It's Wednesday already. Has it really been almost a week since I've posted here?
My weekend got busy to the point I don't think I was online for more than a few minutes here and there thru the end of the day Monday. It was a "good" busy, but anyone waiting for an email from me or expecting something from me didn't see much until yesterday.
I'm back in Raleigh now, so I've got a little time on my hands. I really don't do all that much here, although someone at work is trying to get me to do CrossFit with her next week. What I really want to do is go to my usual Barre class, but I've got a lot of work stuff going on this week so it's not going to happen until I get home.
We're experiencing a bit of "spring" across the southeast - it got near 70 here today and is forecast to get into the mid 70's for the weekend. Needless to say, I'm loving it. It's not quite bikini weather, but springtime in Charleston is magical. And, God willing that nothing sidetracks me between now and the summer - there WILL be a bikini in my future this summer.
There are a couple of things to comment on today.
First, I received an email from the National Cathedral in Washington DC indicating that they will begin performing same-sex weddings (read it here). Love, love, love this.
Second, I got to my hotel room last night and watched a show on PBS I've mentioned here before, American Experience. It was the first of three episodes titled "The Abolitionists", and I found it fascinating. The entire first episode is available online (watch it here)....
Tonight - Maggiano's. It's one of my favorite parts of my trips here. The good news is that it's near my favorite mall, the Nordstrom's Rack, the REI, and other good stuff. Then tomorrow....work, then home!
No complaints. I'm feeling good, starting a new project at work, good balance going on. For now. :)
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Friday, January 4, 2013
My groove.
Today has felt like the most "normal" day of the week. That is, I drove back from Raleigh late yesterday and worked from home the same as any other Friday. As far as I'm concerned now that all the tumult of the election and the Holidays are behind us the best thing to do is to get into a groove for a little while. Well - for better or for worse - this is my groove.
A couple of things from today are worth mention....
First, I went to Barre class again. I'm still loving them, and can see myself going three times a week for a long time to come. My Groupon "starter" sessions are almost over so I'll need to get serious about 'em. Next class for me: Sunday.
These classes are part of a bigger effort on my part. My goal of reshaping my body a bit, gaining some of my flexibility, and taking more control of my overall health is at the forefront of my thinking right now. I'm not thinking about it as a New Years Resolution so much as a good time to just get back to it.
The second item of the day is that I went to see the doctor today. Over the past several months she had been concerned about my blood pressure. We weren't sure it the high readings were due to stress, to some sort of physical cause, or if it was something short-term or persistent. Well, a month ago she put me on some new BP meds that we wanted to try for a few weeks.
My BP today was as near "normal" as it has been in a long time. That was good news. I also got my estrogen shot. That's always good....
I really like my doctor. She gave me a light check-up, but my annual "major" check-up will be next month to coincide with my birthday. I'm hoping there are no major surprises like the melanoma news from 2009. I also go in to get my blood checked each year, so I can compare it against previous draws. Anyway - that's all ready to happen over the next few weeks.
I made the mistake of seeing how much I weigh. Yeesh. I've mentioned in the past that I don't weigh myself - so although I've got a general sense of my size based on how my clothes fit I don't know exactly. Well, after what I saw at the doctors office today I can confidently say that by the time my birthday rolls around in 6 weeks I will have lost a dozen pounds. And I'll expect to stay there for a long time.
I've signed up for some free courses on Recording at Guitar Center over the next few weeks. It's probably a mistake to go to these things as I've always been interested, and I can see myself getting "hooked". I don't need another hobby. Oh well. That, plus some time at the gym, should fill up most of the first half of the day....
As for today - I expect to be in bed by 10 or shortly after. These are long weeks regardless of if I'm in a groove or not. The good news is that I generally sleep well. :)
A couple of things from today are worth mention....
First, I went to Barre class again. I'm still loving them, and can see myself going three times a week for a long time to come. My Groupon "starter" sessions are almost over so I'll need to get serious about 'em. Next class for me: Sunday.
