someone stole my bike wheel yesterday.

it's kind of my fault ("how is being victimized YOUR fault?" demands jasna, and she has a point) because i didn't lock up the wheel. it was broad daylight in the parking lot of a busy grocery store and i was going to be inside for all of five minutes. i thought i was being paranoid that i was considering getting out the big chain that loops thru the front wheel and connects to the U lock, so i left it in my bag, and just locked the back wheel and frame. five minutes later, the bike wheel was gone.

i started dragging the now half-a-bike back home, and as i passed the coffeeshop where jasna works, she noticed me and came running out to say hi. i turned to tell her what had happened, and immediately started crying. no, not crying. SOBBING. with the shaking and the sucking in breaths and everything. she immediately dragged me and the halberbike into the cafe, made me some tea and sat me down. we talked for a few hours about what i really crying about, which wasn't really the bike wheel, with a quick break for me to run to the bike store across the street to buy a new wheel and make friends with the owner, who promised to buy me a drink the next time he sees me at the honky tonk bar next door.

here are the things i have learned, in order of importance:

1) jasna is fucking awesome, and it is vitally important to have as many fucking awesome people in your life as possible.
2) if you love your bike, it is never paranoid to lock up both wheels, no matter how much broad daylight there is.
3) if you do not deal with little bitty sadnesses and frustrations when they show up, they will all get together and hit you like a giant crusty brick when someone does something stupid like steal your front wheel.

i have photos and stories from the comic book convention. i will post them soon. :)