Hey guys, it’s 5:09 A.M. as I write this. I just arrived home from the emergency room in a city just outside of Nebraska. While leaving some clubs with a few friends, we decided to go to the classic, “after hours party” at some person’s house. Anyhow, in Iowa, alcohol is served until 2 AM whereas, in Neb it’s only 1. So, some guys decided to go to Iowa and get some alcohol for the house party. I, completely sober by the way, decided to go along for the ride in the back seat. As we neared the exit, the driver became distracted and missed it. The passenger, being angry that they’d missed their chance for more alcohol (since it was now 1:58 AM and the next exit wasn’t for another 5 miles) started to push the driver and the driver began to push back. Well, after a few seconds, the car began to swerve. The driver tried to correct it and of course, worsened the situation, causing the car to turn completely to its side and then roll over for a total of 3 times before it landed on the opposite side of the highway. The car was completely destroyed and I was in shock as I walked away.
Luckily, I had my seatbelt on. The others didn’t. Amazingly, they walked away without any severe injuries. With the exception of a few stitches on myself and the passenger as well as some contusions on my elbow and shoulder, plus a slight concussion, I’m just fine. Still a VERY scary moment and we are all VERY lucky.
The reason I’m writing this, before I head to bed, is to let those guys know (my age especially) that you can’t always trust the judgement of others when they are even somewhat impaired from alcohol or some other drug. I being the only sober person should have driven but I trusted that the guy driving was fine. Now I know you’ve been advised not to go with someone “drunk” which can vary according to opinion, but even someone who is slightly impaired can cause problems. I should have realized that the two “slightly” drunk people in the front of the car were more than enough to be a cause for concern on my part. The police were amazed that we weren’t seriously hurt(actually “dead” was their word of choice), judging from the severity of the accident.
Anyhow, even if that didn’t cause you to think twice, consider this for me. I now have to take a WEEK off of lifting because of my injuries. Granted, I’ll push the envelope, but at least a three day break is an absolute in this case. Now I KNOW that scared some of you! Seriously, be safe guys.
Wow, I am glad you guys didn’t get hurt. I live in Iowa just inside the Nebraska border in Sioux City. Where did this accident occur? I am curious if it was in my area.
Glad you made it through that Cy. I’m sure you have much more to do here as you’re still here. I hope we all take your experience to heart. I know I already have.You almost took the Big Ride Baby- From Face off Travolta/Cage. Be well my family wishes you a speedy recovery. Look at you bumm’n on missing workout time lol.
Cy,
I was on that SW jet that crashed in Burbank last year. Being a Christian, I believe that we were saved out of a potential disaster. Sounds like you were too. We all have free will of course but I think that HE shows us, in various ways, that life is mainly a spiritual life’. It’s just that man would (generally, except for T-men)rather have rapport with man than with God. -
Big Red
Thanks Brandon and Joe. I appreciate the support. The accident occured about 2 miles from the Council Bluffs exit.
Oh and in hindsight, it was pretty funny. I’m sitting there with a fairly deep puncture wound and a rather deep cut (blood all over my shirt and jeans), along with some contusions and the only thing racing through my mind is, “How am I going to work back tomorrow?” lol.
Cy, it’s good to know that you and your friends are okay. I agree with you completely about having someone who is even “slightly” impaired…it can cause problems. I don’t drink, and always jump at the opportunity to play DD to my friends. I did this Friday night as a matter of fact. And even later on that night when my friend said she was “okay” to drive, I still made sure that I drove us home! Don’t gore the flounder. It’s just not worth it. Life is precious, and I know you know that! Hey, those few days off will be good for you. It just sucks when it’s “unplanned.”
I suppose that the right thing to do as a group is to thank whomever it is we answer to. Maybe, simply because of the mathematics of probability, take a day off of drinking or heck even being on the roads during the evenings?? One of US may not be as lucky. Nothing good happens out after 1:15, a cop friend told me one time that a full 25% + of drivers are too impaired to drive legally and many more are impaired, but within legal limits. Dunno where he came up with that, but frightening nonetheless.
