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"You Used To Be Small."
THU, 29 December 2005
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I was on my way home, yesterday, from a nice ride down the coast. I was about to make a right turn at the intersection just before my house when I noticed a car stopped across the intersection, blocking traffic. In front of the car was a mountain bike on its side and bicyclists writhing in pain next to it. I didn't hear any brakes screeching or impact noise just before, but I had no idea how serious the accident was. I rode across (safely) to the scene to render assistance.
The guy was grabbing at his ankle, saying it hurt a lot. He didn't appear significantly injured otherwise. The woman driving the red SUV got out to assess the damage. Another bystander helped the cyclists to the curb and called for emergency assistance and I, after figuring the scene probably didn't need to remain intact for an investigation, moved the bicycle to the sidewalk. And since the woman's vehicle was blocking both traffic lanes (it appears she was making a right turn, so her vehicle was diagonal across both lanes), I instructed her to get back in and pull her vehicle out of traffic and to the curbside.
Now here's where it gets interesting. The bicyclist was settling down from the rush and surprise of the collision, but still in pain from his foot/ankle. He looked familiar to me, so I asked his name. It turned out, he was the person I thought, a guy who I knew in high school. I said to him, "Hey, I remember you from Cerritos High. I'm Anthony." He looked up at me, kind of squinted, and asked, "What's your last name?" I replied, "Morrow. I'm Anthony Morrow." With a bit of a smile, he says back, "Oh yeah, I remember you. You used to be small."
I used to be small. Funny, I think I AM small. I'm 5'6" when I stand tall and weigh in under 150 lbs. Jeez, what I wouldn't give for a few extra inches of height. But I guess for most of my years in high school, I was puny, and that's the way most people remember me. I didn't hit my major growth spurt until between junior and senior year of high school, but even after then, I still wasn't fully grown and was around 135 lbs. With the exception of my senior year photo, most everyone, especially Julienne, says I look like I belong in junior high, not high school.
About the accident: I stuck around until just before the paramedics arrived. I didn't say much more to my old high school acquaintance except to wish him well. My take on the situation was he that he was crossing the street in or about the crosswalk, against traffic. The driver failed to see him coming, or failed to judge his speed correctly, and made a right turn towards him. She didn't run him over, but did collide with him at a low speed, or didn't hit him but caused him to swerve and crash. He suffered a sprained, possibly broken foot and/or ankle, and minor road rash to his arms, legs, and hands.
-adm
Small But Memorable
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Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!
THU, 22 December 2005
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Did Your Blog Die?
WED, 21 December 2005
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More than a few people have asked what the heck happened to my blogging. "Dude, you haven't updated your blog in a while. What gives?"
First, thanks to whoever drops in here to read my drivel. I hope it's not just an infatuation with me that keeps you coming, but that you're also compelled to visit because I sometimes write something that matters or is useful.
Secondly, that's why I haven't blogged lately. Aside from being busy with shopping my butt off for Christmas and other diversions that take away from computer-and-me time, I haven't had much to say, or more specifically, much positive or useful.
I think what turned me off most was reading a few other blogs, some cycling-related, that reminded me of junior high school all over again. I agonized reading through name calling, bragging and self-promotion and promulgation. I hated reading it, but moreover, I feared I was also doing it. I haven't read through my previous posts to figure if I should be pointing the finger at myself in disgust, but I'll try to make sure it's not an issue in the future.
****
I do know I have a few cyclists checking in now and then, but this tip applies to anyone currently exercising or trying to get going, especially with New Year's resolutions just days away.
STARTING EXERCISE ISN'T EASY. LIVING EXERCISE IS EASY LIVING. What the heck? I learned over the last two months, after getting a bit flabby and a lot slow after taking time off after last season, that it's very hard to start (or resume) exercising. The first four to six weeks are the hardest and every muscle of your body will hate you and make sure you know it. But once you get over the hill, once the strain of the routine becomes routine, you'll enjoy it and it will make doing it easy. This is, by no means, new miracle advice. It's in every fitness-related magazine all the time. But it needs repeating. Here's my quick tips to making your New Year's exercise resolution stick.
1. Make a plan for exercise. Include fun sports like tennis, Rollerblading, whatever. But make sure it's reasonable and that you put it down on paper, preferably a calendar with specific dates and times for activities.
