Hey everyone.
Well, it’s been an interesting few days, that’s for sure. As you may or may not know, I was assaulted on last Wednesday night (October 28th) after I was coming home from the grocery store. I’ve been bicycling to and from my home for five years now and it’s pretty normal for me to get home late. So, around 1015p, as I was turning off of Portland to 32nd Street (a block from my house), I noticed three kids walking on the street. They all rushed right at me. I swerved and fell on the left side of my face. I immediately jumped up and got into my fighting stance. (I’m an amateur boxer, so it’s a reflex.) They were all yelling at me wanting my bag and bike. I was beyond furious and I yelled LOUD so people can notice what’s going on w/ the situation. One of the kids pulled a gun at me and told me to be quiet. I got louder. After a couple of seconds, the kids ran off away from me after they noticed some people were coming to the scene. They took nothing. But about 5 people came to see what’s going on and helped me. I was a bloody mess.

I filed a police report and I was taken to the Trauma Center at HCMC here in Minneapolis. I had 11 stitches – six on my forehead and five in my ear. They are out now and healing nicely.

It’s been a pretty huge emotional roller coaster. The incident finally hit me on Sunday. You know, when the assault occurred, I wasn’t scared. Not at all. I was furious and angry. I guess I still am. I still need to so my follow up interview w/ the police department and just keep living my life.

I've biked passed where the incident occurred. I have to. I can't be scared to keep living my life. But it's put tons of things into perspective. I can tell you that.

I wanted to tell you boys (and smattering of girls) what happened. I haven't been on here for awhile and I apologize.

I hope all of you are doing great!

I am glad that you weren't seriously hurt or worse, Allen! My thoughts and prayers are with you! Good for you for getting back on your bike and riding the route again!

First and foremost, thank God you're OK!! I am so sorry to hear about what those f*cking punks did to you. Good for you for standing up to them, although I will admit I am rather astonished that you screamed even louder after one of them pulled out a gun. I pray I never have a gun pointed at me, but if it ever happened, I think I would get very meek and submissive. Please keep us informed about your recovery and the progress on the case. Despite the 11 stitches, I would think the psychological trauma is more severe than the physical. Dude, you stared down the barrel of a gun and lived. All too many people in that situation don't. Also, good for you for biking past the scene of the crime. Avoiding the spot would be like letting those little punks win.

So some little piece of shit thinks he's a big man just because he has a gun. I hope and pray that that piece of shit is caught, convicted, and gets ass-raped in prison evey day for the next 20 years. Think about the seriousness of the crime(s) here: assault with a deadly weapon (never mind that they didn't actually assault you with the gun, they assaulted you, and brandished a gun during the crime) and robbery at gunpoint. I'm a big proponent of SEVERE penalties for any crime committed with the use of a firearm. Mugging someone is bad enough. But pointing a gun at them while doing is takes the crime to a whole other level. Would the punk still think he's Mr. Tough Guy if he faced, say, a 3-year sentence (out on parole after 11 months)? Probably. Would that same punk wimper like a little girl if he were thrown into prison for 20 years for what he did? Oh yeah.

I'm curious about how "it's put tons of things in perspective." What things, and how so?

Allen, did they say anything anti gay or the like? Glad you are here and that you gave them hell. Sounds like you have alot of fight in you. Way to go! I hope you heal quickly bud.

I wonder if it's the same group you say attacked you before. Or the time before that. Or the time before that.

I surprised myself. While this was all happening, I'm trying to remember what the boys look like; their skin tone; what they are wearing; what type of gun it was; how tall they were; their age - I knew I was going to do a police report, if I didn't get shot. They didn't call me a faggot, so it's not a hate crime. Even though I hated it.

I've been pretty blue recently. All of the things that mattered to me a week ago seem pretty insignificant.

I do feel a bit bad for those boys, but mainly for their family. They're an embarrassment. This is not how you become a man. Pointing a gun on someone and trying to steal from them. Hardly. These three also assaulted four more people that night and they did steal from their victims. I was the only one they got nothing.

My biggest wish is that everyone knows self defense. I mean, don't have a gun and be scared of everything. I mean, keep your wits about you and if you get that feeling in your stomach that something isn't right, listen to it.

Allen, I am so sorry to hear what happened. As you may remember, I faced this just about 5 years ago (Violent Crime Vent) and know exactly what you are going through. It does take time to get passed the psychological trauma - the irrational fears, etc. I'll never forget the Christmas just after my attack I was in the mall near my sister's house, doing some last-minute shopping. There had to be a few thousand people in the mall, but someone came up behind me in nearly the same position as the guy who attacked me. I managed to stop myself before I hit the guy and then realized that large crowds were probably not the best place at that time.

Please take care of yourself and do follow up with the police. I was basically dismissed by the cops, who refused to investigate the crime at all, and I am still pissed about it.

