(Intro: For those who aren't aware, last week I challenged Will Critchlow to a presentation-off during SMX London).
I see how it is, Will. Don't try to deny it.
You can't win on points, so you think you can send some army of torrential British micro-water soldiers (colloquially called "rain") to stop me?
Think again, muchacho. I'm coming for you.
And no scooter accident, banged up body, scratched up leg or bruised hand can stop me. I'll see you in London - cane in one hand... actually, nothing in the other, cause it kinda hurts, but Vicodin in my pocket.
I will defeat you, Critchlow!!
I may be down, but I'm not out. Come next Tuesday, we gonna rumble.
p.s. blogging and email may be slower the next few days due to my less-than-fully-agile left hand.
p.p.s. Really, I'm OK, but let me highly recommend to anyone on two wheels going down hills during the first rain in a while - start braking early. Thanks to all the friendly people who stopped to help me, the ridiculously good looking staff at the UW emergency room, Ben Plehal of evogear who came to get me after the accident, all the kind Twitter replies and my lovely, amazing wife, Mystery Guest - I'm sorry I scared you, honey.
Dude - what were you thinking? You know that you & I both have problems with the 'masculinity' issue, and you thought that driving a scooter would help this? We need to talk.
Hope you're ok and look forward to seeing you next week.
Which would be why you drive that car...
Nice move...
My MD has a toy alien which also records, and he's recorded himself saying "Ciarán drives a hairdresser's car" into it - I forgot about this today and started playing with it. He's hilarious.
Glad you're OK, buddy. Waiting for the weekend twitter updates: "Working on my presentation is so slow and difficult with a painful hand". Work that sympathy. You're gonna need it.
I think it's pretty clear Rand staged that photo to mess with your head. Since when do hospital gowns have collars?
Seriously, Rand, take care of yourself, and try not to be such a daredevil on that scooter. When it comes to man vs. pavement, pavement always wins.
Shoulda used "vicodin" in the title :)
"Vicadin" is the new "Oatmeal"!
Get well soon Rand. Hopefully this little post I just wrote for you will cheer you up... Dr Rand House (MD)!
How's the scooter look?!?! Glad your okay too. =)
The scooter looks fabulous, as always. ;P
Ha, I would think the pink fur on that scooter would break his fall. =)
I'm gonna tell mom!
Are those your legs? No, you must be riding a chicken!
Clearly I need to go over how to "disembark" with you.
Get Well Soon, we need you in good working order.
I'll see if I can get you a subscription to "Scoot Rider" ;p
All you need now is some "Ink"
Rand,
I hope you feel better! I got banged up pretty bad in a snowboarding accident and I broke my larynx (voice box) - had major surgery to reconstruct it and I am in bed healing. Wishing you full speed ahead!
You broke your larynx snowboarding?! Good lord!
First of all, super glad you're okay!!!
Second of all, BRAVO going for the last minute clutch sympathy vote! I figured you'd pull something awesome out of your sleeve but taking a dive on the scooter I definitely didn't see coming :P
Rand,
Heal quickly! Next time keep both hands on the scooter and leave the texting/twittering to when the scooter is completely stopped. ;)
Ryan
Sorry to see that happen to you Rand, but I have to say "you look pretty good in a dress" :)
Feel better dude, I've been through my share of accidents of that sort and I attest to how much it helps to get the sympathy vote! Nice instigating post but I think Will's got a pretty good chance there... quiet and sneaky is a pretty effective tactic these days.
Ouch. Sorry to hear about the the accident. Hope you get well soon.
BTW, does your accident have anything to do with Linkscape being down yesterday?
Get better, Rand! While you're out of commission, you've inspired my latest SEO post: Google Profiles: More Than Just Rand Fishkin's Wedding Photos. Hope you like it.
I guess this means you need to stick to walking--err, limping.
P.S. I know where Will got the idea...
Ouch! Hope ur back up and running again in no time. Get well soon.
P.s What's "Vicadin" - must be a U.S thing? Forgive my ignorance...
I think it's mainly US, and a more addictive alternative to Tramadol
Sorry to hear that. Hope nothing serious. I wish you get better soon, many fans need you :))))
mate hope your back feeling better to SMX Advanced, this is why you should use taxi's that way you have someone else to blame when they crash...
Oh my god, I had no idea.
I hope you feel better now. Next time, if it's raining, please take a cab!
Everyone over here at Affilorama is really glad our favourite SEO guru is ok! Take care of yourself mate! Get better soon!