These classes are part of a bigger effort on my part. My goal of reshaping my body a bit, gaining some of my flexibility, and taking more control of my overall health is at the forefront of my thinking right now. I'm not thinking about it as a New Years Resolution so much as a good time to just get back to it.
The second item of the day is that I went to see the doctor today. Over the past several months she had been concerned about my blood pressure. We weren't sure it the high readings were due to stress, to some sort of physical cause, or if it was something short-term or persistent. Well, a month ago she put me on some new BP meds that we wanted to try for a few weeks.
My BP today was as near "normal" as it has been in a long time. That was good news. I also got my estrogen shot. That's always good....
I really like my doctor. She gave me a light check-up, but my annual "major" check-up will be next month to coincide with my birthday. I'm hoping there are no major surprises like the melanoma news from 2009. I also go in to get my blood checked each year, so I can compare it against previous draws. Anyway - that's all ready to happen over the next few weeks.
I made the mistake of seeing how much I weigh. Yeesh. I've mentioned in the past that I don't weigh myself - so although I've got a general sense of my size based on how my clothes fit I don't know exactly. Well, after what I saw at the doctors office today I can confidently say that by the time my birthday rolls around in 6 weeks I will have lost a dozen pounds. And I'll expect to stay there for a long time.
I've signed up for some free courses on Recording at Guitar Center over the next few weeks. It's probably a mistake to go to these things as I've always been interested, and I can see myself getting "hooked". I don't need another hobby. Oh well. That, plus some time at the gym, should fill up most of the first half of the day....
As for today - I expect to be in bed by 10 or shortly after. These are long weeks regardless of if I'm in a groove or not. The good news is that I generally sleep well. :)
Thursday, January 3, 2013
You Don't Have to be on your own.
Wednesday 1/2
I'm in Raleigh tonight. The day took it's traditional path - up at 4, on the road by 4:45, pulling into the parking garage a little after 9, at my desk looking as perky as someone who just drove 300 miles in the dark can look. It was a good day at work. I found a Chipotles on my way to the hotel. And now - here I am.
I've never actually been to this particular location of this hotel. This is the Durham version of the usual one that I stay at in Cary, but it was significantly cheaper this week (for some reason) so here I am. I'm not above admitting that I price shop, but I won't stay at a any hotel with less than 3 stars. Since I've reached the "Elite" level they leave a snack and a thing of water in my room to greet me. Funny thing is - it's like an exact clone of the Cary location. Parking lot, rooms, overall layout, hallways....it's actually almost a little spooky.
I've had something on my mind lately and have been considering how to handle it. It's one of those times where things that should be simple get made more complicated because someone wants to make it that way. I realize that's pretty vague, but if things don't work themselves out over the next few days it will all become clear because I'm not going to let this go. Stay tuned.
Thursday 1/3
I had actually planned to write a little more last night, but ended up getting tired and going to bed. The energy drain of getting up at 4 and driving all that way, and then a full day of work, can hit all at once. Add the general calming feeling that comes with with writing and being stretched out on a bed, and sleepy time can't be far behind.
I was up early this morning, which makes me one of the first people in the office. That's not a bad thing as it's very quiet. It's typical of my weeks here, as I really don't have a reason to prolong the morning other than to come to work. I wish I were a morning oversize person but that's not usually true. So on any given day I'm here I'll be at my desk 15 minutes before or after 7.
Plus, when I'm dong with my day today I get back into the truck and drive the 300 miles back to Charleston. I'm strongly thinking of taking a side-trip thru Charlotte as I need to pick up some things that they're holding for me at the MAC Store there. It's a little bit out of the way
I like this song. I particularly like this version of this song as it focuses more on the words than the music. You don't have to be on your own....
One of the topics on my mind at the moment is a redesign of donnarose.com.
