Free Verse Friday: The Relishment of Races Not Raced
A Note from Fatty : David Dougher — A friend of a friend — is designing an online multiplayer game called Oncolos. Players take on the role of one of four different races and joins the battle of an invading scourge (cancer) which is bent on the corruption and destruction of the world in which they live.
Originally, David says, Oncolos “was created to help my wife with her cancer. It was designed with the idea, originally, of it being a two-player game just for us. But as I started working on it, I realized more people would benefit from it than just her, so I decided to expand it into a project that’s multiplayer.”
“The big benefit of it,” says Dougher, “Is simply that it lets the cancer patient know that they’re not alone.”
To start developing this project in earnest, Dougher has started this Kickstarter page, where you can help finance this very cool game idea. Click here to learn more about Oncolos, or click here to go to the Oncolos Kickstarter page.
I’ve often said that everyone find ways to use what they love to do and what they’re good at to join the fight against cancer. David Dougher proves this in an awesome way.
The Relishment of a Race Not Raced
Two races tomorrow
One in St. George
One in Provo
Two races tomorrow
And sweet rapture in my breast today
Rapture, whence thou?
I ask rhetorically, for I already know!
I am glad in my heart for reasons clear and true
I shall race neither!
Tomorrow, I race not at all!
(Sometimes I wish there were a punctuation more emphatic than the exclamation point)
I know people who race St. Geroge Ironman tomorrow
They shall converse with demons within and without
I think of them and envy them not one whit
Not one!
Maybe not even half a whit!
And then
I think of The Hammer
Who races a local marathon anon
Do I envy her?
Hell no!
Which is to say
No hell for me tomorrow
I shall ride my bike from place to place
Cheering The Hammer on
Admiring her strength
Admiring her speed
Glad for her
Supporting her
For she is doing what she loves
And I am glad for me
For reasons adequately explained above
I wish all racers luck tomorrow
And sleep tonight.
Thank you.
Comment by Dave T | 05.4.2012 | 8:32 am
Way to go David what a great project. Fatty have a great weekend and wish the Hammer good luck tomorrow.
Comment by mykill | 05.4.2012 | 8:33 am
I will be racing
racing against time
Visiting with visiting family Friday night
Half century Saturday morning
Sleep under the stars Saturday night
More driving more family Sunday
Back home Sunday evening, hopefully just ahead
of time.
Thank you
Comment by TK | 05.4.2012 | 8:39 am
I will be watching
youth soccer
“go get the ball”
we shall say
over and over
and over again.
Thank you
Comment by The Flyin' Ute | 05.4.2012 | 8:54 am
Good work. I like it.
No Hell for me either! Just a great 3 hour ride.
Comment by 3d brian | 05.4.2012 | 9:02 am
The idea
of free verse Friday
is one I love
although I suck
at doing this
your verse I do enjoy
while I enjoy
being a non-existent
Friday reader
Comment by Christopher | 05.4.2012 | 9:34 am
’tis bike to work day in Calgary
though I do this in a week- times 2 or 3
’tis my birthday as well and free-verse Friday too
so thanks to Fatty, from me to you
I know we don’t have to rhyme with these thoughts
but I feel better when I do, than when I do not
In my office dreaming of cycling and such
and enjoying other’s verses almost as much
Comment by Eric | 05.4.2012 | 9:49 am
*snap* *snap* *snap* *snap* *snap* *snap* *snap* *snap* *snap* *snap* *snap*
Comment by Bykjunkie | 05.4.2012 | 9:56 am
Wish light legs and a swift pace to the Hammer. Running for time correct?
Smoke em!!!
Comment by Clydesteve | 05.4.2012 | 9:58 am
verse, not race…
a peaceful pace
Comment by Liz | 05.4.2012 | 10:13 am
Fatty is a better poet than me.
But I shall enjoy nachos and cerveza for Cinco de Mayo while he enjoys not racing.
I think my weekend might be as good as his.
Thank you.
