How time flies

Occasionally I enjoy a trip down memory lane and reading old blog posts will definitely take you there. Often times the things I’ve written sound so different from the person I am now that I wonder if it was truly me who penned them.

I’ve started many blogs for many different reasons; I’ve dedicated them to the subject of cars, guns, pens, and a technology. Most of the time I end up hating what I wrote or just getting bored with the subject. Sadly I have no record of those sites but this one provides a peek at my interest moving from bicycles to pens to writing.

Join me as I point out a few interesting things from the past.

Back in 2009, I got the bright idea that I wanted to start riding BMX bikes. Mind you, I was 30 years old and this was not my best idea. Things tend to heal a bit slower when you’re past your 20’s and I found this out the hard way. In the post “More Problems, More Money” I see a quick mention of something I’m all too familiar with even here in 2012. I’m spending a lot of time and money building bicycles but not actually getting outside and riding.

Later in August, I wrote a post called “Success and how we get there which went further on the subject. No matter how much money I spend on pens or bicycle parts, I don’t improve without practice. Fancy pens don’t improve your penmanship or writing skills if they’re sitting in a drawer while you watch Dancing With The Stars. I may have a custom built BMX bike but I still can’t fakie and I think we can all figure out why.

In September of 2009, I got the bright idea to start a new pen forum called Styloforum. Like almost all of my website ideas it didn’t last that long although I let it languish for quite a while. I actually just shut it off earlier this year knowing I would never return. Sad, it probably had some potential but my hobbies come and go without my control.

I need to note that I’m amazed at how much I wrote in 2009. Of all my blog attempts, this one might have held a record.

At some point in September 2009, I started focusing more on pen and paper topics. I still remember being a little nervous about blasting Field Notes in my review of the Mackinaw Autumn version. Back then I was a fountain pen guy and nothing else mattered, these days I’m quite accepting of the gel pen. I’ve also purchased every limited edition Field Notes they’ve offered since that review. It’s hard not to support a company that uses Michigan companies to make their product.

Ah look at this, I’m struggling with the writer label. This is a constant in my life, I’m still arguing with myself about it to this day. I want to write, but I don’t do it as often as I’d like.

Here’s an ironic one, I bash on Moleskine. After all that, I’m still using the exact same notebook I reviewed. Obviously I don’t write in it very often but it’s neat to see things from every year since 2009. Since writing this review, I’ve become a pretty big fan of Moleskine despite all the fake back-story crap.

In November of 2009, I attempted NaNoWriMo and succeeded. That marks the point where I began ignoring the blog albeit for honorable reasons. I’ve had dreams of trying NaNoWriMo again but have not even attempted it since.

In 2010 I tried my hand at writing about technology with my initial thoughts on the iPad. As iOS 4 and 5 came, I stuck with that machine and loved it more and more each year. Now I have a third generation iPad and am still using it daily.

In 2012 I started writing about technology on another domain but ended up scrapping it because I didn’t like my voice. Perhaps this blog can absorb a bit of the tech side of me.

That brings us to now, 2012 where a lot of things have changed in my life. In the missing 2 years I’ve lost a job, found a new place, then returned to the original company. I’ve celebrated my 2nd wedding anniversary, acquired a tiny dog, and bought a home. And through it all, I still have my BMX bike, my pens & paper, and my iPad.

Maybe things haven’t changed as much as I think?