I give her an 'on your left' as I'm trying to get by. Thank you very much ma'am. I'm glad my face didn't put your door in danger.
Getting doored would have been a good sign that I should have taken today off beyond even how tired my legs are from yesterday. Walking the dog was rough this morning, but as long as I was headed into work it was going to be on a bike. All part of the job I guess.
Current beer-scale: 4.1
3/25/11
Car-runch!
So I heard the terrifying sound of someone's plastic bumper collapsing as it crunched into another car on the way home yesterday. I didn't quite see the actual collision but could definitely tell bad news was about to happen as I rode up behind the cars in question.
I left a little late last night and traffic was pretty cramped so I was taking it easy. Webster in particular seemed especially backed up but I was almost to Clybourn when I saw someone stuck in line at the light who couldn't decide between the straight/right lane or the left-turn lane. They were more out of my way than most cars are at that intersection so I didn't care, but there was a lady in a minivan who was in a bit of a hurry next to me. She punched it to zoom around the guy just as he decided he wanted to get into the left turn lane and went to pull over.
CRUNCH!
At that point I heard it more than saw, but wasn't surprised it happened. Since I didn't really see anything I didn't feel bad when I didn't stop and just headed home. I don't know if the lady that got hit stopped to trade info, and I don't really care. They were both varying levels of idiots, and I was freezing my ass off and needed to get home. Besides, I was just lucky they both didn't want to turn right instead in front of me.
Current beer-scale: 6.66
I left a little late last night and traffic was pretty cramped so I was taking it easy. Webster in particular seemed especially backed up but I was almost to Clybourn when I saw someone stuck in line at the light who couldn't decide between the straight/right lane or the left-turn lane. They were more out of my way than most cars are at that intersection so I didn't care, but there was a lady in a minivan who was in a bit of a hurry next to me. She punched it to zoom around the guy just as he decided he wanted to get into the left turn lane and went to pull over.
CRUNCH!
At that point I heard it more than saw, but wasn't surprised it happened. Since I didn't really see anything I didn't feel bad when I didn't stop and just headed home. I don't know if the lady that got hit stopped to trade info, and I don't really care. They were both varying levels of idiots, and I was freezing my ass off and needed to get home. Besides, I was just lucky they both didn't want to turn right instead in front of me.
Current beer-scale: 6.66
3/8/11
The shift is starting
Or rather, the shit.
Got honked at this morning for standing at a stop light at a red light. Apparently I was in the way of someone who wanted to turn right and needed me to move. Should I ignore the no turn on red signs and step out of my dedicated bike lane area, just to let some dick in a car turn? I didn't think so. He got a shrug and had to wait another 15 seconds. After which he gunned it through the light. Color me impressed guy, you sure can stomp on a gas pedal with the best of them.
As ready as I am for nicer weather I have come to enjoy the quiet of being one of the few bikes on the road lately. But my commute's going to get a lot longer in the near future, and I'll gladly put up with more people in bike lanes with me to get the sun out longer.
Current beer-scale: 8.1
Got honked at this morning for standing at a stop light at a red light. Apparently I was in the way of someone who wanted to turn right and needed me to move. Should I ignore the no turn on red signs and step out of my dedicated bike lane area, just to let some dick in a car turn? I didn't think so. He got a shrug and had to wait another 15 seconds. After which he gunned it through the light. Color me impressed guy, you sure can stomp on a gas pedal with the best of them.
As ready as I am for nicer weather I have come to enjoy the quiet of being one of the few bikes on the road lately. But my commute's going to get a lot longer in the near future, and I'll gladly put up with more people in bike lanes with me to get the sun out longer.
Current beer-scale: 8.1
3/1/11
Holy christ that was a long trip. 16 hours of driving in a day and a half, 832 miles.
The bridge this morning just before we went over.
And one the wife took while we were actually on.
Finally, why don't we have these in chicago? Probably what I miss most about living in michigan. Family? High school friends? No, cheap burgers.
Current beer-scale: 6.4
2/7/11
So don’t tell the wife, but I had a bit of a run in w/a cab on the way home tonite. And by run in, I mean getting rubbed into a parked car as the cabbie tried to turn Clybourn into a two-lane street w/his eyes closed. Thanks to all the snow on the street my braking became a skid, and I ended up jammed against the parked car and the cab. There was actually more damage to the parked suv than me; frankenbike took the brunt of the collision as it got wedged between the two cars. Somehow none of me got wedged between the bike or either car. I was so surprised I wasn't hurt I barely managed to tell the cabbie to be more careful in the future. Whew! With more snow in the forecast and below zero temps coming, I think this might be a good time to take a break from the bike commute for a couple of days.
Current beer-scale: a shaken 8.9
Current beer-scale: a shaken 8.9
11/15/10
Rather one-sided for a philosophical conversation
You would think someone with pro-life stickers plastered all over their car would be better drivers. At least you'd think they'd pay more attention at stop lights. But no, apparently ever life is sacred unless you're late for work. Then it's every fucker for themselves.
Not that I blame them. I don't give a shit about the people inching along in cars, and I accept the fact they don't give a shit about me. But after nearly getting run down multiple times this morning, the last thanks to said pro-lifer completely running a red light, I'd like to take a bazooka and clear some traffic on the way home tonite. Especially if anyone is pig-headed enough to go all bumper-sticker philosophy on me.
Ultimately this had to happen. Saturday and Sunday were too good to not have some sort of Monday letdown. I didn't think that would mean nearly getting killed though.
Current beer-scale: 9.8
Not that I blame them. I don't give a shit about the people inching along in cars, and I accept the fact they don't give a shit about me. But after nearly getting run down multiple times this morning, the last thanks to said pro-lifer completely running a red light, I'd like to take a bazooka and clear some traffic on the way home tonite. Especially if anyone is pig-headed enough to go all bumper-sticker philosophy on me.
Ultimately this had to happen. Saturday and Sunday were too good to not have some sort of Monday letdown. I didn't think that would mean nearly getting killed though.
Current beer-scale: 9.8
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