i've always been a fan of the mad skillz rap-up...a look back at 2009...
i'll keep this short...HAPPY NEW YEAR!! hopefully 2010 will bring us all good times...peace.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
pizza...
i always like calling 6721 late in the day for jobs going north cause i know he lives north. i can usually give him a decent set of car runs to end his day...sometimes. i do the same for cats who live west...and so on. anyway, we get this run from a certain client just about every night going north...for the most part they've only been envelopes? at least that was my understanding. lately, the packages have been a big box of sorts...
6721...two-one.
j.dot...whats up?
6721...it's a box. it says it's pizza inside. it's pretty light but it's just to big and in this weather im not sure i want to ride with it going north.
j.dot...i completely understand. its nasty out. umm...it's light though? i doubt it's a pizza. the instructions are to throw the box over the fence at the drop. no signature required.
6721...i don't know. i guess i can open it and put the stuff in my bag?
...i instructed the two-one to open the box up. we have stuff we can bag the packages in for nasty weather so it wouldn't get damaged. i figure...open the box and break it down. get to the drop and put everything back in the box...no big deal, right? well...
6721...you're not gonna believe this. it is a pizza!
j.dot...wtf?! that doesn't even make sense. the order says to throw it over the fence.
...i can't believe the client is ok with us taking pizza and simply throwing it over a fence. it's food for heaven's sake. sure, it's boxed up but still. just another weird delivery in these cold days. i had the messenger take the box to one of our downtown sites to tape up the box again and had a driver scoop the box up. all is well? the pizza got thrown over the fence and 6721 still ended up with a couple of other runs taking him home. he still said he could probably take the pizza and deliver it but...i guess we couldn't risk it? who knows...silly clients...peace.
6721...two-one.
j.dot...whats up?
6721...it's a box. it says it's pizza inside. it's pretty light but it's just to big and in this weather im not sure i want to ride with it going north.
j.dot...i completely understand. its nasty out. umm...it's light though? i doubt it's a pizza. the instructions are to throw the box over the fence at the drop. no signature required.
6721...i don't know. i guess i can open it and put the stuff in my bag?
...i instructed the two-one to open the box up. we have stuff we can bag the packages in for nasty weather so it wouldn't get damaged. i figure...open the box and break it down. get to the drop and put everything back in the box...no big deal, right? well...
6721...you're not gonna believe this. it is a pizza!
j.dot...wtf?! that doesn't even make sense. the order says to throw it over the fence.
...i can't believe the client is ok with us taking pizza and simply throwing it over a fence. it's food for heaven's sake. sure, it's boxed up but still. just another weird delivery in these cold days. i had the messenger take the box to one of our downtown sites to tape up the box again and had a driver scoop the box up. all is well? the pizza got thrown over the fence and 6721 still ended up with a couple of other runs taking him home. he still said he could probably take the pizza and deliver it but...i guess we couldn't risk it? who knows...silly clients...peace.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
long short week...
well...it's that time of year where the week is short but feels long. we're stuck in limbo...sort of. every year between christmas and new years we slow up. people go on vacation...kids are off of school...people to busy shopping for work? who knows but it always happens. we were busy there for a minute because of the last minute gifts and whatnot but now...we just sit and wait.
to all messengers...hold strong. thats the best advice i can give. the new year is just a week away and...if all goes as usual, we'll be busy, busy, busy. tax season is upon us...yay? i say yay with a question mark cause it's fun for messengers to be busy but not so fun in the office. sure it helps pass the time but the damn phones will not stop ringing. i know, i know...quit your b*tching...sorry, im an ex-messenger, bitching sort of comes with the territory...ha!
bring a book to read this week kids...better days are coming...peace.
to all messengers...hold strong. thats the best advice i can give. the new year is just a week away and...if all goes as usual, we'll be busy, busy, busy. tax season is upon us...yay? i say yay with a question mark cause it's fun for messengers to be busy but not so fun in the office. sure it helps pass the time but the damn phones will not stop ringing. i know, i know...quit your b*tching...sorry, im an ex-messenger, bitching sort of comes with the territory...ha!
bring a book to read this week kids...better days are coming...peace.
2nd place...
here comes chicago around the corner...looks like they're gonna win it. go ahead and put your arms up chicag...wait, wtf?!?! congrats to stockholm for coming from behind and making it happen. what am i talking about? well...
looks like stockholm gets the tokyo funraiser cup...congrats again. it was an exciting finish...
Congratulations to the Stockholm messenger community.
The Cup is theirs! ...and of course the two free registration spots for the
CMWC2010 in Panajachel. Thanks to everybody who helped to diminish the loss
of the TKBMA. Once more we have proven that we can be proud of our community.
The Cup is theirs! ...and of course the two free registration spots for the
CMWC2010 in Panajachel. Thanks to everybody who helped to diminish the loss
of the TKBMA. Once more we have proven that we can be proud of our community.
there are a few feel good stories to help chicago get over losing at the last minute. first, we can rest easy that chicago did it's best to help tokyo in their time of need. i guess all cities involved can feel good about this...in total the messenger community raised...10,603.oo...damn!! they deserve all the help they can get. second, chicago got second for heaven's sake!! we only lost by 100.oo! we gave a damn good fight. third, i thought i read somewhere that 2nd place would get a certain someone as a consolation prize in a clown suit. who's the real winner here?
again, congrats to all who helped. it's nice to see the community come together for some feel good action...peace.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
happy holidays...
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pic by christopher dilts...
thank God for christmas company parties and short weeks. it's been super hectic in the office lately. companies getting in all their christmas gifts and end of the year packages. im sure our crew will be happy to have a short week also? we've been running them all over the place and in not-so-nice weather. kudos to all who came out to play in this weather. im off to work for, hopefully, a half day, but i'll see you cats on monday...have a safe weekend...peace.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
messengers = soldiers...
from time to time i talk about our crew and chicago's finest as soldiers. it's a metaphorical war out there...ha! all silliness aside...i always wondered if the military would ever consider using bicycles. sure...most of you already knew this but i didn't...apparently bicycles have been part of the military for quite some time...
The first known use of the bicycle in combat occurred during the Jameson Raid, in which cyclists carried messages. In the Second Boer War, military cyclists were used primarily as scouts and messengers.
i wonder how much a solo in war times would cost? anyway...check out the wiki page, bicycle infantry, for more info. thank you to matthew for putting me up on this. like i said, this was news to me so i had to share. does anyone know if bicycles are still used? im sure some form of messenger(s) is still used...peace.
The first known use of the bicycle in combat occurred during the Jameson Raid, in which cyclists carried messages. In the Second Boer War, military cyclists were used primarily as scouts and messengers.
i wonder how much a solo in war times would cost? anyway...check out the wiki page, bicycle infantry, for more info. thank you to matthew for putting me up on this. like i said, this was news to me so i had to share. does anyone know if bicycles are still used? im sure some form of messenger(s) is still used...peace.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
quest for g...
again...im sure you cats have seen these but i don't think i've ever posted them. anywhoo...check out alex farioletti, bike messenger, in his quest to become a track star...
it's actually kinda cool. they show you the athletes and their coaches. i sat through the videos without being bored...ha! not all the episodes are up but slowly and surely...they will be. for now...enjoy most of them...peace.
it's actually kinda cool. they show you the athletes and their coaches. i sat through the videos without being bored...ha! not all the episodes are up but slowly and surely...they will be. for now...enjoy most of them...peace.
tokyo...
im sure many of you have already read and seen jerome's pics and blog. they've been on a few sites. i couldn't go on without showing the man some love after posting his sh*t a while back. im glad he was able to get to tokyo and show us the events that took place through his lens...
check out his write up here. speaking of tokyo...it's coming down to the wire. who will win the infamous tokyo cup? stockholm? zurich? chicago? dc? will someone pull an upset? remember kids...it ain't over till christmas eve. keep an eye on the tokyo fundraiser cup to see who gets bragging rights and a nice trophy. btw...we all understand it's for fun and games and that we are all one community just trying to help our brothers/sisters over in the far east...peace.
check out his write up here. speaking of tokyo...it's coming down to the wire. who will win the infamous tokyo cup? stockholm? zurich? chicago? dc? will someone pull an upset? remember kids...it ain't over till christmas eve. keep an eye on the tokyo fundraiser cup to see who gets bragging rights and a nice trophy. btw...we all understand it's for fun and games and that we are all one community just trying to help our brothers/sisters over in the far east...peace.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
welcome to 10-9 radio...
What it is! Ten Nine Radio, a concept I had put together in the late 90’s and also was a short run in live streaming earlier in this millennium and is now being renewed once again in a “podcast” style format.
Ten Nine Radio has been designed to be able to enjoy the program on your own time, whether it is on the ride to or from or bit by bit through out the day on your Mp3 player, Or even feet up at home through a decent system for the whole program. We’re activly looking for any ideas you may have or even dedicate a program to, the request line will always be open at dispatch@109radio.com...
head over to 109radio.com for your listening pleasure. the show is scheduled for the 1st and 15th of every month. also...don't be afraid to hit them up from time to time with requests and shout-outs. if you're lucky you can be part of their new years special and possibly win a prize...
If your quick you could be on the our New Years special January 1st. So come on gang, send us your “New Years Cheers” and dedications to our community as soon as possible! If we choose your Shout Out, you will win a prize and be entered into a draw for this summers grand slam Ten Nine Radio messenger prize package! Likely be a bag full of goodies!
thank you to biker bill for making this happen. i will definitely be listening...peace.
in a kevin bacon kind of way...there is only one degree to our radio...
Monday, December 14, 2009
thats gotta hurt...
nope...it's not that type of hurt. not a physical pain...well, technically it is? let me explain. 1141 is on o.g. of the industry...he's been around for a long a*s time. he's also one of our more dependable cats...distance, weight...no problem. anyway...i called him on wednesday to pick up a box going west...
j.dot...forty-one!
1141...yeah, go!
j.dot...got a box paying a car solo going west. you going home right? want to check it out?
1141...10-4!
...i thought all was well. it was nasty out and he lives out west so i thought it would be a good way to get him out of the weather. a high paying job that didn't even need a signature. well...i was wrong...
1141...say julio...i don't think i'll be able to take this box. the clients are really adamant about not getting the box wet and it's pretty nasty out.
j.dot...i hear you. you sure you can't take it? the car board is slammed...it'll be a minute before i can get a car over there.
1141...no worries. i'll wait it out a bit...let me know what you can come up with.
...well, i found the solution. i had 6788...one of the new guys on the crew but not new to messengering. he was picking up another car solo going west just a few blocks from the box. i asked him to get his hands on some plastic bags and head over to 1141 and deliver the box for us.
i knew he would take it...i knew that 1141 just wanted to go straight home. if it wasn't cold and wet out i know for a fact 1141 would have rocked out the box but riding in this weather all damn day...he had enough. like i said before...the man is a vet so i have no problem telling him not to worry about it...he's been there for me plenty of times. i called 6788...
j.dot...eighty-eight!
