1. I continue to rediscover my love for the bicycle, even though my lungs continue to rebel … and I’m looking forward to my “training camp” in Arizona.
2. I still have a good job, which I still generally find satisfying, even with the ups and downs inherent in any work situation.
3. Another Utah Cyclocross Series is almost in the books; only 2 races left this year, and even though it can be tough to give up my weekend days to work, it’s always good to see people enjoying themselves and knowing that I help make it possible.
4. Another season on the slopes at Solitude begins shortly. Perhaps even this weekend if we get another decent storm on high as anticipated.
5. And yet again, last but certainly not least, I have many 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, Richard (atmo), Matt & Melissa, the crew at Revolution, Rachel, Scottie, Burke & Tiff & the town of Beaver for allowing me to be a part of the Crusher in the Tushar, Kirsty, Jennie & Joel, Darrell, Theresa, Marit, Gigi (whose constant smiles remind me that life is to be enjoyed), Steve & Amy, Ali, Brian, Tyler & Nick & the Jamis team for their hospitality during the Tour of Utah, Chris, Dave, Sarah K. (whose constant smiles on the bike have made me a fan), Sarah N. (who needs to write more often), Critter Bug (with whom more movies need to be seen) and pretty much everyone else with whom I’ve spent quality time over the past months and years.

HOME

I didn’t know I was grateful
for such late-autumn
bent-up cornfields

or like a needful boy. End
Lonely days, I believe. End the exiled
and unraveling strangeness.

— Bruce Weigl (b. 1949)

1. I continue to rediscover my love for the bicycle, and while my mileage still isn’t where it was several years ago, I was on track to match (and likely surpass) my 2009 mileage, and am looking forward to spending some quality time on the bike over the Christmas holiday in Arizona.
2. I still have a good job, which I still generally find satisfying, even with the ups and downs inherent in any work situation.
3. The Trooper died, but I was able to get a replacement … something much nicer (without being extravagant) and definitely something more reliable.
4. Another season on the slopes at Solitude began today; and while I had a clothing hang-up on the chairlift (requiring assistance to get down, how embarrassing!), then caught an edge and almost crashed, then buried a tip and crashed, post-holing on my face, I wasn’t hurt, and was able to laugh about it with my companions.
5. And yet again, last but certainly not least, I have many 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, Melissa & the crew at Revolution, Scottie, Carol, Shauna, Sly, Kirsty, Jennie & Joel, Darrell & Theresa, Marit, Dayna, Heather & Gigi (both of whose constant smiles remind me that life is to be enjoyed), Marek, Steve & Amy, Ali, Christine, Jason, Brian and pretty much everyone else with whom I’ve spent quality time over the past months and years.

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.

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 …

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 …

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

Many thanks to Scottie, Chelsie, and Nikos for inviting me, and to Woody, Mariah and Aaron for good conversation.