“Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed?” Think about that one for a minute…………………………..

I recently came across this quote about a month ago. It jolted my insides. It really did. My mind wanders pretty much on a constant basis. More so in the past year or so. Most of it relates to what I wanna do with my time on this planet. This 80 year  journey of life. Am I just gonna sit back and do things in a safe manner? Or am I going to get out there and take risks? This quote may not apply to everyone. Some people are just fine and dandy with being “on shore”, but I want to accomplish something big. I want to be remembered that I made a difference during my life. We only get one shot at this life thing right? So why not make the most of it.

My first love, and will always be my first love is bicycles. When my career is all said and done, I’m sure I will have been in the bicycle industry throughout my years. I love the sense of freedom you get when you are riding a bike. Never had that before on one? Next time you go out on a bike ride, don’t bring you’re Ipod, don’t bring with you the daily issues, the stress, personal problems. Get out there with a clear mind and listen. Listen to the wind in you’re ears. Listen to the leaves bustling in the air. Birds chirping, or the Ocean if you can. I heard a quote on a show last night about the Ocean. “Listen, beautiful isn’t it? The worlds oldest song.” Riding down the trail and seeing wild turkey’s running around, and deer grazing. You can’t experience these things driving around in you’re car. Thats what I love so much about this industry. We promote good health, and well being. In a time of Global Warming, “unfortunate consequenses”, and to some impending DOOM, we can shed some light on the topic. Getting out and riding a bike every day does no harm to the environment and its surroundings. I wouldn’t pick any other industry for my career path.

What about doing this writing thing I’ve been talking about for so long? Yes. I still would like to pursue that as a side project.  I want to learn more of the English language and find unique ways to use it. I want to write about certain topics in a unexpected, unusual, and weird way. I think the main thing I would want to write about on a daily basis are current events. I can’t get enough of it. I’m constantly perusing through every website I can think of. ABC News, CNN, Fark, Drudgereport, WCCO, ESPN, and many others. Almost like I am reporting the news only in a odd, twisted manner. No, not reporting, but putting my insight on the topic. Using my opinions. There would have to be some humor added in for sure.  Would people read this? Who knows. I must try right? Brave that storm of life. Perhaps there is a form of this writing already out there. The quote that is above was written by Hunter S. Thompson.

Of course when people think of H.S. Thompson they think of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Indeed this was a very well written book, but I believe most people out there think all this man was good at was getting stoned, ripped, twisted, and then would write about those experiences. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is his version of a failed Gonzo experience. I hate people that are fans of him for that reason, and that reason only. He was much more of that. He almost became sheriff of Pitkin County, near his hometown in Colorado. He was very much involved in politics, and throughout the 60’s and 70’s did many different reports and articles on political events, and figures. That’s the real Hunter Thompson. Its his letters in “Fear and Loathing in America” that really show his true writing style. He is the number 1 reason why I would want to become a writer. Not because he would get ripped all the time. It was because of his style of writing. I like to think of it as a go all out style. He didn’t hold back. If someone pissed him off, he let them know about it. He spoke his mind. I like that.

So what am I going to do about it? Go big or go home. I’ve got ideas, lots of them. I just need to turn them into reality.