When Harry Met....Eric

I've never really been one to research my family tree, or trace my roots back to the Civil War or anything like that. Some people I know do it, and I think it would indeed be fascinating. I'm sure the internet makes things a whole lot easier to find stuff, too.

But a modern-day interest of mine has now started me upon a bit of a research trip, and I'm really not sure where it'll lead me. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, they say. But I'm already a little bit excited about what I hope to find out.

The first part of the story is my current interest in motorcycles. I've been shopping, and as soon as we get in the new house, I'll most likely be getting one. I've looked at all the "Metric" bikes--which is the bike euphemism for "Japanese" or "foreign" the same way we refer to Toyotas and Nissans--and even walked through the Harley Davidson dealership and was blatantly ignored. Anyway, based on size, price, look, etc. I think I've found one I like: the Suzuki Boulevard C50.

Now, a bit of Eric's family history, which I'll then tie together. My maternal grandfather, Harry White, died when I was in 3rd grade. He was 59, lived in Booneville, Mississippi, and died of a massive heart attack. Because of where he lived, and my age when he passed away, I didn't know much nor do I remember much about him. He was tall and had black hair; I remember going to the funeral, and the burial right outside of a small country church. Point being--as a 10-year old, I never got a chance to really know him. But I do remember my mom telling me that a motorcycle dealership on Summer was named Harry's Suzuki because of him. Mom might've even had a keychain or something with the dealership name on it. In my young mind, I thought it was cool that my grandaddy was sort of "famous" and that I was related to him.

How ironic that I've now picked out a Suzuki. I'm not into extraterrestrial signs or anything like that; I just think it's cool that my grandaddy's brand is now my favorite. So I decided to see what I could find about Harry's Suzuki. Maybe it was "Bubba's Suzuki" and Grandaddy bought him out--who knows. Could I find anybody that could tell me about it? Got any pics of the dealership? What about an old shirt, or maybe a keychain? So I tried Google. I knew that since it doesn't exist anymore, info on the dealership might be hard to find. But I did get a decent hit--the Memphis Motorcycle Club has a "Jerry Matthews Award", which is named for someone who used to own Harry's Suzuki. I fired off an email today (hoping the link was good, and the person still checked their email address), and here's what I got:

Harry White was the original owner of Harry's Suzuki. He sold the business to Jerry Matthews in the 70's. Jerry did not change the name, since it was well recognized in the motorcycle community and most of the people who worked there continued to work for Jerry until his death sometime in the 90's.

He went on to give me a couple of names of folks who might've worked for my grandfather and who are still active in the local motorcycle dealership community. Suffice it to say that I'm gonna try my darndest to find them. If it's a dead end, so be it. But at least I will know that I tried. And one day, if and when I get my Suzuki, I will know that someone, somewhere will think that I made a good choice. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks a Lot, Ben

Oh boy, I can hear it now. I'm sure it'll start as soon as people that I know hear about it and get their speeches ready. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was hurt today in a motorcycle crash and is undergoing surgery. Of course, I've been doing some research on the two-wheeled vehicles myself, and will most likely be purchasing one in the very near future. I've even signed up for the 3-day Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCourse next weekend.

But of course, a high-profile case like this won't do me any favors. First it was Arnold Schwarzenegger in January. Now B-Roth. But just so you'll know that I will be armed and ready with information, here are the reasons why I believe that Mr. 24-year-old-Super-Bowl-champ-rich-boy and I cannot be compared.

* Bike style. The pictures from the scene of the accident clearly indicate that Roethlisberger's bike was a sport bike--affectionately known as "crotch rockets." Yep, the ones where the driver has to put his butt up in the air to avoid looking like a dork (twisted logic, if you ask me), something which probably enhances aerodynamics as a by-product, and helping you go faster.
* Helmet. Today's word is dduuuhhhhhh. Apparently there is a belief among some that helmets seriously infringe on looking cool. Or are hot. Or are distracting. For whatever reason, some states have offered cyclists their "freedom" as one site calls it, to not wear protective gear on the most important part of your body. Notice our rider's injuries--broken nose, broken jaw, 9" laceration to his head, broken teeth...a plastic surgeon has been called in....Hmm, I bet one of those uncool helmets sure would've helped out.
* Rider Course. Did "Big Ben" take a safety course? I don't know. But I am. According to the Hurt Report (a study of 900 motorcycle accidents to determine cause, contributing factors, rider training, etc), an astonishing 92% of motorcycle riders involved in crashes were without training--they had learned to ride on their own or from family/friends. In the same statement, the report goes on to say Motorcycle rider training experience reduces accident involvement and is related to reduced injuries in the event of accidents. Maybe that $150 is a worthwhile investment.

