The End.
In my first job out of college, we had this HR assistant girl who one time replied to an email of mine and told me I was verbose. I took great offense to that, but I took it with a grain of salt because she was pretty bitter that I had declined her offer to go see a John Mayer concert with her. Despite the fact that it would have cost me nothing, I still passed on her offer because she was annoying. I still stand by that decision.
Anyway, my point here is that I’m going to try to keep this short and sweet. This is the final post on eightplustwo. The time has come; this thing has run its course and there is no sense in putting it off. Updating this blog has moved down many rungs on my priorities of things to do. New job, new hours, baby on the way in less than 2 weeks. For a brief, fleeting moment I thought that maybe I would keep the blog going after our daughter arrives. You know, surely there will be hilarious antics to follow. But let’s be real; I’ll have even less free time and the free time I do have I’d rather be doing other things. As a matter of fact, I have literally had the intention of writing this post for weeks now but simply haven’t had the time of motivation to do so.
I am going to miss this blog, I just won’t miss having the pressure to update it. Besides let’s be honest, my adventures on a bike aren’t that interesting. For every story I have to tell, there’s at least 100 people area with practically the same story. I did the derby, I raced Thu worlds, I raced a local race. You know how it goes.
I’ve got no regrets on this blog. I made a lot great new friends through this thing, had a lot of great times, etc. Sure there were a few rough patches, and yeah most will say this thing jumped the shark. I’m not disputing the fact that it did jump the shark, the only debate is at which point. Probably many times. But given the chance I’d do it all again.
This isn’t the end of eightplustwo; only the blog. Eightplustwo will always be the ethos those working class athletes, who put in their 40 hours a week and still find time to train. That won’t ever change. I’ll still be doing it.
Thanks to everyone who’s been a part of this thing for the 3 years of so it’s been going on. It wouldn’t be what it was without the readers. To anyone I offended, I apologize. And to all the haters, keep hating. The world needs you too.
Well look at that, I guess this post turned out kind of verbose. Maybe that bitch was right.
Take care, see you out there.
Matt
As a newbie to your blog, I am glad I found out in the last post what 8+2 meant. So sweet. As I type this on my Droid, I am between the beds of my young sons and thy are falling asleep. Congrats on the soon to be new arrival, and don’t get too stressed when you have to be an 8+1 for a bit longer than you would like.
Hey Matt,
It’s been great getting to know you through your blog and social media. I’ve had your blog on my RSS feed and will miss it….but totally understand you shutting it down. All the best and be sure to hit me up on Twitter or Facebook from time to time.
Darryl
OH man…..and of course I wish you all the best on the birth of your first child. Awesome.
Darryl
I have enjoyed reading your blog. It is always interesting for me to read the perspective of someone else in the same race to compare it to my own.
You, however, are about to embark on the great adventure of fatherhood. The blog should fall by the wayside as your newborn will consume your time and energy. Make no mistake, it is going to be hard. You will not get a lot of sleep for a while. But it will be rewarding too, especially as your child ages and becomes more interactive. My girl just turned 13 and she is a light in my life.
Bike racing will always be there. You can come back and it will be waiting for you. Also, if you don’t have the time to compete as a Cat 2, downgrade. There is a good reason many Dads are Cat 3′s. You will probably be a Master soon, which is where I have found the best racing action.
Good luck and be well.
-Ken
Sorry to see you go, but completely understandable – only so many hours in the day. It’s been fun reading your stuff. Good luck with everything.
I’ve been a reader since the beginning and I am sad to see this blog go but I totally understand. Glad I got the chance to meet you in person, your common sense and down to earth attitude towards racing and life is what drew me to your blog. I enjoyed sipping coffee at my desk and reading your posts, heck you can even say I got paid to be a reader as I did win a cool $100 gift card from you once.
NJRoadie, besides having a good username is pretty dead on. Your life is about to change like you can’t even imagine, all for the better. Best wishes to you and your wife on the birth of your new baby girl and thanks for providing us with some decent entertainment. See you at the races and on FB.
No thanks to your number one fan? I’m pissed.
Weak. Maybe now Pomosomething can start a blog about Dan’s mom.
Matt, Thanks for the years of well written observations. You are right that there is 100 guys at the derby&Worlds, but half of them are riding with their head on backwards, that leaves 50 guys who are not writing about it and not writing about it with your wit, humor and spot on eye. You deserve credit, it was fun keeping up with an inside look at a vibrant scene out in LV. Love that baby and wife, good luck.
Good luck Buddy!!! Always been a big fan, but I’ll be a bigger fan once fatherhood hits you between the eyes.
Please let me know where Pomosomething is writting about Dan’s mom. Maybe your name will pop up on those stories too.
Dan’s mom doesn’t like it when I kiss and tell…
teamlionofflanders.com now has an opening for an ad spot on the jersey since the mighty 8+2.com has fallen. Applications available upon request.
you are the man. even if you are verbose.
now that you are officially done – hopefully we can actually ride our bikes together soon instead of you riding by while I do yardwork.