Ill pick you up anywhere if it means a free link :) hahaha, just messing
but seriously....
What doesn't kill you, makes you tougher! Hope your SEO brain functions are intact :-D
Sorry about your accident Rand. It was a pleasure meeting you today. I didn't expect to catch you. Arden hooked me up with a few t-shirts. You probably thought I was some kinda weirdo! Just a big fan dropping in to say hello. Just so everyone knows, it didn't look like Rand hurt the scooter :).
lol.... glad you are OK.... those whack and slide accidents are a lot easier on wet pavement. :o
what's black and blue and read well over...?
be well soon!
Cane? Vicodin?
Rand, I think you've finally taken the House MD fixation too far.
Get well soon, man.
Good seo != scooter skills.
All the best recovering. Do some (legal) drugs on the plane and pints in London town, should be alright. If not, hop over to Amsterdam after the conference. ;-)
Hi Rand,
Sorry to hear about accident but I'm pleased you're ok. I have every sympathy for you as a (former) motorcyclist myself who had a bad crash recently.
I've also been caught by the rain myself and you really do need to be ready to brake. it's also good to use some of the back brakes to stop the front end sliding when it's raining.
Hope you get back on the bike soon,
Matthew
Glad to hear you are alright! I have been trying to convince my new wife that I need a motorcycle since we only have 1 car. I scream Harley or Apprilia and she says "Vespa and Scooter...you won't injure yourself" Guess I better not show her this post!
Duuuuuude. That looks like it'll sting. Anywhos, is it just me, or do you look (in the picture) like you should be stroking a cat and saying something like "No Mr Critchlow, I expect you to die"
...just a thought
hope you're ok mate. At least you'll get the sympathy votes on tuesday ("wow he's in excruciating pain and STILL kicked arse!"). Hmmm actually... cunning strategy! Make sure you get one of these , turn up early to the talk and get people to sign it before you start...
Oooof, feel better soon!
(the things people do for sympathy votes... ;)
Oh my goodness, Rand! We promise to take care of you, and we'll do our best not to call you House with your Vicadin and your cane ;)
Couple of beers at LondonSEO on Monday night should sort you out anyway :D
rand, you've got it. the first rain is the most dangerous because all of the spilled engine oils are mixing with the rain water on the road surface.
it is only after it has rained for a few hours that these oils are washed from the road surface. on day two of a rainy week, you can bet that the road surface is a lot easier for rubber to grip.
"If it has been dry for a long time, remember that the roads will be slippery during the first rain! Dirt and oil will have been spoiled on the road, and it takes some time before the rain will have washed that away.
You can detect that by the foam that you will notice on the road: when you see foam, be carefull!
Especially the stretch before a traffic light is infamous: there will almost always be (some) oil, and when it has not been washed away, you'd better be carefull when you brake."
https://www.lazymotorbike.eu/tips/weather/
Absolutly,
I've also been off in exactly those circumstances before too. What that doesn't mention is the rider's complacecency , because it's often at the end of summer after months of good riding where you can follow vehicles closer and brake late.
Damn, dude...
Hope you feel better !!
p.s. I was going to give you an honorary invite to my scooter gang: "The Hells Satans"....but we need to get you some riding lessons first !!
Sad to say I've been in the same situation on a hill right after the first rain on two weels...Turned out kinda like yours did as well.
Ouch! Scooters are scary. I remember when I got in that bike accident and had to go to SearchFest with a big cut on my face. Kudos to you for being tough! Feel better soon!
time for some voice recognition software for the old laptop. Why type if you don't have to ;)
Hope you feel better soon.
So what's the strategy for the injury/hospital slides in your presentation deck? Up front to break the ice or at the end to keep it fresh in the minds of the judges?
This post just sparked an intereseting visual for me. Imagine Rand two months from now, back on his scooter, wearing a motorcycle racing jacket and pants . . . you know, the kind with all the extra padding so you can slide on concrete at 100mph.
Maybe we should all chip in and buy him a set . . .
Hey Rand, nice bump on the leg there mate.... ouch!
Are there any plans for SEOmozzers to meet up at SMX london? Im attending the second day..
cheers
MOGmartin
Here you go
Cheers Ciaran,
its my first SMX so I dont know anybody at all - thanks for the link mate, hope to meet you there!
Martin
EDIT: Anybody else there, thats in the same boat as me, ping me a note on twitter: twitter.com/mogmartin
All the best Rand.