The secret
Remember I said I had a secret? Time to let the secret out. Its one of the things listed below, the rest are lies. For those who already know, just keep quiet for now (please?).
1. I have finished writing the children’s book that I have always wanted to write (from my 100 things list). Its taken ALL my free time to complete it, especially since I had to learn how to draw pictures because I wanted to illustrate it myself. But finishing it was not the big secret. The BIG secret is that its being published! It should be coming out by the end of May, and you can buy it (or order it) from Amazon or even Borders. And you can tell everyone you know to buy and then I will become filthy rich. Well, no, but it will make me happy anyway. The publisher is really excited and expects a big success. Apparently children’s books are like that. They either sell only a few or sell tons, depending on how they catch on and who carries them. I am overwhelmed to say the least. Its no Harry Potter, but if I see just one kid reading it in a library or at a park, I will be in heaven.
2. After 13 years of living in Michigan, I am leaving the only job I ever had (13 years there too) and heading back east to NY. Its a tough decision and an even tougher 15% pay cut, especially when I factor in the higher taxes. I wanted to head out there to be closer to family (and the East Coast RBF folks :) ). There’s a small patent firm that thinks I have what they need, and I get a year to do my stuff or they give me the heave ho. So, I gave my 2 week notice at work and soon it will be time to leave. Starting over is never easy, and since I’ve never had to do it before, I’m a total mess. No sleep and too damn busy packing to even describe it. The house is on the market (anybody need a house?), and I’m still looking for one out there. Get to live with my folks for a few months (how embarassing is that?). But if I do well, in a few years life will be even better for me and no more long 12 hour drives across the country. I think I need to change my online handle now. :D
3. I know I said I’d never train for another marathon, and that was true. But I didn’t say I wouldn’t try. Or rather, wouldn’t tri. I’ve been training for a tri. Reading Wil’s blog and sneaking (very cleverly) hints from Warren about proper stroke technique, I have managed to pull together the spiffiest training plan. Swimming has been the hardest part, especially trying to figure out when to breathe. I was afraid to say about the training because I didn’t want to be a failure if I broke apart. The race is in May and its a sprint tri (1/2 mile swim, 14 mile bike, 5 mile TRAIL run) so not so big, but big enough for me. Can you believe I can swim half a mile? Actually, I can swim 2 miles, just slooowly. 5 mile trail run, is a pieceo-cake-o-rama. I was made for trails. We won’t talk about my Almira Gulch style bike. Oh yeah, and I ain’t wearin’ no Speedo. Well, maybe a Speedo. :D No, I have a spiffy thin wetsuit kind of thing that I’ll need because its c-c-c-cold up here!
4. My dream is here at last. Lent must have pushed me over the edge because the chocolate craze has hit me permanently. There’s a small chocolate shoppe (Mainly Chocolate, Pinckney, MI) that opened in a nearby town and I went there to check out their wares. The two women who run it are very nice and we got talking about making chocolate. Funny that. They need someone to help with preparation. Well that would be ME! They were going to hire some high school kid to temper and pour molds and move product around, but now they found a genuine chocolate LUNATIC who will do it for FREE! I’ve been working 5 evenings a week, about 2 hours a night. I get my own little Mainly Chocolate apron and a funky hat thing (and a yucky mustache net, boo!). My wife made a joke about coming home smelling like chocolate with chocolate stains on my collar. :)
5. I’m leaving. Sad but true. Not leaving the blogging world, but leaving Complete Running. Mark knows. Its NOTHING Mark did and has NOTHING to do with the website. I love it here! But the truth is that I’ve always wanted my own site, and the types of controls and changes I want to make are not possible as a blog inside another site (or atleast would suck up tons of space). I need smooth FTP access, multiple email/user accounts, and control over the blog software. I also want to have a separate chocolate and running blog, and include how-to videos for making chocolate (how-to videos for running would be just dreadful). Audrey actually gave me the idea when she moved away from eliterunning.com. I can blame her. :) Seriously though, its been great at Complete Running, but I’m getting a new place and EVERYONE is welcome to come visit once its set up which should be next week (or a bit later if I keep screwing it up). Even Pam can come visit, but she has to wipe her feet.
There you have them. 4 lies, one truth. What do you think?
April 27th, 2006 13:51
My first inclination is to go with #3 because this is a running blog, but I am going with #2. You’re good, by the way, because these are all fairly convincing!
April 27th, 2006 14:23
I’m really hoping it’s #1. Now quit toying and tell!
April 27th, 2006 14:42
it had better be #3
three words: New Haven 20K
April 27th, 2006 15:24
My guess is 2. Although, knowing your history, they could all be lies!! (need we recall the “fake baby” incident?)