So we know what kind of bike it was, and we know that Ben wasn't wearing a helmet. We don't know what the situation was surrounding the wreck, but I'd be willing to bet that he could've either avoided the accident or walked away with far fewer and less severe injuries. I'm not gonna assume that speed was a factor. Was the motorcycle speeding?--we don't know. I'm sure we'll know later, but right now we don't.

One final aspect is how the accident occurred. I'll go on record as placing my bet right now. I bet that the car turned left in front of him. Studies have shown that something like 75% of accidents occur at an intersection when a car turns left in front of the cycle (presumably after not having seen it). The damage to the car involved in this accident is consistent with this--damage to the passenger side front fender. Time will tell if I'm right, but say you saw it here first.

In conclusion, if my hunch is right, Ben Roethlisberger did nothing wrong to cause the accident (unless he was speeding or his driving ability was impaired). However, riders can do several things such as taking a rider safety course (which teaches the ability to avoid crashes or minimize injuries if invovlved with one) and wearing a helmet, as uncool as it might be. There have been absolutely NO studies that indicate that wearing a helmet causes more injuries or makes a bike rider more likely to crash. I hope the Super Bowl quarterback is OK and recovers completely from his injuries, but I also hope that he learns a lot from his experience today.

9 Years and Counting

A lot of married couples that I know have two "anniversaries" . . . One is the obvious "legal" anniversary, the day acknowledged by our local government as the day that we said our vows and an ordained minister, by the powers vested in him, declared us legally married. The other is an "unofficial" one of sorts--the day that the couple went on their first date or started dating (or going steady or going out or whatever the term du jour is) or whatever.

Leah and I are no exception. We mark as that official beginning of the "Eric and Leah" era as June 7, 1997. We went to a Promus Hotel Corporation (our previous employer, now better known as Hilton Hotels) company picnic. I really wasn't sure where it would lead us, and as a matter of fact, 3 years later I would accept a position in Dallas, hoping to start a new life of sorts with just me, new co-workers, new friends, a new church, and figure out what I wanted to do with my life in the area of career, love, home city, etc.

I first kind of "noticed" Leah at my cousin Kristi's 16th birthday party (which would've been July 1994). I don't remember what she was wearing or anything like that--I just remember noticing that I didn't realize Kristi had such cute friends. I would later find out that her grandmother had been friends with my granny for quite a long time, that her family used to go to Merton a long time ago, and there were several other reasons why I should know her or at least remember her. But I didn't.

The next few years were kind of odd. Leah thought nothing of professing her unfaltering feelings for me, even thought I might've been involved in another relationship at the time. Sure, there were times that I might stop by or say hello or something, but quite often I was involved with someone else, and Leah basically didn't care. She just told me that I was making a mistake. Heck, I even got asked to formals and a prom, and had to decline because there was somebody else that wouldn't have understood this girl who wouldn't take "No" for an answer. There were a few times that I wasn't dating someone, but then she had a boyfriend. Then in May of 1995 I became engaged to someone else--I knew I was probably hurting her, but thought at the time that I had found "the one." The fact that our timing was always off had finally reached its final, end-of-conversation point. So I thought.

The original wedding date set at the time was April 20th, 1996--the same day as Leah's senior prom. Although the date had long since been postponed (prior to the breakup which cancelled it for good), Leah wasn't aware of this, and went to prom thinking that by the time she got home, I would be married to someone else. As a cruel twist of fate, that was the day that the engagement was broken, along with my heart into a million pieces. For some reason that night, I called Leah's house--her dad said, "It's a pretty big day for you, isn't it?" My response was basically, "No, not really." I think her mom told her later that I WASN'T married, and I'm sure she had the true definition of mixed feelings--sad at my broken heart, but feeling that her dream of "catching" me was still very much alive.

The next year was a nice mix of playful flirting and a date or two, mixed with both of us doing other things and seeing other people. At one point, I told her that she was WAY too pushy and that even IF I had considered dating her, she had messed it up by smothering the crap out of me. Then I got the silent treatment for awhile. Then there was her graduation (Leah actually bet her mom $20 that I wouldn't show-- an unpaid debt, if I'm not mistaken), and her party afterwards, where I met this moron that she was dating. Yes, I guess I was a bit jealous, but he really did annoy me--I just felt like she could do so much better. I don't remember exactly what he said to her that night, but it was condescending and borderline demeaning. I later learned that her prom night consisted of such things as a fast-food dinner, his pick-up truck, and him talking on his C.B. the whole night. What a freakin' winner. (I would later give her the "prom night she never had", complete with a black stretch limo, dinner at Landry's on the river, and a carriage ride).

