Chapter One.

My cousin Edithe died a few weeks ago. (Yes, Edithe with two E's. Old skool. That's how we do it in my family - that's the way we roll.)

Along the way, we discover the real reasons for why we first begin. And from this far out and this long gone, I can finally see why I did. I have lots of titles, so it was never about the procuring and pinning of another. It was never about an accolade, or even about acquiring a smattering of recognition for having 'taken on'. I have lots of accolades. And have been plenty recognized.

It’s so close to being “go-time” that I can taste it. Hard work is what defines us as triathletes, and I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to begin another year of it.

A few moons ago I wrote a piece called Triathawhat? in which I blathered on about the fact that Triathlon hasn't gotten any respect in the past. You remember that, right?

So apparently the earth has been shaking out in Kona. They had to evacuate the Four Seasons Hotel. I also heard somebody's TV fell off it's stand. And apparently a surfer decided to call it quits a little early that day. I lived in Los Angeles during the Northridge quake in 1994. That rattler registered at 6.4 on the Richter scale. I believe the Kona shaking peaked somewhere around 6.5.

So I think it's about time I write down some goals, a la TriTeacher. I am sort of a person who feels a bit lost without goals. Now, a lot could change, but if all goes well next year, here are my goals:

Curling is a silly sport. When given the opportunity, I will make fun of it without a single moments hesitation. It's just too easy.