Heading out for a ride

It's almost 4:00 pm on the Thursday before a holiday weekend, it's sunny, I can't resist any longer - I'm heading out for some miles.

My Birthday Message

I was born 43 years ago today. Then, as now, the world was a scary place. Evil madmen armed with apocalyptic weapons ruled much of the world, and the strongest proponents of peace were being silenced by assassins. Young people took to the streets with fervor that frightened the old. A thoughtful person might have looked at humanity and despaired.

But look what happened - the worst old regimes have fallen and global thermonuclear war isn't a constant threat. Most of Earth's people lived out their days in peace. Billions have been lifted from squalor through their own initiative and hard work, empowered by a little freedom. Fantastic technology allows us to connect with people, access knowledge, and preserve memories. We bound around the globe. And a good idea can change the world more easily than ever.

I claim only partial credit.

We face daunting challenges now, as we did when I was born and as civilization always has. How wrong one would have been to despair! Join me in looking forward to the next 43 years with anticipation, relish and hope. Best wishes to you on my birthday,

Mark Slavonia

Great writing from The Sufferfest

I just purchased an training video for indoor cycling from www.thesufferfest.com, and their e-mail confirmation to me was fantastic! Here it is, in full:

They say that inspiration is to be found in simple gestures. When the word went out around Sufferfest Studios that you bought a copy of our video, a hush descended.

Now, here was a champion!
Here was courage!
Here was someone willing to be put to the sword for honor, for glory!

Into the distance we stared, forgetting our daily work for a moment. We imagined you filling your water bottle, adjusting your heart-rate strap, stepping over your bike. And we imagined you starting, legs spinning, mind finely tuned, spirit focused on one goal: suffer like a greased pig at a rodeo. We reflected on your incredible determination during the intervals, and your peaceful tranquility during the recovery.

One of the more literate members of staff, paraphrasing Plato, jumped up and shouted “For one to conquer oneself is the first and noblest of all victories!” And another responded, in the words of Proust, “We are healed from suffering only by experiencing it to the full!” A raucous cheer went up and there was some chatter about you, your vast potential as an athlete, and the rumors of you being ‘the next big thing.’ A wishing to be more like you crossed the faces of a few.

And then - pity. An instant when we thought of your riding buddies. Of how they go about their innocent ways, how they delude themselves that, on the next ride, they will be the stronger. Oh, the fools! Do they even comprehend the kicking they are going to get when you’re next out with them? Do they have even the briefest inkling that you will not be the same rider? We shuddered.

Our bodies turned back to our work, but our minds lingered on your commitment. You have inspired us. Thank you.