Chris vs Vauxhall Tigra

Song of the Day – The Quiet Things No-One Ever Knows – Brand New

Album of the Day – Frances the Mute – The Mars Volta

Thought of the Day – “Ow, ow, fuck this hurts, ow.”

Good afternoon everyone! It’s been a long time hasn’t it? Why, you ask, is this post entitled “Chris vs Vauxhall Tigra”?

Well, we’ll come to that later.

First off, I must tell you how cool my new job is. I’m in Covent Garden every day, which is awesome, I’m working for (possibly) the coolest company on the planet and I’m loving every minute of it! I think I’m going to be really successful here…

But here’s the deal, y’all. Remember when we were kids, we were all taught how to cross the road by the Green Cross Code man? Well, I hope you all paid attention.

Because it seems I didn’t. Last night, for the first time in 26 years, I didn’t look at what the traffic was doing.

What happened?

Well, I was on the train, and after a couple of pints with some buddies of mine, I was absolutely dying for the toilet. So, I jumped off of the train at Mile End, with the intention of going to find a pub and relieve myself. So, I walk up to the pedestrian crossing, and press the wait button.

Out of the corner of my eye I see that two lanes out of this three lane bit of road have stopped. So, without looking to see if the green man was lit up, I crossed.

Next thing I hear is “BEEEEEEPP!”

Time slowed to treacle.

I saw the car (a Vauxhall Tigra, if you really want to know), and I just had time to turn my body away and get a hand on the bonnet. Then, the car took my legs from underneath me, and I remember the WHAM as I hit the bonnet of the car and then the glass. As the driver was braking heavily, I was then thrown off of the car and on to the road.

All in all I guess it took 2 or 3 seconds. It felt like a lifetime.

It turns out the traffic was still green for go. And these two cars had stopped for no reason. So I think (and yes, I thought wrong) that the traffic is stopped, I didn’t look, and I went.

Aside from the getting-hit-by-a-car part, I was very lucky. I’m only suffering very bad bruising, and a good deal of shock. But nothing is broken. Any other day, if those other cars hadn’t have stopped, there would have been a free flow of traffic and that would have been me, squished.

The lesson to be learnt here? Always, always look. Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you’re safe, ok? And thinking “they’ve got brakes” isn’t always enough.

Because I was lucky. Thousands of people aren’t.

And then I was cracking jokes with the Ambulance men and the Copper… I was ok. Probably shouldn’t have come to work today though – should have stayed at home and let all the colourful bruises come out. But there we go…

So that’s that, for today. I hope this finds you all well, and I’ll write more soon.

Lots of Love,

Chris x x

This is Fucking Beautiful, Man...

I'm leaving work on Friday, as you may know, and my dear friend Akash won't be here... He sent me this poem about our friendship...

Dude, I love you, bru.

Anyways, I wanted to share it. Enjoy.
(13 Months forever)

13 months of friendship leave memories on my face and everything he wrote told me what it takes
to live with a burning heart but not give up the fight
to trust the pain you feel and allow it to give light
to those who have forgotten, to those who disbelieve
13 months of friendship made me perceive
a man to brilliant to be here...
But this is no grieving! For nothings ever lost
No this is about believing-friendship transcends thought
Like a sword you've slain-my ego's game
I thought I was good until you came and killed me with your
talent...
13 months of friendship Chris, what can I say?
Does this officiate my being a drama queen?
This is the extent my friend, This is you inspiring.
13 months of friendship forever to be shared
I'll applause my heart out while you take centre stage.