Comment by Miles Archer | 05.4.2012 | 10:24 am
century in Napa on Sunday
sore at work on Monday
perhaps that will be snore
and then i will work there nevermore
Comment by ClydeinKS | 05.4.2012 | 10:38 am
Excited for tickets
to see my team Sat and Sun
although have a sinking feeling
our closer and HOFer is now out
leaving me to explain the DL to my son
What a shame to slip at the track
and during pregame warm-up, no less
coworkers and patients are showing sympathy
yes its true, Yankee fan through and through
merely a set-back and rehab will go well
Time to turn my focus back to the bike
although, right now it should be work
but it is Fri and nearing half-way through
so the weekend is coming into view
will be on the bike, then enjoying the games
may order a brat, but will not compare
Thank you
Comment by onomastic | 05.4.2012 | 10:53 am
No ride on Saturday,
sunny and warm predicted.
Century on Sunday,
thunderstorms predicted.
Who cares –
shrimp and beer and
(my) birthday cake after.
Thank you.
Comment by Road Mike | 05.4.2012 | 11:05 am
Tomorrow: riding long,
starting at dawn–
the ride must happen!
As must the trip to the airport,
the yard work,
the homework,
the laundry,
the dishes,
the meals.
Sunday: sleeping in!
Thank you.
Comment by kataco | 05.4.2012 | 11:16 am
To the tune of the mexican hat dance, in honor of cinco de mayo and my eminent demise:
Riding bikes is what we are going to
do in theory a whole quite a lot of
tomorrow my butt will be in much pain
vino fondo I’m not sure I love
riding bicycles bicycles biking…
through the hills and the grapes of the vineyards
why can’t I just sit down and eat all day
legs have turned into jelly, just thinking about, all the bicycle riding tomorrow.
(some liberty with rhythym taken)
Thank you.
Comment by davidh,marin | 05.4.2012 | 11:17 am
To the sage of half whits
I tip my hat
Ride strong my friend
@Miles we’ll miss you in Napa
Saturday is our day
Wine Country Century
Tandem style
Old and slow …
and fat
I’ll need to bring extra bottles
thank you
Comment by ScottR | 05.4.2012 | 11:35 am
No rhymes, perhaps ironically, but a sad RIP to a Beastie Boy, after his battle with cancer.
Later today, a visitation for a bicycle shop owner and great guy here in Kansas City after his year+ fight with pancreatic cancer.
Comment by RodNeeds2Ride | 05.4.2012 | 12:17 pm
Miles my friend
is jumping into the very jaws
of Hell in the morning.
St. George IronMan 2012.
I hope he finishes!
First Century in 2 weeks (Salt Lake).
Any advice,
besides,
don’t SUCK?
Thank you
Comment by SaddleAmericana | 05.4.2012 | 12:23 pm
keep the verses flowing and wheels spinning!
Comment by nh_joe | 05.4.2012 | 12:30 pm
I crashed at Gila
I was going way too fast
This is not free verse
Comment by Rich | 05.4.2012 | 12:34 pm
Week almost done of working with teens.
Where do they get their sense of entitlement?
That’s not rhetorical, please tell me.
Tulip time festival tomorrow.
I will bring my kids, but the tulips are dead.
Thanks to the frost.
How do you explain that to a 2 year old?
That’s not rhetorical, please tell me.
Thank you.
Comment by cyclingjimbo | 05.4.2012 | 1:14 pm
Relishing the prospect of vicarious relishment -
EK competes at St. George while, weather permitting,
I will race around the yard on the lawn tractor,
playing catch up against the ever-growing grass.
Brats and kraut for dinner? Perhaps.
- adds to the relishment of races unraced,
while we follow EK’s progress
Best wishes to The Hammer!
Energy, stamina, light feet, and high spirits;
Another unraced race for us to relish
while we take vicarious pleasure in the courage,
energy, and accomplishments of those we know and love.
Onward to the finish
Comment by Skye | 05.4.2012 | 1:21 pm
the races are coming, the races are coming!
and where am I going?
to a race, yes,
but not to race.
discovery:
volunteering is way easier than racing!
saturday morning
sunday afternoon
at the races, pain free.
thank you
Comment by George | 05.4.2012 | 1:29 pm
A Livestrong ride
tomorrow
with Ron Kiefel
and Andy “freakin” Hampsten.