April 27th, 2006 15:31
The ones that are lies are very well done…you must have been a very manipulative kid! I could really relate to the triathlon one, even if may be a lie, it is similiar to my future. By the way, you have WAY too much time on your hands - you should use the time for good instead of evil and write a childrens book or something!
April 27th, 2006 15:40
So not fair Jon - I say #2!
April 27th, 2006 15:59
I think the truth is #1 or #2.
April 27th, 2006 16:02
2 or 5 maybe? 2 just sounded the most real! if so . . . wow what a huge step! i can’t wait to find out for real. in fact, this was kinda mean!
April 27th, 2006 16:16
I’m going with number 2 BUT you’ve definitely got ienough drama in you that it could be #1. Tease, you’re a tease I tell you. Spill it already.
April 27th, 2006 16:36
they are all true lies!
April 27th, 2006 16:41
It isn’t #1 because books don’t get published that fast and it isn’t #3 because triathletes don’t get trained that fast so clearly you are moving. I’m not sure if you are moving back to NY or you are moving to a different blog but I”m guessing blog because this blog got lost/scrambled/rendered inoperable due to your messing around on more than one occasion. Also, leaving a 13 year job for a 15% pay cut and a 1 year trial? Not likely.
April 27th, 2006 17:50
They’re all so convincing!!
But after thinking for a bit, #1, #3, and #4 don’t hold up. You would have let us know when the book was written - not published. I also don’t believe you would have hidden your tri-ing from us for so long. And volunteering at the chocolate shop? Naah…
I think I’m just biased by #2 because it means you’d be nearby, so I’m gonna go with #5. It also fits with the previous post about “something bad” but not “so bad”.
Can’t wait to find out…
April 27th, 2006 18:31
I’m with Dianna–hoping for #3. But I’m mad that I’m not one of “those who know.” Geesh. What, I had to bribe you or something? :) And they all are convincing!!
April 27th, 2006 18:42
5 is true. But you gave me a good long pause and this is the most time I have reread a single blog entry. Ever.
April 27th, 2006 19:33
I’m going with number 5. Although, yes, all the rest sure seemed plausible.
April 27th, 2006 19:44
Ummmmm I choose…..#
April 27th, 2006 20:50
You’re very creative and a good writer, so I’d love to read a book by you. But I’m going with #2 since you’ve been so busy (and you had that cleaning project awhile ago). When do we find out?
April 27th, 2006 21:27
The book sounds like something you might be working on and still hoping to publish.
Moving to NY makes some sense although I can’t imagine you’d do all that for a pay cut unless you need to be with your parents, not moaning about living with them; so: no.
You’ve been a lazy slacker since Easter (and chocolate) so I don’t believe the tri is coming.
I can see you volunteering in the chocolate shoppe.
You are not a blog techie so I don’t buy that you’re abandoning Mark.
So I think you’ve succumbed to chocolate madness.
Now, on the other hand, you could be up to your usual tricks. You said, and I quote, “There you have them. 4 lies, one truth” which could mean every one of them is mostly lies and has one grain of truth in each…. so … the truths:
#1 You are writing a book
#2 Your house is for sale
#3 You ain’t wearin’ no Speedo.
#4 You are a genuine chocolate LUNATIC
#5 Pam can come visit but has to wipe her feet (in the new house).
April 27th, 2006 22:16
you do know that you are insane, right??? No wonder you are so busy, cooking up posts like these! You’re like…like…an evil genius!!!!!
gosh, this is HARD.
#1. no book.
#2. possible, but to be closer to RBF people? What kind of job gives you a year to screw up? plus, you didn’t say where in new york. alarming lack of detail.
#3. Not likely.
#4. Now, this is possible. But your family would probably kill you for deserting them.
#5. This could easily be done.
(BTW, I already know the answer. Mwuhahahhahaha!!)
April 28th, 2006 00:30
I HATE secrets!!!! This is just the kind of thing that gives me insomnia. You loved running with those Eastern RBFers so much, I’ll say #2.
If you’re publishing a hit children’s book, and didn’t share about this before … I’ll … I’ll … make up lies on my blog and drive you crazy. Yep. Don’t dare me.
C’mon. Spill it.
April 28th, 2006 09:35
I’m going with #2, but only because your post “Oh so very bad” in this context sounds like you decided to accept a job and embark on a fairly major life change.
April 28th, 2006 16:10
what do i win?
April 28th, 2006 21:22
Jon, April Fools was almost a month ago and you suck for torturing us like this.
April 29th, 2006 08:14
Come on! A.Maria has crossed over to the tri-side…. you can do it Jon, and you’ll totally destroy the run, which is what usually destroys others ;)
May 24th, 2006 09:13
Holy crap on a stick!
If there’s anything I can do to help with the move; let me know…