flahute

Once again, it’s that time of year … time to sit back and reflect on all that I am thankful for.

1. Work continues to chug along. The bet that I made that our stock would rebound last fall has paid off nicely … I lowered my average cost significantly, and my portfolio is above water once again.
2. I met and dated a fabulous woman for a few months this past summer, and while it didn’t work out, I learned a lot about myself and how to handle myself in a relationship.
3. I rediscovered much of my love for the bicycle, and while my mileage still isn’t where it was several years ago, I doubled my 2008 mileage, and am looking forward to spending some quality time on the bike over Christmas down in Arizona
4. The Trooper is still chugging along, after a starter and clutch replacement for way too much money, but it should get me through another year or two before it dies completely
5. And yet again, last but certainly not least, I have good friends, both old and new, who all seem to genuinely care in one way or another.

Thank you Mom & Ralph, Ben & Doris, Geraly & D.J., Art & Rachel, Richard, Matt, Scottie, Carol, Jon & Ellie, Sly, Shauna, Jennie & Joel, Darrell & Theresa (whom I feel are rapidly becoming family), Marit & Dayna (who each, in their own way, helped me to realize and change some things about myself), Heather & Gigi (both of whose constant smiles remind me that life is to be enjoyed), and most especially, thank you Hayley, for allowing me to love again, if only for a little while.

THANKS  

Listen
with the night falling we are saying thank you
we are stopping on the bridges to bow from the railings
we are running out of the glass rooms
with our mouths full of food to look at the sky
and say thank you
we are standing by the water thanking it
smiling by the windows looking out
in our directions

back from a series of hospitals back from a mugging
after funerals we are saying thank you
after the news of the dead
whether or not we knew them we are saying thank you

over telephones we are saying thank you
in doorways and in the backs of cars and in elevators
remembering wars and the police at the door
and the beatings on stairs we are saying thank you
in the banks we are saying thank you
in the faces of the officials and the rich
and of all who will never change
we go on saying thank you thank you

with the animals dying around us
our lost feelings we are saying thank you
with the forests falling faster than the minutes
of our lives we are saying thank you
with the words going out like cells of a brain
with the cities growing over us
we are saying thank you faster and faster
with nobody listening we are saying thank you
we are saying thank you and waving
dark though it is

  — W.S. Merwin (b. 1927), American poet and translator.

Wow, have I been lax on posting anything original lately. As often happens, life has taken a few unexpected turns and I just haven’t really gotten around to it.

For the past several months, I was dating a really incredible woman. Unfortunately, it was a long-distance relationship and the 800 miles of separation became too much of an obstacle to overcome, and we split up a few weeks ago. One of the many great things about this relationship is that I learned I can fully commit emotionally, and take all the risks necessary to make it work; and even thought it didn’t ultimately work out, I don’t regret a second. If the opportunity arose again, I would still dive in headfirst without a second thought or a second glance. And the next person who enters my life romantically will also benefit from what I have learned and continue to learn.

In other “news”, I’ve also been having some car problems. The Trooper had intermittent starter problems for months, but every time I took it into the shop, it would start right up for the mechanics, so they couldn’t diagnose the problem. Eventually, the starter finally crapped out for good, and I had to compression start for several trips before I could get it back in and the starter replaced.

Of course, as I’m sure as anyone who drives an older stick shift knows, compression starting a car is not the best thing in the world for the clutch or transmission. I’m guessing my clutch was getting pretty worn anyway (although I never really noticed any issues), but a couple weeks after getting the starter replaced, the clutch died … so another day in the shop getting that replaced (along with the corresponding expense).

Hopefully, the Trooper is back in good running condition and I won’t have any more problems in the foreseeable future … at least not until I can put together enough dosh to buy a new(er) vehicle. Requirements: 4WD/AWD and big enough to put bikes and/or skis inside, preferably without having to remove anything except perhaps the front wheel.

Work is going well; recently changed departments to Corporate Actions/Re-Org. This means that instead of dealing with branches who are trying to figure out how to open new accounts and complaining about statements, I’m now dealing with people who are wondering when stock splits and dividends are going to be distributed; what the terms of tender offers are going to be, etc. Perhaps because it’s new, or perhaps because it requires a bit of research skill and inductive/deductive reasoning, but right now this gig is kind of fun again.

Cyclocross season is going well … yeah yeah, I’m not racing, but a number of my friends are having breakout seasons, and the series is continuing to grow by leaps and bounds, and I’m getting to work with a great bunch of people to continue to make it a success.

Thanksgiving plans are coming together. Christmas plans are in, well, the planning stage … looks like a road trip to Arid-zona to see the fam, along with bringing bike(s) to work on getting in those extra miles over my break and get started on 2010; then on to Los Angeles to see some friends I haven’t seen in about 7 years and maybe a couple of rides up the Malibu coastline … then back to the 801 for New Year’s (although I won’t be doing anything for NYE itself, most likely), and the Last Call Cyclocross Race & Party to close out the UTCX season.

Life is good. It could be better, but it’s been a whole lot worse, and I seem to be turning another corner. I’m looking forward to the next steps in the journey.

Yeah, I know this isn’t news at this point, but there is a reason why I try to avoid going anywhere near a store on the weekend after Thanksgiving and the day after Christmas. It’s not just Black Friday, but the entire season.