I’ll be sporting
my Fatty Jersey
up Lookout Mountain.
Comment by Elizabeth | 05.4.2012 | 1:38 pm
Hazon California Bike Ride Thursday
Choice of lengths of daily rides
32
55
87
Oh yes I shall be on the 32
Oh yes
No shame
Rock on
Thank you
Comment by Cyclin' Missy | 05.4.2012 | 1:41 pm
Going to see Weird Al in concert
How cool is that?
Thank you!
Comment by TK | 05.4.2012 | 1:43 pm
Free verse Friday
could very well be
the best idea
a phat man on a bike
ever came up with.
Thank you
Comment by Turn The Damn Cranks | 05.4.2012 | 1:56 pm
No great poetic ideas today.
So my poem will be very short.
In fact, it is done.
Thank you.
Comment by GenghisKhan | 05.4.2012 | 2:06 pm
Broken rear axle on rear wheel,
(Am I a tough guy or fat guy?),
Wonderful wife with wheel to loan,
Sun is shining and I’m outta hear!
Thank you, thank you very much!
Comment by GenghisKhan | 05.4.2012 | 2:07 pm
Hmmm, where else would my rear axle be?
Comment by hannah | 05.4.2012 | 2:12 pm
I am really loving
Free verse Friday
Thank you!
Comment by Dale H | 05.4.2012 | 2:21 pm
Real lame poetry
Posted by the Fat Cyclist
Must be the weekend
Comment by Anonymous | 05.4.2012 | 2:37 pm
Ski season now over
Sigh
Bike season now begins
Yea!
Thank you
Comment by Nurse Betsy | 05.4.2012 | 3:39 pm
Camping I was suppose to be
Sore throat instead.
Spending my time in bed
Sleeping my life away.
Bummed.
Thank you
Comment by Sara | 05.4.2012 | 4:09 pm
I raced today.
It was the worst day I’ve ever had on a bike.
My legs betrayed my lack of fitness and then they cramped for the last several miles.
But, I WON!
…As does everyone who competes in this race.
I rode the 100 Miles of Nowhere today.
And tomorrow I will relish not racing.
Thank you.
Comment by a chris | 05.4.2012 | 4:58 pm
Free verse Friday
is real?
Well, I’ll be.
Whale oil beef.
Thought it was a joke.
Actually, it’s kind of good.
No racing for me.
Maybe buy some kids’ shoes
or pyjamas
Still raining
Hope the drought ends soon.
Thank you.
Comment by Tom S. | 05.4.2012 | 8:40 pm
Saturday morning riding to work
riding for fun
ticking off miles
meditations on a gravel road
where is Dutch Hall?
why doesn’t the road go there?
get to work cutting lenses
make a world worth looking at
looking at new bikes new riders
hope for the world still
if we open our eyes and spin our legs
Thank You
Comment by Bob B | 05.4.2012 | 10:56 pm
Where
On earth
Di
d
You get the
Idea of
Free Verse Friday?
Oh, and
Thank You
Comment by roan | 05.4.2012 | 11:20 pm
Sneaky rain all week
Only few rides dry
Tis my commute but WHY
Check the radar
Two hour window
Gota fly
But alas the window slammed
So I laugh.
Comment by Brian in VA | 05.5.2012 | 9:52 am
Left my bride in bed
As I departed too early
For the airport.
On to Las Vegas for
A sales meeting
Of some import.
No rides available
Except for the fitness center
At the Palazzo.
Living for next Friday.
When two wheels
Come back under my tuchis.
Thank you!
Comment by MattC | 05.5.2012 | 5:29 pm
@Dale H…you forgot to include the link to YOUR site so we could all go there and read your NOT lame poetry.
Oops…sorry..free verse Saturday…(I’m a day late and a dollar short as usual). Here goes…
My dad always told me,
if you’ve got nothing nice to say,
then shut the hell up.
Thank you.