Kyle Banerjee's Blog

Way back in January, I described how I was finishing work on a book I was writing with Terry. Anyone that knows me that will tell you I’m not a procrastinator. Neither is Terry. Nonetheless, we’ve put in lots of time on the project since then, and I just sent the index to the publisher yesterday.

Even though the chapters were theoretically done with time to spare, we wound up working with the editor improving things up to the deadline — you don’t want other people noticing easily fixable flaws since your name’s on the cover. Then, a bunch of production work needs to be done. The editor tweaks a few things, the book gets typeset, and artwork is added.

After we had the camera ready copy in hand, we worked with the editor to change the layout because some of the figures were not clear enough. The publisher has proofreaders, but we went over it with a fine toothed comb to look for small errors. Yesterday, I finally sent in the index — that can’t be written until you know exactly what page everything appears on.

By the time you’re done, you’re pretty tired of it. I remember after finishing my first book project, I swore I wouldn’t do another one because it’s so much work. Two weeks later, I approached Terry and we started this one. I would have preferred to wait, but timing is important.

I’m very happy to be done with this — now I can do something more fun on my weekends. In a bit of coincidental timing, the first royalty check from the first book came in. I used it to buy a new transmission for my bike that will make riding in the mountains much easier.

Despite the fact that I know what I’d write about if I did another book, I’m not going to do it. At least for another couple years…..

This past weekend, I took part in the Everest Challenge. It’s a bicycle race in the Sierra Mountains that’s over 200 miles long with a total elevation gain over 29,000 feet. Even though I was just there to finish and not to race, it’s the most difficult ride I’ve attempted.

It was unusually cold and stormy during the ride. We rode through heavy wind, rain, hail, and driving snow. The weather for the second half of the ride was much better, but it was still very cold. As I started the final climb, I started thinking about why I was out there. I was exhausted and in pain. The straw that broke the camel’s back was I was tired of freezing. I bailed.

The whole point of endurance rides is to challenge yourself physically and mentally. However, it’s also important to have fun and enjoy the scenery. When an event turns into a masochistic exercise in pride, it’s time to think about stopping because it’s not fun anymore and you won’t get any physical or mental benefit either.

Despite not finishing, I’m very satisfied with how things turned out. I rode well for all but the last few miles. I developed a new appreciation for what the other riders go put themselves through to achieve their results.

With the time I saved, I visited the ancient bristlecone pine forest where there are trees over 4000 years old — I’ve wanted to see them since I was 10. And frankly, I’m glad I chose to see the trees rather than spend an extra 2 hours and change torturing myself. They were literally a few yards from the finish line, but I wouldn’t have been in any condition to notice them if I had been too pigheaded to know when to quit.

Preparing for the Everest is a lot of work and it’s a long way away, but I hope I can do it again next year. One thing is certain though. If I ever try it again, I’m doing it with alpine gearing.

I don’t send web links very often, but today I saw what has to be the best practical joke ever. In a nutshell, a guy named Amir gets his buddy Streeter to propose to his girlfriend. The thing is, though, that Streeter doesn’t know he’s going to propose.

I’ve always loved practical jokes, but it’s hard to play them anymore. The very nature of a good prank is it causes short term frustration. Unfortunately, our collective psyche has gotten so fragile that when someone gets upset, there’s a strong tendency to look for some kind malicious subtext rather than laugh and move on.

Fortunately, there still are a few people wandering around who aren’t emotionally traumatized for life by a practical joke. If you like really good pranks, just check out the video and watch a master at work. Those guys must really be good friends.