May 2003
While in Cleveland for a swim meet, I saw a film crew shooting a commercial of a car driving down the road. The camera man was following in an SUV standing in the sun roof. I immediately decided that shooting with the camera-out-the-sun-roof technique needed to happen and the milktrix was born.
The problem with the the camera-out-the-sun-roof technique is that it is apparently illegal on many levels. As we were filming, my ass half-out the roof of my mom's car, I have the driver go around Joe's car so that I can get the shot. Joe was following th posted speed limit of 45 mph which meant to pass him we were banging out about 55-60. This was not a problem with any of the other cars around us except for the police officer.
After we got the shot, we pulled over to thank the police officer for clearing traffic for us...
"Are you guys crazy?" He said, not calmly at all. "I oughta impound this vehicle and slap you with reckless opp."
"Hello officer, I'm Michael and this is Andrea. And we are filming a short for a photogr..."
"You guys were driving 60 miles an hour without a seatbelt, half out the car."
"Officer, I apologize, we just needed that one shot to finish our film and we have gotten it and so we're done."
"Well you have also got a pair of tickets for speeding and failure to wear a seat belt."
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Sunday, March 1, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Island Reef Job
I finally got my video application for IslandReefJob.com finished and uploaded. Over 34,000 videos have been uploaded. Some are garbage and some are really really good.
The idea is that you get this job, you go to the island and then you regale the world with your adventures via photos, videos and blog posts all the while drumming up interest in Australia as an international vacation destination.
The question becomes, how do you make yourself stand out in a group of 34,ooo?
Just because I got 15 emails and 30 phone calls in one day telling me that I am the perfect man for the job doesn't mean a whole lot unless I can show them.
I decided immediately upon hearing about it that we weren't going to go with a "talking head" type video application. Also, we were going to shy away from slide shows and pictures of me being awesome in various locales around the globe. Why?
1) Everyone else did that
2) This job is not about where you have been. Its about your ability to present Queensland to the world in an entertaining way. To do that, I have to start by presenting myself in an entertaining way.
I realize that not showing photos of me being awesome, and relying more heavily on imagery than words is a gamble. Focusing on plot, production value and humor did not however cause me to leave out any of the requirements for the video app. Instead, by sprinkling the pertinent information on top of this short, I have gone above and beyond; providing a preview of whats to come, not what has been.
I'm Travelin' Mike, and I'm going places.
Please go to: http://www.islandreefjob.com/#/applicants/watch/QCVC8pKWIV8
Thank you,
TM
p.s. I would like to give a special thanks to Joe Camerlengo for coming aboard behind the camera and Joe Fitzgerald for lending his vocal talents to the production. Both can be found at ThisIsMySuitcase
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Friday, July 4, 2008
That time the boat broke: A day without wake
4 July 2008
A weekend of wake boarding becomes a weekend of creativity when the boat breaks over the holiday. Beached for the day obviously did not mean a day of boredom. Here are some photos documenting our day at the beach.
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Tuesday, May 6, 2008
That time I went to the derby Part 2
4 May 2008 (continued)
After the race, I had to get back to the car before the others so that I would not be left. I started back to the parking lot only having a vague idea of its location: across the train tracks, near a football stadium before the roller coaster.
The lot was pretty far away and everyone had different directions to it. Not having any time to walk to the bridge to cross the tracks and find the stadium where the car was parked, I quit asking how to get to the stadium and started asking where the train tracks were. I got a lot of, "What do you want to know where the tracks are for?" and "Don't you want to know where the bridge is to cross?" After this, they would go on with their directions to get around/over them. I was just looking for a finger point in the right direction. I'd figure it out from there.
Finally, I asked someone the best way to the train tracks and they pointed me in the right direction. When I got to the tracks there was a fence about 10 feet tall with barbs at the top. It turns out that these things may keep normal people from climbing the fence, but not Mike Donohoe. With a gash on my right hand, and cuts on my leg, wrist and ass I jumped down from a second fence and had finally reached my destination with about a half hour before any of the people in my group arrived. Apparently, they took the scenic route. I made friends with a few 40 year olds that happened to be from Columbus and lived in the neighborhood I was living in when they were my age. They also happened to be giving out free Long Islands.
