Hello 2010, Goodbye 2010, Hello Life

It's funny, life.  It's also quite odd, life... it's, also, unbelievably perfect & beautiful too.

All the folks who told me or suggested that I -stop- blogging, now blog themselves; all the haters have come & gone... and only a few have ever come forward & introduced themselves -and of those: I forgave them/they forgave me;

the Bicycling Magazine piece has come and passed too; those closest to me have seen me come within a whisker of some sort of -bigger- fame, and then watched me -in that quintessential way I am capable of- burn those bridges down too; the Today Show came around twice... and I sent them away twice;

Jenny-O turkey came around too, they wanted to talk turkey to me, they wanted me to be their national spokesperson with a series of TV ads... and while I don't eat meat, their meat, any one's meat, it was a funny & odd thing... and then that disappeared too;

Amy and me are older, so is Chloe -now 11 years old- and we still love one another and cover each other's 6; I don't weigh myself too often these days -mostly for curiosity or a small taste of the old familiar- and then that's that; I hover around 165 pounds; we have a newer cat + the older one, and they actually sort of like each other; we raised, were loved by and fell deeply in love with, 2 Indian Runner Ducks we named Lucy & Petunia... and then, just 5.2 months into their short lives, they were taken from us, them from themselves, by raccoons, and that was heartbreaking;

and while we still don't like Portland too much, we are used to it, to it's strange, smiling, quick to chat but never to follow up in any-meaningful-way people... but we forgive them more easily these days because we understand that being ultra-conservative while trying to appear hyper-progressive must be one big cross to bear;

it still rains too often here; people still don't know how to drive their cars well here [or anywhere else for that matter]; we bought a new car [but don't drive it much]; I got a new bike which I ride a lot; Chloe got a new bike too, and will hit 7.5K this year in mileage and me -as her dad- couldn't be more proud;

Amy is still the absolute love of my life; I got brave and finally had my umbilical hernia -the final gift from my Days of Huge- repaired earlier this year, and that's been great, and I didn't die on the O.R. Table; and the Doc who repaired me has become a great friend, and we ride together;

I fly a lot these days: on planes [and get strip-searched by the TSA because I not only carry my own food but because I have deflated skin on me and that seems to worry them, the TSA, a lot... and they ruined my chance to go to InterBike in Las Vegas last month, but maybe someone will invite me next year, we'll see] and mostly on-bikes; I am writing my memoir and am signed with a literary agency in New York City... and who woulda thought that possible back when I was sunk with weight & life and things were looking more than just a little bleak?; we are planning another move soon... either Northern California [pricey], Southern California [uncertain] or Austin, Texas [possibly];

I am also thinking I need some really big challenges soon so I am considering either Paris Brest Paris or the Tour Divide or some other things;

and... and... and...

Life goes On.

Be Well-

-Scott   

Comments

[bryantp]

Very nice to hear you're well. You continue to be an inspiration.

Consider the Denver area. Great rides, good folks, veggie options everywhere.

[Jansenh]

Great to see you writing again.

[john]

I knew there was a reason I kept you on my reader subscription ;-)I'm glad you're doing well - take care.

[Doug]

Well thanks for the update Scott. I think about the three of you a lot. I miss your blog. And I've been thinking of sending you an email lately. And out of the blue you post an update! Cool!

[Dan O]

Great to seeing you blogging again. Nice update.

[Chris]

What a great surprise to see you pop up again in my reader. Glad to read/see you're doing well!

[Lydia]

Love your writing and your sense of self!! Bravo! I second bryantp...Denver is beautiful, NOT rainy, people actually live a little slower and TALK to each other...and you can bike every month of the year. I'm an RN like your wife...many good jobs here.

[Laura]

LFoaB resonnated with a lot of people--it/you somehow made the world seem a little less baffling. You have been missed--REALLY glad you're back.

[Al Mollitor]

It's good to see you back, Scott. I hope the break did you good.

[Ehren]

I lived in Portland 3.5 years. It rains eight months of the year and I think everyone is somewhat depressed but they don't know it. Your description of the people is apt.

[steve]

Glad to see you came back. I always checked up to see if you posted. If you are looking for a challenge (read a nice cycling vacation lol) I would suggest Lands end to John o groats (its about 900 miles and can be done in 2 weeks) it would take you from north of scotland to the south of england.
Steve

[Maniac]

Hi everybody, I was wondering where can I get a bike like the one in the pictures, it sems thoug (just what I need). Big chubbie fella trying to star lets say a new helthy life. Thanks.

[Maniac]

If you know of a bike for a 150kg(330 pounds)person please let me know.