6788...go ahead.
j.dot...yo, after you pick from the tower head over to 101 north and meet up 1141. he's got a box going west that he can't handle. make sure you have some plastic bags with you.
6788...no problem. i'll get some bags from the messenger center. i should be able to handle it.
j.dot...one more thing, i know 1141 is refusing the box cause he just wants to go home sooooooo go easy on him. he's been out there a while and is pretty big...try not to make too much fun of him...ha! it's gonna hurt him when he sees that i found another biker to deliver the box.
6788...oh man. i'll take it easy but i should still be able to poke at him a little...right?
...by all means, we all deserve to be made fun of at times...ha! i don't know what he told him but when eighty-eight pulled up 1141 acted like he would just go ahead and deliver the box. hahahahaha! silly him...knowing damn well he didn't want to. his pride hurt just a little...poor bastard. i don't blame him for wanting to get out of this sh*t as quickly as possible. i found the whole situation hilarious but, at the same time, it was like watching the torch being passed. 1141 passing the torch to 6788...one that i know he'll gladly hold up.
thank you to both of them for coming out to play in the sh*tty weather and thank you to our entire crew. all i am is the dispatcher, even then, not all the time, but just know that the hard work does not go unnoticed.
j.dot...forty-one!
1141...yeah, go!
j.dot...got a box paying a car solo going west. you going home right? want to check it out?
1141...10-4!
...i thought all was well. it was nasty out and he lives out west so i thought it would be a good way to get him out of the weather. a high paying job that didn't even need a signature. well...i was wrong...
1141...say julio...i don't think i'll be able to take this box. the clients are really adamant about not getting the box wet and it's pretty nasty out.
j.dot...i hear you. you sure you can't take it? the car board is slammed...it'll be a minute before i can get a car over there.
1141...no worries. i'll wait it out a bit...let me know what you can come up with.
...well, i found the solution. i had 6788...one of the new guys on the crew but not new to messengering. he was picking up another car solo going west just a few blocks from the box. i asked him to get his hands on some plastic bags and head over to 1141 and deliver the box for us.
i knew he would take it...i knew that 1141 just wanted to go straight home. if it wasn't cold and wet out i know for a fact 1141 would have rocked out the box but riding in this weather all damn day...he had enough. like i said before...the man is a vet so i have no problem telling him not to worry about it...he's been there for me plenty of times. i called 6788...
j.dot...eighty-eight!
6788...go ahead.
j.dot...yo, after you pick from the tower head over to 101 north and meet up 1141. he's got a box going west that he can't handle. make sure you have some plastic bags with you.
6788...no problem. i'll get some bags from the messenger center. i should be able to handle it.
j.dot...one more thing, i know 1141 is refusing the box cause he just wants to go home sooooooo go easy on him. he's been out there a while and is pretty big...try not to make too much fun of him...ha! it's gonna hurt him when he sees that i found another biker to deliver the box.
6788...oh man. i'll take it easy but i should still be able to poke at him a little...right?
...by all means, we all deserve to be made fun of at times...ha! i don't know what he told him but when eighty-eight pulled up 1141 acted like he would just go ahead and deliver the box. hahahahaha! silly him...knowing damn well he didn't want to. his pride hurt just a little...poor bastard. i don't blame him for wanting to get out of this sh*t as quickly as possible. i found the whole situation hilarious but, at the same time, it was like watching the torch being passed. 1141 passing the torch to 6788...one that i know he'll gladly hold up.
thank you to both of them for coming out to play in the sh*tty weather and thank you to our entire crew. all i am is the dispatcher, even then, not all the time, but just know that the hard work does not go unnoticed.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
windchill...
0 degrees at the moment...with the windchill it's more like -20...at least it's sunny? enough about the fun and games. stay warm out there kids. messengers are definitely not given enough credit for what they go through...peace.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
it's that time again...
who will tough it out? i feel like we should come up with a betting system to see who can rock out more days in the winter. check out todays weather report...
ride safe and stay warm kids...peace.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
give and you shall receive...
a couple months ago we received word that the chicago cuttin'crew needed some assistance. many heard the call and many helped. to show their appreciation the ccc decided to provide a nice thank you...
click image to enlarge...
What’s all the noise about? We’ve got some shirts we’d like to give to everyone as a “Thank You” for donating towards the upkeep costs of the Cuttin’ Cruiser. For every $20 donation, we will ship you a t-shirt.
im sure many of us who donated didn't expect anything in return. it was truly a nice surprise to receive this shirt in the mail. great drawing of a great man...marcus moore from yojimbo's. click here to help and receive your shirt asap. the cuttin'crew continues to surprise us and chicago is lucky to have them around. btw...who did the drawing? it really is great...peace.
click image to enlarge...What’s all the noise about? We’ve got some shirts we’d like to give to everyone as a “Thank You” for donating towards the upkeep costs of the Cuttin’ Cruiser. For every $20 donation, we will ship you a t-shirt.
im sure many of us who donated didn't expect anything in return. it was truly a nice surprise to receive this shirt in the mail. great drawing of a great man...marcus moore from yojimbo's. click here to help and receive your shirt asap. the cuttin'crew continues to surprise us and chicago is lucky to have them around. btw...who did the drawing? it really is great...peace.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
what bike to bring...
if you're a messenger you most likely have a few bikes. i never understood how cats who make next to nothing can have so many bikes. well...i guess i sorta understand cause i have 3 bikes and rarely use any of them...ha! anywhoo...if you're going to guatemala for the worlds you might want to start planning on what kind of bike you want to bring...
we're not gonna butter it up for you. the streets in pana are not smooth and silky like they were in philly in 2000. they're more like the cobblestone section on the back side of the course in copenhagen in 2001. i think ill be riding my cross bike. this will give me enough speed on the few fully paved roads, great traction on the pave, and ill be flying over the cobbles.
looks like the figure 8 track will also be a bit bumpy...
As for La Ocho, it will be on dirt, like a BMX or motorcross race. You will probably want some tread, especially for the turns, but you can ride whatever you want.
if you don't have a cross bike...get one? im just jazzin'...i would, on the other hand, bring a couple sets of tires and switch them as you see fit. looks like guatemala is gonna be nuts.
the town of panajachel is so beautiful. can't wait for the great times...keep an eye on cmwcguatemala for details...peace.
we're not gonna butter it up for you. the streets in pana are not smooth and silky like they were in philly in 2000. they're more like the cobblestone section on the back side of the course in copenhagen in 2001. i think ill be riding my cross bike. this will give me enough speed on the few fully paved roads, great traction on the pave, and ill be flying over the cobbles.
pics by just.max...some street views at night...
looks like the figure 8 track will also be a bit bumpy...
As for La Ocho, it will be on dirt, like a BMX or motorcross race. You will probably want some tread, especially for the turns, but you can ride whatever you want.
if you don't have a cross bike...get one? im just jazzin'...i would, on the other hand, bring a couple sets of tires and switch them as you see fit. looks like guatemala is gonna be nuts.
pic by just.max...
the town of panajachel is so beautiful. can't wait for the great times...keep an eye on cmwcguatemala for details...peace.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
season's beatings...
Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 12:30pm
HOHOHO! You're screwed!!
Two days of racing, two nights of parties, one good cause.
This is a fund raiser for the members of the Tokyo BMA, who are currently $34000 in debt after hosting this years Cycle Messenger World Championship.
Friday night alleycat, info to come.
Saturday, registration at the Blue Frog, 676 N. Lasalle, 12:30pm.
$10 to race, $7 for poker race only
Race begins at 2pm! There will also be a poker race for those who don't have the guts to go nuts.
Sponsors:
Chrome Bags
Freight Baggage
Upgrade Cycle Works
Smart Bikes
and more...
Want to volunteer? E-mail augiem21@yahoo.com or nicocabrera84@yahoo.com, we can use the help.
this is a two day event filled with great times. get your details here. as some of you know...the winters in chicago can be brutal so when things like this come around...don't be afraid to jump on it. ride safe kids...peace.
harold the bike messenger...NSFW!!
harold has been out there for a long, long time. he was out there before i even knew messengers existed...ha! anywhoo...looks like the q101 radio morning show found him and decided to bring him in for some good ol'fashion fun(?). if this offends anyone...i apologize. i just thought it was hilarious...maybe cause i've seen this cat out there for a long a*s time and never knew what else he was up to...
wtf?!?! did you sit through this video?! did that really just happen? harold is f*cking crazy!! chicago messengers are crazy as h*ll. i can't wait to bump into harold again. maybe i'll high-five him? maybe i'll laugh so hard i can't ask him anything? in any case...i guess in these tough economic times messengers have to make money somehow? hahahahaha! this sh*t is too crazy...peace.
wtf?!?! did you sit through this video?! did that really just happen? harold is f*cking crazy!! chicago messengers are crazy as h*ll. i can't wait to bump into harold again. maybe i'll high-five him? maybe i'll laugh so hard i can't ask him anything? in any case...i guess in these tough economic times messengers have to make money somehow? hahahahaha! this sh*t is too crazy...peace.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
it's a war out there...
no one understands it more than phiadelphia couriers...check it...
Rachel Fletcher, a 30-year-old experienced and well-known Center City courier, was struck at 23rd and Locusts Streets early Thanksgiving morning and remained at Hahnemann Hospital until Saturday after surgery to repair her face and jaw...
...Fletcher said she was yelled at by an angry driver near 23rd and Locust and then struck by his silver hatchback at about 2:30 a.m. Brito says police are treating the incident as an accident, not the hit-and-run they said it should be.
get the full article here...wtf?! is it me or does this not sound right? a driver hit her and then fled the scene...how is that not a hit and run? this sh*t is crazy. an injury to one is an injury to all...keep an eye on the phillybma for details on the story and how one can help.
the "accident" just brings to light alot of new sh*t that philly is dealing with. the city wants to implement new laws...including license to ride bikes and 1000.oo fine for riding brakeless, or fixed gear...
The messengers oppose two bills before City Council that would raise fines for cycling violations and expand regulations for bicycles, including a mandate for license plates.
get the full article here. looks like things are getting crazy on the east coast. good job to the phillybma for jumping on it and getting a press release out there...
Philadelphia Bike Messenger Association
Press Release
November 2009
The Philadelphia Bike Messenger Association (PBMA) would like to declare our stance on new cycling legislation proposed by councilmen DiCicco and Kenney and respond to the rise of an anti-cycling climate in our city.
We do not oppose the enforcement of existing laws regarding bicycle riding, but believe that equal and consistent enforcement amongst cyclists, pedestrians and motorists is key. Consistent enforcement of traffic violations would improve the lives of everyone in this city no matter what their mode of travel might be. It is our memberships consensus that the proposed laws put forth by Councilman DiCicco and Councilman Kenney would be specifically harmful to bicycle messengers. No working bike messenger in this city could afford a $1,000 fine or possible confiscation of a work bike deemed brakeless according to the proposed laws. The PBMA does not think that a registration program is feasible in a city under so much budget distress and would rather see resources allocated to better causes.
