I have many reasons to be happy. I have a wonderful husband and a delightful son. I have a rewarding, challenging job that affords me the privilege of working at a great hospital. I have fantastic friends, good health, and a schedule that’s flexible enough to let me pursue some goals in my free time. (I’m shooting for a “26.2” sticker for my car this year.) I am immensely grateful for all of those things.
It is no exaggeration to say that, among the things that make me happy, being a part of this community is high on the list. I started Blinded Trials a year ago, and I still can’t believe my luck. I felt incredibly honored to have been given the opportunity then, and that feeling hasn’t dimmed a bit since. The League and the sub-blogs comprise a little gem within the teeming morass of the Internet, and being able to contribute to it in some way is such a pleasure. It’s been my goal to write stuff that’s worthy of being part of such a great group, and I hope I’ve been successful in that.
I am also incredibly grateful for everyone who reads what I write and everyone who comments. Insofar as one can be friends with people one hasn’t met in real life (yet), it’s been fantastic to have found so many new friends. I’m always delighted when people tell me they’ve enjoyed what I’ve written and when various conversations spring up in the comment threads. And I’ve been grateful to have had so many intelligent, thoughtful people challenge me with different points of view, and help me recognize weak points in my thinking. Thank you to everyone for reading.
Finally, I have to thank my co-blogger Rose. In addition to being the best friend anyone in the world could hope to have, she is a brilliant, incisive and witty writer, and having her contributing here and at the main page is an incredible gift. I am so glad she’s here.
Here’s to another year!
Hear, hear!
I like so many of the bloggers at the league, but you and Rose are two of my favorite. I look forward to reading more!
I remember when the whole side blogs thing started, and I thought it was a dumb idea. It seems to have worked out in a good way though. I can sometimes be mistaken.
This blog has turned out to be one of my favorites, for several reasons. You tend to explore issues and things to do with daily life rather than espousing partisanship (my faith actually prohibits involvement in politics). You’ve got a good heart, and it shows; to say you are a “decent guy” would be an injustice. Your posts are neither too short nor too long.
I’m more interested in the human part of us than in the political part. It seems as if it’s more difficult being a human being in this world than being a party operative.
I have always thought of the League as a libertarian blog. Perhaps through the exploration of the “liberaltarian” concept, it seems to have taken a roll to port. And likely, the election cycle inclines more people to some degree of partisanship than would be ordinary.
Where I’m at, the hotly contested race was for the position of County Coroner. It was all in the newspaper (published once a week, on Thursdays) for a number of months.
But it seems like, looking back, that as the front pages grew more and more partisan, I came to favor your little side blog much more. I prefer it, actually.
Job well done.
> Your posts are neither too short nor too long.
Yeah, I have this problem…
It’s not really a problem, but it makes the material more accessible.
Three fantastic writers– Tim, Burt, and Murali– all tend to write lengthy posts. I know that, and I know I need to set aside a bit of time to read those. Often, I’ll save the page in a ‘Reading’ folder and get back to it later when I don’t have internet access.
I read somewhere in the 540 words/minute range, and if it’s going to take me longer than 10 minutes to read, I would rather get back to it later. It’s just that my internet time is metered in several small doses.
Sometimes it takes a bit of space to flesh out an idea.
Dude! Have you done the thing where you’re out and about and something weird happens and instead of living the moment you said “I could post about this”?
When I was in college and AIM was all the rage, I used to look at the world as a series of potential Away Messages. I’m sure some people do that nowadays with Facebook, Twitter, and/or blogs.
I’m actually grateful for those moments, which spare me the agony of other common moments wherein I think “what the hell amI going to write about today?”
You’re may favorite blogger, and it’s a privilege to be co-blogging with you!
“(I’m shooting for a “26.2″ sticker for my car this year.)”
Ugh… you’re gonna be one of “those guys”? Not a marathoner… but someone who feels the need to share with the world via bumper sticker.
Yup. Sorry if that dims your opinion of me.
Heh. I’m just joshing you. I tend to find ALL bumper stickers annoying, but there are far bigger worries in the world.
Where are you in your training? I don’t know that I’ll ever do a marathon… just don’t imagine being able to do anything for 4 hours plus without getting incredibly bored. I’ve gotten really into the Tough Mudder and other similar runs… 10-12 miles, but filled with obstacles and stupidity to keep it interesting.
I figure if people want to tell the word their opinion of the Yankees, where they vacation, or about the intelligence of their pure-bred dogs vis-a-vis the honor students of others, I can tell people how far I’ve run.
And I’ve gotten my weekly mileage up to 40 on my best weeks, with my longest training run (months ago) of 18 miles. I’m signed up for a marathon this fall, so I’ll have to ramp things up before then.
“I figure if people want to tell the word their opinion of the Yankees, where they vacation, or about the intelligence of their pure-bred dogs vis-a-vis the honor students of others, I can tell people how far I’ve run.”
In the spirit of celebration, I will join you:
To the end of my driveway. And back.
I’m all for touting accomplishments! If I had any, I’d totally tout them!
There is indeed a difference between touting a well-earned accomplishment (a marathon) and most of the other crap that people put on their bumper. But to each their own.
40 a week! Good god, man! I’ve just gotten back into running over the past month after taking the winter off and am up to about 16. I’d LOVE to get that over 25, with one long run (10-12) and two shorter ones during the week (6ish). Unfortunately, right now, my “long run” is as long as what I want my “short runs” to be.
Good luck with the marathon. I haven’t met anyone who has run one and regretted it.
40 miles per week is my max. It’s usually between 25-30, and I’ll probably mix in some more crosstraining than I used to do, as I’ve been fighting various injuries of late.
Thank you Russel! Both you and Rose as well as the rest of the Gentlemen have become a part of my daily routine
Congratulations on an awesome first year! I eagerly await the next ten.
Happy blogging birthday, Doc. Although I followed you from elsewhere, so it’s not so much of a landmark, really.
I hope my writing has improved, as compared to the old blog.
Congrats Doc, you’ve had a signature year and we’ve all benefitted enormously.
Many thanks to everyone for all the kind regards. It’s really great to share the space with you all.
Congrats..i always like your posts.