A true story from a moron co-worker
by Chris W.
I sent this to my coworker titled: "A true story from a moron co-worker"
I was biking up Mt. Tabor on Sunday and happened upon a small group of people (about 15 or so) who were watching this tall, long haired dude getting interviewed. Curiosity being what it is, I turned my head and lo' and behold it looked like... Keanu Reeves of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure and The Matrix fame. While rolling to a stop I asked a bystander who that was and she confirmed it indeed was the World Famous Celebrity, Mr. Keanu Reeves. Here's where the fun part starts...
I forgot that I was clipped in to my bike. For those familiar, you can guess what happens next. For those who are not familiar, many bikes these days have these clip-in pedals (and accompanying "clip" shoes") that enable a bicyclist to pedal faster and some say in more control. However, being that I was taking my new pedals out for a test run, I forgot that I was clipped in to both pedals when I was slowing down. Hence, if you don't clip out, you become one with the bike and in my case, I stopped, went "oh $hi+" and dumped myself and the bike in a loud crash 15 feet from where the interview was taking place....
All heads turned. The interview stopped. Mr. Reeves, said with a concerned face, "Hey man, you all right?" and I gotta "Hey buddy, everything ok?" from the interviewer. I also got a, "We have first aid kit in the minivan" from a Mom who was corralling a group of giggling teenagers... nice.
Well, I dusted my self off (very red faced, I might add) and waved off all help (no blood and bike ok). Made sure I was clipped out and then rolled it out to the periphery of the crowd - the proverbial walk of shame. Cue the circus music it's Slapstick the Bicycling Clown here for your amusement...ugh.
Anyway, instead of taking off (like a sane person would do), I put aside the bruised ego and actually waited in line talk to the dude - I don't exactly carry pen and paper around hoping for autographs while I'm out pedaling around. I shook his hand, we shared a laugh over the incident and I came away thinking he was pretty cool guy. Turns out he is in town acting in a small, independent movie called "Thumbsucker" that his friend was directing. Apparently, he is helping the guy out because it's his first directing gig and KR wanted to give his career a boost if he could. Pretty cool if you asked me...
Well, waddya think of my personal brush with fame?
A classic on so many levels of my own idiocy but nonetheless a fine drinking story!