All About Mick's World

My world has now stabilized to the point that life is back to a level of near normalcy, but sadly for me, the words for these posts don't flow as easily. If you all have any requests on subjects, feel free to ask. Until then, I'll continue to regale you with tales and thoughts from my little world. Today's subject? So many of you have asked about my new career, I think I'll fill you in a bit. My New Career As I assume you are all aware, one year ago I was abruptly dismissed from my career of over 26 years when Mitsubishi closed the auto assembly plant here in Normal, Illinois. Not having been on the search for work for most of my adult life, I was largely at a loss for what to do. About a month into my forced retirement, a friend offered me a part-time temporary position in her office, and I gladly accepted. While the work was interesting and the people were great, I quickly realized that I was not cut out to spend eight hours a day in front of a computer, ment

In this image-obsessed society in which we live, many people are overly concerned with their looks. Looks which, to be perfectly honest, are more a matter of genetic luck, than a means to judge a person. When I encounter someone whom societal norms would consider “pretty,” I think that this fortunate individual was given a set of genes that would make life a bit easier, but I don’t wish I could be more like that person. That person’s facial structure may allegedly make him or her more attractive, but it can’t make them beautiful. I don’t overly concern myself with my own appearance (yes, I know...thanks Captain Obvious), and I don’t judge you by your looks either. Yes, a person can be pretty and beautiful, but a person can also be pretty and not beautiful. The old saying claims that “beauty is skin deep” but I beg to differ...for me, pretty is skin deep, while true beauty is so much more. True beauty is not contained in one’s skin; but rather in one’s thoughts, one’s actions, one’s

I'm finally ending my unplanned hiatus from this blog. The last few posts had been an emotional set for over a few months for me, and my writing has hit a roadblock since. I apparently need an emotion-packed event to inspire me to pick up and write again. This time, and this should come as no surprise to those who know me, this event took place in the courtroom. (It is worth mentioning that this trial came soon after five cyclists were slaughtered by a driver in a nearby state.) I watched the closing arguments of a trial of a man accused with what amounts to vehicular assault against a good friend of mine. Watching these arguments brought back memories of that night, and thoughts of so many car (or truck, motorcycle, etc.) interactions I've personally experienced. I'll skip the tale of that night and share with you a few incidents of the past week, and then give you my thoughts on the potential repercussions of the trial: The world of a road cyclist is fraught with per

This is my seventh and I think final post regarding the closing of the factory and the events following, beginning with the announcement of the closing in late July, and ending with me finding meaningful employment. It has been quite an emotional rollercoaster ride, with a few highs and a few more lows, lost sleep and tears shed. I feel like one of the lucky ones, I’m still on my feet and now putting my life back in order, if in a slightly different direction. Many of my former coworkers are still looking for their own personal different direction. I wish them all the best. I feel for them. Let's call this a venting (although if I don't control myself, it could easily become a rant.) The events that transpired over the last seven or more months since the announcement of the closing have been, to say the least, a bit unpleasant and stressful for my family and me. I have largely kept my cool throughout this, but it has not been without effort. Much of what has transpired has

There is an old saying….“It Takes a Village.” While the original intent of this adage was, I believe, in regards to raising a child, in this case it's in regards to me rejoining the workforce after my forced separation...and in this case, YOU are that village. Without my connections to you all, without the support of my friends, and without the never-wavering support of my wife, I could not have navigated those treacherous waters in search of that elusive job...that white whale that evaded me at every turn until I enlisted help from you, my crew. I cannot fully express my gratitude here, but rest assured, your aid and support did not go un-noticed. I had but to mention I was in need, and in no time I'd have a dozen messages with advice, offers, and good thoughts. (Do not underestimate the value of those thoughts, those messages helped me through some stressful times. I often went back to peruse some of those when feeling alone.) My search for sustainable employment is a

(I'm attempting to post this at the exact time as…..) Exactly one year ago today at 11:22 a.m. I met Stew. Stew, the squirrel. Up close and personal. I assume most of you are aware of my little incident, if not then you've not been following me very closely. (I can't fathom why you're not following me, but that's a different subject altogether.) Now, one year later I'm as physically healed as I imagine I will be. In fact, I feel that I'm just about as healed as I could possibly ask, after breaking my bike’s frame and my helmet, and my back and my neck. Oddly, for me, the only lingering physical remnant of the wreck is an itchiness all day, every day, on the surface of the skin right where the two broken vertebrae lie. I have to say that a year ago when the doctors came into the emergency room to inform me of the damage I'd done, I worried about my future physically. I wondered if I'd damaged myself to the point I'd not be able to ride a bike.

GOALS: 2015 (Now, that was a year!) My annual bragging post, wherein I laud myself and my cycling achievements. Ah, but this year wouldn't turn out as I'd hoped it would. I'm not sure what this year was called in the Chinese calendar, but for me, it will forever remain in my memory as “The Year of the Squirrel.” (Non-cycling events notwithstanding.) This post is a departure from my previous five….thankfully. I’m happy to take a leave from my other posts’ subject and return to what I originally intended this blog to be about: cycling. My hobby, and life, outside of work and family. After a record-setting (for me, anyway) year in 2014 , I had high hopes for 2015. I set some goals, hoped to improve, and do the big one...something that, for me, signifies a truly serious cyclist. So, my racing goals for the year were a repeat of the previous year’s: Sullivan Triathlon, Tri-Shark, Decatur’s RTM tri, and Oak Run tri (my favorite), with the addition of the ABR TT serie

I will forever remember 2015 as the year that broke my back. Quite literally, but not quite figuratively, although it gave it one hell of an effort. The old saying goes something like “That which does not kill me, only serves to make me stronger.” If this adage is even remotely true, then I jump into 2016 as one strong bastard. When it first became apparent that I was definitely going to lose my job of over 26 years, many well-intentioned friends said that everything will be okay, or everything will work out. It was also suggested frequently that this is my opportunity to go out and find my “Dream Job,” whatever that may be. For future reference, I will never tell you that “things will work out.” Hopefully they will, but you (and I) really have no idea what the future holds for us, and there is always the potential for things to not work out. I’m not trying to sound pessimistic about this, but rather, pragmatic. Let me be the first to tell you that, yes, I was spoiled at my pr