The Tacho’d Endo
Monday, May 23, 2011
Taco v – a wheel bent over on itself, in the shape of a taco
Endo n – the maneuver of flying unexpectedly over the handlebars, thus being forcibly ejected from the bike; short for "end over end"
Greetings! – p.1
Spinning My Wheels – p.2
Cutler’s cyclizm – p.2
Ross’ Raiders for Heart – p.3
Ponderous Ponderings – p.4
A-V Club – p.4
Inside Joke – p.4
Parting Shot – p.4
Final Thoughts – p.4
Contributors’n’Sponsors’n’Advertisers – p.5
Greetings!:
Welcome back to my Taoc’d Endo, my little forum to discuss things interesting … or not … to me or anybody who would be interested in taking the moment to peruse.
We had our Victoria Day Holiday last weekend and this one is for our good neighbours to the south, with it being their Memorial Day long weekend – somebody I’m in contact with through work, in Washington State, said they’d gently remind me about their upcoming holiday since I was so kind as to mention that I’d be enjoying our own Victoria Long Weekend.
For all our American friends south o’ the border, I hope you enjoy your long weekend as we did up here on May 23 – which was our unofficial kick-off to the summer … Now all we need is the weather to go with it.
My wife and I have known and have been with each other for nearly 22 years. We met that fateful summer, hooked up that fall and happily married 17 years ago this weekend wife.
And unlike our wedding day, it promises to be nice weather for that day. We shall see.
Article time …
Spinning My Wheels:
“Wuv. Tchwue wuv …”
That’s one of my favourite quotes, from The Princess Bride. I tried to find a clip of the Priest saying just those words, but cou’ na find ‘em, Cap’n. And for those who haven’t seen it, so might not be able to decipher that, he’s trying to say, “Love. True love.”
If you’ve guessed it from above, I just have a quick thing or two to say about marriage.
First, sure it’s an institution and an important one.
Second, it’s my choice to become recognized within that institution.
There are folks out there who completely and totally disagree with marriage and what they think it stands for. That’s fine. They may be dealing with past experiences, so have a certain and perhaps legitimate viewpoint against it, that applies to them. I’ve no problem with that – they’re your life experiences … we make of them what we can. What I have a problem with is how some people go about voicing their opinion on it.
I’ve listened patiently and respectfully as they say how they aren’t married and never will be. Go for it. Whatever works for you. Go with Grace and all that stuff – and if you know someone named Grace, then all the better … just give her a heads up, first.
There are plenty of reasons why these nay sayers believe you shouldn’t.
And there are plenty of wrong reasons why you possibly shouldn’t jump into it, too.
Either way, I’m not going to give any of those reasons the light of day. I’ve listened and even though I do see plenty sides to many a situation, none of them pertain to me, so I therefore do not agree with them.
And I must be honest, sadly, there are numerous sites out there citing how wrong marriage is and why you shouldn’t go through with it. And I won’t list them either. I’m trying to dedicate this site to positive thoughts and input, not negative nonsense.
I believe in it. My wife believes in it. We both share in it and are dedicated to our marriage. This is our life and our choice and the wonderment which we are getting out of it is ours to share – not yours to criticize.
Now is it because these folks just don’t have faith in themselves, so don’t want to get locked into a potential loveless marriage, with the main person to blame, being themselves? Again, there may be something which triggered this aggressive response, but if not and it’s just something you’ve come to conclusion on …
If you believe yourself to be happily un-married, then go forth and continue – it makes no matter to me. I’m happy for you that you have found someone for which you care for so deeply that you want to spend your life with them.
If you believe yourself to be happily married, then perhaps you are. Either way, live your life with the love that is inside of you and it’ll come back to you and spread.
I believe and know that I am happy in our marriage. I do what I can for my wife and know that she does the same for me. It makes me very happy to try and do things for her, just to see her smile. Her smile is beautiful and lights up the room.
That’s what it’s all about, to me – the light coming on when she enters the room … And when she flicks the switch on the wall, that’s a bonus, too, eh.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t always make her smile … Sometimes she rolls her eyes at me when my son and I get talking about Dr. Who (like she probably did, just now, after reading that part). But that’s life. We can’t always smile, but we can always happily roll our eyes when that special someone says something rather silly that is just meant for us.
So, please, if you don’t believe in it. Fine. Keep it to yourself. I honestly don’t want to hear it. Why? Because I don’t share it and I was very lucky to have hooked up with such a lovely and bright woman.
Happy Anniversary my Dear!
I love you dearly and am so very glad that we married.
Best. Choice. Ever.