Following the LIT's things get a bit hazy...It seems that my friends found me. They were amazed by the fact that I was able to get back on my own and were worried that they were going to have to get the police to find me. We went to a pizza joint and parked around back. Then, when we tried to get out of the parking lot, we came up against a locked gate about 8 feet tall. Being as I was a veteran fence climber, I hopped it no problem only to come to a second locked gate identical to the first. When I finally got over and jumped on to the main road, I looked up to see Jamie, Kyle, McNugg and and Jenna standing there waiting for me. They had gone around...
We rolled up into the restaurant and were seated. While they ate, I napped, not necessarily on purpose. When I awoke I saw that there was no more pizza left and more importantly there was karyoke going on. Sensing a second wind, I quickly hopped up to put our name in.
Jamie and McBaby, not wanting to sing, went to sit in the car. Kyle, Jenna and I went up when they called my name and grabbed the mic. They asked what we were singing and I told them not to worry about it; the words would be on screen soon enough. An Asian girl came up and asked if she could sing with us too, so I put my arm around her and we began to sing with the bouncing ball. She sang with us until we got to the first chorus "And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free/And I won't forget the men who died and gave that right to me..." That's when the Asian girl left and the rest of the bar got on it's feet. Arm in arm with the entire bar, we finished the song to high fives, whistles, cheers...my first standing ovation.
Without a word and without looking back, we dropped the microphones and walked out...
Read more!
After the race, I had to get back to the car before the others so that I would not be left. I started back to the parking lot only having a vague idea of its location: across the train tracks, near a football stadium before the roller coaster.
The lot was pretty far away and everyone had different directions to it. Not having any time to walk to the bridge to cross the tracks and find the stadium where the car was parked, I quit asking how to get to the stadium and started asking where the train tracks were. I got a lot of, "What do you want to know where the tracks are for?" and "Don't you want to know where the bridge is to cross?" After this, they would go on with their directions to get around/over them. I was just looking for a finger point in the right direction. I'd figure it out from there.
Finally, I asked someone the best way to the train tracks and they pointed me in the right direction. When I got to the tracks there was a fence about 10 feet tall with barbs at the top. It turns out that these things may keep normal people from climbing the fence, but not Mike Donohoe. With a gash on my right hand, and cuts on my leg, wrist and ass I jumped down from a second fence and had finally reached my destination with about a half hour before any of the people in my group arrived. Apparently, they took the scenic route. I made friends with a few 40 year olds that happened to be from Columbus and lived in the neighborhood I was living in when they were my age. They also happened to be giving out free Long Islands.
Following the LIT's things get a bit hazy...It seems that my friends found me. They were amazed by the fact that I was able to get back on my own and were worried that they were going to have to get the police to find me. We went to a pizza joint and parked around back. Then, when we tried to get out of the parking lot, we came up against a locked gate about 8 feet tall. Being as I was a veteran fence climber, I hopped it no problem only to come to a second locked gate identical to the first. When I finally got over and jumped on to the main road, I looked up to see Jamie, Kyle, McNugg and and Jenna standing there waiting for me. They had gone around...
We rolled up into the restaurant and were seated. While they ate, I napped, not necessarily on purpose. When I awoke I saw that there was no more pizza left and more importantly there was karyoke going on. Sensing a second wind, I quickly hopped up to put our name in.
Jamie and McBaby, not wanting to sing, went to sit in the car. Kyle, Jenna and I went up when they called my name and grabbed the mic. They asked what we were singing and I told them not to worry about it; the words would be on screen soon enough. An Asian girl came up and asked if she could sing with us too, so I put my arm around her and we began to sing with the bouncing ball. She sang with us until we got to the first chorus "And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free/And I won't forget the men who died and gave that right to me..." That's when the Asian girl left and the rest of the bar got on it's feet. Arm in arm with the entire bar, we finished the song to high fives, whistles, cheers...my first standing ovation.