Sorry you had to go through this. Glad you stood up to them. I don't know what I'd do in the same predicament.

You would NOT believe what happened to me a week after my assault.

I was hit by a car heading to work. INSANITY.

Wow, I hope the car wasn't damaged.

Are you related to Crew Chief? I thought only he could pack so much drama into such a short period of time.

Anything unbelievable happen this week?

Sorry I'm coming in to this thread so late, Allen. This is terrible -- you must be a wreck. And if you're not, good for you. Like BigBlueCowboy, my thoughts and prayers are with you. (I would guess that we speak for all of us here.)

Is there anything else we can do to help? Though having a forum to vent in isn't a bad thing . . .

I was biking to work like I normally have been doing for over five years. Beautiful morning, sunshine, great weather ...

I was coming up to 17th and Park. On Park Ave, there's no stop light nor stop sign, so traffic has the right of way. But cars stop so others in the intersection can go through. I checked on the right side and it looked clear. I started to go thru the intersection when a Ford Explorer sped through and I t boned into the truck. I landed on the ground and smashed my bike. I was gasping for air trying hard not to pass out. It felt like the wind was knocked out of me. Everything happened so fast. Witnesses, people, EMT and the police came and I was told to stay on the ground. My co worker saw the accident, but didn't know it was me until she saw my face. I wanted to scream at the driver but he looked sad and scared, so I didn't.

I have a SLIGHTLY FRACTURED left elbow. The orthopedic specialist says my range of motion is exceptionally higher than the average person. And everyone is saying that all of my working out I do has been a benefit to me in my healing.

My lifting has changed a bit. I can only go up to 10lbs in my left hand for now, but I can strengthen up my right hand by doing my "normal" routine. It'll help balance me out since I am left handed.

I will get my range of motion back. It's nothing severe. My left elbow is still swollen, but that's normal. I can't bike for awhile and that sucks since that is my main mode of transportation, but I'm taking the bus and walking.

Mentally, I take it day by day. It's tough, but I'm working through it and by talking about it (like I am on here) helps me out in the long run. I am talking to my therapist again and that is helping.

And I am back in the gym TAKING IT EASY w/ the weights. I actually am still the same 180lbs, but I've really leaned out. I guess it's the nervous energy and my high protein and low carb regimen I'm on. And I will bounce back stronger and more determined than ever!

I will say this ... I am NOT unlucky. I'm pretty damn lucky I pretty much walked away from both incidents w/ only a minor fracture and stitches. The worst would be I wouldn't be here writing to you. Someone was watching out for me and whoever it is, I'm grateful.

Life really is short and it is gone in a snap. So, you really do need to live your life to your fullest. Make an impression on everyone you know and love. They really are the ones who will be there when you need them the most.

Allen, I'm so sorry to hear about these two awful experiences you've had to endure. I'm glad that you weren't hurt badly in either, and I also hope that the cops catch the perpetrators of the assault. Is there any possibility of suing the driver of the Ford Explorer, or can s/he make the case that s/he had the right of way? Whatever the outcome of that, I hope you have a swift and complete recovery. Take care, be well, and be careful!

so now you've had an accident?

I wonder how long it'll be before you post another "oh my god, you won't believe what happened to me" snipet.

Well, Thanksgiving is next week, maybe we'll get the "I had to work on the holiday and a co-worker gave me a pie"

Boy, you are one unlucky bastard!!

Sorry for your injuries! Hope you get better soon.


But it appears that you do have a lot of drama. You're not practicing "yellow journalism" here, are you??? Or do you work for an ambulance chaser??

Ah yes. I can always depend on you guys to look on the bright side of life.

My life is not full of drama. Now, if Stefano kidnapped me and tried to switch my brain w/ Marlena's ... that's another story. That's drama!

Also, I am not unlucky. I am quite blessed and lucky I survived both relatively unscathed.

Pics of me just after the assault ...

Physically, I'm doing great! I'm healing well and I should be back to normal. Or even better than normal.

Mentally, I take it day by day. It's tough, but I have to keep dealing w/ it on a daily basis. I can't pretend and say it's not real. That's stupid. But I will come out of it better than I did before the incidents.

My bike accident injuries ...

My assault pics I updated ...

Well, I am healing nicely. I saw the orthopedic specialist on Friday. He was pretty stunned I can touch my shoulder now. He didn't expect me to get back my full range of motion.

So now I'm almost back to normal physically. It pays to be a health freak.

Mentally, it's been rough. I'm seeing my therapist and talking about how nervous I feel at night and around groups of people. Hell, I don't cross the street unless I see ALL cars stopped when I have the green light to walk across the street. And I get really tired of looking behind me to see if anyone is gonna jump me. I mentally prep myself in case I do. I know I won't, but right now ... that's how it goes w/ me.

I don't wish any of this on ANYONE. At all. This isn't fun, but talk about a growing experience.