CUTLERS’s Cyclizm:
Well, there was an article in the St. Catharines Standard about how drivers should deal with cyclist. One such idea is to drive ahead of them and slam on their brakes to disrupt the cyclist. Another caller to a radio station suggested throwing coffee in the face of the cyclist. Let me point out right now that both of these actions are illegal.
If you drive recklessly, then you can be fined and if the cyclist gets hurt or worse, you can be charges with assault or vehicular manslaughter.
Should you throw coffee at a the cyclist, then you have essentially assaulted the other person and can also face fines and even jail time, should the cyclist be injured.
And to use them as a speed bump is ignorant and an incredibly shameful thing to say.
Here’s my letter to the Editor of the St. Catharines Standard …
“I must admit that I am incredibly appalled that the radio station would even allow such ignorant and hateful things to be used as radio fodder. To suggest that bikes should not be allowed on the road is just reprehensible. In Europe, bikes are equal with cars and they even have their own lanes with stop lights, co-ordinated with cars and pedestrians. BRILLIANT! As a cyclist, I've had my share of close calls with a dump truck as it passed by with their side view mirror just inches away from my head. I've also had people blare their horn at me. This does not deter me - I usually wave and wish them a good day. This only makes my resolve all the stronger, knowing that my respectful behavior belongs on the road far more than their just poorly demonstrated acts are. I have the right to "seize" the lane, should there be obstructions in the road (safely, of course). I have the right to signal a lane change and turn the corner with everyone else. Are there ignorant cyclists on the road? Sure there are. Are there just as many ignorant car drivers? You bet - of course there are. But the difference is, you are trying to enjoy life, as you are protected in the confines of your little steel fortress of solitude and we are in the fresh air, enjoying what the world has to offer, one easy pedal stroke at a time. So, I guess there isn't really that much different after all, is there? Please drivers, do not carry out the suggestions of these few immature people and face a potential lawsuit ... And should you harm me, you'd better watch out for my wife. What was that about, "Hell hath no fury ..." ? Have a nice day!”
And here’s the actual online article …
Lake to Lake Classic and Pond to Pond – On Sunday, June 19th (Father’s Day), join over 1000 people as they make their way from either Lake Erie to Lake Ontario in the big 50km classic, or join the kids and newbies up at Brock University, by Lake Gibson on down to the same finish in Port Dalhousie.
Ross’ Raiders for Heart :
Come on out and join us with a toast of local Niagara wine after the ride!
I’m still looking for recruits to my Pedal 100 for Heart & Stroke bike team.
There are four routes to choose from (30, 60, 100 & 160 km). Be a part of my team and ride the most suitable length you feel most comfortable with in lovely, scenic Western Niagara. I’ve cycled the 160km route before, but my bad knee didn’t favour it last year, so I’ll just stick to the 100km length.
I have ridden this charity event now for the last nine years, which is a part of the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada.
If you would care to sponsor me for this ride, please let me know. I would love to take your money … for a good cause. I’m also part of the route planning committee, so yes, I am more than just a rider and fund raiser – this cause is very important to me.
Heart disease and stroke have affected both sides of my family tree and so, I do what I can, in what little way I know to make a difference.
If you can’t ride, then prehaps volunteer - be a part of this beautiful ride through the countryside. But ride whichever one best suits you and maybe challenge yourself to increase the distance next year, if you like, of course.
However, if you don’t feel that you can ride, but would like to contribute, then come on out and volunteer.
Either way, please let me know. I’d love to see you involved somehow.
Ponderous Ponderings:
“The most worth-while thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others.” – Sir Robert Baden Powell
A-V Club:
These are just some of the inspirational pieces of music that make me wanna either hum along softly or crush the pedals when I’m out for a bike ride.
And yes, I was a member of the A-V Club in grade school and I thoroughly enjoyed it, too. I had fun going from class to class setting up the equipment for the other kids.
Happy Anniversay!
Inside Joke:
Why only two shakes of a lamb’s tail?
What does it mean if you shake it more? … Or less, even?
Parting Shot:
Notice how I snuck in Respect into both of those “slogans” over the last two issues? Pretty clever, eh? Yeah – I know. I’m smart like that, eh.
Final Thoughts:
Please remember that bikes are also vehicles on the road subject to its rules – we can even get speeding tickets, too.
Keep the rubber side down!
Keep the rubber side down!
Cheers!
S. Ross Cutler.
Next time, YOU could be a Proud
Contributor’n’Sponsor’n’Advertiser
to one of these fine columns,
OR you could create one of your own . . .
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Have a nice day!
