What's your story?

"Memory can change the shape of a room; it can change the color of a car. And memories can be distorted. They're just an interpretation, they're not a record, and they're irrelevant if you have the facts." - Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), "Memento"


Weight: 162

Last month I was working my Sunday morning shift. It was slow as usual, and the only other person in the office was a co-worker who came in on his day off to catch up on some of his work. He's a single guy, about my age, maybe a year younger. While we'd worked in the same office for a couple years, we hadn't really worked 'together'. Outside of the occasional sports barb or work related thing, we had not spoken much.

After he got settled in - grabbed his coffee, fired up his computer, went through his Emails - he looks over at me and says "It's going to be a long day Fryer... tell me a story".

That's a slightly daunting task, no? I mean, I was pretty sure we wasn't looking for me to make up some fantasy story about unicorns and rainbows. And even though it was slow at work, there was still work to do and focus on... so if I was going to step up to this task, it had to be something I 'knew'. Something I didn't really have to think about, as much as I just had to recite. Basically, I had to approach this like a whore on dollar night.

Some people would be uncomfortable or offended if they were suddenly asked to 'tell a story'. But really, isn't this a FANTASTIC was to eliminate or avoid a potential 'uncomfortable silence'? If you're out on a date (first or second date), and the conversation isn't going well, or it's too much like an interview with questions and answers, why not just say "So, tell me a story'? What is the worst that could happen? They might say 'you first'... that's it. And you can PICK the story! Instead of asking and answering questions you aren't interested in, you can talk about something you WANT to talk about! Trust me, you are more attractive when you actually care about the words coming out of your mouth.

However, the only way this actually works, is if you LISTEN and are interested and involved in the story. But I digress...

I told my co-worker "OK, let me think of which one to tell you", which sounds like I'm stalling for time, and in a way I was. But really, I have a solid handful of stories that I could have told (which I will blog about someday when I have writer's block). Off the top of my head, there's the infamous 'Bat in the basement story, there's the 'I danced with Madonna' story, there's any number of stories from college... but I went with the "First time I took a girl to a concert" story.

I'm not going to re-tell it here, not now anyway. That's not the point. The point is, I told my story, my co-worker listened. This lead to many exchanged back and forth... about concerts and girlfriends and music. It turned a boring Sunday into something way more enjoyable. We didn't 'compete' and try to 'one up' each other, we just took turns talking and listening.

So... if someone says for you to 'tell a story', do you have one? Do you have a story you can tell regardless of the genders or ages in your 'audience'? When was the last time you told your story? It's good to practice it, to ensure you can tell it without holes or gaps or leaving anything out. Practice keeps the 'facts' straight, and the interpretation clear.

Besides, isn't 'telling a good story' one of those things that everyone should be able to do? Kind of like treading water without panicking or driving a car with manual transmission or telling two good jokes (one clean, one dirty)?

Anyway, not a whole lot else new lately. I've run a little, and the Achilles hurts, but not 'bad'. I think I'll be okay if I don't get too crazy, and just put in the miles I'm supposed to with the restraint over pacing that I'm supposed to have.

I'm slowly getting better at this swimming thing. I'm following a 6 week program, but I'm stretching it out to 10-12 weeks. I'm not in a hurry, no triathlons for another 6 months.

Let the beatings commence!

"Folded in your fleshy purse
I am floating once again
While the muted sounds are pumping rhythm
All the walls close in on me
Pressure's building wave on wave
'til the water breaks - and outside i go, oh"
- Peter Gabriel "Growing Up"


Weight: 161


Still trying to figure out if I'm going to give this blog 'direction' or a 'theme' or anything like that. I'm entirely sure that I would not come up with some original idea that no other blogger has ever thought of, and even MORE sure that I am not going to 'out-write' a professional blogger... so for now, I will continue to ramble.

But I think I did figure out that I need a regular schedule, and for now, I will TRY to make that schedule 'once a week, preferably on Friday'. I think this is good and makes sense for a couple reasons. First, it means I (hopefully) will not burn out right away by over-blogging. I think we've all seen blogs with the best of intentions that come out of the gates firing on all cylinders, but run out of steam and come up lame. (And yes, I did just mix up metaphors for horses, cars, trains, and some other thing... but it works). It will also prevent me rambling on more than I already do.

Additionally, I think it means I'm blogging enough to 'stay current and interesting'. I mean, that's basically 50 blog posts a year (I get a couple weeks off, right?) That's a good number. I know people who've been blogging for 3+ years and they still don't have 50 posts.