2. Get exercise buddies. It's more fun to workout with someone else or groups of people. They also keep you committed to arranged workout dates and times.
3. Do it in moderation and for the long-haul. The first workouts and weeks are going to hurt if you aren't in shape, but as you go along, you can do more, longer, and will enjoy it more. There is no instant-success in exercise.
4. Have fun. Enjoy it, whatever it is. Repeat.
5. Eat healthy. Just because you did a workout doesn't mean you should get a workout eating. And eat better.
I can go on, but hopefully you get the picture and I've motivated someone. Remember to consult your doctor before starting any exercise program (ADM lawyers are happy, now).
-adm
10-4 Good Buddy
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Kings, L.A. Teams
WED, 07 December 2005
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Kings finally won a game last night against Toronto after dropping the previous four in mostly embarrassing fashion. Hopefully the rocky path to the Cup has cleared.
The Anaheim Ducks (of Anaheim), on the other hand, finally lost a game after winning their past four. They were going for five straight on a homestand, which would have been a team record. Well, that record remains for another day.
I started to think, it seems L.A. teams of the same league always go different ways. What's going on? Who do I want to win? I'm a hometown fan, meaning the home team always comes first, but what if they're against each other? Luckily it doesn't happen much in the playoffs.
The Ducks and Kings haven't been in the playoffs the same year. Both struggle to make the playoffs at all, but when they have, at least 3-5 years ago, it was alternating years. I cheer for the Kings first, but I had no problem buying Stanley Cup Finals tickets and cheering crazy when the Ducks made it three years ago.
The Dodgers and Angels are never in the playoffs the same year. I think maybe they were last year, but I'm sure they've never met in the playoffs, since that would mean a Freeway World Series. I hope for it, someday. Unfortunately, I'm not sure which team to root for. On this, I'm split down the middle.
The Clippers, who hardly ever make the playoffs, are running wild in the NBA this year while the Lakers are struggling to keep the boat afloat. I don't recall these teams meeting in the playoffs, either, but wouldn't a Western Conference championship series be great? I'm a Laker fan first, but I can handle the Clippers taking it all, even if it means over the Lakers, simply so their fortunes can be turned around.
No NFL teams in L.A. anymore, but when we had two (Raiders and Rams), I was a fan of both but probably leaned towards the Rams. I could care less about both now that they've left --I get more NFL games on TV as a result. Besides, my team will always be the Kansas City Chiefs based on the fact I liked them so much when I played the team on Nintendo's Tecmo Super Bowl game.
This year brought a second MLS team to L.A. There's the Galaxy and now Chivas USA. The Galaxy are the first and have my loyalty, and though I didn't follow it much, I know the Galaxy won it all this year while Chivas USA struggled to get by.
Go team go!
-adm
Tell me I'm an idiot!
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Wheels Of Misfortune
TUE, 06 December 2005
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I am finally going to remove the following banner from the top of this page:
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STOLEN!: Ritchey OCR/Zero System Road Wheelset [Read More]
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I've given up nearly all hope these wheels will ever turn up for me. I will keep a keen eye open while out on rides to make sure I don't recognize them on someone else's bike. I throw a mean tackle at 25 MPH.
I figure the truth is these wheels are long gone, probably sold to someone far from here through eBay or somehow. They have no idea they're stolen.
Thieves suck.
-adm
Tell me I'm an idiot!
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No Plane, No Gain
MON, 05 December 2005
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Yesterday made it exactly one year since I've been on a commercial airplane flight. This was the last time I flew for work.
While I don't miss traveling for work, I kind of miss the airline miles. Funny thing is, I hardly ever used them and still have a lot waiting for me to cash in.
-adm
Let me know what you think!
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TwoBuckHut.com
FRI, 02 December 2005
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I picked up a web design job passed along from my friend, Mike Jones. The client is Two Buck Hut, a couple who sells craft jewelry, typically at festivals and fairs, and usually for about $2 each. Their need was simple: a small-budget website where they could show and sell their wares and accept payments online. It need not be glitzy but it should look clean and be functional.
Well, after punching at the keyboard and mousing around a whole lot, I'm glad to say their site is built and up and running and ready to take your orders, and just in time for their weekend and holiday selling activities! Give their stuff a look and feel free to buy what you like, and be sure to tell them ADM sent you!
Visit TwoBuckHut.com.
-adm
Let me know what you think!
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imadm.com
Support a bum!
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