The idea that Philadelphia bike messengers are dangerous is an unfortunate perception amongst motorists and pedestrians. We are often mistaken for dangerous cyclists, as people believe that anyone with a bag and a bike is working as a bicycle messenger. Hazardous cycling makes a professional messenger as concerned as any motorist alongside of them in traffic. It is also apparent to our membership that anti-cycling sentiment continues to grow rapidly in Philadelphia. Recently a co-worker was intentionally targeted by an angry motorist and was the victim of a hit and run. Aggression from motorists in the form of verbal threats or their leaving the scene of an accident is commonplace in our workday and sadly increasing in frequency for other city cyclists as well. It is our hope that we can change the views of the public and see Philadelphia become the bicycling friendly city it can be.
In the coming months the PBMA will work towards improving our working conditions that not only benefit us but other city cyclists, pedestrians and motorists in Philadelphia.
www.phillybma.org
phillybma@gmail.com
hope rachel fletcher heals quick and justice is served. good luck to our brothers and sisters out in the philadelphia area. we might be separated by many miles but we hear you and if you cats need help...don't be afraid to reach out. ride safe kids...peace.
pic seen at metro...
Rachel Fletcher, a 30-year-old experienced and well-known Center City courier, was struck at 23rd and Locusts Streets early Thanksgiving morning and remained at Hahnemann Hospital until Saturday after surgery to repair her face and jaw...
...Fletcher said she was yelled at by an angry driver near 23rd and Locust and then struck by his silver hatchback at about 2:30 a.m. Brito says police are treating the incident as an accident, not the hit-and-run they said it should be.
get the full article here...wtf?! is it me or does this not sound right? a driver hit her and then fled the scene...how is that not a hit and run? this sh*t is crazy. an injury to one is an injury to all...keep an eye on the phillybma for details on the story and how one can help.
the "accident" just brings to light alot of new sh*t that philly is dealing with. the city wants to implement new laws...including license to ride bikes and 1000.oo fine for riding brakeless, or fixed gear...
The messengers oppose two bills before City Council that would raise fines for cycling violations and expand regulations for bicycles, including a mandate for license plates.
get the full article here. looks like things are getting crazy on the east coast. good job to the phillybma for jumping on it and getting a press release out there...
Philadelphia Bike Messenger Association
Press Release
November 2009
The Philadelphia Bike Messenger Association (PBMA) would like to declare our stance on new cycling legislation proposed by councilmen DiCicco and Kenney and respond to the rise of an anti-cycling climate in our city.
We do not oppose the enforcement of existing laws regarding bicycle riding, but believe that equal and consistent enforcement amongst cyclists, pedestrians and motorists is key. Consistent enforcement of traffic violations would improve the lives of everyone in this city no matter what their mode of travel might be. It is our memberships consensus that the proposed laws put forth by Councilman DiCicco and Councilman Kenney would be specifically harmful to bicycle messengers. No working bike messenger in this city could afford a $1,000 fine or possible confiscation of a work bike deemed brakeless according to the proposed laws. The PBMA does not think that a registration program is feasible in a city under so much budget distress and would rather see resources allocated to better causes.
The idea that Philadelphia bike messengers are dangerous is an unfortunate perception amongst motorists and pedestrians. We are often mistaken for dangerous cyclists, as people believe that anyone with a bag and a bike is working as a bicycle messenger. Hazardous cycling makes a professional messenger as concerned as any motorist alongside of them in traffic. It is also apparent to our membership that anti-cycling sentiment continues to grow rapidly in Philadelphia. Recently a co-worker was intentionally targeted by an angry motorist and was the victim of a hit and run. Aggression from motorists in the form of verbal threats or their leaving the scene of an accident is commonplace in our workday and sadly increasing in frequency for other city cyclists as well. It is our hope that we can change the views of the public and see Philadelphia become the bicycling friendly city it can be.
In the coming months the PBMA will work towards improving our working conditions that not only benefit us but other city cyclists, pedestrians and motorists in Philadelphia.
www.phillybma.org
phillybma@gmail.com
hope rachel fletcher heals quick and justice is served. good luck to our brothers and sisters out in the philadelphia area. we might be separated by many miles but we hear you and if you cats need help...don't be afraid to reach out. ride safe kids...peace.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
personal moment...
the past couple of weeks have been an emotional roller-coaster. i apologize to all my readers who want to read about b*tch-y clients or bad*ss messengers. i promise...we'll get to that soon enough. for now, dispatch101 presents...a boy named wolf...
i was shaking for most of the time. doing my best to put on a "man" face to not freak out my wife. i didn't want to let on how scared and nervous i was. we arrived to the hospital and on november 25th, 2009 at about 1215pm...wolf granville saravia came into our lives. to my right i was watching wolf going through the routine stuff that comes with newborns. to my left i was watching my beautiful wife being stronger than i could ever be. my head kept going side to side like a tennis match and then...i could not take it anymore. the knot was on tight in the middle of my throat...i wanted to tell my wife i loved her but couldn't. i wanted to share with her that he has dimples, lots of hair, big feet, but i couldn't tell her anything. i knew the minute my mouth opened i would lose it. see...i was still trying to hold strong for my wife.
i excused myself...went to the bathroom and sat on a stool just starring into a mirror. i completely lost it. i called my mom and could barely talk. i wanted to say so much but the tears just kept flowing. it was a next level of happiness that i will not soon forget...sh*t, i don't think i will ever forget. i came back out and witnessed my wife holding our little guy. it was the most beautiful site i have yet witnessed. i say yet cause im more than positive that my wife and wolf will come up with more moments in out lives that i will not forget.
days later...im still happy as if it happened just 10 minutes ago. i still get knots in my throat. i still think back to my wife holding wolf in her arms. people kept warning me about losing sleep...guess what...it's true. i haven't had a really, really good night of sleeping. guess what? like i said, im still happy. i love losing sleep. i love waking up and holding wolf to try and get him to stop crying. i love waking up to give him some food. i have never, ever been happier about cleaning another persons a*s...ha! just yesterday my wife and i were changing him and he pee'd all over my wife...i cannot tell you how excited we were. i know, i know...the first couple are funny and and cute but then that sh*t gets annoying. i'll just enjoy them as they come and deal with the bumps along the way.
i cannot say enough how much i love my jess. she is the heart of this family. she keeps me strong and on my toes. i could not be more proud of her. i could not be more in love with her...scratch that, i can't wait to fall more in love with her.
i promise...we will get back to messenger talk in the very near future. so many things have happened in my life in the last couple of weeks. i've had to take a break. stay tuned...i got news on races, guatemala, interviews, and so on. for now, i just wanted to share with my 5 readers that i love my wife and we welcome our newest addition to this family...WOLF GRANVILLE SARAVIA...peace.
pic by just.max...
i was shaking for most of the time. doing my best to put on a "man" face to not freak out my wife. i didn't want to let on how scared and nervous i was. we arrived to the hospital and on november 25th, 2009 at about 1215pm...wolf granville saravia came into our lives. to my right i was watching wolf going through the routine stuff that comes with newborns. to my left i was watching my beautiful wife being stronger than i could ever be. my head kept going side to side like a tennis match and then...i could not take it anymore. the knot was on tight in the middle of my throat...i wanted to tell my wife i loved her but couldn't. i wanted to share with her that he has dimples, lots of hair, big feet, but i couldn't tell her anything. i knew the minute my mouth opened i would lose it. see...i was still trying to hold strong for my wife.
i excused myself...went to the bathroom and sat on a stool just starring into a mirror. i completely lost it. i called my mom and could barely talk. i wanted to say so much but the tears just kept flowing. it was a next level of happiness that i will not soon forget...sh*t, i don't think i will ever forget. i came back out and witnessed my wife holding our little guy. it was the most beautiful site i have yet witnessed. i say yet cause im more than positive that my wife and wolf will come up with more moments in out lives that i will not forget.
pic by just.max...
days later...im still happy as if it happened just 10 minutes ago. i still get knots in my throat. i still think back to my wife holding wolf in her arms. people kept warning me about losing sleep...guess what...it's true. i haven't had a really, really good night of sleeping. guess what? like i said, im still happy. i love losing sleep. i love waking up and holding wolf to try and get him to stop crying. i love waking up to give him some food. i have never, ever been happier about cleaning another persons a*s...ha! just yesterday my wife and i were changing him and he pee'd all over my wife...i cannot tell you how excited we were. i know, i know...the first couple are funny and and cute but then that sh*t gets annoying. i'll just enjoy them as they come and deal with the bumps along the way.
i cannot say enough how much i love my jess. she is the heart of this family. she keeps me strong and on my toes. i could not be more proud of her. i could not be more in love with her...scratch that, i can't wait to fall more in love with her.
i promise...we will get back to messenger talk in the very near future. so many things have happened in my life in the last couple of weeks. i've had to take a break. stay tuned...i got news on races, guatemala, interviews, and so on. for now, i just wanted to share with my 5 readers that i love my wife and we welcome our newest addition to this family...WOLF GRANVILLE SARAVIA...peace.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
events...
this month is getting jam packed with events...
it's not a race-race...you get points for style and stuff. it's for a good cause...it's for fun...check out the details here.
come on...everything the cuttin'crew touches turns to great times. also...when's the last time you went to a hotel party? check the details here.
chicago's favorite photgrapher is at it again. dilts is teaming up with the ladies at tyk to put together a calendar for the ladies. don't sleep...get yours today...get details here.
hey new york...brean stated he came up with the design for this flier...any truth behind that? in any case...this is for a great cause...come out and participate.
whew! did i miss anything? im sure i did. chicago is getting ridiculous with these events. all for great causes...for charity and general good times. don't miss out...peace.
click on image to enlarge...
it's not a race-race...you get points for style and stuff. it's for a good cause...it's for fun...check out the details here.
click on image to enlarge...
come on...everything the cuttin'crew touches turns to great times. also...when's the last time you went to a hotel party? check the details here.
click on image to enlarge...
chicago's favorite photgrapher is at it again. dilts is teaming up with the ladies at tyk to put together a calendar for the ladies. don't sleep...get yours today...get details here.
click on image to enlarge...
hey new york...brean stated he came up with the design for this flier...any truth behind that? in any case...this is for a great cause...come out and participate.
whew! did i miss anything? im sure i did. chicago is getting ridiculous with these events. all for great causes...for charity and general good times. don't miss out...peace.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
happy veterans day...
don't expect a busy day today but thats ok...it'll just give me more time to stare at aaron's 611 bicycle...
seen at hipsternascar. can't wait to see what other creations come from this man. btw...aaron, aren't you a military man? happy veterans day...peace.
pic by sage brown...
seen at hipsternascar. can't wait to see what other creations come from this man. btw...aaron, aren't you a military man? happy veterans day...peace.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
personal moment...
