Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Be New

I say beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather a new wearer of clothes.

--Henry David Thoreau
So, it is a new year. Time for a new look? Well, that certainly is part of it. If you like the sleek new appearance of the blog, you and I have Curly Su to thank for it. I certainly could not have done it, and when she asked what I wanted for a Christmas present, there was no hesitation. I asked her to give my blog a makeover and she did. I think it is beautiful, and I hope you enjoy coming here all the more.
I am also hopeful that the New Year's makeover is not restricted to the blog's "clothing" or to the blogger's. Like Thoreau (maybe the only thing I have in common with such a penetrating thinker), I am suspicious of all things that focus on changing the outward appearance. I am suspicious because those things often don't have any changes of substance. On a silly level, that may be why I don't have a pointy aero helmet or race wheels. On my rig, they would scream, "POSER!!" I need to change the rider of the bike and make him faster and stronger before I worry about wheels and helmets and any more gear.
Triathlon sometimes is one of those "enterprises that require new clothes." People who can gear up do so, whether or not they are making any changes in themselves and whether or not they have any intention of making this sport a part of who they are. Much more often, however, I have found that triathlon changes the wearer of the clothes, and only later do the clothes change. It has changed me, from my physical appearance to my personality. This year, I want to allow that change to continue and hopefully to infect more and more of my non-athletic life in a positive way.

For one thing, I have long fantasized about becoming a writer. Enough fantasy. It is high time I started being a writer. I need to start just doing it and going about it in the same fashion that succeeded in turning a sedentary lawyer into a passable triathlete. I intend to work on the techniques, practice, get instruction where needed, start small, and increase the volume and intensity over time. Over the long term, I hope to hone my craft and start writing things that people will want to read and perhaps pay for. I hope this blog will be one tool I can use to do that, and that you enjoy watching it happen. Thankfully, I think I have a bit more talent at writing than I do at athletics. So, while I would starve if forced to earn a living with triathlon, maybe I can make a living some day writing about triathlon, endurance sport, life, music, and the other things I love. Whether or not that happens, I love writing, so why not write?

So, the year is new for you as well. To what will you devote this time, your life? Be open to the serendipitous accident, but don't accidentally expend all of 2008 and wonder what happened. Be new.

26 comments:

Born To Endure said...

Here here...I love the new look and your post!!

Anonymous said...

nice new look. :) i still don't understand why the chart shows in it's entirety on my computer but not my dad's, yours, etc... but alas... nothing is perfect, i guess. i can keep working on it if you want.

anyway-
nice post; i especially like the last paragraph. it's so easy to just let time happen to you... i'm going to try to counteract that this year, gray hairs and all. :)

and by the way, i got off my butt and went for a run!

21stCenturyMom said...

I have resisted buying fancy gear because I know I have so much untapped potential (which is a really, really nice way of saying "I've been lazy") that there's just no point.

Will you be another John Grisham? It could happen!!

My plans are so very big that I'm not ready to reveal them but suffice it to say that at the ripe old age of 53 I've decided that it is okay to want to change the world.

Happy New Year!

a.maria said...

well said! and happy new year to you!

Spokane Al said...

Great new look!

I hope your writing career takes off. I'll continue to look forward to reading your stuff, wherever it may be published.

Tri-Dummy said...

The blog looks GRRRRRREAT!

Andra Sue said...

Your new blog design looks great. Happy New Year and happy training in 2008! Here's to a great year!

monica said...

dude, you did an IRONMAN. i'd hardly call that a "passable triathlete." and i'm totally with you on the pointy helmets....

write away!!!!

tri-mama said...

Totally love the new look! Turn the world on fire with your pen hounddog!

Bigun said...

You should write more about Boobs. Yea...boobs.

The blog looks great! CS did a wonderful job. I think if she got in the code and increased the size of the right margin, your graph will fit all the way.

Unknown said...

Nice makeover! Write on ...

the Dread Pirate Rackham said...

nice look - it suits you!

writing suits you too - I think that's a worthy thing to shoot for.

I still haven't quite decided what I want to do with my shiny new year...

Jane said...

I like the new look. Hey - you stole my quote! I was going to use that quote b/c I bought a new "outfit" for the marathon (yeah, I'm a girl).

pinkgurugal said...

that photo depicts the introspective you...maybe that will be the cover of your first published book!

Steve Stenzel said...

Happy New Year!!!

Brent Buckner said...

Good lookin' blog!

Writers write. Pretty simple....
[cf. Heinlein's Rules for Writers]

Supalinds said...

Love the new blog! Looks great.

I like new outfits...but your right on with this post!!!!!!!!!!

Rainmaker said...

I think ya got the skilz for writing - now go after it!

The new blog looks nice!

Happy new year!

CoachLiz said...

The great look of your blog inspired me to give my blog a new look for the new year as well.

When you are struck by that idea that comes out of no where, jot it down. Always keep a pad of papper in your pocket or near by so when the ideas start flying, you will have a place to put them. Barnes & Noble has some great writer's notebooks that are like the ones that Papa Hemmingway used to use. How's that for inspiration!

Carrie said...

You can definitely write- I'll read it!

Donald said...

The makeover looks awesome. I'll look forward to watching your writing progress in the year ahead - even though it's already pretty great.

Kim said...

stupid effin comment section didnt save the comment i left a few days ago. GRR! in any event, HAPPY NEW YEAR buddy! loving the new blog look! i was an english/writing major and my blog is my creative outlet (yup, looking at numbers all day gets me cranky) so i am totally into you writing! cant wait to read more of your stuff!

BreeWee said...

Thanks for your comment, it lead me to your blog and I really appreciate this post...so true not to "wonder" where the year went! I am fully encouraged after your post to just live hard and live strong like I mean it!
Best to you on your writing journey :)

GetBackJoJo said...

Dude, look how many comments you get! You have a readership! Doesn't that mean you're already a writer? Love your blog and your blog's new look. Good luck with the writing dream... even though the dream is already the reality.

The Stretch Doc said...

How great.. Look, Post.. and your on the stick!!

rockon`

Afternoon Tea With Oranges said...

I love the new blog look!

And I especially love this post.I have some thing pulling at me, too. Things I want to do, but I just don't ever buckle down and make them happen. Thanks for the motivation!