Without a word and without looking back, we dropped the microphones and walked out...
Read more!
That time I went to the derby Part 1
4 May 2008
Its kind of amazing how you can feel such relief for one month being over and a new one starting. April was a rough month and for the most part an adventure drought. All I can say is "Thank God for May"
This past weekend, Kyle and I were heading down the the Derby, so we made a pit stop in Oxford Friday night. We pretty much set the town on fire, I am not going to regale you with the story because I don't want to ruin your image of me as a sweet dude. The next morning we woke up on Paige's floor. After much groaning and some wide mouth Aquafina's we were on the road to Louisville and the 134th Kentucky Derby.
2 hours later, and probably 3 hours after we said we'd be there, we pull up to J-mo's house, put in a hug and a hello to with parents and jump into his mom's van. Within 10 minutes we have reached our tailgating destination.
Almost before putting the van in park, it's time for Mint Juleps with homemade mint syrup from hand picked mint. Them southerners can throw one hell of a parking lot party. More bourbon flows throughout the day as well as many games of Thunderstruck with random passersby. As we begin to run low on beer Jamie and McHugh prepare for our day in the infield by filling ziplock bags with Bourbon and duct taping them where they won't be patted by security. In years prior, Jamie has done the same, but with a female accomplice and an over-sized bra. This year the one girl brave enough to come along didn't have a whole lot of room to spare up there so flies and thighs it was.
Just as we began to wonder how we were going to get from the lot to the Derb, a guy in a 15 passenger van pulls up to our party and tells us that for $30 and a joint he can get us to the track. I never saw the joint nor were we offered a hit so that part of the deal may have fallen through.
As soon as Jmo and McHugh sat down, their ziplock flasks sprouted leaks, but did not explode. I took it upon myself to make sure the no more bourbon was wasted and soon the others pitched in to help.
At some point between the parking lot and scalping a ticket, my phone died. "It's cool," I figure, "we'll just stay together..." Jamie and I go in through the gate and while we are in line ready to post, it's time for me to pee, again. So I let him know not to move until I get back.
When I returned to the line, Jmo was no where to be found. All alone, and in the middle of 100,000 people and there I am without a cell phone. Instead of worrying about it and trying to find my buddies in this sloppy mob, I figured I would watch the races now and find them later.
Somehow, the pass that I scalped was an All-Access pass, meaning that I was able to go hang out in Sodom; I mean the In-Field, but I could also go back to the stables and watch the races from that side. I ended up going through the stables admiring the giant horses and trying to pump them up with songs from the Rock Soundtrack, "Eye of the Tiger," "Gonna Fly Now." After a minute or so one of the trainers told me to go the hell away. I guess that the Rocky movies do not have the same motivating effect on horses as they do on me.
For the rest of the afternoon until race time, I found myself in the middle of a Fiesta. Mexican music and dancing, grilled chicken and beef for fajitas, all the churros I could eat and muchos cervezas. As race time drew nearer, I began inching closer and closer to the track until I got to a ramp. I finagled my way up to the top and could see the amazing site of the Grandstand, packed to capacity across the way. Finally, at the top of the viewing deck, someone handed me a beer and we had a conversation about the Derby and the horses and who we bet on. When I turned around and began paying attention to where I was standing I almost fell over. Its a good thing I didn't because I would have fallen right onto the track. Everyone told me that if you are going to the Kentucky Derby, don't plan on seeing any horses. That may be true for most people, but I went to the Kentucky Derby and ended up with a front row seat.
My spot was a deck right after the second turn. Seconds after the familiar bugle tune, a brown blur sped by and it was to the screens for the finish. In almost no time at all the horses were back around the second turn slowing down to a stop. Except one. One horse came bounding around and with a harsh face-plant threw its jockey. Trucks and vans came onto the track and finally a curtain was place around the tent.
I am not sure the In-Field knew what was happening, but my side of the track sat in silence as they put Eight Bells down.
Read more!
