Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Today is Thanksgiving here in the US, which means it is time for the cliched and time honored ritual of making lists or emotional statements of all the things we are thankful for- or at least should be.

Why fight against tradition...

Like I am every day, I am thankful for my wife and daughter and their good health. Both of them enrich me more than I can express. I won't wax too poetic here- this time- but I would be nothing without the two women in my life.

I am thankful for the relationship I have with my ex-wife as well- she is a great mother and a valuable partner in raising our daughter.

I am thankful for the health of those around me who I cherish and love so much. Our health is such a blessing and is easy to ignore until it's pushed back in our faces.

I am thankful for my own health again! I get a little frustrated and cranky lately because I have ridden so little the past 3 months due to work, travel, silly injuries and sickness... but to do so is a gift. I was staggeringly close to death just a little over a year and a half ago and today I am well enough to complain about not having the time to ride as often as I would like. When I was lying in a hospital bed, unable to move well and wearing a cervical collar for my broken neck, I swore I'd never take my health for granted again- I think that's part of why I get so frustrated when I can't ride... it feels like breaking a promise.

I am thankful to have a job that I am very passionate about and really love doing. Sure, like all jobs everywhere, there are days when I roll out of bed grudgingly because I'd rather sleep or because the weather is just far too beautiful to be inside staring at a computer. BUT... my entire reason to go to the office is to work on creating ways to help others enjoy the simple joys of riding a bike. In the end, I have nothing to complain about. I design bicycles- not guns. Hallelujah.

I am thankful that I have made so many friends over the past few years via the connections that have occurred due to the simple act of communicating through this silly thing we call the Internet. I have so many friends across the globe- most of whom I've never met and might never meet, yet they are no less real as friends than any other friend I have here in San Diego. Sincerely- I am thankful for having "met" each and every one of you over the nearly 5 years I have been writing this blog. You guys/ gals are the gravy on my potatoes today and always.

I am thankful to have the family I do. Like all families, mine is not perfect, but I am thankful that my family is mine. I have seen other families up close and seen how bad tings can be- I am blessed to have the nurturing and supportive family that I do. They have watched my life take all the twists and turns of a GP race course, they have helped me when in need- or in the hospital, and they have laughed and cried with me along the way. I don't tell them often enough, like most people, but I love them all very deeply.

Now, in just a few minutes, I'm gonna be thankful that the seams on my bib shorts and jersey are strong enough to contain my doughy ass as I go for a nice little ride so that I can have a tiny smidge of an excuse to eat several pounds of turkey, potatoes, stuffing and a few gallons of gravy.

Enjoy your day of thanks as well- no matter how you do it or when.

Tim

It's like dejavu...

It seems like it was just a few weeks ago that I was here in the San Diego airport sitting on the floor with my laptop and waiting to board a plane for Taiwan... probably because it was!

And here I am again. Another two weeks in Taiwan waits for me. The local news media was making quite a big deal about the holiday travel situation and the need to be at the airport early due to the huge crowds of people traveling. The warnings were to be at the airport 2 hours early for domestic flights and 3 hours early for international flights. I got here two hours early and was feeling a little nervous in the cab that I would be cutting it close. Got to the airport and the car traffic looked slightly heavier, though not crazy... although every local news station had their satellite trucks out and news reporters with mics in hand trying to talk to travelers... especially the ones kissing "good bye" and/ or crying.

I stepped in to the terminal and walked straight up to the check-in counter with my bags and then cruised straight on through security without having to even stop. Then I walked straight to the gate! FYI- travel this morning in San Diego is light!

So as Thanksgiving day approaches, I want to say thank you to all of you who continue to come by here and check in from time to time. I sincerely thank you for the support and kindness you have given me over the years- but especially this very trying year. I wish you and all of your friends, family and loved ones the very best this holiday. I am thankful for many little blessings this year. Last November was not an easy one for me personally, but a lot has changed in my life and I am thankful for the people in my life. Thank you for being a part of that.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Tim

Turkey Day

The Princess and Rainbow Bear.

The Princess and Daddy.

The Princess, Daddy and Gramma.

The Special Guest... and he was a good one.



Jackson Carter (getting his groove on)- my sister Mandy's son.

Jackson and The Princess.

My nephew Gianluca, with his mommy (my sister) Sara.

Mandy with Gianluca, Harry (Sara's husband, Gianluca's daddy and my brother-in-law), Mom and my step-dad Rick.

Unky Jeff (father of Jackson, husband of Mandy and my brother-in-law) with Gianluca.

Absent today, was my brother Ronnie and his wife Cheryl and two sons Orion and Nolen, but they had a good reason; at 10:02PM last night, Cheryl gave birth to their third son Adrian. So that now gives me at least 5 nephews! Soon, I'll be able to have my own junior team!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Tim

Being Thankful.

I find myself feeling particularly challenged this year, in the "being thankful" department. Sometimes life is like that though. Just the same, I'm working on remembering the blessings I have because when you take them for granted, they go away.

I am thankful for;
My children- happy and healthy, thank God.
My family.
The friends I have- both in the flesh and those of you I've never actually met.
The job I have that allows me to travel the country and the world- all because of bicycles.
Bicycles- without them I wouldn't have my great job.
The ability to still ride a bike- even if less often than I would like and below the level I would like. Every ride is better than no ride at all.
The ability to be thankful for something, no matter how small or insignificant it might seem to somebody else.

I hope that you have at least a little something you can feel thankful for too. Enjoy Thanksgiving- even if it just means you don't have to work. Be thankful for that and go for a ride. Always remember, things can always get worse. This year, I have been reminding myself of that... more than in previous years. I'm thankful I can still believe it.

Have a great Thanksgiving and spend it doing whatever makes you happy, whether that is being with family and eating turkey (or turkey tofu) or just riding your favorite road or trail. Regardless, enjoy the day and be thankful.

Tim
PS- More Taiwan and Japan pictures and stories coming.