The reason it was originally created has, by and large, ended. Still, it serves a number of important purposes. And lastly, as long as all those "before" photos are there I need to be aware of the implications (both good and bad) they potentially have on my career, on relationships in my life, and on other things. I made a choice last year to keep DonnaRose.com alive for at least another 5 years. Now I need to make decisions on what role I'd like it to play given where I am and where I'm going. It needs to mature without losing it's roots. Sort of like me, as a person....
I'm in Raleigh tonight. The day took it's traditional path - up at 4, on the road by 4:45, pulling into the parking garage a little after 9, at my desk looking as perky as someone who just drove 300 miles in the dark can look. It was a good day at work. I found a Chipotles on my way to the hotel. And now - here I am.
I've never actually been to this particular location of this hotel. This is the Durham version of the usual one that I stay at in Cary, but it was significantly cheaper this week (for some reason) so here I am. I'm not above admitting that I price shop, but I won't stay at a any hotel with less than 3 stars. Since I've reached the "Elite" level they leave a snack and a thing of water in my room to greet me. Funny thing is - it's like an exact clone of the Cary location. Parking lot, rooms, overall layout, hallways....it's actually almost a little spooky.
I've had something on my mind lately and have been considering how to handle it. It's one of those times where things that should be simple get made more complicated because someone wants to make it that way. I realize that's pretty vague, but if things don't work themselves out over the next few days it will all become clear because I'm not going to let this go. Stay tuned.
Thursday 1/3
I had actually planned to write a little more last night, but ended up getting tired and going to bed. The energy drain of getting up at 4 and driving all that way, and then a full day of work, can hit all at once. Add the general calming feeling that comes with with writing and being stretched out on a bed, and sleepy time can't be far behind.
I was up early this morning, which makes me one of the first people in the office. That's not a bad thing as it's very quiet. It's typical of my weeks here, as I really don't have a reason to prolong the morning other than to come to work. I wish I were a morning oversize person but that's not usually true. So on any given day I'm here I'll be at my desk 15 minutes before or after 7.
Plus, when I'm dong with my day today I get back into the truck and drive the 300 miles back to Charleston. I'm strongly thinking of taking a side-trip thru Charlotte as I need to pick up some things that they're holding for me at the MAC Store there. It's a little bit out of the way
I like this song. I particularly like this version of this song as it focuses more on the words than the music. You don't have to be on your own....
One of the topics on my mind at the moment is a redesign of donnarose.com.
The reason it was originally created has, by and large, ended. Still, it serves a number of important purposes. And lastly, as long as all those "before" photos are there I need to be aware of the implications (both good and bad) they potentially have on my career, on relationships in my life, and on other things. I made a choice last year to keep DonnaRose.com alive for at least another 5 years. Now I need to make decisions on what role I'd like it to play given where I am and where I'm going. It needs to mature without losing it's roots. Sort of like me, as a person....
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
New Year - #2
New Year's Day means more to me than New Year's Eve. It has more symbolic value. It has a different "feel", the same as Thanksgiving for me has more meaning than Christmas.
On 1/1/2000 I made it a personal mission to deliver some of my dad's ashes from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon. It was a cold, snowy, scary drive but I had a purpose for that specific day. I think that's where it started. Regardless, I can remember more New Year's Days over the last decades than New Year's Eve's.
I had originally planned to drive to Raleigh today, as it would have been more convenient. But I had one of those mid-morning "Duh" moments where it struck me that I don't want to spend the first day of this new year driving away from home and spending it in a hotel. It's not about convenience. It's about meaning.
I went for a nice long walk around downtown Charleston late this afternoon. It was a beautiful day here (I posted some photos that I took with my iPhone on my SnapLog). It was a quiet afternoon, not a lot of people out and about (big difference from yesterday) and it reminded me of why I enjoy it here so much, and why I didn't want to spent half the day in the car.
I went thru my wardrobe today, and ended up trying on some of my dresses. I was glad to see that they fit well. I was pleased. I still can't figure out the zipper thing, tho. It seems to me that if you don't have somebody to help you you either need to be double jointed or you risk separating a shoulder trying to zip them. Anyway, I hope to find more reasons to wear them over the coming year.
