My Life As A Bike Messenger
10-08-08, 01:40 PM
#51
Warning:Mild Peril
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Seattle Refugee in Los Angeles
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I worked in Portland, OR, and totally hear you on the cold and wet thing, by the end of the winter, I"d be stuffing a couple of extra pairs of socks into my bag, even if they get soaked after a half hour, it was worth it. Ditto burning through rims, some guy (this was probably around 1998?) laid hands on a set of Shamals, got them built into road wheels, and burned through them in about two months during a winter.
The lack of insurance is really bad, one of the things that tends to drive people out as they get older and take on more responsibilities outside of work.
The lack of insurance is really bad, one of the things that tends to drive people out as they get older and take on more responsibilities outside of work.
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Non semper erit aestas.
Non semper erit aestas.
10-08-08, 07:30 PM
#52
brother's keeper
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I also and regretfully had to bail on the greatest gig i ever had... 09 years in the Windy... much love bigbri... It just so happens Im writing a novel about a messenger and would love to use some select anecdotes of yours to aid in moving the story... any objections?
10-09-08, 10:45 AM
#54
cycling enthusiast
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The other winter conversation classic, "Is it raining?" asked of me by secretaries in the winter, in Portland, as I stood in front of them, dripping wet. "No. ma'am, I'm just a very, very sweaty man. It's the cross I bear.".
10-09-08, 10:52 AM
#55
Warning:Mild Peril
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I loved that. I always used to just lean forward and let my helment drip on their desk. Though I always made sure to be nice to the recptionists who would let you snag a cup of office coffee.
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Non semper erit aestas.
Non semper erit aestas.
10-09-08, 10:57 AM
#57
One skid from blown knees
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I used to hate when they didn't let you use the restroom. Or get water.
I remember there was a soda machine outside a sewing & notions shop on 23rd that had ice cold soda for 25 cents.
During my homeless time, I would go to the garage on Washington street where the vendors parked their coffee/bagel carts & got bags of leftovers. Yumm
I remember there was a soda machine outside a sewing & notions shop on 23rd that had ice cold soda for 25 cents.
During my homeless time, I would go to the garage on Washington street where the vendors parked their coffee/bagel carts & got bags of leftovers. Yumm
10-09-08, 11:13 AM
#58
Hello.
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You, man -- Get off the rocks -- Did you hear that sound? Hurry up and pay the clown so we can finish painting the fence.
10-09-08, 11:20 AM
#59
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10-09-08, 11:32 AM
#62
messenger
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Messengers have lively stories to tell..... I take my job seriously enough and I know there are
many who do also-- some get sponsered and make big money....
Sometimes the personalitys interfere with the writing style.... I dont kiss up to knowbody and
I don't make excuses-- i get the job done and show up -- do my routes -- on time... with the economy and gas the way it looks-- some cyclists are actually getting a little respect.
To those youngsters interested-- good luck!
many who do also-- some get sponsered and make big money....
Sometimes the personalitys interfere with the writing style.... I dont kiss up to knowbody and
I don't make excuses-- i get the job done and show up -- do my routes -- on time... with the economy and gas the way it looks-- some cyclists are actually getting a little respect.
To those youngsters interested-- good luck!
10-09-08, 11:44 AM
#64
FNG
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10-09-08, 11:56 AM
#66
FNG
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That's a good start! No double-dashes! Now if you can only learn to capitalize and put a period instead of a smilie at the end of your sentences you might trick a few people into think you're not an ******** ape!
10-09-08, 12:15 PM
#67
So I says to Mable I says
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I'm a ******** ape, you insensitive clod!
10-09-08, 12:25 PM
#69
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10-09-08, 12:46 PM
#70
messenger
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Hey jabba the " english major"--- here is a special (-) ; i had up my A^%%$%@-----
here---- take it --- hide your lobatomy scar with it----- Did you fall off your fixie today
because your not strong enough to "torque" it down with your "torque" wrench? attitude
only dyminishes yur intell-ect.... fooo.
I am now reporting myself to the BF authorities.......
here---- take it --- hide your lobatomy scar with it----- Did you fall off your fixie today
because your not strong enough to "torque" it down with your "torque" wrench? attitude
only dyminishes yur intell-ect.... fooo.
I am now reporting myself to the BF authorities.......
10-09-08, 12:59 PM
#71
FNG
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It's spelled "lobotomy," and my torque wrench has a pretty long handle, it doesn't take much muscle to tighten things down real nice.
And the only thing diminishing my intellect here is your posting.
And the only thing diminishing my intellect here is your posting.
Last edited by Jabba Degrassi; 10-09-08 at 01:10 PM.
10-09-08, 02:24 PM
#74
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10-09-08, 05:34 PM
#75
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This one time, back when I used to mess in the '90s, I brought my package to my girlfriend's house.
Naturally I took it with me when I left about 10 minutes later.
bf
Naturally I took it with me when I left about 10 minutes later.
bf