obelisk

Well, here's the first in a series of belated end-of-2007 wrapup blogs! Jeez, it was a fairly eventful year. I recall it starting with a rather discontented winter, wherein after much moping I decided that this was the year I'd pull the trigger and move from Chicago to L.A. Said moping was somewhat alleviated by a series of rather fun dungeon parties hosted by Cleo. Note to self: remember to keep in mind goal of purchasing a Violet Wand. Oh, and when I get one... ("Cue evil laugh, annnnd go evil laugh!") muah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Having decided on the big move, I decided to get my act together. I got over my bad attitude at my day job, went on a low-carb diet and bought a bike. That last item has made a huge difference in my life. I started riding 10 miles a day and between that and the diet, I lost about 45 pounds, resulting in the new, svelte, more aerodynamic Obelisk you see before you today. I also discovered that regular riding just makes me happy. My bicycling high point this year was riding 65 miles to my mom's house in Beverly Shores, Indiana. I did the last hour in the dark with just my headlight through the swampy section of the dunes. I remember seeing the moon shining low in the sky over a little patch of bog with sleeping herons. Probably the most beautiful thing I've seen all year and if I hadn't decided to do a whole string of new things--buying a bike, getting in shape, deciding to take a cross-state ride 3 times further than I'd ever ridden before--I'd never have seen it.

Of course, if I hadn't been drinking the night before and gotten a start earlier in the day, I wouldn't have seen it either, which slightly undercuts my healthy, life affirming message there.

Next episode: I play Da Mayor and get a thumbs-up from Roger Ebert.