Angry Matt

Apr 21, 2013

Smash, Smash, Suuuumash! {0}

As you may remember, last August my old Sportster was knocked over, run over and then left for dead by an impatient driver while parked in front of my old office.

Well, I ended up with another bike in the end (alls well that ends well – but not without huge headaches) but a while ago I got an email from the responding officer saying that the driver, who runs Quad Spinning (so don’t go there!), was fighting the charge. Part of me didn’t really care and had a bit of sympathy for her, the other part of me was curious to see what basis she’d be fighting the charge on.

When I got to the courthouse and saw the police with scanners and whatnot at the door, I remembered that I still had my trusty pocket knife in my back pocket. Running late and not being sure where I needed to go, I made the mistake of handing it over rather than going back outside and hiding it somewhere, never to be seen again. I’ve had that thing with me every day for the past 2 years and used it nearly every one of those so it’ll be sorely missed.

I found the room, checked in and sat down at the back of the room. As soon as she saw me she started whispering to her friend so I suspect she was trying to figure out a new story at this point knowing that someone was there to disprove whatever ridiculous work of fiction she’d concocted.

She was being charged with “failure to remain” which, if I’m not mistaken, carries with it 7 demerit points. By the time I’d gotten there she’d already agreed to plead guilty to a lesser charge; improper lane change which carries with it 2 demerit points.

When the judge confirmed that she was pleading guilty to that charge she said she wanted to plead not guilty, then guilty, then launched into a rambling monologue about how she drives by there all the time and “the way” my bike was parked (you know… legally, in a legal spot) caused the accident… then how she didn’t know she’d hit anything at all which is why she hadn’t stopped… then how she’d stopped, gotten out to check it and didn’t think there was any damage… It was silly, I almost felt a little bad for her.

Ultimately the judge gave her a $60 fine and sent me on my way without giving testimony – I didn’t try because at that point it would have seemed petty and malicious. The satisfaction of having to watch her squirm and lie in open court was satisfaction enough, I suppose.

By Category: Angry Matt, Motorcycles, The Truth According To Matt Rennick

Aug 23, 2012

Dear John {1}

Let me tell you about my Aunt Marylyn’s best friend, John McBride. John is a real character; kind of a odd duck (which I like) but good hearted, funny, adventurous and full of good stories. Even at 75, John spends time scuba diving off the coast of New Zealand, motorcycling across the country and riding his bicycle all over the place. The unfortunate thing is that now, John is dead.

John was killed last Sunday night while riding his bike (my Aunt thinks probably home from church, but I haven’t gotten any more details than that) by a man, if we can call him that, who was driving with a suspended license.

Not only was this piece of shit driving illegally, once he hit John, he got out of the car and saw what he’d done, got back in and peaced the fuck out! I can think of almost nothing worse than hitting someone, accidental as it may have been, and leaving them alone in the street to die. Fortunately for John, it happened so close to home that some of his neighbors rushed to be with him while his life slipped away.

The driver was found and arrested a short while later but I haven’t yet heard what is going to happen to him. I hope that he is punished to the FULLEST extent of the law and if he isn’t, I hope that karma (or whatever cosmic force you believe in) climbs into a truck and runs him the fuck over.

RIP John, you will be missed.

By Category: Angry Matt, Bicycles, The Gas Face

Aug 10, 2012

Our Work Is Never Over: Hit & Run Edition {6}

Oh brother. Some guys just can’t get a break!

First. I finally get my bike back from 3 weeks away and then put in as much time on ‘er as I can. I rode out to Niagara for a wedding two weekends ago…

Then my points cover rattles off.

Then I ride out to Port Elgin to surprise my mom on her 65th birthday.

Then my exhaust flange bolts rattle off.

Pops and I (and Big A) drove around Port Elgin trying to find the 5/16″ 24 (fine thread) bolts I needed and had a hell of a time finding them on a civic holiday. All of the garages and auto parts stores in the region were closed, not to mention the HD dealer in Owen Sound, but we eventually tracked some down at a hardware store and set to task of re-installation… We didn’t reaaaaaally have the right tools so we only got 3/4 on, enough to get me home for sure.

Then my bike gets run over by a car.

So I’m at work and my bike is parked out front, like always, when some of the guys from the 4th floor come down to tell me that some woman knocked my bike over, drove over the front wheel, got out and recruited a passer-by to stand it back up, got back in her car and drove away. Fortunately, those guys are always out there smoking and they caught the license plate number and told me what happened.