A few weeks later, she broke up with him. I told her that I did NOT want to be the reason she did so, and she assured me that it wasn't (just a convenient added bonus!). The rest, as they say, is history. Not quite 5 years later, on a cold night in early January, Leah began a scavenger hunt that involved Blockbuster Video, Super K-Mart, a Bride's Magazine and a Ring Pop that would reward her with an engagement ring. I thought I would share a poem that I wrote the summer before we got married. I intended on reading it at the rehearsal dinner, in front of parents, grandparents, friends and family. All the chaos and tears and excitement made me forget, so I ended up reading to a small group of folks as the party was winding down that night at Coletta's. Reading it, and enjoying the memories that it brings, still makes me smile.

I love you, honey . . . The last 9 years have been incredible!!

To My Bride
Alas, the day we've awaited
After an endless time is here
Two hearts become one, they say
And our parents will shed a tear

It started on a cold winter night
In front of Bartlett's Pizza Hut
You received a clue that began our journey
You probably thought I was a nut!

Or perhaps you had some idea
That you'd soon be wearing my ring
Because you had patiently waited
And for me, you would do anything

So now as I sit back and think
About how it all began
So many things come to mind
I'd like to recall a few, if I can

I guess I first took notice
At a party for Kristi's day
Little did I know, before long
I'd be giving my heart away

But of course it wasn't that easy
We both had to endure some pain
For there is no appreciation for sun
Unless you've endured some rain

It was your birthday party, I believe
When we wrestled and scuffled in the floor
Looking back, I think that was flirting
'Cause your boyfriend had walked out the door.

There was the movie Forrest Gump
Another time, a Bolton football game
I kinda felt like I was on display
How did these people know my name?!

I had no idea why your parents called me
When you had that appendix pulled out
I came with "Get Well" card in hand
I still don't know what that was about!

I called you injured, from a hospital room
And said "Don't go out of your way."
Then I came home, and you thought I was bored
And offered to come over every day

Then I told you that you were way too pushy
You quit calling--now that was a switch
I'm sure every girl that I dated
You called them a, well, you know.

Then there was your senior prom
And part of you was sad and down
Little did you know that it would be you
Who would be wearing a bride's white gown

A few weeks later, it was graduation
And the guy who drove those fire trucks
But you didn't think I would attend
And I became "A walking 20 bucks"

The old saying is "Follow your heart"
And mine began speaking loud and clear
In front of my eyes was a young woman
Who would love me and hold me near

We went to a company picnic
And that's when "us" finally began
The girl that I had frustrated
Became my very biggest fan

We've been to New Orleans, Nashville, Louisville,
Cincinnati, St. Louis-who knows where
Chances are when I had an idea,
You'd say, "I have never been there."

But the rain wasn't quite over, you see
Because Hilton Hotels came along
Moving to Dallas was a bad idea
Because in your arms is where I belong

The time has certainly flown by
But I don't think I would change one thing
Because on a night in January
We hoped for what the future will bring

So tomorrow as we turn a page
And begin a new chapter of life
I hope you know how happy I'll be
When my friend becomes my wife

I'll meet you at the base of aisle
And then we'll say, "I do."
Please know, believe, and trust
That forever I will love you!

Alas, the day we've awaited
In a few hours will soon arrive
Just in case I forget to tell you then
You've made me the happiest man alive.

Love always,

Eric
October 25, 2002

Super Bowl XLVIII at LP Field

Huh? Heck, I'm not in the know with NFL Super Bowl site-selection types, but I'm just trying to imagine what it would be like if Nashville ever gets the big game. That's right, the Titans and Nashville-based building materials company Louisiana-Pacific Corp. have apparently signed on the dotted line and an announcement is expected today. Which is kinda good, because after the place lost "Adelphia" in its name, there was this implied "What in the heck are we supposed to call it?" attitude from this Titan fan and certainly other fans, commentators, and the like. "The Coliseum" sounded so generic, and to me reminded me a certain round building at the Fairgrounds where I used to hawk cokes on Monday night for the wrestling matches.

So now it has a name. LP Field. Interesting. I'm sure all the Nashville TV stations will be in the malls and sports bars, asking people if they like it or hate it. Sooner or later, we'll all learn to deal with it, and it'll sound normal. Heck, baseball has Petco Park and Minute Maid Field. Football has Heinz Field, FedEx Field, PSINet Stadium, and Raymond James Stadium. Pretty much gone are War Memorial Stadium days, unless a company is called "War Memorial" and coughs up a wad of cash for 10 or 20 years.

LP Field....It'll definitely take some getting used to, but soon it'll have an identity. I'm sure folks hated the name "Titans" when it was unveiled, but there isn't exactly anything you could do about it, now is there. And currently the Titans boast a streak of 70-something sellouts or something like that, so either those people stepped aside or learned to get over it. And it'll be the same with the stadium. And if the Titans make it a tough place to play year in and year out, teams will hate coming to it, no matter what the name is.