I'm also considering options for dating and where/how that would fit in my life going into 2013. That has a number of important implications, and will require some decisions. But that's a whole other conversation for a different time.
There was a parade in Charleston today to commemorate the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. There was also the annual "Polar Bear Plunge" on Sullivan's Island, although the high here today was 65 degrees so it wasn't nearly the frigid endeavor it has been in years past, or in other places I've lived. The fiscal cliff mess is ongoing. And, of course, there's lots of football.
The fact that I put off my drive for a day means a number of things. It means going to bed early, and getting up early (I'll set the alarm for 4:30). It means that tomorrow will be a long day. But I'm a big believer that sometimes you need to do what you need to do rather than what's convenient. So, I'm making dinner, I'm packing, I've got a glass of wine on the table, I enjoyed the amazing end to the Outback Bowl, and it has turned out to be a New Year's Day that is be more memorable than forgettable.
In other news, I noticed that the long-standing, annual trans conference held each year in Chicago, Be All, has been cancelled (story here) after 30 years. It has suffered the same fate as the IFGE Conference, and I don't think this will be the last of these to fade into history in the next couple of years. The advent of smaller, regional events, other opportunities for sharing and developing community, and the economy take their toll. The one event that I'd hate to see suffer that same fate is Southern Comfort and it continues to reassure me that it draws between 500-1,000 people each year.
I don't see that as a bad thing. It means we're finding other ways to connect, or perhaps it hadn't changed with the times and lost relevance. Regardless, it served an important purpose for a long time.
With that - I'll go make dinner, finish packing, and begin the process of settling in for the night. As I say - tomorrow is going to be a long day.
On 1/1/2000 I made it a personal mission to deliver some of my dad's ashes from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon. It was a cold, snowy, scary drive but I had a purpose for that specific day. I think that's where it started. Regardless, I can remember more New Year's Days over the last decades than New Year's Eve's.
I had originally planned to drive to Raleigh today, as it would have been more convenient. But I had one of those mid-morning "Duh" moments where it struck me that I don't want to spend the first day of this new year driving away from home and spending it in a hotel. It's not about convenience. It's about meaning.
I went for a nice long walk around downtown Charleston late this afternoon. It was a beautiful day here (I posted some photos that I took with my iPhone on my SnapLog). It was a quiet afternoon, not a lot of people out and about (big difference from yesterday) and it reminded me of why I enjoy it here so much, and why I didn't want to spent half the day in the car.
I went thru my wardrobe today, and ended up trying on some of my dresses. I was glad to see that they fit well. I was pleased. I still can't figure out the zipper thing, tho. It seems to me that if you don't have somebody to help you you either need to be double jointed or you risk separating a shoulder trying to zip them. Anyway, I hope to find more reasons to wear them over the coming year.
I'm also considering options for dating and where/how that would fit in my life going into 2013. That has a number of important implications, and will require some decisions. But that's a whole other conversation for a different time.
There was a parade in Charleston today to commemorate the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. There was also the annual "Polar Bear Plunge" on Sullivan's Island, although the high here today was 65 degrees so it wasn't nearly the frigid endeavor it has been in years past, or in other places I've lived. The fiscal cliff mess is ongoing. And, of course, there's lots of football.
The fact that I put off my drive for a day means a number of things. It means going to bed early, and getting up early (I'll set the alarm for 4:30). It means that tomorrow will be a long day. But I'm a big believer that sometimes you need to do what you need to do rather than what's convenient. So, I'm making dinner, I'm packing, I've got a glass of wine on the table, I enjoyed the amazing end to the Outback Bowl, and it has turned out to be a New Year's Day that is be more memorable than forgettable.
In other news, I noticed that the long-standing, annual trans conference held each year in Chicago, Be All, has been cancelled (story here) after 30 years. It has suffered the same fate as the IFGE Conference, and I don't think this will be the last of these to fade into history in the next couple of years. The advent of smaller, regional events, other opportunities for sharing and developing community, and the economy take their toll. The one event that I'd hate to see suffer that same fate is Southern Comfort and it continues to reassure me that it draws between 500-1,000 people each year.
