Motorcycle Accident

Here's the full rundown of the accident that alot of people still haven't heard about. I traded in my chick magnet bike...

...for a chick magnet sling. Don't deny it Emily.

The story goes that Friday was another frustrating weather day because it was only going to be a short period of rain, at exactly the time a group of us wanted to ride up to the lake with people from church. I'm getting used to weather predictions changing since many a ride has been ruined by rain which never was. But this time, it only became more certain. However, determined to enjoy the rest of the beautiful weekend on two wheels, a few of us decided to go anyway. It's just rain right? Well the problem started when someone decided to take my money and keep a bunch of people busy with some questionable temporary jobs which will not be around when the work needs to be done again in a few years the shiny new blacktop on route 40 got wet that afternoon. Just before the black stuff was about to end, something (probably minor weight shifting) caused my back tire to slide out slowly and I took a spill. The bike and I, separately, tumbled over onto the shoulder gravel while Josh, riding back a few yards, slid out trying to avoid me. He slid on his back in style the whole way without injury. Hobbsy had more time than any of us and slowed down without trouble.

You think that's the end, but I have more rambling to do. I've never seen a mob of volunteer emergency response people try to take care of someone and I hope I never do again. There is absolutely no nice way to experience a dozen people with no organization or leader trying to all understand what's going on without working together AT ALL. To all volunteers, if there was a professional there before you working on the problem, talk to them first instead of crowding the injured person and diagnosing them your own way. I was fully coherent for the entire show.

The hospital can be fun if you have the right people. The ambulance ladies loved to talk and joke as did my biker-chick nurse. The x-ray people were 50/50 and everyone else was a sourpuss. The other sick people were easily entertained. My shoulder is separated (damaged tendons) but requires no surgery. Broken finger, same story. Ridding equipment either saved my life or alot more bloody injury. The white parts on the helmet show where you would now probably see my skull or brain today! The rest would just be a bloody haircut assuming the impact wasn't too bad. My current injuries are all supposed to heal on their own.

Lets move on to the perks! Since I can't drive, everyone offers to help out. There is no shortage of food and medical professionals waiting to help. Dr. Mary brought over a pile of food Monday, and three single chicks made dinner for Josh and me last night. ;-) Sorry, I forgot to take pictures to show off.

A highly recommended treatment for these injuries (besides the meds I'm enjoying) is a weekend on the lake. But some pictures aren't in yet, so we'll get to those in the next post.

Thank you to everyone who keeps checking up on me and praying. With God's grace, things are going amazingly well.

Vroom Vroom

Are you dying for an update on the Bethany motorcycle gang? Well sure you are.

Part of the reason for getting a cruiser was to ensure that I would ride the bike often and long enough to justify buying it. A sporty bike seemed just too uncomfortable for long rides and I feel like they are a bit cocky. Before you go thinking that I'm judging my roommate (I am), know that I REALLY wanted to steel his bike for another ride today. They are fun.

So anyway, it would seem I'm getting my money's worth. After owning it for two and a half months, I've ridden 2200 miles. That's 32 miles per day. True, alot of it is due to a few work related trips, but who said I can't enjoy them?

The most enjoyable ride so far has been the scenic route back from St. Louis. The B-man recommended ridding along the river next time I'm down that way, so I did! When I told my friend who grew up in Alton IL, Sarah Krepsalot, she told me where to stop for grub along the way!


It was good. And now that I know it's cash only, I'll be better prepared to try more than just an Elwood next time.

Sarah's a great tour guide. Did you know about Elijah P. Lovejoy or the the legendary Piasa bird? How about the Baboon bridge?
Immediately as you leave town, the beautiful river view can be enjoyed for several miles. I had no idea there were such steep bluffs on the Illinois river. Eventually the Great River road gets a little less great and turns into some other scenicy named road. It might have been better to diverge to a normal highway, but me not wanting to miss a thing kept following it all the way home. I'm easily entertained. It was the first time I've seen a ferry boat. I said FERRY RYAN!


And first time being stuck at a draw bridge.



Definitely glad to be able to appreciate a sunrise on a peaceful empty road. The warm fuzzy feeling went away when I realized the headlights were stronger than the sunlight, and blood and skid marks reminded me who else likes the river this time of day. Eeeee. Then I remembered I was wearing sunglasses.

vvThe boys and their toys had their first gathering for a Saturday morning ride not long before this one. Six heads this time. Just a little jaunt north of Peoria with Pastor Lyall at the helm of his vintage motorcycle :-) Thanks for not getting us lost!

Did you know Flattop Grill is testing a Saturday breakfast menu? Pretty neat. You can get the standard build-your-own omelet. They also have a vast selection of sweets to throw on your custom french toast. Gummy worms!!


The gang is finally complete with the last of the Canton class getting a bike. Wes just hopped on his Suzuki V-Strom for the first time this week and can now join us for a trip to Lake Carroll this weekend with the Sunday school class.

Making A Comback?

You know the drill. Don't believe it 'till you see it. It's hard to convey how your heart isn't into something that it used to be. So I won't. There! Problem solved.