Despite my “not always favorable” opinion of the Police, I called the fuzz and they told me that I had to lug the bike up to the collision reporting center which is on the other end of the city… I asked of they could send someone down and she said she could send someone down but they were just going to tell me that I’m going to have to take it up there. I said send ‘em anyway. The cop got here and was a super sweet dude, surveyed the damage, took witnesses statements and said that I don’t, in fact, have to lug the bike up to the collision reporting center and that he was going to charge whoever it was with a hit & run collision. Awesome.

Then, while the officer was still across the street, they tracked down the driver’s husband who (along with his wife) happens to run the spin studio a couple doors down from my office. The cop came back to give me the good news and while we were talking this guy comes in and tries to talk to me, presumably to try to smooth things over, but does a horrible job.

First, the guy tells me that his wife is in tears and is really sorry. Ok, I can appreciate that… Then he tells me that “she wasn’t trying to sneak away or anything.” Except, that’s what she did. He said “how is she supposed to know who’s bike it is?” Um, leave a note? Ask the guys standing there? Call the Police? I dunno… Either way, I can appreciate that she panicked and didn’t know what to do so whatever… Shit happens.

The next thing the guy says, though, made my blood boil. He said “no disrespect, but the way you have it parked there… I mean… I’ve almost hit it a couple of times before too…” so I said “parked like what? legally in a legal spot? If you can’t drive that’s not my fault.” to which he says “just saying” to which I say “don’t say” and asked him why he’s still talking… The cop had seen enough and took the guy away before it escalated any further. What a dong.

I spoke with the woman, herself, last night and while I don’t doubt that she feels badly, the unfortunate reality is that no one really understands that when you make a stupid mistake like that, nothing can make it better. Let’s say, for a second, that insurance covers the full cost of the repairs, who is going to pay for my time to deal with this? Is anyone going to rent me a bike to ride while mine is in the shop? Is anyone going to pay me for my monthly bike/insurance payments on a bike I can’t ride?

Without having taken it to a mechanic I can tell that the signals, brake lever, brake pedal & exhaust heat shields are all damaged but the biggest problem is that the front brake rotor is horribly warped so the bike really can’t be ridden. I can only hope that the wheel hasn’t been ruined and that there aren’t any more serious fork, alignment or frame problems… I’ll find out once I take it in, I guess.

Imagine I hadn’t noticed all the smaller things and gotten on it and rode away like I normally would have? I could have been seriously hurt and this is the over-arching issue with her making NO effort to tell me about the damage she’d caused. Not to mention the fact that I’ll again be without bike for, at best, a couple of weeks and at worst the rest of the summer. Not that I’m expecting to be out that long but seriously, summer will be over before we know it and I want to enjoy this machine that I put so much time, money and energy into.

Then I get home and my new points cover is in from Old Gold Garage… Looks like I’ll have to wait a while to install that beaut.

By Category: Angry Matt, FXDB Street Bob, Motorcycles, The Gas Face

Jul 5, 2012

These Are Not Helping… {0}

Bike is still in the shop… About to enter week 3… Don’t these guys know I’m The Rennick? Don’t they know that this is Ontario in the summer and we only get 10 minutes of it? Come on now…

By Category: Angry Matt, Motorcycles

Oct 28, 2011

APB: SBD’s 1998 SUZUKI GN {0}

Last night my good friend Sarah’s moto was stolen from in front of her office at Richmond St E & Ontario St.

It’s nearing the end of the season so even if the bike stays in the city I doubt it’ll pop up until next year but just in case…

1998 Suzki GN 125Evin
CC: 125
VIN: JS1NF31A8W2100048
Plate: 5373F

Keep your eyes peeled, buds!

By Category: Angry Matt, Motorcycles

Oct 18, 2011

I’ll Park Your Ticket {0}

You wanna know what really burns my ass? Bogus parking tickets.

For example; check this this photo from September, 2010 where I received a $60 ticket for parking on the left side of this post.

Does this look like I’m on the left side of the post officer #65246? Does it?
You fucking dingbat.

The process for fighting bogus parking tickets in this city makes it so difficult to fight them that you eventually just pay. Now, when I do something stupid and get a legit ticket, I pay it. It’s annoying and expensive, but it is what it is… When I get a bullshit ticket, I fight it.

Generally speaking, when you want to fight a ticket you have to take time off work twice – the first time* to contest the ticket and request a court date and then again once you receive a court date. Normally a full day affair… So, how many of us working folks are willing to sacrifice a day and a half’s work for a $40 or $60 ticket? This plays perfectly into the city’s goal – make it difficult, make us pay – legit ticket or not.