I don't see that as a bad thing. It means we're finding other ways to connect, or perhaps it hadn't changed with the times and lost relevance. Regardless, it served an important purpose for a long time.
With that - I'll go make dinner, finish packing, and begin the process of settling in for the night. As I say - tomorrow is going to be a long day.
New Year - back to it.
It was a quiet New Year's Eve, as planned. I had a couple of options on where to go or what to do but in the end I went to a movie with a friend and was in bed by 10. I was awoken by fireworks going off shortly after midnight but other than that it was pretty much just another night which is a good thing. No over-eating, no hangover, no sleepy eyes this morning.
It's not even 8am yet and I'm already making arrangements to get to the gym for a morning workout before things really get rolling. I'm hoping that the throngs of people who have made their New Year's to get in shape won't be so eager to make good on it yet.
At this time tomorrow I'll be in Raleigh, starting work. I hope I can remember my passwords and stuff. It's odd taking a week and a half off - I'm sure it'll all come back quickly enough.
A highlight of the day yesterday was actually mid-afternoon. I knew there probably wouldn't be much opportunity for a half decent dinner with the plans we had, so I made myself the dinner I had planned to make today. Salmon, asparagus, baked potato, salad, wine. It was all just perfect.
As with a lot of people, I think we put things on the back burner for a while during the holidays not wanting to have to face them until after the "Season" is over. I certainly have, and there are a number of significant items on my back burner right now that need to come back to the front burner. Making the mental shift from Holidays to January will take a few days, too. It happens every year.
Well - I need to get to the gym while the spirit is moving me. These things can be fleeting, and I've got a bunch of stuff to take care of today, and although I'm not usually ready to work out at this time of day right now I'm good.
To whoever reads this - I hope you had a safe and peaceful New Year's Eve, and I wish you a healthy and wonderful 2013. Just don't forget to live each day as though it were your last.
It's not even 8am yet and I'm already making arrangements to get to the gym for a morning workout before things really get rolling. I'm hoping that the throngs of people who have made their New Year's to get in shape won't be so eager to make good on it yet.
At this time tomorrow I'll be in Raleigh, starting work. I hope I can remember my passwords and stuff. It's odd taking a week and a half off - I'm sure it'll all come back quickly enough.
A highlight of the day yesterday was actually mid-afternoon. I knew there probably wouldn't be much opportunity for a half decent dinner with the plans we had, so I made myself the dinner I had planned to make today. Salmon, asparagus, baked potato, salad, wine. It was all just perfect.
As with a lot of people, I think we put things on the back burner for a while during the holidays not wanting to have to face them until after the "Season" is over. I certainly have, and there are a number of significant items on my back burner right now that need to come back to the front burner. Making the mental shift from Holidays to January will take a few days, too. It happens every year.
Well - I need to get to the gym while the spirit is moving me. These things can be fleeting, and I've got a bunch of stuff to take care of today, and although I'm not usually ready to work out at this time of day right now I'm good.
To whoever reads this - I hope you had a safe and peaceful New Year's Eve, and I wish you a healthy and wonderful 2013. Just don't forget to live each day as though it were your last.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Kick my butte
Sunday: Dec 30
Groupon and Living Social have opened the door on a whole array of things I've wanted to do but either haven't wanted to make the investment, known that the opportunities even existed, or simply haven't had the time to investigate.
Besides restaurants and tours, there are all kinds of interesting things - some of which I have decided to make part of my world.
One of them is Barre.
I had never heard of Barre until recently, and I don't think it's anything I would have sought out. I've known for a long time that I need something that tones and stresses flexibility, and although I've only done it once I thought that thing would be pilates.
Pure Yoga isn't my thing. It's just not. I bought a small "hot yoga" package thru Groupon last year when I was training for wrestling but never used them.