Its kind of amazing how you can feel such relief for one month being over and a new one starting. April was a rough month and for the most part an adventure drought. All I can say is "Thank God for May"
This past weekend, Kyle and I were heading down the the Derby, so we made a pit stop in Oxford Friday night. We pretty much set the town on fire, I am not going to regale you with the story because I don't want to ruin your image of me as a sweet dude. The next morning we woke up on Paige's floor. After much groaning and some wide mouth Aquafina's we were on the road to Louisville and the 134th Kentucky Derby.
2 hours later, and probably 3 hours after we said we'd be there, we pull up to J-mo's house, put in a hug and a hello to with parents and jump into his mom's van. Within 10 minutes we have reached our tailgating destination.
Almost before putting the van in park, it's time for Mint Juleps with homemade mint syrup from hand picked mint. Them southerners can throw one hell of a parking lot party. More bourbon flows throughout the day as well as many games of Thunderstruck with random passersby. As we begin to run low on beer Jamie and McHugh prepare for our day in the infield by filling ziplock bags with Bourbon and duct taping them where they won't be patted by security. In years prior, Jamie has done the same, but with a female accomplice and an over-sized bra. This year the one girl brave enough to come along didn't have a whole lot of room to spare up there so flies and thighs it was.
Just as we began to wonder how we were going to get from the lot to the Derb, a guy in a 15 passenger van pulls up to our party and tells us that for $30 and a joint he can get us to the track. I never saw the joint nor were we offered a hit so that part of the deal may have fallen through.
As soon as Jmo and McHugh sat down, their ziplock flasks sprouted leaks, but did not explode. I took it upon myself to make sure the no more bourbon was wasted and soon the others pitched in to help.
At some point between the parking lot and scalping a ticket, my phone died. "It's cool," I figure, "we'll just stay together..." Jamie and I go in through the gate and while we are in line ready to post, it's time for me to pee, again. So I let him know not to move until I get back.
When I returned to the line, Jmo was no where to be found. All alone, and in the middle of 100,000 people and there I am without a cell phone. Instead of worrying about it and trying to find my buddies in this sloppy mob, I figured I would watch the races now and find them later.
Somehow, the pass that I scalped was an All-Access pass, meaning that I was able to go hang out in Sodom; I mean the In-Field, but I could also go back to the stables and watch the races from that side. I ended up going through the stables admiring the giant horses and trying to pump them up with songs from the Rock Soundtrack, "Eye of the Tiger," "Gonna Fly Now." After a minute or so one of the trainers told me to go the hell away. I guess that the Rocky movies do not have the same motivating effect on horses as they do on me.
For the rest of the afternoon until race time, I found myself in the middle of a Fiesta. Mexican music and dancing, grilled chicken and beef for fajitas, all the churros I could eat and muchos cervezas. As race time drew nearer, I began inching closer and closer to the track until I got to a ramp. I finagled my way up to the top and could see the amazing site of the Grandstand, packed to capacity across the way. Finally, at the top of the viewing deck, someone handed me a beer and we had a conversation about the Derby and the horses and who we bet on. When I turned around and began paying attention to where I was standing I almost fell over. Its a good thing I didn't because I would have fallen right onto the track. Everyone told me that if you are going to the Kentucky Derby, don't plan on seeing any horses. That may be true for most people, but I went to the Kentucky Derby and ended up with a front row seat.
My spot was a deck right after the second turn. Seconds after the familiar bugle tune, a brown blur sped by and it was to the screens for the finish. In almost no time at all the horses were back around the second turn slowing down to a stop. Except one. One horse came bounding around and with a harsh face-plant threw its jockey. Trucks and vans came onto the track and finally a curtain was place around the tent.
I am not sure the In-Field knew what was happening, but my side of the track sat in silence as they put Eight Bells down.
Read more!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Reflections of Devil's Den
25 November 2007
Milford, CT
Yesterday, frustrated by prolonged close proximity, I needed to get away from the fam for a bit. We went on a hike at Devil's Den Preserve, which is closer to Milford, CT than it is to hell.
We got to the entrance of the trail and after a bit of walking and a tree with boobs, there was a fork. My family zigged, I zagged.
