Before the racing began, we were able to examine the track. Here's Amber and Phil clowning around for the camera.
One wicked part of the track, the water pit. Two feet deep. During the qualifier on Friday the water level was dropped. A lot of the amateur riders were drowning out their bikes. It was raised back up for the Saturday main event.
The eventual winner Taddy checking to see how deep the water was. By then I got Phil to stop clowning around with his girl-friend enough to follow Taddy around as he checked out each obstacle.
Finally Pat came on the track to check it out. Pat wanted to race but I talked him out of it. He's never done this sort of stuff before and I didn't want him to get hurt.
This is what put Phil out of the racing action early. Just look at the bent rim. Phil still had enough in him to 'ham it up' for the photographer, Guy B.
You-tube of the final race of the night.
Moments after the final race ended, David Knight pulled a un-sportsman like move on Taddy. He launched his bike right in his direction, nearly missing the trophy girl. Totally uncalled for.
Blognotes: I know there's going to be a lot of happy readers when I break this news to you. Like Jocelyn at Rogers Park Neighbor, I'm about ready to hang up my neighborhood blog.
I've taken enough personal abuse for running this blog in the last three years to last a lifetime. It's taken a great deal out of me. I still have over a thousand readers a day. But the quality comments has fallen to a all time low. This stat tells me my readers have given up on the blog experience too. I use to get 20 to 50 comments from only 500 readers a day, on average last year.
Plus, I've got far more important things to do in my life than to keep reporting on the neglected problems that face us in Rogers Park. Only to have commenters and mock bloggers make fun of my effort. It's time for someone else to step to the plate. After three years of doing this, my days are numbered.
16 comments:
that's it, the broken heart is done? Well, I'd like to thank you for the work you have put in. You have been my source for the happenings in the neighborhood I have chosen to make my home. Hopefully one day we'll be able to get JoMo out of office. Thanks again for you work.
I've noticed the difference in your blog of late. I'm sorry to see you end 'Broken Heart', but it's had to be frustrating and soulkilling at times. I'm sorry to see it end, as I'll miss all the news I got about the neighborhood but I thank you for all you've done.
It is a sad commentary on life in Rogers Park that not only does very little ever get done around here but that the ones who work so hard to try to bring about changes by shining a light on the problems are maligned and abused.
The Broken Heart has been my primary source for neighborhood reporting since I discovered it a year and a half ago. I have seen coverage and commentary on subjects the "public media," i.e. newspapers and television, fail to cover at all or provide delayed coverage on at best. This blog has provided a forum for thoughtful exchanges between neighbors that reflect the diversity of philosophies as much as cultures, races and economic circumstances in Rogers Park.
I understand completly why you want to step down. I applaud you for standing on the front line as long as you have.
May God bless you in your future endeavors.
- PEACE -
Craig
I always hoped I would meet you sometime to congratulate you on a wonderful job well done. Now that dream is ended I wish you nothing but the best and thank you for all you have done.
You have made a wonderful contribution to this community and I hope there is someone who will continue with your hard work!
I haven't commented on your blog in years, but now I will. You realize that, by ceasing to blog, you radically change what I can/will blog about. In some weird way, even I will miss your blog. I haven't asked Joe Moore, but I can't help but think he must have become accustomed to having the blog there, and the world without it will be strange and unfamiliar. In that sense, this is the most astonishing post you've ever made.
So this westgard character is concerned about your departure because he has devoted his blog to you? That guy needs to either get out more or confess his undying devotion to you.
You, however, should not stop blogging.
Sorry to see you give it up, Craig. This blog is always full of info that doesn't come from anywhere else. And the links are great. You have provided a service to the neighborhood in giving us the straight dope on lots of happenings in our hood and with our wonderful elected officials. With the upcoming budget messes and things going on I really wish you would re-consider. I don't always comment but always read and stay informed of a lot of things due to your blog (and others) in the neighborhood. Maybe there will be others, but not with the passion you have stirred up. Good luck in everything you do.
I enjoy your blog.
You gotta do what ya gotta do.
However, sticking it to Joe Moore and making him sweat gotta be fun.
I'm sure he will be happy to see you stop.
My suggestion, which is probably worth what it is costing you to read it, is slow down, take a break, and see if you want to come back later.
In any case thanks for the good work, the bad work, the information, and the fun.
Sometimes fighting the good fight is worth it all in itself.
i, like most others here, look to the Broken Heart for neighborhood news and updates--I've learned more about Rogers Park then I've ever been able to from other sources (DevCorp, etc.). Craig, you always seem to have your ear to the ground, and your finger on the pulse. I hope you follow irishpirate's suggestion to take a break , but if you don't, thanks for all you've done.
I'll believe this newest pronouncement when I see it. Yeah right, you're going to give up this website. It makes you too happy to bring up nothing but misery. This is just another publicity stunt on your part to get readers.
Maybe people stopped commenting because it was always the same-o, same-o from you. Since I started reading, I'd have to say I've seen about 5% positive from you and everything else is just plain awful. People don't want to read such negativity on a daily basis- esp when it becomes so predictable.
Maybe walk away for a bit and re-asset what people want to hear.
Either way, I'll believe it when I see it.
Ms T,
personally I enjoy the negativity so speak for yourself. Better yet eat some turkey and...........
Wait, it is Thanksgiving. I should be kind.
Enjoy your meal.
The more likely reason comments are down is that the two elections are past. Nothing else.
Craig - I have appreciated how much news and information you've shared that we might not have known any other way. Your blog has been a valuable community resource, and I thank you for that.
The loss of your blog and Jocelyn's would be a double whammy to the neighborhood. I hope that you will reconsider. Perhaps you could find a workable middle ground between the gung ho, give-it-all-you've-got approach you've been taking and giving it up completely.
I wish you peace and a good life in the 'hood.
Yee Haw Craigies Gonna Quit!!!!
Please do, and I'll never blast you again!
NO...say it ain't so! Now my heart is broken, too.
That's Right, you got nothing Craigie Poo, except, lets see, a nephew who you live vicariously though, because it seems he has talent, where you have none, and lets see what Ilse, a condo in Rogers Park (the area you claim to "love" but talk badly about instead of actually getting off of your ass and from behind your computer and being physically active in the community) next to the soon to be abandoned 1345 w. lunt building, a moped, A trust fund and a magazine ( so you don't really have to work for a living and you can show off how much mney daddy actually left you, and "rub it in everyone's face that you don't have to work, an we in Rogers Park have to, so you have the time to post and do all of this BULLSHIT you call "reporting", but drive almost all of us around Gay Chicago CRAZY to the point of going postal or quitting every time you show up) and wait this blog.
Will you just SHUT THE FUCK UP???????
You're a biased liar who wouldn't know the truth if it bit you in the face, or little wee wee, but it would need a magnafying glass from what I saw you and whats his name doing in the bathroom at the office.
I'm guessing ungrateful and annoying people like you are exactly the reason Craig is burning out. You sound like a jealous brat to me.
Some of us, MOST of us, who struggle to make a living and own a condo appreciate Craig's time and effort in trying to make our community more livable.
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