One of the reasons wrestling appealed to me is that in order to do it well you need to combine a number of things - strength, agility, discipline, aerobics, skill. That's one of the reasons that it's such a difficult sport to do well, because just doing well at one or two or three of those things will only go so far.
And that same concept is why Barre seemed and continues to seem so appealing. It's a combination of yoga, pilates, and ballet designed to lift, tone, burn, flex and lengthen. I've gone to two classes so far, and it kicks my a$$ every time.
Going to these kinds of classes is no small task. I'd love to say that I'm flexible, and graceful, and that I've got half a knack for any of this stuff. But we all know that's not true. I'm strong, I've got way too much thick muscle, I'm in fairly good shape - but as with wrestling those things will only get you so far with this. In some ways, it's actually a detriment. The classes are filled with women who look like ballet instructors, who can do a split or bend at the waist and touch their forehead to their knees without even thinking about it, who have a natural grace when they move and bend. And then - there's me.
I just got back from class although I'm not sure it's a "class" so much as it's a "session". I've had the same instructor for both times I've gone, and she has been wonderful. By the time the hour is over, I'm the only one drenched in sweat. My body is quivering (or convulsing) for a couple of hours, and the muscles between my heels and my shoulders are screaming. My butt, my thighs, my quads, my tummy, my calves, and muscles I never knew I had. I get home, take a shower, take two asperin, and lie down on the bed for an hour to recover. Funny this is, I'm loving it.
I sound like some infomercial for Barre or something, but as I consider my body and moving into new territories - that's the direction. I'm hoping that 6 months from now I will have continued doing this two or three or four times a week, that I'm flexible enough to touch my head to my knee, and that it's not quite the shock on my poor legs and butt. We'll see.
Today is sunny and cool - in the 30's this morning. As usual on Sundays, I drove down to the water and spent a moment appreciating some things. Since it's the end of the year there's much to consider, and I've got a lot on my mind.
Groupon and Living Social have opened the door on a whole array of things I've wanted to do but either haven't wanted to make the investment, known that the opportunities even existed, or simply haven't had the time to investigate.
Besides restaurants and tours, there are all kinds of interesting things - some of which I have decided to make part of my world.
One of them is Barre.
I had never heard of Barre until recently, and I don't think it's anything I would have sought out. I've known for a long time that I need something that tones and stresses flexibility, and although I've only done it once I thought that thing would be pilates.
Pure Yoga isn't my thing. It's just not. I bought a small "hot yoga" package thru Groupon last year when I was training for wrestling but never used them.
One of the reasons wrestling appealed to me is that in order to do it well you need to combine a number of things - strength, agility, discipline, aerobics, skill. That's one of the reasons that it's such a difficult sport to do well, because just doing well at one or two or three of those things will only go so far.
And that same concept is why Barre seemed and continues to seem so appealing. It's a combination of yoga, pilates, and ballet designed to lift, tone, burn, flex and lengthen. I've gone to two classes so far, and it kicks my a$$ every time.
Going to these kinds of classes is no small task. I'd love to say that I'm flexible, and graceful, and that I've got half a knack for any of this stuff. But we all know that's not true. I'm strong, I've got way too much thick muscle, I'm in fairly good shape - but as with wrestling those things will only get you so far with this. In some ways, it's actually a detriment. The classes are filled with women who look like ballet instructors, who can do a split or bend at the waist and touch their forehead to their knees without even thinking about it, who have a natural grace when they move and bend. And then - there's me.
I just got back from class although I'm not sure it's a "class" so much as it's a "session". I've had the same instructor for both times I've gone, and she has been wonderful. By the time the hour is over, I'm the only one drenched in sweat. My body is quivering (or convulsing) for a couple of hours, and the muscles between my heels and my shoulders are screaming. My butt, my thighs, my quads, my tummy, my calves, and muscles I never knew I had. I get home, take a shower, take two asperin, and lie down on the bed for an hour to recover. Funny this is, I'm loving it.
