Missing oVo. . .

Thanks, Iago.

Your package did arrive, but I have to confess that I haven't looked at anything. My dad was in a serious motorcycle accident on Friday. He is doing okay physically, but sore from bruises, cuts, scrapes and a fractured scapula. Unfortunately, he is not doing well mentally. His passenger and friend died on scene. The rear tire blew on my dad's bike and the car behind them couldn't stop when they went down. I don't know if the car simply hit or ran over her, but I guess that doesn't matter. My dad is struggling with a serious case of survivor's guilt. I imagine the other driver isn't feeling too brilliant about it either.

Anyway, more to the story, but a bunch of stuff to deal with right now . . .

Ye gods! Very sorry to hear that. Yes, I will not expect to see anything from you for a while. Take care of yourself and your dad! Wish him well from someone who he has never met, if it will help. Best wishes to you, too.

Things are slowly getting better.

My dad has been through several rounds of physio and is healing remarkably well given that he's older. Physically, things are healing. He still hasn't gone for counselling, even though I encourage him to do so, but he also surprised me by coming to grips with the fact that the outcome wasn't his fault. However, I'm watching that one; it wouldn't surprise me if he appears strong now, but slips later.

Needless to say, I have had a hell of a time with the insurance companies, but that is secondary . . .

Glad to hear he is doing as well as he is. I know physical recovery can be slow although it depends on what shape you are in to begin with. While riding my bike last year I hit a deer and the recovery could have been faster if I had been in better shape to begin with. By the way, I still blame the deer.  

ALWAYS blame the deer in our neck of the woods! Sorry to hear about that, but I assume that you are fully healed by now? Have you gotten back on the bike?

Given the way that I ride (for speed,) I have always assumed that the way that I would finally buy it would be slamming into a deer at 30+mph. And I have, by the way, seen a bear or two whilst out bicycling. Not terribly comforting, that.


Seamaster:

Time will tell. The counselling is a very good idea, but it will be up to him to try it out. If he does slip a bit, that may make it particularly hard on you. Seeing a loved one who could be helped via counselling refuse to do so is really, really tough to take.

Still ride, but now I wear a helmet. Actually went to Yellowstone while still sore 3 weeks after it happened.

Always, always wear a helmet. I have had a handful of major accidents over three decades or so of serious bicycling, and have had my head slammed into the ground in most of those cases. No harm done, thanks to the helmet. The last one (yikes, was that six years ago now?) was when I broke my collarbone and several ribs. I doubt that hitting the ground with sufficient force to break those bones would have done my skull much good. It does not matter how careful you are; most of my accidents have been due to other people not paying attention coming out of nowhere.

Hitting a deer never ends well. Glad to hear you made it through, ethelred.

Indeed, a helmet is a must. Even then, things don't always end well . . . .

No, but they definitely improve your chances. Each of my three major crackups over the decades -- only one of which actually involved broken bones, thank God -- has resulted in having to buy a new helmet. Bicycle helmets are designed to break on serious impact; that is part of what relievs the stress on your skull. But it is a real eye-opener to take your helmet off and see that it is split right down the middle. Could have been the skull instead!

How is your dad doing?

Yes. Helmets are a life saver.

My dad is up and down. He's not sleeping so well, as he keeps replaying things. But otherwise his spirits seem up.

Well, time heals, but the older you get the more time that it can take -- both physically and mentally. Best wishes.

As usual, the Chinese are far ahead of the curve:

http://io9.com/in-the-shade-of-the-mobius-strip-bridge-1464215988

Really??? s bridge with a sloping surface??? That ought to be real fun if it is subject to a cold climate pattern.

Ah, but it would be worth it to stay on the right side of the strip, would it not?

Definitely.

Just sitting here sipping coffee . . .  reminiscing . . .
Apologies for the oVertly non-Offtopic post, I'll try to not let it happen again.

InQEDeed.

I'm not one to dig up dead threads, but I figured I might be excused with this one. How is everyone?

Better, now that the scaled one has returned. I thought about sending you another message but I did not want to appear pushy.

I wouldn't have taken it as pushy. Glad to see there are still a few who post!