A little about me

There are a thousand things I could blog about: Christmas, sushi, Kindles, children, the book I started writing, the book I went back to fix something in, the contest I won, email, fabrication with duct tape and foam core board, desk arrangements, the utter lack of snow on the ground, etc.

But I want to say something that only I can say. There are millions of people expressing opinions and viewpoints out there, offering advice, critiquing, etc. (That's the word of the year, I just decided. Et cetera.) Many of them are very good, insightful, inspiring, etc. (Okay, maybe that's obnoxious.) I want to say things that only I can say. And so, even though there are also a thousand people doing similar things for hundreds of blogfests, I'm going to say a little about myself.

Hi, I'm Ben.

I love cross country skiing. Since I was a little boy, I've gone with my dad and his friends skiing up the mountain behind our old house or one of the canyons. We don't ski flat ground or groomed trails, and we don't use so-called telemark skis and boots like people use at resorts. We're on a never-ending quest for the perfect powder on the perfect slope to make perfect S-curve telemark turns without falling down. I almost always follow my dad down the hill, making my turns exactly opposite his, like sine waves half a wavelength out of sync. That's the goal, anyway.

I love cycling. My dad is also to blame for this. Before I started writing seriously, I identified strongly as a cyclist. I rode over 100 miles a week, usually commuting to and from work. My daughter's mountain bike cost more than most adult's bikes, and it's not because we're rich. It's just our priority. In fact, our recumbent trike would sell for more than the car I drive to work. Nowadays, I usually only do short rides with the family.

I love trying new things, and I also hate trying new things. (I suspect many people are like this.)

I'm a hopeless romantic, but I don't buy my wife flowers. They're expensive and useless, and she'd rather get Star Trek DVDs anyway.

I'm a feminist, I guess, because I see sexism and disrespect for women every time I watch TV. (Part of the reason I don't watch TV very often.)

I'm an environmentalist, but not as much as when I rode my bike to work. Something about bike commuting changes your perspective on conservation.

I'm a liberal, but only by Utah standards. I'm not affiliated with a political party.

I like spicy food.

I'm an introvert. That means I'm happy to talk to you, just not if we're in a large group.

I'm a Mormon. I don't bring that up in casual conversation, but it underlies every aspect of my life.

I like talking about myself. (Haha! Obviously.) I also like talking about my wife, but I'm afraid it would sound like bragging.

Happy new year! And no, I haven't resolved to blog regularly or better in any way, so don't get your hopes up. Sorry.

Comments

  1. I like this idea. I'm going to steal it. Thanks, Ben! Nice to get to know more about you:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Me, my husband, and you and your wife need to live closer together.
    Seriously.

    Flowers? Useless.
    But Star Trek will live long and prosper.

    Also - my husband is the extrovert when we're out. I love to observe.

    I just love your list.

    I'm nodding at everything thinking - yep, that's me.

    I MAKE myself try something new every year. I'm not sure what to do this year.
    Last year was getting published, which just sort of happened, but it was still terrifying. (and I think kind of cheating)
    I just think it's important for us to be completely out of our comfort zone once in a while.

    Some things stick - rock climbing, sewing, yoga.
    Other things don't stick - knitting (gag) and mountain biking - not because I don't love it, because I do but because it's really expensive and something that I can't do with my kids.

    Okay.

    I'm OFFICIALLY rambling.

    Great post.

    next time I'm in Utah we'll do something really wild like play cards, watch the Daily Show, and recycle.

    PS - do you guys watch Doctor Who?

    ReplyDelete
  3. You need to tell me to shut up once in a while, because that was a REALLY long comment.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nice to meet you, Ben! I agree with you that trying new things is fun, even when you sometimes have to force yourself to. Change is hard!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's good to know you better Ben.

    I'm an environmentalist, feminist, liberal as well...but only by Utah standards. Growing up in the East Bay I was just normal. The first time someone in Utah called me a 'hippie' it took me a while to figure out they were trying to insult me. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Ben. You are everything I ever wanted in a guy. Will you marry me?

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

No, wait! I like this query better!

The Writer's Voice

LDS Writer Blogfest: The Atonement Covers All Pain