For about two hours, armed with my uncle Jack's Nikon D200, I walked around Lucius Pond documenting my hike and learning how to use the unfamiliar camera.
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Milford, CT
Yesterday, frustrated by prolonged close proximity, I needed to get away from the fam for a bit. We went on a hike at Devil's Den Preserve, which is closer to Milford, CT than it is to hell.
We got to the entrance of the trail and after a bit of walking and a tree with boobs, there was a fork. My family zigged, I zagged.
For about two hours, armed with my uncle Jack's Nikon D200, I walked around Lucius Pond documenting my hike and learning how to use the unfamiliar camera.
Read more!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Front Porch Rockin' (part 1)
Saturday 25 August 2007
Last Thursday my uncle Bill's gig was canceled so we got together with Anthony on his back porch and had and AMAZING time. I brought Norma (Blonde and curvy with nice hips a tiny waist and a big ole booty; could there be a more fitting name for my guitar than Norma Jean?) and my yet-to-be named mandolin.
We practiced a few of my uncles songs as well as the covers they play quickly leading into a full on front porch jam (although it was actually on Bill's back porch). At one point I picked up the mando and started playing the only 4 chords I know (G C Em D). Anthony, with his usual "whatchu got there" curious smile picked up Norma and asked what chords I was playing. We went on groovin' for a while before Anthony started singing "What's it gonna take for you to come around/to my way of thinkin." Our new chorus evolved into a three part harmony and went into a Bill Golden mandolin solo with myself switching to the tambourine, Anthony still on rhythm. As we continued rocking, I got goose bumps and couldn't help but smile.
Some people pick up guitar to get laid, a la Jimmy Buffett (which I have nothing but respect for). Some to get paid. Growing up, a memory that will stay with me is sitting on my front porch, listening to my uncles play and wanting to be a part of that. I picked up guitar so that I could join in the FP jam session. That's where the magic happens. There is nothing like creating a song as you go; looking at each other, scared and smiling, not knowing where it's headed and holding on for dear life.
TM
Read more!
Last Thursday my uncle Bill's gig was canceled so we got together with Anthony on his back porch and had and AMAZING time. I brought Norma (Blonde and curvy with nice hips a tiny waist and a big ole booty; could there be a more fitting name for my guitar than Norma Jean?) and my yet-to-be named mandolin.
We practiced a few of my uncles songs as well as the covers they play quickly leading into a full on front porch jam (although it was actually on Bill's back porch). At one point I picked up the mando and started playing the only 4 chords I know (G C Em D). Anthony, with his usual "whatchu got there" curious smile picked up Norma and asked what chords I was playing. We went on groovin' for a while before Anthony started singing "What's it gonna take for you to come around/to my way of thinkin." Our new chorus evolved into a three part harmony and went into a Bill Golden mandolin solo with myself switching to the tambourine, Anthony still on rhythm. As we continued rocking, I got goose bumps and couldn't help but smile.
Some people pick up guitar to get laid, a la Jimmy Buffett (which I have nothing but respect for). Some to get paid. Growing up, a memory that will stay with me is sitting on my front porch, listening to my uncles play and wanting to be a part of that. I picked up guitar so that I could join in the FP jam session. That's where the magic happens. There is nothing like creating a song as you go; looking at each other, scared and smiling, not knowing where it's headed and holding on for dear life.
TM
Read more!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
That time I instadated at the symphony: Some Good Grass
24 July 2007
Two Saturdays ago, Ricky Skaggs and the Kentucky Thunder played with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra on the front lawn of the Chemical Abstracts Building. I decided to ride my bike down to figure out how they mix a bluegrass band with a symphony.
When I got there I learned that it was $22 with no student rate. What's more, they weren't going to let me stand outside the fence because I could still see and hear the music. Bump that. So I make my way down the fence and out of site of gate only to see police officer handing a pair of tickets to two girls over the fence.
As he walked away, I asked, "Man, what do I have to do to get free tickets? Just stand here and look cute?"
Read more!
Two Saturdays ago, Ricky Skaggs and the Kentucky Thunder played with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra on the front lawn of the Chemical Abstracts Building. I decided to ride my bike down to figure out how they mix a bluegrass band with a symphony.
