Been a while since I’ve been here and so much has happened. 2023 will always be remembered as a year or highs and lows and a lot more. Without going into details, I’ll just say that 2024 has presented itself as a blank slate and a place to begin again. And with that beginning, I’ve just stated (restarted?) my old business and I’m back at it making software. I’ve got one mobile game almost done that should be on the app store(s) in the coming weeks, and a list of ideas for additional games that will not only challenge me, but hopefully blossom into entities of their own. Look for details soon on my first release and everything else. Each release will likely have their own sites, and I’ll link them here.
In addition to games and software, I’ll also be authoring a few books, some of which are already in the works. You can look for them here as well. And if you’re lucky, I might also post some art I’ve been putting off working on. 2024 should be an adventure.
Today I ‘deleted’ the Facebook app from my phone. I only access it here from my phone. I’ve found that lately it only makes me angry. I’m sure the pandemic isn’t helping, but the posts I see on a daily basis get my brain going and I can’t stop thinking about how I should respond. Most of the time I anticipate my responses devolving into meetups with individuals where the police will likely be called. That’s not me. I was much happier before social media and I’m going to get back there.
Had a little fun this weekend on the lathe creating an ‘egg’ from a discarded piece of madrone. This is my first egg and a welcome distraction from the piece of oak I’ve been fighting with for some time. Someday, perhaps, I may show a nice (or possibly destroyed) oak bowl, but for now, just my egg. The madrone was still wet, so turning was easy. I finished it in a three part polish and wax system. Curious what the remaining moisture does from here on out. Enjoy…
It was always going to come to an end. The sunshine couldn’t last forever. If anything we were thankful for the two weeks of joy we got here in the PNW when it would normally be raining. But the clouds are rolling in now. It will be raining again by tomorrow night. And for the next week, we won’t see the sun. Enjoy the little things.
During a mountain bike race 25 years ago, I felt an odd pain in my lower back. It got worse as the race went on to the point that I stopped, got off my bike and walked to the finish. That was my last ‘real’ mountain bike race.
Since then I’ve had my back examined, x-rayed, massaged, poked, and looked at by many professionals who have all said the same thing,… It’s muscular. To me, it feels as if s disc slipped, herniated, or compressed to the point that the bones are rubbing.
Two years ago I slept on a very unsupportive bed overnight at Whistler. The next day on one of the first runs, I turned and my back didn’t follow through. A tightness surged up my lower back and tightened to the point I couldn’t walk. I made my way down the mountain and to the pharmacy where I purchased some muscle relaxers (Canada!). Back home, I went to the doctor and was referred to PT. This basically wiped me out for the entire season. My “sprain” kept me off the bike for a couple months and then eased back slowly. By then, all my races had run, and the big trips were over.
Last year we were introduced to the pandemic. I rode alone. I rode alone a lot. I got in great shape. I got sponsored. But the races didn’t happen. The big group rides were nonexistent. It was great to be in shape, but I had no where fun to go. Stay local.
This year it was time to come back. We’re still in a pandemic, but vaccines are happening. Small group rides have started. My fitness is better than it was at this time last year. I pushed it. I pushed hard. I threw out my back. Again. And here I am a week later contemplating going back to PT for them to tell me I need to be off my bike. Or I down some Advil and suffer, but get to ride. So torn. As I feel better (resting), I’ll sneeze and the pain is back.
Currently I’m typing and thinking about a quick road ride to see how I do. Do I risk it? Is the fitness worth it? I’ve been off my bike for almost a week and feel like a sloth. My new gear for this year is on the way and should arrive any day. My bike is a month old and filthy, but ready to roll. All I can think about is,.. does everyone deal with this? Is it more than just a muscle issue? Is there anything that can really be done to correct something that’s been ongoing for 25 years? What’s it all worth? Can I get a new lower back?
Years ago, I used to own and maintain this site / domain. Made some posts here and there. Never had much to say. After letting the domain expire, it was snatched up by some hungry bot looking to make a little dough. Immediately it was parked with a $2500 price tag. Did I regret letting it go? Not really. Again, I didn’t really use it for much of anything but a place to ramble and store things I needed access to on a daily basis.
Well, here I am again. Domain has been available for some time (cheap), and on a whim, I’ve decided to give it another go. Who knows what will happen this time. I have many more hobbies to post about now, but will likely still post about bikes, boards, music, and craft. For now, this is a simple WP site, but as time permits, I may take it on as a much larger project to showcase my interests, views, and makings that may or may not resonate with a worldwide audience.
In any case, enjoy your time here, drop me a line if you like (or despise) something I said or made. And by all means, enjoy your own life,… go do something that matters to you. Make something cool. Feel the sun on your face. And let me know where I can see the things you make.