yesterday was a big day...full term. thats what the doctor tells you. what exactly is full-term? that means that the baby is all set...he can come out whenever he's ready and all is good. he's cooked enough and now we anxiously sit and wait for his grand entrance into our life. he's do around the end of the month but we're both secretly hoping he gets tired of being stuck inside and comes out to meet us soon.
i can't say enough about how excited i am. we'll he be tall, short, dark skin, light skin, what color eyes, what type of hair...damn! there's so many ways this little guy can go. we have a variety of traits in both our families...who knows? i've been trying to keep my composure about the whole thing but i know that soon...all that goes out the window. sh*t...i can already feel the tears coming...ha!
my wife has been strong through this whole thing. still working out from time to time...putting up with a stressed out job and then coming home to put up with me. all while carrying around the little guy...damn! i honestly don't know how she does it...i love my jess. we sit and watch tv every night...or at least pretend to. what we really do is talk and watch her stomach move around like a scene from aliens. our little guy is super active...at times, it looks like he's gonna rip right through her stomach. again, it's an amazing feeling...i can't quite put into words how it feels to be kicked in the face by your kid. all i can say is that i am happy. happy is good.
i apologize for sharing silliness. like i said, im happy...just couldn't keep that to myself...ha! btw...here's me practicing...
we'll return to me b*tching about work later...peace.
i can't say enough about how excited i am. we'll he be tall, short, dark skin, light skin, what color eyes, what type of hair...damn! there's so many ways this little guy can go. we have a variety of traits in both our families...who knows? i've been trying to keep my composure about the whole thing but i know that soon...all that goes out the window. sh*t...i can already feel the tears coming...ha!
my wife has been strong through this whole thing. still working out from time to time...putting up with a stressed out job and then coming home to put up with me. all while carrying around the little guy...damn! i honestly don't know how she does it...i love my jess. we sit and watch tv every night...or at least pretend to. what we really do is talk and watch her stomach move around like a scene from aliens. our little guy is super active...at times, it looks like he's gonna rip right through her stomach. again, it's an amazing feeling...i can't quite put into words how it feels to be kicked in the face by your kid. all i can say is that i am happy. happy is good.
i apologize for sharing silliness. like i said, im happy...just couldn't keep that to myself...ha! btw...here's me practicing...
we'll return to me b*tching about work later...peace.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
chicago rolls deep...
just going through the tokyo pics and came across this gem...
chicago is currently in 2nd place for the tokyo cup...
im positive the chicago crew has more tricks up their sleeves. dont get too comfortable zurich...peace.
pic by Kaziwara...
chicago is currently in 2nd place for the tokyo cup...
im positive the chicago crew has more tricks up their sleeves. dont get too comfortable zurich...peace.
Friday, November 6, 2009
it's been nice but...
if you start early then it's been a bit chilly but as the day goes on...its been nice out lately. unfortunately, it's been super slow also. im talking about...im taking several naps throughout the day slow. like clockwork...i get complaints late in the day because it's slow. do messengers understand that dispatchers have no control on how busy a day might be? we can't force the clients to call in orders...God i wish the olympics would have come to chicago.
actually, i guess dispatchers do have some control but i swear i don't have any personal vendettas against anyone in our crew. sure, some of them p*ss me off from time to time but i'll do my best to dish the work out fairly and evenly. i understand that we all have to eat. i know, i know...messengers have heard their dispatchers say such things and still don't believe them. all i can say is...peace.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
shameless non-self promo...
a good friend and long time messenger, rene, will be playing this friday with his band...eskrima killed magellan...
you can find them on facebook but you're probably better off seeing them live. head over to cole's , 2338 north milwaukee, this friday around 9pm. it's my understanding that there is no cover but bands play for tips. there's a suggested 5.oo donation...it'll be well worth it...peace.
you can find them on facebook but you're probably better off seeing them live. head over to cole's , 2338 north milwaukee, this friday around 9pm. it's my understanding that there is no cover but bands play for tips. there's a suggested 5.oo donation...it'll be well worth it...peace.
Monday, November 2, 2009
cmwc progress...
during the tokyo cmwc the city/country hosting for the year 2011 was decided...warsaw, poland. it's two years away but, since i have a sh*t ton of time on my hands, i scour the internet constantly for any sort of progress. guess what? sometimes my hours and hours of searching pays off...
is this the logo? found it at warsawcarkillers. nothing on the site yet but it was exciting to see that the kids in warsaw are slowly but surely getting something together. i like the logo. btw...lets not forget that guatemala is next on the list. save up and register as soon as possible...peace.
is this the logo? found it at warsawcarkillers. nothing on the site yet but it was exciting to see that the kids in warsaw are slowly but surely getting something together. i like the logo. btw...lets not forget that guatemala is next on the list. save up and register as soon as possible...peace.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
i'll take my naccc dirty...thanks...
details at dirtysouthmessengers.com...nice! the details will pop up slowly. there's still about a year left but this is exciting. good job messengers on finally getting together and making naccc's 2010 happen. it was touch and go there for a minute but things are back in order...peace.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
mca...
this years marcus cook award winner is...luk keller from zurich...
The International Federation of Bike Messenger Associations (IFBMA) is pleased to announce that Zurich messenger Luk Keller has been awarded the 2009 "Markus Cook Memorial Award" (MCA) for Services to the International Messenger Community. The IFBMA has awarded the Markus Cook Award (MCA) since 1998 to the person who has inspired and empowered the wider messenger community, and who put all messengers before themselves.
For over ten years messengers around the world have benefited from Luk’s commitment to community. He was one of the organizers of one the most influential Cycle Messenger World Championships, CMWC 1999, the race that brought “Goldsprint” roller racing to the international messenger community. Luk has also been a driver behind many other major events such as the Swiss Messenger Championships and the X Days Side Show.
But Luk is much more than an ordinary race organizer. Human Powered Rollercoaster champion, Dirk Dijkhuis notes that Luk “organizes races to benefit other people.”
Nothing demonstrates that more than the annual Global Gutz benefit race which was created by Luk and others in 2000. Global Gutz is a race that occurs simultaneously around the world so that messengers can race against the each other without leaving their city. Funds raised from the race are used to send the winners to the current year’s CMWC. The base for Global Gutz organizing has passed around the world over the years, returning to Zurich this year as Luk took the reigns of organization once again in 2009.
After a very successful CMWC 2009 in Tokyo. The Tokyo Bike Messenger Association (TKBMA) found themselves about $34,000 in debt. Luk stepped forward to again to benefit others. He announced the “Tokyo Fundraiser Cup” which challenged messenger communities to organize local fundraisers to help erase the TKBMA’s debt. The city that raises the most money will receive a trophy as the most supportive city and two free registrations for the 2010 Cycle Messenger World Championships in Panajachel Guatemala.
As fellow 2009 Markus Cook Award nominee, Steve Froehlich said, this year has once again shown the world that, Luk "is the spirit of our community."
congratulations...it is well deserved...peace.
The International Federation of Bike Messenger Associations (IFBMA) is pleased to announce that Zurich messenger Luk Keller has been awarded the 2009 "Markus Cook Memorial Award" (MCA) for Services to the International Messenger Community. The IFBMA has awarded the Markus Cook Award (MCA) since 1998 to the person who has inspired and empowered the wider messenger community, and who put all messengers before themselves.
For over ten years messengers around the world have benefited from Luk’s commitment to community. He was one of the organizers of one the most influential Cycle Messenger World Championships, CMWC 1999, the race that brought “Goldsprint” roller racing to the international messenger community. Luk has also been a driver behind many other major events such as the Swiss Messenger Championships and the X Days Side Show.
But Luk is much more than an ordinary race organizer. Human Powered Rollercoaster champion, Dirk Dijkhuis notes that Luk “organizes races to benefit other people.”
Nothing demonstrates that more than the annual Global Gutz benefit race which was created by Luk and others in 2000. Global Gutz is a race that occurs simultaneously around the world so that messengers can race against the each other without leaving their city. Funds raised from the race are used to send the winners to the current year’s CMWC. The base for Global Gutz organizing has passed around the world over the years, returning to Zurich this year as Luk took the reigns of organization once again in 2009.
After a very successful CMWC 2009 in Tokyo. The Tokyo Bike Messenger Association (TKBMA) found themselves about $34,000 in debt. Luk stepped forward to again to benefit others. He announced the “Tokyo Fundraiser Cup” which challenged messenger communities to organize local fundraisers to help erase the TKBMA’s debt. The city that raises the most money will receive a trophy as the most supportive city and two free registrations for the 2010 Cycle Messenger World Championships in Panajachel Guatemala.
As fellow 2009 Markus Cook Award nominee, Steve Froehlich said, this year has once again shown the world that, Luk "is the spirit of our community."
congratulations...it is well deserved...peace.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
feed the hungry...
i warned them. if you read this then you already know what im talking about. i warned some of the crew about the company hiring more people. i figured maybe they could spread the word and they would all slowly understand what was about to happen. i never quite know if we are or aren't hiring...im out of the loop, sort of. anyway...if you read this blog often then you know that our crew was getting a bit unreliable at times.
the mornings were backed up cause only 5 riders would check in on time...they would all trickle in and by lunch time we usually had a normal crew. if you work in this industry you know that lunch time equals down-time. then two o'clock hits and it starts warming up. 3 o'clock rolls around and it starts heating up. then, i get the crew at four and they all disappear and im left with about 5 guys again for the next two hours...if that. we did what we could...making phone calls as needed and so on but there are only so many phone calls and p*ssed off clients one can make and take before management has to pull the plug.
we hired 3 new cats in about a month. honestly...it didn't really effect the crew because we lost a few cats before that. we basically stayed with the same number of people. thats not how messengers see things though...we're slow again. why? i have no idea. we were quite busy there for a while but now, we're back to being slow. eh...it is what it is. yesterday i got a call from one of our riders...
3132...why did we hire more people? we were doing fine.
j.dot...no we weren't. you cats only have yourselves to blame. i kept telling you cats i needed people to stick with me late in the day but people, including you, would disappear.
3132...oh come on. you got to see it from our perspective...im not gonna stick around for just 1 or 2 jobs an hour after four. you know i'll stick around if there's work. im here every day.
j.dot...no doubt. i know you're hear every day. don't take it personal but when i did have work and i called you all i got was silence. you never responded. i don't want to make it seem like it was only you cause there's about five or six other cats that have a tendency to disappear. it is what it is...we needed help to cover the work and the crew wasn't cutting it.
