So a while back I traded issue #8 of Cerebus the Newsletter to another Cerebite for other issues of Cerebus the Newsletter I was missing. Well, turns out, I managed to get every issue except #8.

That was until Monday when I saw it on eBay with a buy it now of like $9. w00t! So I got it of course and finished my collection:

(click on the picture to get an even bigger version of that picture).

Up at the top left hand corner is #1, with issue #8 being the one in the second row down in the middle, with the X-Men cross over cover. Really. I even put issues #14 – 17 which I published, since they are technically Cerebus the Newsletters (given the okay by Dave and Fred themselves, w00t!). I even took a picture of the back covers:

Same as above, #1 is in the upper left hand corner.  Only issue #12 (the second row from the bottom, second one from the left next to the blue mind game IV one) is a wrap around cover. The current incarnation of the newsletter has put ads for Aardvark-Vanaheim on the back, either the phonebooks or for Cerebus Archive. Since Dave is allowing us to continue on with the newsletter, I thought it was only right that we give AV something in return.

As I sit here outside the Cumby’s waiting for the truck to come pick my motorcycle and me up, I’ve had (have) plenty of time to think about my first spill on the motorcycle.

I had just stopped for gas at the Cumby’s and wad going to take a right out of the parking lot to then take an immediate left out at the traffic light. At the exit to the gas station a large suv was making a left partially blocking my line of sight. I inched forward and saw a line of traffic. So I waited until I saw an opening. A suv was coming. But I had room so I went. I was going to immediately take the left as the light was turning yellow.

But.

But there was a truck coming thru the yellow light going straight. Straight at me. So I tried to swerve out of the way but was already in my turn and the bike and I couldn’t handle it. Over onto our left hand side we went. My left leg was pinned under the bike as we slid closer and closer to the on coming truck.

Luckily we managed to avoid the oncoming truck but it was close. The truck’s tires were about a foot from me. The truck slowed down and stopped, but I had slid two more feet over we’d be in a lot worse shape.

I try not to think about if I had kept going. The truck was coming and not stopping. Ouch.

After I came to a stop, I managed to get my left lower leg and foot out from under the bike. People were getting out if their cars. Some lady help me right the bike. Someone else handed me the left mirror which had come off. They both pushed it to the side of the road.

***

The above was written on Thursday, July 22 while I was waiting for the truck to come pick up the bike.

The bike now runs, and myself and it both have some minor dents and dings. My bruises and road rash will heal, the bike’s will be fixed and lessons were learned.

Those lessons? Don’t take unnecessary risks. Carry some tools on your bike (I’m getting a pouch to put on the front of the fork / handlebars).  And while it was scary, it wasn’t life ending. Just keep your shit together, and do what you need to do to carry on. I was just glad not to be hit by the truck, and that my first spill happened so close to home – and not on my trip to Vermont the previous weekend.

Switching from pLog to wordpress. it’ll take a bit to get this up and ready. . .