The Beat Goes On

I realize it has been a while since I posted anything. I know this because I can't remember posting and the date on the last post indicates it has been about two months.

I am in awe at some like Seth Godin who posted his 5000th daily post today. Even more in awe that his posts are so good too. If you don't know Seth Godin, finish reading this post and Google Seth. And then enjoy the wisdom I enjoy every day.

What Am I Up To?

I have been revising my Work in Progress and have spent any extra time making that book make sense. I have corrected verbs, fixed sentences, and cleaned up the story. I am pretty proud of it.

My next job is to get the book to market (which can take a while) and at teh same time start a new project. This should get me back to writing mode and although I'm not sure I'll hit 5,000 consecutive days, I should be around a little more often.

So that's what I'm up to. I'll spare the details for now but fill you in as we go forward from here.

Alone

A day spent alone,
Just like I wished it to be.
Where did they all go?

This Year, Not Next

I Climbed that mountain. On a whim in September, I got up early one morning and walked my big ol' butt on up to the top. It wasn't easy. It wasn't quick. But I ascended the 4,000 feet to reach the summit at 11,750 ft. I still enjoy that feat becuase on why I did it.

I told myself that I would not spend another winter looking at that mountain, telling myself that "next year" after the snow melts, I would do it.

Now when I see the snowy cliffs, I say "I did that." It feels good. And for a chronic procrastinator such as I am, that's a mountain climbed in and of itself.

Twice the Christmas Available

It is done. My Christmas story, Twice the Christmas, started in concept two years ago, written last year, is finally finished and available on Kindle downloads.

I am very happy with the way the story unfolded and in the weird way that writing works for me, I came away from it, having learned from the characters. I hadn't really thought of Christmas quite like that. Yet, somewhere inside I must have.

Smile

Today I woke up.
I felt a strange pull on each side of my face.
I was smiling.
Smiling?
Yeah, smiling.
No particular reason existed either. I had no happy thought running through my head. No great event waiting for me. No reason at all. Just a smile.
It made me smile again.
Wow!
What a wonderful, unexpected surprise morning.
Thank you smile. It's been a while since you've been around without being asked. Come back again whenever you like.
Hey, look at that!
I'm smiling again.

Crossroads

Crossroads is what most people call it. A point where two or more paths come together in one's life and the following of any direction will carry you in a direction distinct and separated from the others. Its a powerful and descriptive metaphor. I find however that the real thing is just a traffic jam in the making.

I have been sitting at a crossroad in my life for a long time now. Every time I start down one of those roads, I seem to just end up at the same crossroad. More like a French round point, if to continue the roadside imagery.

It's tough. It's scary. It's unimaginably expensive in terms of emotions.

Which is the happy road? Happy for who? Does happy matter?

I don't know. But I guess as long as I haven't abandoned the car, I still have a choice to make.

God, help me be wise.

To The Summit

I never shared here, but I accomplished my goal of hiking to the top of Sunset Peak in Big Cottonwood Canyon- my most favorite place in the world- on August 15th. The peak reaches to 10,644 feet. the trail begins at around 8,600 feet.

It was tough and hot but I made it along with my wife and one of my sons.

Sometimes goals are actually climbing mountains.

Irrelevant

Mountains stand alone.
Oceans stand apart.
Rivers flow continuous.
Plains stretch out endlessly.
Each is solitary but each has their relevance.
The mountains collect the snows to water the summer.
The oceans create the storms that snow on the mountains.
The mighty and not so mighty rivers flow to refill the oceans.
The plains turn melted snow to crops, returning what’s left to the river.

I stand alone.
Unused, unneeded, and unclaimed.
I am irrelevant.

A Great Thought for Me

Your Success In Life Is In Direct Proportion To The Amount Of Uncertainty You Can Comfortable Deal With" - Tony Robbins

Different Strokes

If this doesn't get your pulse racing, you've never dreamed of catching a steelhead.
Wow! I wish it was me.

Do it!

The best way to kill an idea is to spend too much time thinking about it.

A Month Off

The month of May was a busy one for me. There were a number of things going on and I therefore took some time off for myself. The biggest thing that was new for me this month is that I finally got serious on writing a book. I have been spending all my time that I would normally take to write in this blog, to write in my book.

What's it about? I'll give little sneak peeks as circumstance will allow, but for now, suffice to say, I am enjoying my writing experience and I am sorry that the blog took the fall for my focus dedication elsewhere.

Welcome to June!

A Little Additional National Attention

Link is available under my home page links as ALN Column APR 07.

My Visit to the Gov's Office

When I woke up this morning, I didn't think I would end up in the Utah Governor's Office, shaking hands with Gov. Jon M. Huntsman Jr..

Life takes some weird twists, doesn't it?