...see, 3132 would stick around at times. the times he did stick around is when the whole day was slow. see what im getting at? he stuck around cause he didn't make enough on those slow days. on busy days...he would make his loot and then just go home. wtf?! i know this will p*ss off some messengers but come on...you cats need to see beyond today. if we're busy today it doesn't mean we'll be busy tomorrow or the next day. stop making just enough!! don't you want to have more? i don't get it. imo...you gotta get the money while it's there. this industry is so up and down...you just never know when the money will come but when it does you need to jump on it.
i know, i know...it's easier said than done. i know cause i used to work out there and some days...well, you just cant go on. sh*t...i let cats go home early all the time...why? cause when we're busy i would expect the same courtesy back. maybe im wrong? i completely understand that sometimes you're tired but when you can't go on everyday then maybe it's time to reconsider a few things? maybe you should hustle on busy days until there is no work that way on slow days you don't have to kill yourself for nothing. maybe...well, i don't know what the answer is but, as the title states, i will feed the hungry.
the mornings were backed up cause only 5 riders would check in on time...they would all trickle in and by lunch time we usually had a normal crew. if you work in this industry you know that lunch time equals down-time. then two o'clock hits and it starts warming up. 3 o'clock rolls around and it starts heating up. then, i get the crew at four and they all disappear and im left with about 5 guys again for the next two hours...if that. we did what we could...making phone calls as needed and so on but there are only so many phone calls and p*ssed off clients one can make and take before management has to pull the plug.
we hired 3 new cats in about a month. honestly...it didn't really effect the crew because we lost a few cats before that. we basically stayed with the same number of people. thats not how messengers see things though...we're slow again. why? i have no idea. we were quite busy there for a while but now, we're back to being slow. eh...it is what it is. yesterday i got a call from one of our riders...
3132...why did we hire more people? we were doing fine.
j.dot...no we weren't. you cats only have yourselves to blame. i kept telling you cats i needed people to stick with me late in the day but people, including you, would disappear.
3132...oh come on. you got to see it from our perspective...im not gonna stick around for just 1 or 2 jobs an hour after four. you know i'll stick around if there's work. im here every day.
j.dot...no doubt. i know you're hear every day. don't take it personal but when i did have work and i called you all i got was silence. you never responded. i don't want to make it seem like it was only you cause there's about five or six other cats that have a tendency to disappear. it is what it is...we needed help to cover the work and the crew wasn't cutting it.
...see, 3132 would stick around at times. the times he did stick around is when the whole day was slow. see what im getting at? he stuck around cause he didn't make enough on those slow days. on busy days...he would make his loot and then just go home. wtf?! i know this will p*ss off some messengers but come on...you cats need to see beyond today. if we're busy today it doesn't mean we'll be busy tomorrow or the next day. stop making just enough!! don't you want to have more? i don't get it. imo...you gotta get the money while it's there. this industry is so up and down...you just never know when the money will come but when it does you need to jump on it.
i know, i know...it's easier said than done. i know cause i used to work out there and some days...well, you just cant go on. sh*t...i let cats go home early all the time...why? cause when we're busy i would expect the same courtesy back. maybe im wrong? i completely understand that sometimes you're tired but when you can't go on everyday then maybe it's time to reconsider a few things? maybe you should hustle on busy days until there is no work that way on slow days you don't have to kill yourself for nothing. maybe...well, i don't know what the answer is but, as the title states, i will feed the hungry.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
a few stories...
not much to report lately. actually...it's been pretty mellow and rainy around here. i feel bad for these cats cause it's been raining alot and not that busy. oh wells...it's the name of the game i guess. anyway...i figured i would share a couple customer stories and a messenger story...
i answered the phone the other day to take an order...not a big deal. i go through my regular answering routine but am cut off...
customer...not that one. the other one!
j.dot...umm, hello?
customer...yes, that one! now go and get the...
j.dot...hello?
customer...im not giving you attention right now sir. cant you wait?
...see the lady decided to call in an order but she wasn't quite ready. it happens alot but it's one of the most annoying things we deal with. it's sounds so petty but to have someone yelling in your ear to someone else is pretty frustrating. i can't hang up...can i? i have to sit there a grind my teeth until she comes back...i decide some silent treatment is in order...
customer...alright. i need a pick up............hello? hello?.......hello?
j.dot...can i help you?
customer...sir?! don't do that...thats rude. i told you i wasn't giving you attention i would expect you to give me the same courtesy.
j.dot...well, i was under the impression that i was giving you the same courtesy.
customer...what? sir...i told you...
j.dot...can i help you?
...i had to cut her off before i snapped off. i can't stand people sometimes. giving you the same coutesy? give me a f*cking break!! how about you do me a favor and next time call when you're ready with the order instead of yelling in my ear?!
a different day...wait, it might have been the same day? anyway...a customer requested strict parameters to have something delivered because the delivery dock would be closed from 11am to noon. no big deal...we pick up and get to the delivery with 15 minutes or so to spare. the dock is telling my messenger they're closed...wtf?!
j.dot...excuse me miss. our messenger arrived to the dock but they are closed. we wont be able to deliver it.
customer...thats cause the idiot didn't get there in time. i told that idiot that the dock closes at 11am and he barely picked it up around 1030.
j.dot...well, there's no need to call the messenger an idiot mam. in fact...our messenger arrived with 15 minutes to spare. the dock isn't that far away. the dock decided to close early for some reason...
...the lady didn't even apologize for calling him an idiot. we did our job but sometimes people go on break alot sooner than they say they will. not our fault the dock decided to shut down. i kept trying to see if the lady would apologize but nope...nothing. it p*ssed me off more because the driver is one of our best and nicest guys you will ever meet. i should have called her an idiot? haha! im a jerk.
just last week one of our bikers was riding by triple-3 west wacker. we're kinda busy and i don't have time for our crew to mess around. i need them in and out of buildings...you know, the usual hectic routine. i get a call from 1141...
j.dot...what up? what up?
1141...say, i know we're busy but i found a package thats going to 563 west randolph. must have fallen out of one our fellow comrades. im just gonna shoot it straight there...shouldn't take that long.
j.dot...10-4!
...what i really wanted to say was...wtf?!?! we ain't got time for someone else's mistake. a couple minutes go by and i realize that i am truly a jerk. i was glad that 1141 took the time to help out whoever that messenger was that dropped the package. i don't think the messenger who dropped it was from our company but, whoever it was, forty-one understands that the only way to win in this industry is to help each other out every once in a while. im not saying all messengers are as nice as 1141 but on a hectic day it was nice to see. especially when dealing with crazy clients all day it's nice to see that messengers, although they get the bad rap, are truly something special...peace.
i answered the phone the other day to take an order...not a big deal. i go through my regular answering routine but am cut off...
customer...not that one. the other one!
j.dot...umm, hello?
customer...yes, that one! now go and get the...
j.dot...hello?
customer...im not giving you attention right now sir. cant you wait?
...see the lady decided to call in an order but she wasn't quite ready. it happens alot but it's one of the most annoying things we deal with. it's sounds so petty but to have someone yelling in your ear to someone else is pretty frustrating. i can't hang up...can i? i have to sit there a grind my teeth until she comes back...i decide some silent treatment is in order...
customer...alright. i need a pick up............hello? hello?.......hello?
j.dot...can i help you?
customer...sir?! don't do that...thats rude. i told you i wasn't giving you attention i would expect you to give me the same courtesy.
j.dot...well, i was under the impression that i was giving you the same courtesy.
customer...what? sir...i told you...
j.dot...can i help you?
...i had to cut her off before i snapped off. i can't stand people sometimes. giving you the same coutesy? give me a f*cking break!! how about you do me a favor and next time call when you're ready with the order instead of yelling in my ear?!
a different day...wait, it might have been the same day? anyway...a customer requested strict parameters to have something delivered because the delivery dock would be closed from 11am to noon. no big deal...we pick up and get to the delivery with 15 minutes or so to spare. the dock is telling my messenger they're closed...wtf?!
j.dot...excuse me miss. our messenger arrived to the dock but they are closed. we wont be able to deliver it.
customer...thats cause the idiot didn't get there in time. i told that idiot that the dock closes at 11am and he barely picked it up around 1030.
j.dot...well, there's no need to call the messenger an idiot mam. in fact...our messenger arrived with 15 minutes to spare. the dock isn't that far away. the dock decided to close early for some reason...
...the lady didn't even apologize for calling him an idiot. we did our job but sometimes people go on break alot sooner than they say they will. not our fault the dock decided to shut down. i kept trying to see if the lady would apologize but nope...nothing. it p*ssed me off more because the driver is one of our best and nicest guys you will ever meet. i should have called her an idiot? haha! im a jerk.
just last week one of our bikers was riding by triple-3 west wacker. we're kinda busy and i don't have time for our crew to mess around. i need them in and out of buildings...you know, the usual hectic routine. i get a call from 1141...
j.dot...what up? what up?
1141...say, i know we're busy but i found a package thats going to 563 west randolph. must have fallen out of one our fellow comrades. im just gonna shoot it straight there...shouldn't take that long.
j.dot...10-4!
...what i really wanted to say was...wtf?!?! we ain't got time for someone else's mistake. a couple minutes go by and i realize that i am truly a jerk. i was glad that 1141 took the time to help out whoever that messenger was that dropped the package. i don't think the messenger who dropped it was from our company but, whoever it was, forty-one understands that the only way to win in this industry is to help each other out every once in a while. im not saying all messengers are as nice as 1141 but on a hectic day it was nice to see. especially when dealing with crazy clients all day it's nice to see that messengers, although they get the bad rap, are truly something special...peace.
Friday, October 23, 2009
you didn't know?
see what i did there? you know...with the title of the post? the question is usually followed up with...i thought you knew...get it? come on...you know you get it...alright, alright, i'll stop...
TyK [Thought You Knew] Project has returned for 2010, this year with two calendars worth of Ladies PinUps and Men’s SuperHeroes, all doing their best for the Chicago Women’s Health Center [CWHC]. The proceeds from the sales of both Calendars go directly to CWHC, the only collectively run women’s health center in the country. CWHC has been a provider of affordable health care and health education to women for over 30 years.
This year, TyK will get a preview at the Sadie Hawkins Style Ride on November 14th, with an after party hosted by Cobra Lounge. Please see the chicagosadiehawkins.info website for more info.
The Gala-Gallery Launch will take place on Friday, November 20th at Mars Gallery, at 1139 W Fulton Market. Koval Liquors will provide a tasting table, and there will be complimentary beer and wine from 5pm-11pm.
Last year, the TyK 2009 Calendar sold two-hundred copies on release night alone, and adorned walls as far-off as Beijing, London, Paris, Tokyo and Vancouver. This year, the website has been revamped, direct ordering and distribution is at the ready and TyK is set to for total domination of cubicle and kitchen walls worldwide!
Photographer Michelle Nolan has returned to capture the allure of Chicago’s sexy lady cyclists, with thirteen PinUps ready to tease you through 2010. None of these ladies are models, just the commuters, racers and joy riders you see out every day on their bikes. We challenge you to spot them on the street, out of their pinup glory.
Not to be left out of the good-works of the world, this year, the Gentlemen of Chicago have stepped up for TyK/B [Thought You Knew BETTER]. Chicago’s cycling Gents reveal their SuperHero identities to Photographer Christopher Dilts. In classic comic book style, their secret identities, as well as street faces, are laid bare for all to see, all year long.
