My Life Behind Bars: July 2011

Wednesday Quote Change

"The only thing constant in life is change" Joe Montgomery Founder of Cannondale Bicycles

Thirteen years ago I worked for Cannondale Bicycles. Joe Montgomery said that at a sales meeting. I have used that statement many times in my life to help me be at peace with changing circumstances in my life.

Let me take two steps back here.

I was having a good time writing this blog, writing about My Life Behind Bars. It has been a good outlet for my creativity and a good escape from a crazy time in my life that started about the same time I started writing. I enjoy sharing my perspective and the experiences I get to have.

Somewhere along the way I stopped being real. To paraphrase Howard Stern "You have to be real and genuine for people to care" I realize this is a loose interpretation but it works for him. I live this way in "real life" but for some reason I was trying to be someone else online. That is going to end.

I have an off color sense of humor, occasionally I curse, Ok more than occasionally, and I love to ride my bicycle. This last year I ended a 17 year marriage, I started a new venture working for BMC, (leaving a very stable job with Giant), and left that job with BMC about three months ago.

Leaving the marriage was my choice and the most difficult decision I have ever made. Leaving Giant was my choice and I was excited at the possibility. Leaving BMC was not my choice but in the end it worked out for the best.

I have partnered with a group of people to represent several quality brands. This is a great opportunity for me and I am excited at the possibility. 25 plus years of experience has made it possible for me to align with Easton/Bell/Giro, Yakima, Camelbak, Power Bar, Go Pro and Chrome bag's.

If you work at a shop and read this expect me to be in your door selling you these fine item's. If you are a reader expect some video's via Go Pro camera's and other item's I am selling to be discussed here. This won't turn into a full time commercial but I am proud of these brand's and use them all.

Thank you all for reading. Post's may not get any more frequent but I enjoy this outlet and hope you all do to. Then again maybe they will.

Random fact of the day: when I was very young I wanted I whale in my bathtub. I kind of still do.

Ride your bike, have fun,

Gary

Stevie Wonder Saturday We Can Work it Out

This is how you do a remake. A great tune done by the man.

Wednesday Quote An Open Love Letter to my Mom

"I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine - she helps me grow, prosper, and reach great heights." ~Terri Guillemets

I am an unapologetic Momma's Boy. The reason is because my mother is an amazing woman. She (obviously) has been my mother my entire life but as I became an adult she has become my friend.

Without a shadow of a doubt my mother is the biggest influence in my life and if I had to choose a hero that I aspire to be like It would be my mom. Now some may be asking why I am having this mushfest for my mother. It is my Mom's birthday today and she is impossible to buy anything for. My mom loves a thoughtful handmade gift or just time spent together.

I figured I would take this opportunity and scream my undying affection from the rooftop of the worldwide web.

Growing up my mom was both my Mother and my Father. She remarried when I was eleven years old and I also have undying affection for my "Dad", but my mother taught me the basic's of who I am through my formative years. As a teenager and into my early twenties it struck me how hard mom had to work to make things so called normal for my brother and I.

A single mom raising two high energy boys and keeping a household together is a tough job. I always thought that she was super strict growing up. As an adult and later a parent I realized that she was being a parent, and in my opinion a damn good one.

My brother, my friends and I all knew that Pat (my mom) didn't take any shit. If you were screwing up, you knew it, if you didn't follow the rules, you knew it. Funny thing was my house was always busy people wanted to be around. That had to be because the "rules" weren't nonsense, they weren't dictatorial they were designed to raise children to grow up to be adults. Adults that don't feel entitled.

One of the saying's I grew up with was "When you least expect it, Expect it" This wasn't some sick corporal punishment reference, it was her way of teaching us that you should behave well no matter what. In short act like your mom would approve at all times. Did I always do this? No. Has this helped me to make the right decision countless times? Yes.

My brother and I would be home by ourselves after school every day. We were those "Latchkey kids" of the 70's. Mom had to make a living, and my brother and I enjoyed the freedom. We weren't alone roaming like wolves; Aunt Ginny and Uncle Chuck were on the end of the block and Grandma & Grandpa were 2 blocks away. There was ton's of family around always.

Often time's we would be playing matchbox after school and mom would just walk in the door. Just checking in. In hindsight she was probably running an errand from work or something but at time's she would catch us messing up. That was when we would hear "When you least expect it; Expect it" For the most part it worked.

When my first daughter was born mom gave me a piece of advice. She is not one to "meddle" in or micro-manage my life. If I ask for advice (which I do) she is glad to give it. Luckily she doesn't butt in and comment on everything I do. I appreciate that, and when she does offer unsolicited advice it means I listen all that much more.

Paraphrasing here--- my mom told me "Your job is to be a parent to this child. Be fair but be consistent. Don't make false threats or promises. If you tell her you are going to break her arm you damn well better be prepared to do it. If you aren't then don't say it"

Now don't go thinking my mom likes to beat baby's or anything, she is kind and gentle. She was reiterating to me that I must do what I say and say what I do. I think of this often and it has forced me to hold my tongue several times in raising my children. This piece of wisdom along with countless other's has helped me to have two daughters that are fantastic young adults and human being's.

When I first started working in bicycle shops my mom was supportive. I was 17 and had a job. When I continued to work in them I think she was less then happy and wished I would get a real job. When I took my first "professional" job in the industry she came right out and told me I could be picking a better profession. Being as stubborn as her I kept doing it. Years later my mom told me that she was proud of me for following my passion and that she was proud of the man I have become. That was an amazing feeling.

I don't ask much of you; the readers of this blog. I am going to ask you to do something for my mom's birthday. Take a moment and call your mom today and tell her you love her. I am sure she will appreciate it.

Happy Birthday Mom! I love you to the moon and back. Thank you. Thank you for all you have ever done, and continue to do for me.

Wednesday Quote HTFU

HTFU = Hoogerland the F#&* Up
Picture via Cyclingnews.com and the AFP

"If we fail we win, If we win we improve" Heard today

The posts have been sparse. I am in the midst of hitting the reset button on myself. Amazingly enough that takes quite a bit of time. Luckily I have been riding my bike to maintain sanity.

I have not missed a Wednesday Quote yet so I feel compelled to do so even if its brief.

The picture above is not the gruesome shots of Johnny Hoogerland that we have seen of him sliced and flying into a fence. What it shows is a person who perseveres and overcomes obstacles.

He didn't fail and he didn't win the race but he sure as hell improved. There are lessons in life to be learned from his predicament. Think about it a bit and take something positive away. Johnny would probably want it that way.

Wednesday Quote Success

“A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do.” Bob Dylan

Now Bob and I may have different ideas of what we "want to do" but the sentiment is the same. He wants to sing songs from the heart, and I want to ride my bicycle, hang out with people who like to ride bicycles, talk about bicycles, and write about bicycles and bicycle riding.

This weekend I celebrated the independence of our nation from a nation that I admire by being a success. I woke up in the morning rode my bike, did whatever else I wanted and went to bed with my belly full of barbecued meats and a few adult beverages. That is what I call "Winning".

A 100 mile jaunt to the beach on Saturday started things off just how the doctor ordered. And by the doctor I mean me. I fed my obsession with signs by grabbing a few choice ones. I didn't stop for all of them because I wanted to keep my legs turning and the wind in my hair.