Hey Brook,

Remember the other day when we talked about how I would not be tardy one more time this month. Well I think I have a good excuse for being 25 min late this morning.

Here is what happened to me this morning.

I was on the verge of being late to work because of waking up a little late to arrive at work at 9am. I got on my bike about 5 minutes after waking up and I started to peddle my bike like a mad man. I was making great time. I was thinking that there was a possibility that I would be logged into the phone system before 9am so that I would not be tardy again.

When riding my bike and almost to work on Freedom Blvd, I realized that there might be a problem with getting to work on time. I saw the train crossing lights start flashing for the rail road crossing. The lights kept flashing but the guards did not come down. I kept pedaling and when I got in a position where I could see down the tracks I could see a train quite a ways away and so I kept going without slowing down. I was going to cross the tracks before the train was even close. If I was to wait for the train I would have been late for work.

I knew the metal guards would be coming down soon. The crossing guards that come down had not come down yet, so I thought I had a little bit more time. When I looked up from looking at the train I saw that the guards were almost down and in my way and I tried to swerve, but I was too close, so I hit my brakes. You have to realize that my back brakes do not work, so as you should realize I did the whole tumble and roll effect on my bike. I did not hit the guard that came down, I landed under it. I did not land on the tracks of the oncoming train, so that is good news too.

When landing on the pavement, I sort of landed on my knee, head, hands, and shoulder. I was scared when falling because of the possibility of landing on the tracks and not being able to move before the train would hit because of a possible injury. As soon as I landed I started crawling away. I looked back and my bike was a safe distance away and I started cradling my arm.

A lady in the car behind me asked me if I was ok. I said I was ok, but I said it just hurt really bad. The train took a while to go by because it was going slow and when it passed by a guy on the other side of the tracks, who also saw the wreck, came up to me and checked to see if I was ok. This guy and the lady behind me both thought I hit the guard rail and said it looked pretty bad. Once they realized I had no permanent damage and saw that I was laughing, all parties went their separate ways.

I got back on my bike and I could not ride because my wrists hurt really bad when putting pressure on them. My hand was numb from slapping the pavement really hard. My head hurt from getting a little road rash. My knee hurt the most and that made it difficult to peddle. My shoulder hurt, but it did not seem that bad at the time. Because of all this, I started walking my bike to work. After I started feeling better and because walking was taking a long time and because I was already 15 min late for work, I got back on my bike and slowly rode to work the rest of the way to work.

I arrived at work got on the clock, but I did not start working because I got some ice packs, tried to clean myself up, and tried to find some drugs for the pain. My shoulder looks messed up right now and probably looks the worst of all. My knee is swollen a bit and my cheekbone hurts a little. I am in good working order now and I will be able to get back home ok.

I just thought you would like to hear my story of why I was late. I know you said I could not have any more tardies, but let me know if you will excuse me for being late one more time this month.

Thanks
Steve