Thread Drift

[lph]

Small beach crabs. I hope they were just plastic...

[snapdragen]

I was going to ask if he stuffed crabs down his pants. Crazy fun!

[indysteel]

I love TE. In recent months, I've had some questions about the fit of some products I either bought or wanted to buy. In two instances, an employee took the time to actually compare the fit of different products to one another. Another took the time to make sure that I promptly received some bike shorts that appeared to be on back order. I mean what other retailer habitually provides this kind of support and service? Plus, when I talk to someone there (Edna and Theresa come to mind), it's liking talking to a friend. They're so patient, and I know that I'm talking to people who actually use these products--maybe not the specific item I'm calling about--but they "get it." Thanks so much Susan; your company rocks.

[redrhodie]

I love TE. Plus, when I talk to someone there (Edna and Theresa come to mind), it's liking talking to a friend. They're so patient, and I know that I'm talking to people who actually use these products--maybe not the specific item I'm calling about--but they "get it." Thanks so much Susan; your company rocks.

Do they know you're Indysteel, or do you stay anonymous?

[indysteel]

Do they know you're Indysteel, or do you stay anonymous?

Anonymous. At most, they know I participate on the forums, but that doesn't always come out in the conversation.

[Catrin]

I've spoken with TE staff a good number of times over the last few years and my experience matches what others have said here. They had no idea if I was a forum member or not, but in my opinion TE has the best customer service possible for an internet-based store and most brick and mortar stores.

[Catrin]

I've been going through a lot in recent months, severe financial stress (enough said) and other unrelated stressors that have certainly stretched me to my limits. I am starting to see a little light at the end of the tunnel, and while it is hard right now to say what that light is (could be the headlight of a freight train, or the dawn of a new day) I just want to say the following:

I am very thankful for all that I DO have, a job that I love, an apartment that makes me feel like it is home, mountain biking and cycling that helps me connect to the world around me, and....

I am especially thankful for all of you here at TE. Given my posting history here this may sound odd, but I tend to isolate myself, especially when under stress, but this forum we have here is so supportive that I keep coming back to it. I love that we do share something of our lives with each other. It might be a "virtual" sharing but in the end that hasn't mattered, and it has been great to meet some of you in person.

Ok, I've had my say...

[Owlie]

Hugs. Money worries suck enough, without having other stuff on top of it.

[OakLeaf]

(((((Catrin))))) Hang in there. Hoping the light at the end of that tunnel is everything you're hoping for...

[redrhodie]

I just saw the remnants of a car vs. bike crash, and it didn't look good. The SUV had a smashed windshield, and the mangled bike was still on the side of the road. I feel kind of sick now. I hope the rider is still alive. I'll try to find out more.

[Catrin]

Thanks Owlie and Oak, it is appreciated. A part of me (the depressed part) says that things can't/won't change but you know, that is just silly. I am doing what I need to do for those things I can change and just dealing with the rest. Am very thankful for my bikes!

Red - that sounds terrible! I hope that it wasn't as bad as the wreckage indicates

[Crankin]

Catrin, I hope you find some peace.

Red, I feel badly just reading about what you witnessed.

[Blueberry]

Sigh. If there's going to be an article about cycling in the news, why does it have to be The Most Fashionable Bikes on the Market. So - your choices are Huffy or Gucci.

I guess I should be glad to see cycling mentioned in any positive way, but really?

[redrhodie]

http://newport.patch.com/articles/bi...us-head-trauma

This is about the crash yesterday. I suspect I see this poor man all the time. He's in critical condition. The driver doesn't know what happened. It makes me sick, because this is a dead straight section of road without any merging traffic. The only way she would not have seen him is if she wasn't paying attention. I hope charges will be filed.

[Catrin]

Very sad Red...

My mom's cancer problems continue... Her lung cancer has returned, and with the emphysema and her getting a MRSA infection from the original lung surgery in November means that she isn't a candidate for further surgery. They weren't able to take as much of her lung as they wanted originally due to her lungs already being compromised which is likely why the cancer has returned.

The PET scan has left no doubt that it is cancer, and that it has not spread outside of her lung. A biopsy is the next step and they did that last week...but they didn't get what they wanted to. There apparently isn't any doubt about the cancer, but they can't proceed with the radiation until they have a "good" biopsy due to insurance requirements. She had enough problems recovering from the biopsy last week and, in fact, is still recovering.

I don't understand why she must be subjected to yet another biopsy since there is no doubt the cancer has returned...but apparently PET scans aren't definitive enough for insurance companies. I am no expert, and perhaps my understanding is faulty, and watching her go through this frustration is hard. Poor mom...