One direction I know I do NOT want to take this blog is the "cute things my kid says" direction. I'm assuming someone out there already has a blog covering it, and I'm positive that stories about your kid are NEVER as funny to other people (evne relatives) as they are to you. They can still be funny... just not AS funny. And sooner or later it becomes tedious to the reader. Plus I don't want to wake up Friday morning, realize my kid has been boring lately, and feel the need to pressure her to 'say something funny'. That never works.

However - my 5 year old daughter was watching "The Karate Kid" with me last weekend, and it got to the scene where Daniel (Ralph Macchio) was apologizing to Ali (a delightfully plump but still attractive Elizabeth Shue) at the bottom of the water slide at Golf N Stuff. As they kiss, my daughter says "Is that two girls?" This movie will never be the same for me, as henceforth, Daniel-san is just an ugly tomboy.

As for the commencing beatings... this coming week will be my official return to running after 6 weeks off. I did actually run 2 miles on a treadmill a couple days ago, just to test it out. That went well, but the next day I was more sore than a whore on dollar night. Ideally, I would take more time off and heal and rehab, but I'm a little too pig-headed to do that. I must start running regularly again, and I must start next week.


For my local friends, let me plug Family Care Physical Therapy in Amherst, as they have done a great job in trying to get my Achilles back in running shape. I recommend them to anyone. And if you drop my name, you get your initial consultation free.

I plan on running 5 days a week, starting at 15 miles a week, and working up to 30 miles a week as I traing for the Country Music half Marathon. Additionally, I hope to keep swimming 3 times a week, and bike once or twice a week to keep getting into 'triathlon shape'. AND... still have one day of total rest. Might be a tall order to fill.

I don't know that I'll blog out my actual training - either what I really did, or what I was supposed to do, or am planning to do. Again, I think there are plenty of other blogs out there like that. But if someone wants to know, just ask.

if you're still reading - thank you. And again, I encourage comments and questions. I might run out of things to say one day, and that will help me come up with something. That said, I am NOT blogging about my daughter's first ever play date, the ridiculous fights (2 of them) that my wife and I got into, my opinions on my friends' goofy relationship issues (that they never listen to), how the Haiti earthquake has effected my workplace, and my opinions on the Buffalo Bills recent coach hiring - all things from the last week! So while this is long, it's only about half of what it easily could be... you're welcome.

Day 1 - I'm a Blogger

"Last year, Creed asked me how to set up a blog. Wanting to protect the world from being exposed to Creed's brain, I opened up a Word document on his computer and put an address at the top. I've read some of it. Even for the Intranet, it's...pretty shocking. " - Ryan Howard (BJ Novak), 'The Office"


Weight: 162

Look, I don't know exactly WHY I'm starting a blog. I'm not trying to motivate the world. I'm not trying to motivate myself. I don't think I have super amazing thoughts and insights that will change any one's life. I do not have dreams of making millions of dollars from it, or gaining sponsorship and free stuff. And to be honest, I have plenty of things going on to keep me busy.

I suppose I just want to see what things looks like... over time. Retrospective? Retrospection? Perspective in retrospect? Retroperspective? Is that a word? Should it be?

I do not have a plan or direction for this blog at this time. I'm not blogging for a particular goal, mission, or with a common theme. I suppose I'll just blog about... well... whatever the hell I want to blog about. PLEASE feel free to comment, ask questions, or give feedback, as it will only help shape future blog posts. But don't just comment with 'Yay!' or some crap. It's gay. If you're going to say something... say something.

For now, I won't get into all the different things going on and a lot of history about me. If you're reading, you probably already know. Besides, that way I have something to blog if/when I have blogger's block. And if you are essentially a 'stranger' to me, well, you can get to know me over time.

I'm a parent of a 5 year old girl. And although I think I'm smart enough to be a parent first, and a friend second, I admit... I want to be the cool Dad. And today at the bus stop, I was more popular than a whore on dollar night. It doesn't take much to impress elementary school kids. Being able to pack a round, SOLID snowball immediately makes you pretty popular. That said, I was happy when the bus arrived.

Minor breakthrough in my swim training - I actually completed a full 700m workout yesterday. I know, that sucks. Some of you 'fishes' out there do that for a warm-up. I hate you guys.

I signed up for the Warrior Dash this fall. I can't remember the last time I was this excited for a race. My wife thinks I'm a bit nuts. but once I confirmed that my life insurance was all paid up, she offers her full support in me doing it.

Prior to that - I hope to do at least 3 triathlons this year, and most likely about 5-6 5K races. but first on the scedule is the Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville in April. Official training starts early February. Could be interesting, as I've not run in a month due to some Achilles tendonitis. Lots of physical therapy, and I hope to be on the road soon