Part of the reason I remember the date is because I was cycling on a Navy base in Maryland and nearly everyone had already evacuated the planes and taken the ships out to sea because Hurricane Isabel hit that night or the day after. So it took a while to flag someone down with a cell phone. I didn't have mine, not that I could have used it anyways, and my riding partner didn't have his. Also, there was some concern about the helicopter life flight ride and the approaching hurricane, but I wasn't privy to those details.

After a week of being at home and recovering--from my fall and from the hurricane--I did go back to work, although I was not very effective right off the bat. I remember this spiral staircase at work and I could not coordinate myself enough to use it. I laid low and focused on one task at a time. I have lost all ability to multitask, but that's okay.

A month after the accident, I got back on the bike for commuting. That very morning, I was hit by a car. Just tapped as I was crossing M Street near the Key Bridge (DC) with the walk signal...the dimwit at the wheel was talking on her cell phone and not paying attention to things like red lights. I was glad to be alive and did make it to work.

The big accident gave me a new perspective on life and a new urgency to do the things that I want to do and live life to the fullest. That has resulted in some pretty big upheavals, but here I am.