I sound like some infomercial for Barre or something, but as I consider my body and moving into new territories - that's the direction. I'm hoping that 6 months from now I will have continued doing this two or three or four times a week, that I'm flexible enough to touch my head to my knee, and that it's not quite the shock on my poor legs and butt. We'll see.
Today is sunny and cool - in the 30's this morning. As usual on Sundays, I drove down to the water and spent a moment appreciating some things. Since it's the end of the year there's much to consider, and I've got a lot on my mind.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Making memories
It's 6:45am. Time to get up and moving.
Fourteen years ago this morning I woke up and went to work, only to get a phone call from my mom saying that my dad had died during the night. He was only 64 years old, but 20 years of diabetes had taken their toll on his body to the point that he was living in an assisted living home that could help with his mobility, monitor his meds, and provide the twice weekly dialysis that he needed. He hated it all.
It was a beautiful facility. I made a trip back to Rochester to hang with him for a week several weeks before that and it seemed more like a hotel than "assisted living" - with the restaurant and all the activities and just the general decor. But he still hated it. He hated being dependent (reminds me of my comments on accepting help last week). He hated what was happening to his body while his mind was still as sharp as it ever was. So although the news that he had died came out of nowhere and was a shock, I think we all agreed that his joy in living had pretty much drained from life by then.
I was the executor of his will, so the next couple of months were spent taking care of all the details that happen when you die. Insurance. Finances. Legalities. It was depressing to realize that in the big picture a lifetime of a person comes down to paperwork. And memories. The goal is to keep and cherish those memories. So, I do....not just passively but actively. More importantly, the goal is to make memories with the people in your life that will endure beyond your being here. I try to do that, as well.
The last weekend in 2012 is here. It has been a funky week - since I've been off work so there's nothing to differentiate one day from another. I accomplished some of the mundane things I've been wanting to accomplish around the house. I cleaned my makeup brushes, something I do with precision and care. I took my truck to the dealer for an oil change and a check-up. I've run some errands, and refilled some prescriptions. I hooked up my AppleTV and have been watching a few things on Hulu+. I spent time with the neighbors across the hall who only visit Charleston once in a while - I really like them and enjoy it when they're here. I spend at least a half hour a day playing my guitar, trying to get back into the "swing" and build some callouses at the tips of my fingers....they hurt.
I posted a few photos to my Snaplog from these last few days.
I've been enjoying my mornings - making myself omelettes and homemade waffles with blueberries for breakfast, trying different kinds of coffees, just making sure to linger around the house as long as possible. All things considered, I'm forcing myself to slow down this week.
As I've explained, I'm not a believer in "New Years Resolutions" as they usually play out. But I do think the process of thinking about your life and making the beginning of a new year as a good time to begin to make changes as a healthy thing. It's just that the resoluteness of the New Year gets forgotten over a few weeks to the point that we just fall back into whatever it was we wanted to change.
There are some changes I'd like to see in myself. I don't know that I'll call them resolutions so much as an awareness of them, and in being aware making the effort to recognize things and change them. One of the things I try to do is appreciate the moment, because all too often the moment is fleeting. There are some significant things in my life that I expect to be gone, or majorly different, in my life at this time next year (God willing) just as things right now are different than they were last year. Such is the nature of change....it's just that sometimes we get to make the change happen, and sometimes it is forced upon us. Regardless, such is the nature of time and change.
I've got a couple more days before things start winding up with me again. I had unpacked my traveling suitcase for the first time in months at the beginning of this stay-cation, but I'm starting to pack it again, slowly but surely. I start work again on Wednesday, Jan 2, and will probably drive up there on New Year's Day. I need to take the round-about route thru Charlotte so I'll probably leave in the morning, spend some time at a few of the stores I like there, and then head over to Raleigh.
It's either that, or get up at 4am on Wednesday and do the usual drive and I'd much rather take my time. I typically don't get crazy on New Year's eve, in fact I'd be more surprised if I'm still awake to see the ball fall than if I just went to bed as usual.
