A few events transpired yesterday to land me in a most foul mood I couldn't shake. Trying to write was unthinkable, especially since I had just gotten a rejection for something I was pretty sure would be accepted. I decided to get on my bike to drop off rent (yeah, late, see "a few events transpiring" above and read into that boring financial woes etc and remember that if you ever think how great it must be to be a writer and you don't have a trust fund), hit the post office, clear the old noggin, and start over when I got back.
I normally avoid the dreaded Government Street on my bike, but since the post office was on that street, I was riding along it, senses on high alert. I was at least a third of the way crossing over a side street when a white sedan came barreling toward me, and mind you there was a stop sign where I was crossing. I shot her a look, like, are you planning to STOP? and rode a little faster just in case she decided not to stop and rather hit the cyclist crossing directly in her path. She DID hit me! She just clipped the back of my wheel, but still-- I lost all composure and yelled obscenities while gesturing wildly New York style. She gave a little "oops sorry" wave, I guess Louisiana style--in New York they would have yelled right back; that's what I was expecting.
That pretty much closed the lid on the rest of the day, I was in a funk reminiscent of high school constant-napping depressed mode. Although I had to admit with the perspective of someone nearly two decades older that it could have been much worse if I had been one or two seconds slower. And what package was I bringing to the post office to mail?
The Jesus fan. Thanks, JC with the Chuck Norris cut. Your protection has now been passed on to Amanda, who requested you.
Now please send me lots of lucrative writing work.
Oh man! I'm so glad you're ok. You know, I was hit a couple of times under very similar circumstances (all in Williamsburg - oddly enough, I never had problems riding in Manhattan) and I just finally lost my nerve and gave away my bike. Not that you should do that! I'm just a big bike coward now. I'm very glad you are ok though. I think we can all learn from this - excercise is dangerous.
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 07, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Biker chicks are pretty awesome, in a bad ass type of way.
Live To Ride, Cokane.
Ride To Live.
[Not pictured : Me. Making the 'sign of the devil'.]
Posted by: Lioux | October 07, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Yeah, here we're really passive-aggressive about mowing down bikers and pedestrians. Next time yell something like, "Well bless your heart, I guess some people just flat out don't know how to drive, do they?"
That constant-napping sensation is BR trying to suck every ounce of hope and will from your soul, in an attempt to keep you here. It's very good at that--think Kathy Bates in Misery. Fight it like your life depends on it (it does).
Much respect to you and anyone grinding it out as a writer, especially without the golden ticket. Every time I try to imagine really going for it as a writer, I imagine going through what you're going through, and I just give up---not only on the writing, but on the daydream itself. So major props, and good luck.
Posted by: Kevin | October 07, 2008 at 11:14 AM
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Speechless.
Thanks, Kane. Thanks, Jesus.
Posted by: Amanda | October 07, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Normal people swear...stepford wives smile and wave. Somewhere deep inside they are bubbling with all the unused swears...they will explode or implode one day. And that is my clinical opinion
I am so glad you are okay.
I have such faith in your writing...it will come...pray Jesus.
Posted by: beth | October 07, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Maybe the driver wanted your Jesus fan? Or was the devil in disguise? Either way that sucks. You should have added the car and driver description to have your readers on alert to such as insano driver.
Posted by: kartek | October 07, 2008 at 04:53 PM
Jesus saves, or curses?
Discuss.
Posted by: Big Daddy | October 07, 2008 at 07:19 PM
from your lips to God's (perfectly feather framed) ears.
amen
Posted by: jason | October 07, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Holy Jesus (literally), I cannot believe you rode your bike on Gov'mt Street!! You are lucky she didn't run over you and back up to run over you again, all the while, saying "oops, I didn't know what that thing was." Seriously, don't do that again! As a former Gov'mt Street neighbor, the roads/people are not bike friendly at all.
Posted by: marcy | October 07, 2008 at 09:53 PM
gotta love norman greenbaum. seriously.
Posted by: Apollo | October 08, 2008 at 10:15 AM
I'm glad you didn't get hurt!
Government isn't that bad to ride down as long as you keep to the right, and pay more attention to oncoming traffic than they're paying to you.
I'm a cyclist here in BR and I've been hit, backed into, and forced off of my bike more than once, but only once did the driver get out of the car to see how I was (she didn't offer to pay for the bike she totaled when she ran the stop sign, though). It sucks to say, but get used to it, b/c BR drivers are only now starting to find out (as Critical Mass gets REALLY big here) how to handle having to share the road with cyclists.
Oddly enough, when I was in New York last October, our cab driver hit a cyclist while he was driving us to the venue we were playing at and actually apologized to the guy. He hit another guy the next day, on the way to the airport, too.
Posted by: Jerereremy | October 13, 2008 at 11:31 AM
I am so glad you didn't get hurt & that you were able to yell NYC curses at the mad driver.
Ugh!
Totally understand your financial woes as I have some financial headaches that have lasted over 3 years and there seems to be no end to it... Ugh. Do not ask me what happened today at the F'N bank, okay? Just DON'T!
:) Hope you are feeling like writing and getting great vibes & moods.
Sending good wishes your way, always.
Posted by: suntawrites | October 15, 2008 at 08:53 PM