Glad to hear of your good fortune.
Glad to hear you survived, Cy. Don’t trust any more drunk drivers. Most can’t drive that way. I have personally cut down on my drinking and driving - no more than two drinks now. Even though I haven’t had any problems, I was still tempting fate - not a smart thing to do.
Okay, Cy…Billy Joel said it best…“Only the Good Die Young…” There is no question that you and many of the contributors to “T-Mag” are some of the best and brightest in this field. Don’t let the arrogance and invincibility of youth cloud your judgement again, 'Bro… (preach button OFF)…I (and MANY of us) are glad you’re okay…now…go home…call up a little hottie and tell her your story (women just LOVE it when a man is hurt and “vulnerable” ESPECIALLY if you say in a “little-boy/cracking voice”…“I…thought I was gonna…die…”)…she will be putty in your hands, my brother!..Seriously…we ALL are gald that you’re well…
First - glad you and your friends are safe. Second - you should change the last line of your post from “Seriously, be safe guys” to “Seriously, don’t be stick stone stupid guys.” I have had the misfortune to be in cars with drunk drivers twice in my life. Once as a child, once as an adult when my friend insisted that he could “handle” it and I was idiot enough to believe him. Never ever ever again.
Cy, I’m glad that you’re okay and that no one got hurt. I know that alcohol caused the accident but it wasn’t 100% at fault. Your friends were being a bunch of idiots. Blaming this 100% on alcohol is like blaming a rape on alcohol. I hope all you guys walked away from that accident a little wiser and are able to use that knowledge to avoid putting your lives and the lives of others in danger.
Glad to hear you are OK Cy but if I were you Id get the guy that pushed the driver, kick his arse, and make sure I didnt associate with him much cause hes trouble. I was in a similar rollover while asleep in the back of a van!! - my ribs are like abstract art now but they work. I stopped associating with the driver (long story) and he has since had another more serious rollover, two life threatening fights including skull fracture, perforated ear drum and being thrown from a building, and has lost his licence of 5 years. Having said that, I think I broke my collarbone submission grappling on the way home from a bar on the weekend so Id say I also have some growing up to do :(.
Cy, I’m glad you’re doing ok. It’s a good thing despite of that concussion you’re doing fine. I’ve had a few myself and it’s a pain in the ass living with the headaches. Anyway, I’m gonna learn you’re lesson about trusting the judgement of those who are even slightly drunk.
Cy man, glad to hear that your OK… and yes, the week off from the gym has scared me enough (perhaps you should consider it an Ian King rest week).
Acutally, to tell the truth, I scared myself enough a few years ago to stop drinking pretty much all together (I have a glass of wine about 6 times a year - the first beer I’ve had in about 2 years was with a bunch of Ausie t-maggers in Oslo).
Throughout my drinking carreer, I got stopped a few times, but always managed to talk my way out of it. That never scared me (OK, I'm a dumb-ass)! The clincher for me was having a few pints (about 5-6) in a bar about 10 miles away, and then driving home... I was so sick after getting to my exit, I had to pull over and puke on the side of the road. It was then that I realized that the alcohol was not helping me achieve my goals (both physically and socially), and that it just wasn't worth it. I also realized that I was just too stupid to realize when I had enough, so I was best having none. I slowed down to 1 beer a night, and then quit about 3 months later. Now I'm the designated driver all the time, but at least I know that all of them make it home OK. Now I just worry about everyone else on the road! Take care!
Glad to hear you’re alright, and those few days you’re going to take off training are going to make you loose 10lbs! So let that be a lesson to you, don’t let a guy who’s been drinking take the wheel.
Thanks for the wishes everyone. I appreciate that a lot. I would’ve responded sooner but I went to Lincoln to see my newborn niece and spent the day with family. Again, I appreciate the fact that so many of you care.
Seriously, be safe guys.