But that's all next week. There's still a weekend left in 2012, and I've got some plans. There are still some 2012 memories to build. This morning I'm headed off to use a Groupon I bought for some eyelash extensions. This should be interesting. :)
Fourteen years ago this morning I woke up and went to work, only to get a phone call from my mom saying that my dad had died during the night. He was only 64 years old, but 20 years of diabetes had taken their toll on his body to the point that he was living in an assisted living home that could help with his mobility, monitor his meds, and provide the twice weekly dialysis that he needed. He hated it all.
It was a beautiful facility. I made a trip back to Rochester to hang with him for a week several weeks before that and it seemed more like a hotel than "assisted living" - with the restaurant and all the activities and just the general decor. But he still hated it. He hated being dependent (reminds me of my comments on accepting help last week). He hated what was happening to his body while his mind was still as sharp as it ever was. So although the news that he had died came out of nowhere and was a shock, I think we all agreed that his joy in living had pretty much drained from life by then.
I was the executor of his will, so the next couple of months were spent taking care of all the details that happen when you die. Insurance. Finances. Legalities. It was depressing to realize that in the big picture a lifetime of a person comes down to paperwork. And memories. The goal is to keep and cherish those memories. So, I do....not just passively but actively. More importantly, the goal is to make memories with the people in your life that will endure beyond your being here. I try to do that, as well.
The last weekend in 2012 is here. It has been a funky week - since I've been off work so there's nothing to differentiate one day from another. I accomplished some of the mundane things I've been wanting to accomplish around the house. I cleaned my makeup brushes, something I do with precision and care. I took my truck to the dealer for an oil change and a check-up. I've run some errands, and refilled some prescriptions. I hooked up my AppleTV and have been watching a few things on Hulu+. I spent time with the neighbors across the hall who only visit Charleston once in a while - I really like them and enjoy it when they're here. I spend at least a half hour a day playing my guitar, trying to get back into the "swing" and build some callouses at the tips of my fingers....they hurt.
I posted a few photos to my Snaplog from these last few days.
I've been enjoying my mornings - making myself omelettes and homemade waffles with blueberries for breakfast, trying different kinds of coffees, just making sure to linger around the house as long as possible. All things considered, I'm forcing myself to slow down this week.
As I've explained, I'm not a believer in "New Years Resolutions" as they usually play out. But I do think the process of thinking about your life and making the beginning of a new year as a good time to begin to make changes as a healthy thing. It's just that the resoluteness of the New Year gets forgotten over a few weeks to the point that we just fall back into whatever it was we wanted to change.
There are some changes I'd like to see in myself. I don't know that I'll call them resolutions so much as an awareness of them, and in being aware making the effort to recognize things and change them. One of the things I try to do is appreciate the moment, because all too often the moment is fleeting. There are some significant things in my life that I expect to be gone, or majorly different, in my life at this time next year (God willing) just as things right now are different than they were last year. Such is the nature of change....it's just that sometimes we get to make the change happen, and sometimes it is forced upon us. Regardless, such is the nature of time and change.
I've got a couple more days before things start winding up with me again. I had unpacked my traveling suitcase for the first time in months at the beginning of this stay-cation, but I'm starting to pack it again, slowly but surely. I start work again on Wednesday, Jan 2, and will probably drive up there on New Year's Day. I need to take the round-about route thru Charlotte so I'll probably leave in the morning, spend some time at a few of the stores I like there, and then head over to Raleigh.
It's either that, or get up at 4am on Wednesday and do the usual drive and I'd much rather take my time. I typically don't get crazy on New Year's eve, in fact I'd be more surprised if I'm still awake to see the ball fall than if I just went to bed as usual.
But that's all next week. There's still a weekend left in 2012, and I've got some plans. There are still some 2012 memories to build. This morning I'm headed off to use a Groupon I bought for some eyelash extensions. This should be interesting. :)
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