Tales From The Ipe!

On Facebook, it seems like everyone and their mother has been filling out one of those “25 Random Things about X.” I want everyone to know right now that, good for you, but I’m not doing one. Time magazine writer Claire Suddath penned an article, 25 Things I Didn’t Want to Know About You, and sums up my opinion as well.

25 Random Things.... Facebook

An estimated 5 million of these notes — that’s 125 million facts — have appeared on the website within the past week.

I had not realized that anyone had counted how many. Yikes.  A few of the ones I’ve read are pretty entertaining (you know who you are), and some pretty boring (you don’t know you are, because I was polite), but for the most part, yawn.   In any case, years ago, I wrote up my own list of self-trivia, so I have no need to plagiarize myself.

Don’t call it a comeback
I been here for years
Rockin’ my peers and puttin’ suckas in fear
Makin’ the tears rain down like a MON-soon
Listen to the bass go BOOM
Explosion, overpowerin’
Over the competition, I’m towerin’
Wreckin’ shop, when I drop these lyrics that’ll make you call the cops
Don’t you dare stare, you betta move
Don’t ever compare
Me to the rest that’ll all get sliced and diced
Competition’s payin’ the price

Last year was a tough year.  Less focus on being me, and more focused on just surviving.  Two children driving us mad, sleepless nights, lots of professional travel away from the family and friends….. truly, the busiest year of my life, and I’m just 32.  I never got to exercise, no cycling, and there was no downtime.  I haven’t been to the doctor in years. I haven’t been to the dentist longer than that.  Enough, I say.

This year, it’s back to being me.  Back to having a life.  Back to being an outstanding employee, and enjoying my career.  Back to being healthy. Back to basics. The question is how do we accomplish this?

1. Having a life — my wife and I are taking advantage of the family babysitting, and kids’ night out events, so that we can go out to dinner regularly like adults with no high chairs or formula bottles necessary.
2. Enjoying my career and excelling — My schedule/workload has lightened up (or balanced out), and now I can actually concentrate. And I’m so much happier now.
3. I am also taking the CISSP exam this summer.  Have I said that before?  Yes, but see bullet #2 above.  It’s hard to find time to study when you feel like you’re hanging on by your fingernails.  This time, I will take it, I am taking, and I will pass.  Why?  Because f$%# it, this is my life, and I want to do it.  I passed the CISA with 3 months of studying.  That’s what I do. Even with kids, 6 months is plenty of time.
4. I had my first general physical checkup last week, after 4 years.  I went to the dentist last week for a checkup, and an intense cleaning today.  How long has it been?  Don’t ask, but hey, I did it.
5. I went back to the gym on Tuesday for the first time in almost a year.  Tomorrow, I have an appt with the trainer to start a fitness / get back in shape program for this year.  It worked for me 8 years ago, and it will work now.
6. Once I shed some excess baggage, I can fit in my cycling clothes, and be on the road cycling in the Spring.

Enough is enough. I am on the road to recovery.  I am going back to being ME, and I could not be happier.  I feel it already.