Turning it up to eleven
Scenic Route turned eleven today.
Back in the day, when most were using stone knives and bearskins to create web sites, I started with FrontPage and 56k modem. After a couple of years I upgraded my skills and began hand-coding. For a while I was something of an authority on Standards Compliance.
Four years ago I got lazy and started using blog software. It still looks weird to me that pages are backwards with the newest entries at the top.
For a few years in there I had my own server. There’s lots of interesting stuff you can do with your own server. Little of it appeared here, however. For a while there too, I was something of an authority.
Now I’m back to having an account on someone else’s server. I can’t be bothered to phone tech support to have them fix the issue that prevents me from uploading and importing pictures to the gallery. Hell, I can’t be bothered to write three lines of code to make the CSS work in the old hand-coded pages.
Things change. I have, that’s for certain, and I’m grateful for it.
When I started I was recently separated, working full-time and spending my nights with a bottle of Dewar’s and porn sites. Vulnerability and desperation led, a few months later, to falling for a small-time felon, rentboy and drug addict. I was on the way anyway. He just speeded up the process.
I don’t regret it at all, for it led to recovery. Now those were long and painful years. I had blind faith in the process and somehow, the process indeed worked.
I came to a place I’d heard about and dreamed of—happiness and satisfaction with myself, my place in life and where I seem to be heading. I learned along the way that I shouldn’t count on anything in particular in the future. So I don’t. I set a general course and let the road take me where it may.
And so we turn it up to eleven…
...saying Happy Birthday Scenic Route. It’s been an interesting road that’s sure to go to many more interesting places.
January 15th, 2009 at 3:29 pm UTC
Bruce, having followed your saga almost from day 1, I’d like to say how great it is that you have come through the bad times and found a rewarding new life.
I have to admit that the bike stuff doesn’t really grab me (not having cycled since I was a teenager), but I still read everything that you write, for old time’s sake. So congratulations on 11 years of Scenic Route, and may the route always continue to be scenic.
All best wishes,
Chris
January 15th, 2009 at 10:28 pm UTC
Oh, wow, congratulations! I think I started reading you about a year in or so. I have bike envy, and you are one of the most delightful men I know, so I’ll keep reading.
I think the first email I sent you said I wished I had a penis. Still stands. You’d make an awesome boyfriend. 
January 18th, 2009 at 12:59 am UTC
Hey Bruce-
Congratulations on 11 years – I can’t believe I’ve been reading you for almost that long! Yours was one of the first online journals I began reading way back when, and I think it’s the only one that has survived the passage of time. On reflection I am amazed at how different both our lives are today compared to then. Once again, congrats and be well!
Rob
January 24th, 2009 at 12:41 pm UTC
Heya Bruce,
Happy #11. It’s good to make it through darkness and find how delightful the light really is. I can relate.
your friend from BikeJournal,
woodog