TyK is looking for a few good sponsors while space remains. For press inquiries, or details on sponsorship, please contact:
do you seriously want to be the only person to not own this calendar? it's for a good cause...benefits the chicago women's health center. if thats not enough then buy it cause it promises to have great photography from michelle nolan and christopher dilts. thats not enough? well, maybe miss august will convince you...
check out more teasers on facebook. btw...don't forget to check out a preview of the calendar at the 4th annual sadie hawkins style ride on november 14th. this year promises to be just as good as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. great job on this project and all parties involved in making this happen...peace.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
silly hollywood...
there's a movie being worked on in hollywood who's central character will be a bike messenger...C.O.D...
C.O.D. finds a bike messenger who is being forced by mysterious bad guys to plant three bombs, lest they plant a bomb on his family. The messenger must not only defeat the bad guys, he must evade a whole nation looking out for him
sounds like a possible "die hard" type of film is you ask me. will bruce willis pass as a messenger? anywhoo...this guy really hates messengers...
Everybody hates bike messengers. First of all, the profession attracts douchebags. Second of all, they're a hazard on the road to drivers and pedestrians alike. Third of all, they always smell.
why all the hate? i don't get it. does he not realize that the movie is set up to make the messenger the victim and hero? in any case...do me and the whole community a favor and don't be afraid to e-mail him your thoughts on his thoughts about messengers. his e-mail is devin@chud.com...i was thinking of writting something like this...
...im sure you cats can come up with better things to say...peace.
C.O.D. finds a bike messenger who is being forced by mysterious bad guys to plant three bombs, lest they plant a bomb on his family. The messenger must not only defeat the bad guys, he must evade a whole nation looking out for him
sounds like a possible "die hard" type of film is you ask me. will bruce willis pass as a messenger? anywhoo...this guy really hates messengers...
Everybody hates bike messengers. First of all, the profession attracts douchebags. Second of all, they're a hazard on the road to drivers and pedestrians alike. Third of all, they always smell.
why all the hate? i don't get it. does he not realize that the movie is set up to make the messenger the victim and hero? in any case...do me and the whole community a favor and don't be afraid to e-mail him your thoughts on his thoughts about messengers. his e-mail is devin@chud.com...i was thinking of writting something like this...
dear mr.faraci,
F*CK YOU...peace.
your friendly dispatcher,
j.dot
F*CK YOU...peace.
your friendly dispatcher,
j.dot
...im sure you cats can come up with better things to say...peace.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
advice...
it's been a minute since i've done this advice bit. i get e-mails from people all the time looking for work and wanting advice. it's not a big deal...i offer them MY advice. what does that mean? well...it is what it is and i have no idea...ha! i got an e-mail last night so i've decided to post up my response...well, not all of it...
the best advice i can give you is to not be a messenger. no one is really hiring at the moment. i got all kinds of heads coming my way trying to get a job but i haven't been able to help anyone out. i know you'll need a job but maybe there's something else you can do? that way you concentrate on school. being a messenger takes alot of work...physically and mentally. to try and concentrate on school and work can be very tiring and frustrating.
i noticed you said you have experience being a messenger so everything i just said will probably be ignored and you'll want to do it anyway. if you are...well, not sure what companies are hiring. you can always go to standard courier. there's alot of fees you have to pay to work for them but they are usually always hiring. you can check with u.s. messenger...again, i don't know if they are hiring but they usually are? chicago messenger service might be hiring...they're a huge company. again, they have alot of fees and uniforms to deal with. i would say to try and get a job at dynamex, velocity, on time, apex(hourly), advance messenger service, and so on...but, like i said, i don't think anyone is hiring. all i could do is wish you luck. open up a yellow pages and look up the companies i've mentioned. i wouldn't call them...i would just head to those addresses to see if they're hiring. a good tip...companies will keep applications but if you show up and apply and they're looking for people...your app usually jumps straight to the top. messengers are a dime a dozen and managers have short term memory. meaning...if companies usually hold apps for an extended period of time it doesn't mean you'll get the job if you filled it out 3 months ago as opposed to someone who just walks in. someone might walk in and apply and get hired on the spot...managers have a tendency to forget about cats who put in an app 3 months ago. just cause they didn't hire you this month doesn't mean they won't next month...if that makes any sense.
anyway...good luck with whatever you decide. welcome to my city. if you do get a job as a messenger...we got good people out there. it's not the greatest job but it has some of the greatest people...peace.
honestly kids...work is slowly picking up but it's not the same. work is still slow and companies are simply not hiring. this job can be fun and, Lord knows, i romanticize the sh*t out of this job from time to time but...it's not all sunshine and roses. while this job can be great at times...well, sometimes it karate chops you in the throat and you begin to wonder why you do it. good luck to all who try their hand in this industry...peace.
the best advice i can give you is to not be a messenger. no one is really hiring at the moment. i got all kinds of heads coming my way trying to get a job but i haven't been able to help anyone out. i know you'll need a job but maybe there's something else you can do? that way you concentrate on school. being a messenger takes alot of work...physically and mentally. to try and concentrate on school and work can be very tiring and frustrating.
i noticed you said you have experience being a messenger so everything i just said will probably be ignored and you'll want to do it anyway. if you are...well, not sure what companies are hiring. you can always go to standard courier. there's alot of fees you have to pay to work for them but they are usually always hiring. you can check with u.s. messenger...again, i don't know if they are hiring but they usually are? chicago messenger service might be hiring...they're a huge company. again, they have alot of fees and uniforms to deal with. i would say to try and get a job at dynamex, velocity, on time, apex(hourly), advance messenger service, and so on...but, like i said, i don't think anyone is hiring. all i could do is wish you luck. open up a yellow pages and look up the companies i've mentioned. i wouldn't call them...i would just head to those addresses to see if they're hiring. a good tip...companies will keep applications but if you show up and apply and they're looking for people...your app usually jumps straight to the top. messengers are a dime a dozen and managers have short term memory. meaning...if companies usually hold apps for an extended period of time it doesn't mean you'll get the job if you filled it out 3 months ago as opposed to someone who just walks in. someone might walk in and apply and get hired on the spot...managers have a tendency to forget about cats who put in an app 3 months ago. just cause they didn't hire you this month doesn't mean they won't next month...if that makes any sense.
anyway...good luck with whatever you decide. welcome to my city. if you do get a job as a messenger...we got good people out there. it's not the greatest job but it has some of the greatest people...peace.
honestly kids...work is slowly picking up but it's not the same. work is still slow and companies are simply not hiring. this job can be fun and, Lord knows, i romanticize the sh*t out of this job from time to time but...it's not all sunshine and roses. while this job can be great at times...well, sometimes it karate chops you in the throat and you begin to wonder why you do it. good luck to all who try their hand in this industry...peace.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
what to do on the 31st...
the way i see it...you can make it to the halloween race some of the chicago kids are putting together(which benefits the tkbma) and then party at cals with 6721's band, get up with the get downs. both events are unrelated but i thought i would throw some love to 6721 and the band he's a part of...it's only 5 bucks...Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 10:00pm till Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 3:00am at Cal's Bar 400 S. Wells. either way...saturday the 31st promises to be a great time in the chicago area. i plan to dress as a messenger...peace.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
simpsons...
nothing to crazy to report and i came across this...
i decided to submit my own character. why? i thought it would be funny to have the simpsons take on the world of messengers...
i know, i know...this is silly. forgive my silliness but i couldn't help it...i had to submit a messenger character...1st seen here...
The contest's winning character, to be drawn by series animators, has a reserved spot in the episode in which Homer disappoints wife Marge by arriving late at a wedding after stopping to buy a lottery ticket.
He encounters the new face while rushing to the ceremony, Jean said, adding that it's possible the character could pop up on the series again.
there's so many ways the character can be introduced. maybe homer doors the messenger? maybe the messenger has a trailer and helps homer get to the wedding? maybe marge gets jealous of the bike messenger? maybe bart falls in love with the bad*ss messenger? maybe bart becomes a bike messenger? maybe lisa takes a liking to the messenger cause, as we all know, messengers are creative? head over here and submit your own character...again, forgive my silliness(ha?).
anywhoo...enjoy your weekend. it's been cold and rainy all week. thank you to our crew who rocked it out in this weather. i hope the weekend treats you better than the week did...peace.
i decided to submit my own character. why? i thought it would be funny to have the simpsons take on the world of messengers...
i know, i know...this is silly. forgive my silliness but i couldn't help it...i had to submit a messenger character...1st seen here...
The contest's winning character, to be drawn by series animators, has a reserved spot in the episode in which Homer disappoints wife Marge by arriving late at a wedding after stopping to buy a lottery ticket.
He encounters the new face while rushing to the ceremony, Jean said, adding that it's possible the character could pop up on the series again.
there's so many ways the character can be introduced. maybe homer doors the messenger? maybe the messenger has a trailer and helps homer get to the wedding? maybe marge gets jealous of the bike messenger? maybe bart falls in love with the bad*ss messenger? maybe bart becomes a bike messenger? maybe lisa takes a liking to the messenger cause, as we all know, messengers are creative? head over here and submit your own character...again, forgive my silliness(ha?).
anywhoo...enjoy your weekend. it's been cold and rainy all week. thank you to our crew who rocked it out in this weather. i hope the weekend treats you better than the week did...peace.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
every little bit helps...
the cuttin'cruiser has helped with the chicago naccc's, velocity, my bachelor party, and helps chicago's finest get around from race to race. If you're at an event and you see the cuttin'cruiser come around you know it'll be good times. the owners of this amazing machine need our help. it's down and out for the moment and, if you have kept up with anything i've written, you know messengers don't make much loot...