Well, they’ve found a new way to annoy me. And yes, I do believe that they are specifically trying to annoy ME. I got a court date this week for the above (supposed) infraction from last September and when is it? March, 2012. Where is it? York Civic Center…

York? What the bloodclot? I got this ticket in downtown Toronto, I expect to fight it in downtown Toronto… Snow will still be on the ground so I may not want to ride (bicycle or moto) and I don’t think I’ll want to take the time to get there via transit and definitely won’t want the expense of renting a car + the day off so… What will happen? It’ll probably get paid.

Fuck you officer #65246 and fuck you city of Toronto parking enforcement**,
Now & forever,
Matt Rennick

*You can now use a web service to take care of the first date, but it’ll cost ya 10 bucks.

**I hope each and every one of you gets punched in your mouth at least once in your career.

By Category: Angry Matt, Motorcycles

Oct 16, 2011

RIP Danielle Naçu {2}

RIP Danielle Nacu

Last week I was extremely saddened to hear that a dear old friend of mine from highschool, Danielle, had been killed while riding her bicycle to work in Ottawa. Same old story; person opens car door – car door hits person on bicycle – person knocked into the path of another moving vehicle – person dies. I’m going to place a hold on the anger and the blame and try not to politicize the issue too greatly, for now, I just want to pay some respect to a person who dedicated her life to making the world a better place.

We hadn’t spoken in years, and as it the case with many people that impacted you in your formative years you drift apart and move on to other places in life with other people… and I like that, it’s a part of what makes life interesting. The people who come and go from your life leave a mark and I always valued the mark Danielle left on mine; she was fiercely loyal, protective, compassionate and caring – everything that is so truly good about people with so little of the bad. It gives me great joy to hear about the marks she’s left in the lives of others but saddens me so deeply, beyond description, to know that she can make no more.

RIP, old friend, you will be missed.

By Category: Angry Matt, Bicycles, It's all love

Oct 12, 2011

Drive… Straight Through The Night {4}

I know that there is a lot going on in our city, country and around the world that is worth getting fired up about but it can be overwhelming and it’s far too easy to watch from the sidelines. Every now and then, though, there is a cause that urges you from the comfort of your couch and into action!

I had my watershed moment tonight! Just watched Drive… featuring Gosling… Amongst other things, within the first 5 minutes I felt like Gosling was trapped in the middle of… oh, you know, only the best music video ever made and the best story of true love ever told…

My goat has been got – Wanna know why?

If I could find the opening credits online I’d post it up for a real side-by-side but I don’t, so here…

First line in the video: “Drive straight through the night”

Lyric from the opening credits of Drive: “Drive through the night”

Grum:
Drive Ripped Off Grum

Drive:
Drive Ripped Off Grum

Grum:

Drive:

Grum:

Drive:

Grum:

Drive:

The jacket? The fucking jacket? Ohhh god dayyyyyum. C’mon now?

There had better be a good explanation for this… The people will not abide.

–

As an aside; while trying to piece this mystery together, I happened upon the director’s website and found “More Chance & Rick” – Sparkles, enjoy.

By Category: Angry Matt, Film, The Gas Face

Oct 8, 2011

Amerikkka’s Most Wanted {2}

By Category: Angry Matt

Jul 27, 2011

Dodged That Bullett! {4}

With Yan’s Bike getting smooshed last week and Hammell’s bike getting knocked over by an inattentive parker yesterday, I should consider myself very lucky that the drunk retard in a lowered Corrado that blew the stop sign at the top of Beaconsfield and crashed into my neighbor’s front yard Saturday night managed to miss my moto by about a foot!

By Category: Angry Matt, Motorcycles

Apr 12, 2011

Oh Hello, New Best Friend {4}

Credit: Greaser Mike.

–

While we’re talking about best friends; This is Patrick.

Patrick The PitBull

He was found in a garbage chute in a New Jersey apartment complex last month and he looked like this when he was brought in.

Patrick The PitBull

The woman responsible is being charged but I’d be surprised if she had to do any time – I’d expect that she will have to pay a fine and her life will go on. Fortunately, this one ended well for little Patrick but there are countless stories like this that go unreported for every one we hear about – it’s heartbreaking.

By Category: Angry Matt, Dogs, It's all love

Feb 2, 2011

A Higher Value To Their Masters {2}

A couple of years ago, I’d have read a story like this and I’d have had a lot to say about it. Times have changed; maybe I’ve said everything I needed to say, maybe I’ve realized that nothing I say is all that important, but these days I can do little more than hang my head in sadness.