When I got there I learned that it was $22 with no student rate. What's more, they weren't going to let me stand outside the fence because I could still see and hear the music. Bump that. So I make my way down the fence and out of site of gate only to see police officer handing a pair of tickets to two girls over the fence.
As he walked away, I asked, "Man, what do I have to do to get free tickets? Just stand here and look cute?"
One of the girls held out her hand and said that I could have her's but I declined.
"No way. That's a $22 ticket. I am not taking it from you."
Just then the girls took two steps back for a girl-girl conference. Judging by head shakes and hand gestures...Girl A looks to Girl B and tells her she doesn't want to go. Girl B then, with a pleading expression (head tilt, ruffled brow, big eyes, shrugged shoulders) asks her to stay.
All of the sudden they start arguing in what I would later learn to be chinese. For about five minutes they argued as I stood idly by. Finally it stops and Girl A holds out her hand again and says, "Here, Yan would like you to take her to the concert."
What?
Girl B convinces me with a shy smile (would have cracked for less).
I still didn't know what was really going on until after we walked in but it became clear by the Graeter's stand placed next to the entrance that it was going to be an ice cream night (you know I can't keep walking with that black raspberry chip staring me down. More on that in a post to come). Yan wouldn't let me pay. I figured it was the least I could do for the free ticket and all.
Ice cream in hand, we found some good grass in the center of the field and listened to the symphony play the "Hokey Pokey," "The Chicken Dance" and some other "classical pieces." Ricky Skaggs and the Kentucky Thunder came Kentucky Thundering out on stage after a short intermission. They were amazing.
While sitting with Yan, She explained how she knew nothing about bluegrass music so I schooled her up on the pieces I know about it. We noted its similarities to celtic folk music as well as blues and jazz as we took in the melding of the two seemingly incompatable styles. If you get a chance to see a bluegrass band and and a symphony play together, TAKE IT.
Yan was a masters/PhD student at OSU and when I asked about her focus she replied, "I am studying biochemistry. Scary, huh?"
"No actually, as a zoology major and I studied organic as well as biochemistry and quite enjoyed it."
That was apparently the right thing to say because she sat a lot closer for the rest of the night.
After the show I was to meet up with Jerrod, so I walked Yan home, exchanged numbers, took a photo together and had a small kiss. She giggled and ran inside.
Still not sure whether she was my Asian conquest or I was her American conquest. Never heard from her again.
I guess I can check "impromptu date with stranger"off the list...
Just then the girls took two steps back for a girl-girl conference. Judging by head shakes and hand gestures...Girl A looks to Girl B and tells her she doesn't want to go. Girl B then, with a pleading expression (head tilt, ruffled brow, big eyes, shrugged shoulders) asks her to stay.
All of the sudden they start arguing in what I would later learn to be chinese. For about five minutes they argued as I stood idly by. Finally it stops and Girl A holds out her hand again and says, "Here, Yan would like you to take her to the concert."
What?
Girl B convinces me with a shy smile (would have cracked for less).
I still didn't know what was really going on until after we walked in but it became clear by the Graeter's stand placed next to the entrance that it was going to be an ice cream night (you know I can't keep walking with that black raspberry chip staring me down. More on that in a post to come). Yan wouldn't let me pay. I figured it was the least I could do for the free ticket and all.
Ice cream in hand, we found some good grass in the center of the field and listened to the symphony play the "Hokey Pokey," "The Chicken Dance" and some other "classical pieces." Ricky Skaggs and the Kentucky Thunder came Kentucky Thundering out on stage after a short intermission. They were amazing.
While sitting with Yan, She explained how she knew nothing about bluegrass music so I schooled her up on the pieces I know about it. We noted its similarities to celtic folk music as well as blues and jazz as we took in the melding of the two seemingly incompatable styles. If you get a chance to see a bluegrass band and and a symphony play together, TAKE IT.
Yan was a masters/PhD student at OSU and when I asked about her focus she replied, "I am studying biochemistry. Scary, huh?"