If you know Jeff, you know he’s not the type to hassle his passengers for gas money. If you’ve ever grabbed a dog and a beer at one of the couches, and never saw the tip jar sitting out conspicuously, well, maybe you can throw a little somethin’ in there now, to help get this thing back on the road. Hopefully we’ll be rolling soon.
if you happen to miss the tip jar head over to the cuttin'crew page to donate or click here. i got you kids but you're gonna have to wait till friday. turns out dispatchers don't make much money either...ha? lets do what we can to help the cruiser keep rolling...peace.
halloween...
click on flyer to view larger...
head over to chicagohalloween.blogspot.com for all the details. these kids are not messing around. all kinds of sponsors. great job. don't know if i'll make it but i'll definitely be buying a shirt...peace.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
that was quick...update...
im really gonna have to start paying nico for being my eyes and ears on the street. thanks for the update...
dude the race was great! margo got 2nd place for the women... 2nd to christina, who got 2nd overall ha!
the top three were:
1. mike urbanis
2. christina peck
3. brian from standard
overall we raised $275 for the tkbma which is pretty amazing. its a direct reflection of the solidarity that naturally comes with working in this industry. everyone was stoked on the benefit, and even people who paid for the race, continued to unload their pockets into the fund. suprisingly we had 30 people racing in the cold saturday evening... and about 16 people dealing with standing still at their checkpoint for an hour and a half. the afterparty was fantastic... you can check out pictures on chris dilt's flickr... pbr was consumed well into the a.m. by messengers, bike geeks, and people who just wanted in on the fun. november's race has no date yet, but i assure you we have the ball rolling and its guaranteed to be a good one... just a little colder!!!
it should be known that all the prizes we gave out to the top 10 racers were donated by denise and q from apex courier, and marcus from yojimbo's garage. the prizes allowed us to keep the cash for the tkbma while still making it worthwhile for those who placed well.
i told margot that if she won i would give her a guatemalan jersey. well...if you ain't first your last...ha! just jazzin'...i'll bring the jersey some time this week. i knew i sponsored the right messenger. thanks for the update nico. keep us updated on the november plans. congratulations to all who participated...peace.
dude the race was great! margo got 2nd place for the women... 2nd to christina, who got 2nd overall ha!
the top three were:
1. mike urbanis
2. christina peck
3. brian from standard
overall we raised $275 for the tkbma which is pretty amazing. its a direct reflection of the solidarity that naturally comes with working in this industry. everyone was stoked on the benefit, and even people who paid for the race, continued to unload their pockets into the fund. suprisingly we had 30 people racing in the cold saturday evening... and about 16 people dealing with standing still at their checkpoint for an hour and a half. the afterparty was fantastic... you can check out pictures on chris dilt's flickr... pbr was consumed well into the a.m. by messengers, bike geeks, and people who just wanted in on the fun. november's race has no date yet, but i assure you we have the ball rolling and its guaranteed to be a good one... just a little colder!!!
it should be known that all the prizes we gave out to the top 10 racers were donated by denise and q from apex courier, and marcus from yojimbo's garage. the prizes allowed us to keep the cash for the tkbma while still making it worthwhile for those who placed well.
i told margot that if she won i would give her a guatemalan jersey. well...if you ain't first your last...ha! just jazzin'...i'll bring the jersey some time this week. i knew i sponsored the right messenger. thanks for the update nico. keep us updated on the november plans. congratulations to all who participated...peace.
congratualtions to...?
the downtown shakedown was this past weekend. it is just the beginning of things to come in an effort to help tokyo. in true chicago form...i have no idea who won...ha! so why post? well...cause chris dilts was there and documented the whole thing as usual...we all like pics, right?
check out his set here. from the looks of things...seems like chicago is headed in the right direction. having fun and giving to a good cause is always good. thanks to all who had a hand in putting this together. now...somebody tell me who won what. i guess i should get off my a*s and make it to these events but dispatching has really made me lazy...ha? can't wait for the next idea to help our fellow messengers ...peace.
check out his set here. from the looks of things...seems like chicago is headed in the right direction. having fun and giving to a good cause is always good. thanks to all who had a hand in putting this together. now...somebody tell me who won what. i guess i should get off my a*s and make it to these events but dispatching has really made me lazy...ha? can't wait for the next idea to help our fellow messengers ...peace.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
trailer...
back in june i posted about a lovely lady, marie ullrich, who was putting together a film...faster. it's not quite done yet but this wednesday they will be having a viewing of the trailer. i believe it's free to the public...
It's not the film itself, just the trailer for the film, which is showing as part of a group art opening for students who won a Weisman Award. No tickets required. There will be wine n cheese, and the trailer will show on a loop with other short clips of the other films.
not sure if they'll let me out of work early but, if they do...i will be there. thanks for the heads up marie. good luck putting the final touches on the film...peace.
It's not the film itself, just the trailer for the film, which is showing as part of a group art opening for students who won a Weisman Award. No tickets required. There will be wine n cheese, and the trailer will show on a loop with other short clips of the other films.
pic by christopher dilts...
Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Time: 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: 618 South Michigan Avenue, Floor 2
Time: 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: 618 South Michigan Avenue, Floor 2
not sure if they'll let me out of work early but, if they do...i will be there. thanks for the heads up marie. good luck putting the final touches on the film...peace.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
10-9...
messenger appreciation day came and went. how was yours? i woke up and got ready for work...got a phone call...
sister...what are you doing?
j.dot...about to leave for my ma's, a pinchazo, and then work...why?
sister...my car is stalled on california and grand.
f*ck! whats a pinchazo? it's where you take your flat tire on your car to get repaired. thats right, my car had a flat and was rolling on a donut...damn! sooooo...i have to deal with a flat and help my sister get the car back home till we can figure out whats wrong. called work and told them i was gonna run behind. i don't start till 10 and i got the call around 730am but i knew i was gonna be late...oh wells. on top of all of this...it was raining. not hard but just enough to annoy the h*ll out of you.
i finally got everything done and was headed to work around 1045 or so...p*ssed. as im driving down augusta coming up on western i see jeff perkins. he didn't look happy. i realized then that although my pockets were more empty than when i woke up and that i had a sh*tty morning...i didn't have to ride all day in this weather. our bikers here in chicago had to deal with high 40's and rain...not just rain here and there but rain ALL DAY!
well...i hope a simple thank you from a dispatcher will do...ha! as i tell my crew, especially on nasty days, thank you for the work today.
oh yeah...as a side note, don't forget about today's downtown shuffle. chicago is trying to do their part to show japan that they are appreciated. i have a sponsored rider out there. you can try and beat her but i have a feeling she won't disappoint...peace.
sister...what are you doing?
j.dot...about to leave for my ma's, a pinchazo, and then work...why?
sister...my car is stalled on california and grand.
f*ck! whats a pinchazo? it's where you take your flat tire on your car to get repaired. thats right, my car had a flat and was rolling on a donut...damn! sooooo...i have to deal with a flat and help my sister get the car back home till we can figure out whats wrong. called work and told them i was gonna run behind. i don't start till 10 and i got the call around 730am but i knew i was gonna be late...oh wells. on top of all of this...it was raining. not hard but just enough to annoy the h*ll out of you.
i finally got everything done and was headed to work around 1045 or so...p*ssed. as im driving down augusta coming up on western i see jeff perkins. he didn't look happy. i realized then that although my pockets were more empty than when i woke up and that i had a sh*tty morning...i didn't have to ride all day in this weather. our bikers here in chicago had to deal with high 40's and rain...not just rain here and there but rain ALL DAY!
well...i hope a simple thank you from a dispatcher will do...ha! as i tell my crew, especially on nasty days, thank you for the work today.
oh yeah...as a side note, don't forget about today's downtown shuffle. chicago is trying to do their part to show japan that they are appreciated. i have a sponsored rider out there. you can try and beat her but i have a feeling she won't disappoint...peace.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
there's a flyer somewhere...
downtown.shakedown.v2
sat.oct.10.@7pm
daley.plaza.$7
benefit.for.tkbma
prizes.from.chrome
apex.courier
armitage.bike.shop
after party @ nico's
2147 s halsted st apt 1
$7 / free for racers/helpers
sat.oct.10.@7pm
daley.plaza.$7
benefit.for.tkbma
prizes.from.chrome
apex.courier
armitage.bike.shop
after party @ nico's
2147 s halsted st apt 1
$7 / free for racers/helpers
the tokyo bike messenger association is up to its ears in debt after throwing the legendary cmwc2009 this past month. let's help them restore their lives to some normalcy by chipping in to help out. proceeds from the race / after party will go to helping out our friends across the pacific. some great companies are pitching in some dope prizes so come out saturday and getcha some.
i can't make it...i got some soon-to-be-baby things to take care of on saturday. the good news...i will still donate my money. does someone need an entry fee? send me an e-mail and it's yours. big ups to any and all that help put this together. keep your eyes here...they will be updating the cities who have donated. our fellow messengers need help and it's nice to see chicago, along with other cities, step up...peace.
Monday, October 5, 2009
interview...
it's been a minute since the last interview so i decided to reach out to someone who would shed some light from a different perspective. rep'n for the ladies it's the lovely nicole. i gotta be honest...we've said hello to each other but i've never really had a conversation with her...my apologies. the lady is smart, talented, and understands this industry more than most veterans out there. anywhoo...without further interruption...
1.why did you decide to messenger?
Well, this tale is somewhat of a saga. I've always ridden bikes, but I got more interested in it during high-school. Fast forward a few years later, I'm living in Boston, I've got an awesome job that I love, & this boyfriend who's a messenger (we met as "non-messengers"). I was just as serious about bikes as he was but it wasn't my profession at the time. I often told him that if my job ever became shitty, I was going to quit & start riding too. He would tell me that I couldn't do it, that I wouldn't last, I wouldn't make it, I wasn't tough enough, etc. Well, fate intervened, as it so often does, & we broke up. It was really a nasty one, too. So much so, that I decided not to remain in Boston & moved to Chicago. I transferred with my company, & of course my position changed with the transfer. I wasn't allowed to do all the cool shit I once had, so I started looking for a messenger job in a foreign city. When someone tells you so adamantly that you are incapable of doing something, it really drives you to want to excel with the challenge. For me, that was the number one motivator in deciding to messenger. I guess I didn't realize what my chances for failure would be by doing it in an unknown city. But I sure as fuck proved that dude wrong.
2.when did you start? has the time been on/off or straight?
I began at the beginning of January, 2005. Dead of Chicago winter. I quit in October of 2007, I felt like I was almost getting dumber being out there all day, yelling at drivers, or my dispatcher. It was no longer serene for me. I came back in January, 2009, after I had been laid off. I probably won't go back again.
3.what bike did you start on? what do you ride today?
I started on a Fuji Track bike. With all of it's crappy components. I had been in my first wreck a few months prior, so my Miyata was destroyed & I needed a quick fix. Marcus (at Yojimbo's) was having an end of season sale to bring in the new models, & I got the Fuji at a steal. These days I ride a De Bernardi, or my old cruiser if I'm feeling lazy. I'm looking for a sweet steel road frame, though, if anyone has a 52/53cm laying around!
4.you've seen a few come and go...any stick out in your mind?
Oh god, this awful girl (i know, i know, but not catty) She had money, she had a totally cherry bike, with the bells & whistles, & she started in the late summer. It was an unseasonably warm fall, & she seemed to think she could hang. My dispatcher wanted another girl on the crew, & one of the boneheads that worked there at the time threw her name out, or told her to come in, who knows. I came back from the NACCC's in Philly, & this broad was there. The first snow came out of nowhere, she showed up super-late, after the roads had been plowed & salted, & still left an hour later claiming she had frost bite. Obviously she never returned. There was another Dude with a great frame he barely knew how to ride. I forgot where he came from, I sure as hell don't know where he went, but I do know he was short lived. But I suppose that's the story of many a rookie. Oh, & then there's the girl I got a job for, & then completely burned me. A fist-fight ensued. She's definitely gone now.
5.since you started...what changes have you noticed for the industry? what changes would you like to see?