This isn’t really about me, though – it’s about 100 living, breathing, loving and amazing animals that were put to death because the people who took on the responsibility of caring for them are too shortsighted to recognize that things like the Olympics eventually end and when they do… Well, put it this way, we’re not talking about 100 extra promotional t-shirts you gotta get rid of, we’re talking about man’s best fucking friend and you shot, stabbed and buried all those beautiful creatures in a mass grave.

I recognize that I say this from the position of a relatively privileged, white male from a good family with a secure job so I’m not trying to be insensitive about people’s career choices; jobs may be hard to come by for many but in this day and age, if your boss hands you a gun and says terminate these lives you say “sorry, I won’t do it and you won’t either”… Or you just do it then collect worker’s comp for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, I guess, either way…

I don’t mean to rant; I started this post saying how I have nothing left to say then I get all caught up and start to let it out – I’m not known for my ability to keep my feelings to myself, despite my better judgement most of the time.

Tonight I’ll pour a little on the concrete for all my little buddies that won’t survive human stupidity.

–

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By Category: Angry Matt, Dogs

Jan 27, 2011

Fucking Developers, Man {2}

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And just in case you missed it; this is just as beautiful.

By Category: Angry Matt, Gettin' Pitted, So Pitted

Dec 9, 2010

Officer Down {0}

Richard Hogg

Last night while walking home after dropping off the moto at the garage, I got a phone call from my good bud Andrew who’d just been hit by a car while riding his bicycle down at Queen & Dufferin.

I wasn’t too far so I just kept walking and met up with him and the guy who’d just hit him. Andrew was having a tough time trying to decide how best to deal with; his wrist was injured his front wheel had been run over but otherwise he wasn’t in too rough shape all things considered.

See, the driver told Andrew that he was on welfare, didn’t have a driver’s license and had borrowed the mini-van to take blankets to the homeless. Andrew noted the distinct lack of blankets in the van and that the little strip mall he was turning into when he hit him also was devoid of blankets. In any case, Andrew was pretty sure that he wasn’t going to get compensation for his injury or property so didn’t know what the best course of action to take would be…

Andrew offered him an out if he just paid for the wheel… Of course, he had no money and had no bank card, although he offered to “bring the money tomorrow” – Uhhhh sure, bahd. I chimed in here and asked if he’d sign something that acknowledged his responsibility (as I’d done the last time I was hit) at which point he said “well, I guess we should just call the cops.” Funny, for a guy that is driving a car that isn’t his without a license, he was awful cavalier about the potential of a police visit…

Oh, that’s right, he didn’t mind because he was the owner of the car, fully licensed and fully insured… No word on the welfare status but I think it’s pretty safe to assume that he was not taking blankets to the homeless. He’d concocted this story in an effort to draw either sympathy or futility on Andrew’s part and fortunately, it didn’t work.

Charges are likely to be laid against the driver (time will tell) and with any luck Andrew will be compensated for his damages via the driver’s insurance… That said, any of us that have been hit know how that often goes and what a complete ballache it ends up being, but the last time it happened to me I ended up with a new bike… That said; I’d give anything to have that now much too familiar crunch out of my shoulder that I’ll have for the rest of my life… C’est la vie.

Stay safe out there, friends, and keep your wits about you should anything go wrong… These dickholes will try anything to avoid taking responsibility for the damages that their inattentive driving may inflict upon you.

By Category: Angry Matt, Bicycles, Design / Art, It's all love

Oct 26, 2010

Ford: Quality Is Job nOne* {8}

Rob Ford - An Embarassment

I’m both saddened and embarrassed for my city, today.

I hope all of you suburban so & sos that voted for this maniac based on his platform of tax cuts and fiscal responsibility made up numbers while simultaneously overlooking his backwards thinking and boorish behavior (don’t forget to read page two from some genuine classics) are happy with yourselves – they’re making fun of us are far away as Florida and these are the same dipshits that elected George Bush… Twice!

Sure, council will hopefully block most of this moron’s efforts, but wouldn’t you rather live in a city that is actively working towards making the place better rather than struggling endlessly internally in an attempt to keep it from getting worse?

Jaaaaaaaysus. To quote someone who’s name I do not know, which seems somehow fitting; “a Mayor Ford administration would make the Lastman years seem inspired.” True, true.

It’s been a long time since I’ve busted it out but I just can’t help myself… here it comes… BOOM! Rob Ford gets THE GAS FACE!!!

–

Update: This interview is amazing (listen to the interview, seriously, what a cock) and this graphic does an amazing job of illustrating how someone like Ford gets to run a major metropolitan center and why the megacity was and still is a horrible idea.

By Category: Angry Matt, The Gas Face

Feb 19, 2010

TGIF {5}

Flat Tire

By Category: Angry Matt, Bicycles

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