My biggest fan won't even be able to read this comeback for at least a few more days. Mom is still in the hospital recovering from her double knee replacement last week. I can't even put up good pictures of Mom on the blog sometimes, so you certainly aren't getting any of her now. I stumped Noah with this picture. It's the machine which dispenses pain meds at the push of a button. In other words, it's another one of those machines lying around a hospital that makes me feel like I could kill someone if I breathe wrong. Noah, you'll be excited to hear that Mom finally got to see one of those combination thermometers you told the guys about. Thanks.

As of right now Mom is doing great with her therapy. She can walk with a walker, but it takes some effort to get there. The dog will be much relieved to see her around again in a few days I hope. Thanks for working with her on the Ortho floor and checking in Becky!

Before going under the knife, Mom got one of the most helpful birthday gift ideas she's ever had for me. It's not easy these days. When you're kids live and die for a cartoon, like He-man, it's pretty simple to find out far in advance what the top toys on their list will be. But when you're kid is turning 29 and just likes to hang with people and blog about it, what can you do? I don't NEED any more movies and I still don't read as much as I should. One of us realized that my yard needs some work and something's got to get my rear in gear.

Ignore screen door that won't stay shut, the huge weeds in the walkway and the loose bricks because this used to look ALOT worse. And in a year or two, you'll see something like THIS (right) or a version of it. Thank you Mom and Dad for the Hydrangea, for getting me outside and helping me clean up the area. Now who wants to help me get rid of some huge piles of sticks?

Spud Stud

This one's for you Andrew
Skipping around a little bit brings us to a shooting on the north side tonight. Down here in the hood I've heard a record smashing number of fireworks, often times which sound just like gun fire, but that's not what I'm talking about. I'm referring to Josh's brother, Aaron, and his potato gun from high school.

Josh got a great shot of the muzzle flash.

And I got a great shot of..Nathan...on my bike.

The Fay's know how to have a good time. Thanks guys.

All Things Food

Lets blog about the diet/exercise tomorrow.

At Bible study I had the pleasure of assisting with Thursday's meal. I forgot I was cooking with a nutritionist. It was the smoothest meal preparation I had ever seen. And we even had a display model to show people how to assemble it!
On the way back from St. Louis I happened to connect with the new roomie in Springfield on his way home from work. Butch knew I was looking for something new for dinner and lead us to D'arcy's Pint. The best Horseshoe and beer I've ever tasted. It was so good that it was gone before a picture could be taken. They're actually pretty popular on Google so stock photos were readily available.

Trey and I think that Mommy's team needs a little more competition. But we're glad for the playground time and not getting soaked by little bro's dinner.













I totally used the credit card soda machine at the hospital today just to try it out. It was time to visit the phlebotomist about a salad and spy on a physical therapist just for the fun of it.

New Rule!

No more races without training. A longer race a couple months before doesn't count. Today's Steamboat Classic 15K was the first race I've been in an regretted it. Look at that hill. Twice? Really? Kinda fun running by the new addition to the zoo. A pacing lion would have helped keep us going.



One important difference in this race is the lack of pace setting friends. I've relied heavily on pace setters in life. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just imitating other people. It's probably true that sometimes I'm only copying something without having a conviction about it. But often enough, the gain is worth it. I have stolen many standards and habits from the strong Christians I have come in contact with over the years. Even if they are not around, it's a pace I like to keep. And most of those paces aren't easy. It's not just the things you pick up from people to make Christian life easier to live. It's the tough standards like sacrifices in time and money and other standards worth keeping. I may have a strong conviction about what safety gear to wear while riding my bike, but it's the fact that guys I respect maintain a standard that helps me value and maintain it. Speaking of...

Josh and I got to enjoy part of this beautiful day ridding and watching Wes evaluate his future biking options. While he's made up his mind already, I'd like to point out cool he looks on the big bad Shadow (left).

Adventure II

Steve and I took another crack at the Bushwhacker Adventure Race this year, but not on opposing teams.

The race was purposely modified a little due to some lengthy times last year. So a finish time just over an hour wasn't just because we're awesome...but that helped too. I going to claim 4th place since the trash pick up bonuses don't count and I like to pretend Mike's team doesn't count either :-)

Josh and I picked a perfect day to pick up our bikes. It was sprinkling when we went to get mine, and it was almost no visibility (not pictured) on the way up to Rockford to get Josh's. Imagine riding shotgun in a car going 45mph on the highway because of weather knowing that you have to ride back.

Cleared up nicely though, and the bike pretty much lived up to it's ebay post. Josh only killed the engine once too. Took me a whole day before I stopped doing that.

Ooooooooo, Mr. tough guy.

Watching Josh push the limits on his first ride after the class wasn't the only bonus of the trip. They had a Red Robin in Rockford. Score!!

Aaaaaand we were total dorks spending most of our time texting friends about the bikes instead of actually talking each other.

Ohhhhh Baby

We are now a two bike household...with a pew. Please don't ask why there is a pew in my garage. I barely know myself.

Best Wedding Ever!

Too late to blog about this? IIIIIIII don't think so.

First wedding in the new church. Pretty good. Cute couple. See?


They got that right!!! Totally forgot to take the seeds home.

Excellent shish-ka-bobs made by some of the finest grill masters I know.

But planing a tornado at the end of the evening to keep people longer and in much closer proximity was priceless. You guys are good!

Most couples have to go from table to table to greet and catch up with each guest. But this time all they had to do was walk down a concrete lined hallway.

Despite the spotted twister, it was a great wedding that was really cool to be invited too. Congratulations! (a week late)