I haven't seen too many positive changes, in all honesty. The industry is dying, quite sadly, messenger jobs are becoming more scarce, yet there's an influx of kids who want the job title, to say they're a messenger, crowding it out, & taking work from people who've been rolling a lot longer. The amount of work a messenger is doing is getting smaller & smaller, regardless of how many given people are on board that day. Buildings are taking tighter security measures. I do love the efficiency of messenger centers, but for all the time they save, that much more is wasted when you bring in a box, or need to get the back half of a roundtrip. I would like to see some of the personnel in these heated, air conditioned, cozy little holes just give us a break, instead of yelling at us when we've got something over ten pounds. Remember buddy, I had to carry this fucker on my handle bars for a mile, & you can't even put it on a push cart? There are some really great people working M.C.'s though & I give them all the props in the world for making my day go smoother.
6.whats your experience as a messenger lady? positive/negative?
Golly, Both! There were times when I could use a little finesse & get something taken care of that a dude couldn't (unfair, I know) just because of a little flirtation, or just because I was a girl. That really helped me get things done quicker, scam free coffee, sneak up a main elevator, etc. But there have been times that guys thought they could touch me just because I had tattoos. They'd grab my arm, THEN ask to see them, & start asking me about them. You KNOW they wouldn't do that to another guy. I've scolded a few & they've sassed back. I also really loved when an altercation with a haphazardly driving idiot would occur, I'd yell something along the lines of "fuck you!" & they'd yell back at what a "dyke, bitch" I was. I don't know if any other ladies have gotten this from male, or even other female motorists but I don't know how they could derive my sexual orientation from the two wheels beneath me. Also, I always felt really empowered on those awful weather days, when I was out there, & I would see how few of my male counterparts came to work that day.
7.greatest day messengering...worst?
The last day of work before a Christmas long weekend started, I think this was 2006. I did only 24 runs that day, it was a pretty slow one. But 21 of those runs were directs. I made the most money I've ever made in a single day. I guess my second best day was also a pretty shitty one, though. I did 63 runs, 25 of them in the last hour & a half. I busted my ass that day, & it was raining. I felt really proud, but really pissed as well. My worst day was probably recently, this past winter. My dispatcher was a total heroin addict & she was trying to dispatch a days work to two people, & it was like, negative three as a high temp that day. I was riding from Ashland & Washington, to Roosevelt & Prarie, to Chicago & Kingsbury all in one "set". There was no continuity & they were all burnt runs, because she forgot about them. I don't mind distance so much, but I would really love to have a break from the blowing, cold wind for maybe five minutes, thanks.
8.i know you mentioned to me that you've dispatched...what are your thoughts on that? better or worse than riding?
I do really like it, but it helps if you're dispatching an individual who has an idea of how to route himself. I did enjoy putting sets together, but the ship was really tight at that time, so I'd often dispatch part of the day & then have to go out & ride too. Being a dispatcher can often be just as stressful as biking, but in the way that you've got to deal with the client calling every five minutes wanting to know why their package hasn't been picked up. You can't make a biker work faster than they're capable, so that's pretty stressful. But when you're a biker, you try as hard as you can with what you've got, & knowing the companies fate is in your hands does weigh pretty heavy on your mind. I guess I like them both equally for different reasons. I can be a lot worse on those perfect Spring days, though.
9.do you think you'll come back?
Nah. I burned the bridge with On the Fly, & nobody else is hiring. I really enjoy riding my bicycle, & I fouled that up for a while by doing it for money. Man, the first time I quit, I didn't want to look at the damn thing for near a month.
10.advice for rookies?
You've got a college degree, go fucking use it. This business is dying, young man.
man.o.man...im so glad i interviewed you nicole. you have much knowledge about the industry and cats need to hear how this job really is. i've told you how this industry has a tendency to bring on some very talented individuals...well, nicole is no exception. check out her blog here, her myspace with most of work here, and don't be afraid to purchase some items on etsy here. thank you so much for providing us with an interview...i promise next time i will do my best to say more than hello...ha! it sucks that the industry burned her out a bit...it happens to many of us...it's a shame that it does. thank you again for the interview...good luck with wherever fate may take you...peace.
pic from messenger prom 2009...
1.why did you decide to messenger?
Well, this tale is somewhat of a saga. I've always ridden bikes, but I got more interested in it during high-school. Fast forward a few years later, I'm living in Boston, I've got an awesome job that I love, & this boyfriend who's a messenger (we met as "non-messengers"). I was just as serious about bikes as he was but it wasn't my profession at the time. I often told him that if my job ever became shitty, I was going to quit & start riding too. He would tell me that I couldn't do it, that I wouldn't last, I wouldn't make it, I wasn't tough enough, etc. Well, fate intervened, as it so often does, & we broke up. It was really a nasty one, too. So much so, that I decided not to remain in Boston & moved to Chicago. I transferred with my company, & of course my position changed with the transfer. I wasn't allowed to do all the cool shit I once had, so I started looking for a messenger job in a foreign city. When someone tells you so adamantly that you are incapable of doing something, it really drives you to want to excel with the challenge. For me, that was the number one motivator in deciding to messenger. I guess I didn't realize what my chances for failure would be by doing it in an unknown city. But I sure as fuck proved that dude wrong.
2.when did you start? has the time been on/off or straight?
I began at the beginning of January, 2005. Dead of Chicago winter. I quit in October of 2007, I felt like I was almost getting dumber being out there all day, yelling at drivers, or my dispatcher. It was no longer serene for me. I came back in January, 2009, after I had been laid off. I probably won't go back again.
3.what bike did you start on? what do you ride today?
I started on a Fuji Track bike. With all of it's crappy components. I had been in my first wreck a few months prior, so my Miyata was destroyed & I needed a quick fix. Marcus (at Yojimbo's) was having an end of season sale to bring in the new models, & I got the Fuji at a steal. These days I ride a De Bernardi, or my old cruiser if I'm feeling lazy. I'm looking for a sweet steel road frame, though, if anyone has a 52/53cm laying around!
4.you've seen a few come and go...any stick out in your mind?
Oh god, this awful girl (i know, i know, but not catty) She had money, she had a totally cherry bike, with the bells & whistles, & she started in the late summer. It was an unseasonably warm fall, & she seemed to think she could hang. My dispatcher wanted another girl on the crew, & one of the boneheads that worked there at the time threw her name out, or told her to come in, who knows. I came back from the NACCC's in Philly, & this broad was there. The first snow came out of nowhere, she showed up super-late, after the roads had been plowed & salted, & still left an hour later claiming she had frost bite. Obviously she never returned. There was another Dude with a great frame he barely knew how to ride. I forgot where he came from, I sure as hell don't know where he went, but I do know he was short lived. But I suppose that's the story of many a rookie. Oh, & then there's the girl I got a job for, & then completely burned me. A fist-fight ensued. She's definitely gone now.
5.since you started...what changes have you noticed for the industry? what changes would you like to see?
I haven't seen too many positive changes, in all honesty. The industry is dying, quite sadly, messenger jobs are becoming more scarce, yet there's an influx of kids who want the job title, to say they're a messenger, crowding it out, & taking work from people who've been rolling a lot longer. The amount of work a messenger is doing is getting smaller & smaller, regardless of how many given people are on board that day. Buildings are taking tighter security measures. I do love the efficiency of messenger centers, but for all the time they save, that much more is wasted when you bring in a box, or need to get the back half of a roundtrip. I would like to see some of the personnel in these heated, air conditioned, cozy little holes just give us a break, instead of yelling at us when we've got something over ten pounds. Remember buddy, I had to carry this fucker on my handle bars for a mile, & you can't even put it on a push cart? There are some really great people working M.C.'s though & I give them all the props in the world for making my day go smoother.
nicole on the left...btw, is this pic from chris dilts?
6.whats your experience as a messenger lady? positive/negative?
Golly, Both! There were times when I could use a little finesse & get something taken care of that a dude couldn't (unfair, I know) just because of a little flirtation, or just because I was a girl. That really helped me get things done quicker, scam free coffee, sneak up a main elevator, etc. But there have been times that guys thought they could touch me just because I had tattoos. They'd grab my arm, THEN ask to see them, & start asking me about them. You KNOW they wouldn't do that to another guy. I've scolded a few & they've sassed back. I also really loved when an altercation with a haphazardly driving idiot would occur, I'd yell something along the lines of "fuck you!" & they'd yell back at what a "dyke, bitch" I was. I don't know if any other ladies have gotten this from male, or even other female motorists but I don't know how they could derive my sexual orientation from the two wheels beneath me. Also, I always felt really empowered on those awful weather days, when I was out there, & I would see how few of my male counterparts came to work that day.
7.greatest day messengering...worst?
The last day of work before a Christmas long weekend started, I think this was 2006. I did only 24 runs that day, it was a pretty slow one. But 21 of those runs were directs. I made the most money I've ever made in a single day. I guess my second best day was also a pretty shitty one, though. I did 63 runs, 25 of them in the last hour & a half. I busted my ass that day, & it was raining. I felt really proud, but really pissed as well. My worst day was probably recently, this past winter. My dispatcher was a total heroin addict & she was trying to dispatch a days work to two people, & it was like, negative three as a high temp that day. I was riding from Ashland & Washington, to Roosevelt & Prarie, to Chicago & Kingsbury all in one "set". There was no continuity & they were all burnt runs, because she forgot about them. I don't mind distance so much, but I would really love to have a break from the blowing, cold wind for maybe five minutes, thanks.
8.i know you mentioned to me that you've dispatched...what are your thoughts on that? better or worse than riding?
I do really like it, but it helps if you're dispatching an individual who has an idea of how to route himself. I did enjoy putting sets together, but the ship was really tight at that time, so I'd often dispatch part of the day & then have to go out & ride too. Being a dispatcher can often be just as stressful as biking, but in the way that you've got to deal with the client calling every five minutes wanting to know why their package hasn't been picked up. You can't make a biker work faster than they're capable, so that's pretty stressful. But when you're a biker, you try as hard as you can with what you've got, & knowing the companies fate is in your hands does weigh pretty heavy on your mind. I guess I like them both equally for different reasons. I can be a lot worse on those perfect Spring days, though.
9.do you think you'll come back?
Nah. I burned the bridge with On the Fly, & nobody else is hiring. I really enjoy riding my bicycle, & I fouled that up for a while by doing it for money. Man, the first time I quit, I didn't want to look at the damn thing for near a month.
10.advice for rookies?
You've got a college degree, go fucking use it. This business is dying, young man.
bern model...
man.o.man...im so glad i interviewed you nicole. you have much knowledge about the industry and cats need to hear how this job really is. i've told you how this industry has a tendency to bring on some very talented individuals...well, nicole is no exception. check out her blog here, her myspace with most of work here, and don't be afraid to purchase some items on etsy here. thank you so much for providing us with an interview...i promise next time i will do my best to say more than hello...ha! it sucks that the industry burned her out a bit...it happens to many of us...it's a shame that it does. thank you again for the interview...good luck with wherever fate may take you...peace.
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