In fact, if it were possible to not spend any money at all during this season, I’d likely do my best to do so. Christmas long ago lost its true meaning and became all about mass consumerism.

Regardless of one’s religious beliefs, the Christmas season should be a celebration of life and of family. It should not be about buying stuff.

Wal-Mart worker dies in rush; two killed at toy store – CNN.com

(CNN) — Three violent deaths in two stores marred the opening of the Christmas shopping season Friday.

In the first, a temporary Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death in a rush of thousands of early morning shoppers as he and other employees attempted to unlock the doors of a Long Island, New York, store at 5 a.m., police said.

In the second, unrelated incident, two men were shot dead in a Toys “R” Us in Palm Desert, California, after they argued in the store, police said.

Time once again for early morning musings on all that I am thankful for over the past year; which given the current state of the economy and world politics might be a difficult task:

1. My condo actually increased in value, it would seem, which given he current real estate market conditions is a minor miracle.
2. My company is still trucking along, and while we suffered during the recent panic in the financial markets, it appears that we are back on somewhat solid footing, and of course, I’m still employed, which is always a good thing.
3. I was once again able to participate in the democratic process, helping to elect a fresh face to the White House, a person who has the ability to inspire people and bring out the best in them. If anything will help turn this country around, it’s not what the government can do, but what the people can do when inspired.
4. Just in case it’s not clear, I’m really thankful that Sarah Palin is nowhere near holding the highest office in the land
5. I still have a family that loves me, even though I’m still not the easiest person to be around.
6. And again, last but certainly not least, I have good friends, both old and new, who all seem to genuinely care in one way or another.

Thank you Mom & Ralph, Kim, Ben & Doris, Geraly & D.J., Clem & Joanna, Steve & Amy, Ryan, Dan & Karen, Art & Rachel, Richard, Matt, Scottie, Carol, Jon & Ellie, Marit, Sly & Shauna, Darrell, Theresa, Dayna, and Jennie & the entire Wade family. I just hope I haven’t forgotten anyone.

THE THANKSGIVINGS

by Harriet Maxwell Converse
(Translated from a traditional Iroquois prayer)

We who are here present thank the Great Spirit that we are here
        to praise Him.
We thank Him that He has created men and women, and ordered
        that these beings shall always be living to multiply the earth.
We thank Him for making the earth and giving these beings its products
        to live on.
We thank Him for the water that comes out of the earth and runs
        for our lands.
We thank Him for all the animals on the earth.
We thank Him for certain timbers that grow and have fluids coming
        from them for us all.
We thank Him for the branches of the trees that grow shadows
        for our shelter.
We thank Him for the beings that come from the west, the thunder
        and lightning that water the earth.
We thank Him for the light which we call our oldest brother, the sun
        that works for our good.
We thank Him for all the fruits that grow on the trees and vines.
We thank Him for his goodness in making the forests, and thank
        all its trees.
We thank Him for the darkness that gives us rest, and for the kind Being
        of the darkness that gives us light, the moon.
We thank Him for the bright spots in the skies that give us signs,
        the stars.
We give Him thanks for our supporters, who had charge of our harvests.
We give thanks that the voice of the Great Spirit can still be heard
        through the words of Ga-ne-o-di-o.
We thank the Great Spirit that we have the privilege of this pleasant
        occasion.
We give thanks for the persons who can sing the Great Spirit’s music,
        and hope they will be privileged to continue in his faith.
We thank the Great Spirit for all the persons who perform the ceremonies
        on this occasion.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone …

Seems like most of us do a lot of whinging and/or ranting on our blogs … but as the day before Thanksgiving comes to a close, I want to start work on my list of things for which I am thankful.

1. I bought my own home again this year … sure, I only have $5075 in equity, but I’m not wasting money on rent anymore.
2. I’m old enough that if the Defense Department does reinstitute the draft, I don’t have to worry about having to go fight in a war I don’t believe in.
3. I have a good job with a decent paycheck, and good benefits … and even though my 401(k) took a hit this year, the lower market means my company match will acquire me more shares than I would get in a higher market.
4. I have a family that loves me, even though I’m not the easiest person to be around.
5. Last but certainly not least, I have good friends, both old and new, who all seem to genuinely care in one way or another.

Thank you Mom & Ralph, Kim, Ben & Doris, Geraly & D.J., Clem & JEM, Steve & Amy, Ryan, Dan & Karen, Kristen, Christine, Julie, Art, Richard, Scottie, Carol, Darrell, Theresa, Dayna, Jorge, and Jennie. I just hope I haven’t forgotten anyone.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone …

… and I can’t go skiing, is anyone planning a low-key Thanksgiving Day road ride in SLC?

I would really rather not spend the entire day sitting on the couch watching TV and eating …

In Arid-Zona for the weekend visiting my mom and stepdad … since I won’t be able to visit for Christmas, this is an off weekend for the UTCX series, and there’s no snow to speak of in the canyons (and since I had a free ticket), I decided to fly down.

So, we’re doing a big birthday celebration for my step-dad, step-brother, step-sister, and assorted kids (although I have no idea which kids), this evening, then I fly back tomorrow afternoon in time to do some quick laundry and go back to work on Monday.

Still trying to figure out what I’m going to do for Thanksgiving … probably pizza and football, unless we get a major dump this upcoming week, in which case I’ll be up one of the canyons.

Much luck to those racing CX in Pokie-ID this weekend. Wake up, kick ass, repeat (as Train would say).