I’ve neglected this blog, and I’m not sure whether to keep neglecting it. I started it as a different kind of outlet than I had already created. I’ve met some nice online friends through it, and I still keep up with the blogs via blog reader.
I suppose I have decreased my need for an outlet. Partially because I have these other micro-places I record things in. Dailymile, where I record my (you might guess) daily miles on the bike. Momentile, where I post a daily photo, and which I enjoy because there is no chance for comments, mine or others. Lacking in context, it somehow frees me to take some crazy pictures, unworried as to whether anyone will “get” them. And when I take the uncrazy pictures, I also feel freed from expectations. I’m neither a photographer who takes only crazy pictures nor a photographer who doesn’t take crazy pictures. I’m simply exploring, and in a place with no context I feel freer to do so. And to stalk others who are participating in the life mosaic that is Momentile.
So I have these other outlets. I’m not sure whether to continue blogging here. I won’t take this blog down. What I’ve written and what others have written in response are enough for me to let continue. I know it has always disappointed me when others have shut down their blogs as well as stopped writing. I do like to be able to go back and read archives. Stop writing if you must, I’ve always felt, but please let me read the archived words!
It isn’t about me, though, and I do respect the need others feel to shut down their blogs when they are no longer putting their time into it.
I have continued to bike to and from work 4 times a week. I love it. My coworkers continue to be surprised when I ride in the rain, and express astonishment when I ride in the “cold” 55 degree mornings. Mornings which have me wearing a long sleeve t-shirt and short-fingered gloves. Cold? How quickly they forget.
I have worn through my first pair of brake pads, and met a fellow steel-lover when I took it to get new pads. He looked at my bike, caked in road grime that I’m too lazy and not well enough equipped to clean completely, and said “nice bike.” It could be said that he ogled my bike. I glanced at the sparkling bikes surrounding me, looking like dirt would not dare mar their shiny perfection, and gave an embarrassed chuckle. “It’s a bit dirty.”
A few weeks ago I was at a stoplight, almost home, when another rider pulled up next to me. Unusual, but as he’d been chasing me up the giant hill near home, I knew he was there before he rolled up. “Miserable weather,” he commented. I glanced at the sky, at the drizzling world around me, and didn’t have anything to say.
I was on my bike, it seemed good to me.
May 12, 2009 at 9:34 am
It’s good to hear from you again. It’s quite a feeling biking 4 days a week whether the weather. 🙂
My meager mileage pales in comparison to your daily commute, but just the same, it’s time outside with the kids. hmmm… I might have to look into Dailymile, although I wouldn’t log daily though. What are your thoughts on that? (feel free to email me!)
May 12, 2009 at 9:34 am
PS: I’m glad you’ve decided to not completely shut down the blog. 🙂
Come back and write when you feel like it!
May 12, 2009 at 8:21 pm
I have missed you..
and i think of you often.
it was good to see some words here.
Thank you…
and be good to you.
May 13, 2009 at 5:05 am
@Random, every mile not driven adds up, even if it is a little at a time! And the example you’re setting for your kids is really awesome. So many people believe that there is no way to get around other than by car. You’re giving your kids an education and options, and that’s priceless! 🙂
As for dailymile, you can record any workout, and it doesn’t have to be daily! It is fun, because it is just social enough that it is motivating, but not social enough (imo) to be a time sink. (though there are associated forums you can spend time on, though I never have.)
@Sorrow – thanks, that’s so sweet! I think of all of you often as well. I miss your thoughts and words too. I don’t have much free time anymore, it seems, but I’ll probably still post something here once in a while.
May 13, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Good, I should miss very much your biking memoirs, and your tell tale photo’s.
*>*>*>*
me doing a happy dance….
May 16, 2009 at 9:18 pm
I am having fun creating my maps… I decided to log in as “athlete” just because we do walk quite a bit too.
Have I mentioned that I can’t wait for June so I can start biking the kids to school??
May 17, 2009 at 7:34 pm
@Sorrow – I hadn’t imagined anyone missing my biking posts! But it is nice to hear that you liked them, and would want to read more of them! 😀
@Random – the maps are relatively new, and I haven’t really played with them. I think about it sometimes, but I keep forgetting to follow through. Since most of my rides (99% of them) are just to and from work, it is easy to forget! I should log my yoga sessions too…maybe that would help stop me from being lazy about getting to class! lol.
Glad you signed up! 🙂
May 19, 2009 at 6:21 pm
you’re back! so glad to know all is well. i’ve missed your words but understand all too well how the outlets we need in our lives change.
all the best to you.
May 20, 2009 at 7:13 pm
even though I was undecided when I wrote this post, it is good to be back. 🙂
May 22, 2009 at 4:25 pm
[…] drive to other places to ride the bike with the kids. ~sigh~ On that same note, I have joined Deb dailymile to keep track of my miles walked and biked. So no widget here for this […]