blamebrampton: 15th century woodcut of a hound (Default)
blamebrampton ([personal profile] blamebrampton) wrote2013-04-04 06:34 pm

So …

I succumbed two weeks ago and bought an iPad, immediately after succumbing to the lure of a full-time job on a mag that puts out an iPad edition.

Despite it being a luxury, I have been able to justify it as it will pay for itself in New Yorkers alone with the year and I have been getting a lot of writing done on it thanks to the little Logitech keyboard cover I also bought. I was in two minds about buying it a travelling case, as they were yet another expense, but I rationalised it with the thought that since I ride everywhere, I would rather be safe than sorry.

Good call, as things turned out.

It was raining this morning and I hit an oily patch of wet road while turning a corner on my newish town tyres (wide-ish, but slick) and my bike slid out beneath me. It was very dramatic sounding, but that was mostly my helmet cracking, which is what helmets are meant to do. Worth every penny spent on it and it will now join the sainted row of Helmets That Gave Their Lives So I Might Live. (Anyone who tells you that helmets aren't brilliant is talking shit or only ever rides under 10kph.)

A young couple came running up to help, as did Suzanne, the lovely woman whose house I stacked outside. I tried to brush it all off as a commuting incident. They were charming and delightful and pointed out that it might be a better idea to pause a moment until the adrenalin stopped flowing, rather than jog my bike up to the nearby shop for a new helmet before proceeding onto work, as was my initial plan.

Wise advice. As I went to peel my gloves off, it became apparent I had broken a thumb. The left one, and up the top, so minimally awful as these things go, but that meant a day spent having X-rays rather than signing contracts at work. Aside from that, a few grazes and bruises, bike was carefully protected by my body and is fine.

However, having walked my bike back home after thanking my genuinely fabulous rescuers, I decided it was time to face the music. I opened up my pannier and pulled out the travelling case. The iPad is FINE! If you are considering an STM case or a MET bicycle helmet, I strongly recommend both!

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2013-04-04 12:07 pm (UTC)(link)
It was necessarily unvigorous ;-) Most of the bruising pretty minor aside from thumb and the elbow I came down on, which has a lovely egg. My rollover technique has been nearly perfected thanks to all the bikes and horses that have decided to test it over the years …

Hot bath was had: the temp has dropped into the teens tonight! Hallelujah! Mr B has been a lovely nurse and avoided giving me too much grief about the accident: he did something similar as a boy and ended up in hospital, so I look a success by comparison!

Maybe it's the universe enabling me in my desire for a Specialized S3?

[identity profile] raitala.livejournal.com 2013-04-04 12:17 pm (UTC)(link)
What ever is a Specialized S3? And does your new love of the iPad mean we will never see you on gchat because you are on the ipad which doesn't support the function in the same way?

Also don't read the NTWIO file I sent, as I am going to edit it tonight so you don't have to pick out the mistakes dark0feenix has already pointed out and I think I'll change the end a bit.

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2013-04-04 12:21 pm (UTC)(link)
It's one of those helmets that looks as though you need a degree in aeronautics to know which way to put it on. But so strong and light and ventilated!

Opening up laptop now to see if anyone is around for chat ;-)

And I did like what I read very much with a few small things spotted, so will anxiously await more. Had forgotten just how good the art is! New bits superb and affecting!