"No actually, as a zoology major and I studied organic as well as biochemistry and quite enjoyed it."
That was apparently the right thing to say because she sat a lot closer for the rest of the night.
After the show I was to meet up with Jerrod, so I walked Yan home, exchanged numbers, took a photo together and had a small kiss. She giggled and ran inside.
Still not sure whether she was my Asian conquest or I was her American conquest. Never heard from her again.
I guess I can check "impromptu date with stranger"off the list...
Read more!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
That time I went to Canada Part 4: A good ride
While in Canada I wanted to make sure to go mountain biking at Canada Olymic Park. My aunt Kathleen, ski instructor by winter and mountain bike camp counselor by summer at COP, didn't believe that I had ever ridden a bike, much less on dirt so we went on a test run in a local dog park. Besides being a great place to let your dog run off it's lead, it was a great place for some quick off-roading. Kathleen showed me how to use my weight going up and down the hills and when to use which brakes--things that I already sorta knew but never really paid much attention to. For example, when riding down a hill, if braking, don't ride the rear brake because you will skid and lose control. Instead, go light on both breaks and lean over your back wheel. Unless you want to go fast, then it's weight forward, no brakes.
Either way, we were riding along this pretty high ridge and the path was pretty narrow, and when we first went out on to this path my immediate thought was "Wow that would suck to fall off. You wouldn't stop."
So we are riding along, la di da, and all of the sudden I jerk the wheel a bit to the right over a tree root and as a reflex, correct it by turning to the left.
There was nowhere to go on the left. Over the edge I go.
Yaaaaaaa-hoo-hoo-hoo-hooey!!!
I kind of sideways go-go-gadget ejector seated the bike, somehow found my way to my ass after rolling and somersaulting down the hill and slide down probably ten or so meters. Finally there was a small bush that I was able to grab on to stop myself from sliding the rest of the way down the cliff.
When I finished, both sliding and cursing, I made sure to yell up to Kathleen because she probably thought she had killed me and wouldn't have been able to see me through all the brush and trees.
After collecting myself, I had to climb all the way back up splintered ass and all. I couldn't just walk it either, I had to grab on to bushes and tree roots and climb my way, hanging on for dear life. When I finally got to my bike I had to lift it over my head to get it up to the ledge we were riding. With the bike frame high as I could reach and a not so strong footing, I almost fell backwards down the hill again. Luckily, Kathleen was able to grab the bike and I was able to get back up to the ledge. Deciding that I was good to go, we rode back (standing up) so I could ice my ass.
All in all a good ride.
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That time I went to Canada Part 3: The Chucks
7 July 2007If you have not been to a Chuck Wagon race, or worse, never heard of a Chuck Wagon race, drop what you are doing, drive to Canada and find one.
A chuckwagon is the wagon that carried food and supplies across the prairies in the US and Canada to feed settlers and cowboys. The "Chuck", generally consisting of beans, salted meat, potatoes and biscuits, was easy to prepare for large groups of people and generally did not go bad on the way. As a celebration of the Chuckwagons, the Calgary Stampede's main event every night is the Chuckwagon Races.
In a chuckwagon race, a chuckwagon, pulled by four horses, is loaded with the tent posts and stove that is set outside the wagon. Once loaded by the outriders, the wagon must race around barrels making a figure 8, then once around the track to the finish all without losing the tent posts or stove. The outriders that load the wagon must mount their horses and finish the race as a team with the wagon.
The Calgary Stampede is kind like the Super Bowl of the chuckwagon racing circuit. The big show. And we had a front row spot right along the rail. My favorite part about outdoor live music is when you can feel the bass drum in your chest. In the same way I liked being able to feel the beat of the thundering hooves. Dale, Kathleen and I bet would bet a loonie or a toonie on each race. Dale ended up winning it all, but the jokes on him. It was his money.
I enjoy horse racing of all sorts, but this may be my favorite. I think it is the team aspect of it, the four horses and the driver and the outriders as well as having to finish the race together. It makes for a lot more to watch than most other types of horse racing that may have to rely on a back story to build excitement.
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