advice for the LDR enthusiast .

Long distance relationships are not easy. But there are things you can do to make them easier... much easier. And so, given that I've been experiencing these things firsthand, I thought it would be nice to share them.

growing up in the 21st century .

When I first entered high school, the problems began. I wanted more independence, and my parents were not so keen to give it. I wanted desperately to be able to explore the world on my own. I wanted to be able to make my own mistakes and then learn from them. I wanted to be able to loosen the leash, to let me fail sometimes. The last thing I wanted, and the last I needed were overprotective parents. At least, that's the way I saw it. The first day freshman year started, I was a changed person. Throughout my four years of high school, I grew farther and farther away from my parents. Since I am still young and my viewpoints have yet to be altered by the chains of parenthood, let me explain something to the mothers, fathers, guardians etc. out there. When your kid begins to push the boundaries, breaking the barrier is inevitable. The thing is, some people will open the gate, and others will wait until their kids break through the fence.

attn: cyclists .

When they first get started, people see cycling as maybe a mild hobby, or just something that keeps you sorta kinda in shape. What you eventually realize is that there is a huge community of cyclists out there and that they all are ADDICTED to it. I am one of these people -- and here are some suggestions / guidelines / advice from it all, should you get to that point.