On the road

I have been blessed with a great opportunity to travel for work. I realize that this would not appeal to some people, but for me....it's fantastic. Honestly, given my current state of affairs...the timing couldn't be better. It is a great distraction.

First stop, Chicago. I have always been a fan of Chicago, but until I returned there a few weeks ago after years away...I forgot how much I loved the city. It is a great city to visit. Even the people that live there confess it is a great place to live. If you're visiting, and are looking for a good, hearty, steakhouse meal I highly recommend Gibson's Steakhouse. A little pricey, but if you can swing it, the food and service are definitely worth it. As for accomodations, Kimpton Hotels is my pick. I've stayed at The Burnham, and Allegro and loved them both! Whatever you do...get yourself to the top of a building and take in the site of the city and the beautiful scene of the lake.

Coming soon....California, Florida and New York. 

Life Is A Balancing Act

Wow...it's hard to believe it's been over a year since I wrote last. Not sure why. Also not sure why I feel inclinded to do so now. Perhaps simply as an outlet for myself to process some grief and pain I am currently experiencing. I received a card in the mail recently that read "Life Is a Balancing Act". Seems simple and obvious enough, but I infact lost balance. I lost myelf. Althought it seems bad now, maybe this is a good thing. Maybe this is progress. Maybe this is learning and evolving.

It is a really hard pill to swallow that the one person you think about most seems to be better off without you. How do you swallow your ego, pride or whatever you want to call it and accept reality, and move on? Why is it easier for some people to do the right thing (regardless of how painful), and simply walk away? There is the part of me that is embarrased. I opened up my feelings and emotions, and my insecurity left me feeling vulnerable.
I've been experiencing a lot of new feelings. Thinking about life and relationships from new perspectives. I often feel too old to be experiencing these things at this phase in my life. I suppose it's better late than never.

For the first time in my life, I feel inconsolable. In my past, I always turned to food for comfort. Happy or sad...I ate. I never understood the people that said they were so upset they couldn't eat. Couldn't comprehend this, until now. For nearly a month, food has lost it's appeal. Occasionally, I get hungry. I eat a little, usually, with no enjoyement. I feel sick after. This has been the drill for weeks now and it is extremely unnerving. Shopping has no appeal either. Working out which used to give me such a surge of energy and positive reinforcement also has no appeal. I'm wallowing. There is no other way to describe it. I generally have little tolearnce for people and their self pity. Get over I would always think, but never say aloud. I'm pretty sure that several of my friends are telling me this in a polite way.

So, here I am finding myself trying to return to some sense of normalcy, whatever that is.  The act of writing this out is somewhat theraputic and extremely eye opening. Hopefully, I can make an effort to be more diligent about it.

It's been a while...

Some people have noticed that I've been pretty quiet lately. Not only on this blog, but on Facebook and Twitter as well. It probably rings true in my everyday communications as well. I've probably talked, text and emailed less in the past month. Why? There are several reasons and I'm going to hide my reasoning behind "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." That pretty much sums it up from all angles.

That being said, today is a new day. I can't believe the month of June is half over already. This year is half over already and that is nuts for me to think about. The first half of this year has been rough as you know, if you've been following along. I'm hoping that the second half is going to be better. I'm writing today with a tad bit more relief than I've had in the past seven months. I accepted a job offer today, so a new venture is about to begin. It is not the path in which I was hoping these months would lead me, but I also know that nothing is permanent, and everything is temporary. So...I'm going to make the best of this new situation and work on picking myself back up. Where it may lead me...no one knows. (insert background music...I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For) ;)

I'm still working on understanding a lot of what has happened in the past seven months. I certainly can't rationalize everything, but I do believe things happen for a reason. My goal is to learn from them and become a better version of me.

"Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what the hell happened." -Cora Harvey Armstrong

I've learned a lot about who is in my corner and I appreciate the friends and family that have stood by me during this difficult time. I hope that I am able to pay it forward.

"All colors are the friends of their neighbors and the lovers of their opposites." -Marc Chagall

New list

Since I've been working to accomplish the many things on my 32x32 list, other items started popping up. Here is the introduction to my new list. It isn't final and I'm not sure that this one will be limited to a time frame.

1. Let someone else select/order my meal or food for me.
2. Complete any undone 32 X 32 items
3. Stay at a Bed & Breakfast
4. Skeet Shooting
5. Play the tables in casino
6. Scuba dive
7. Go red
8. Donate hair to Locks of Love or like charity

To be continued...naturally.

Pride & Joy - Brandi Carlile

Time of day i can't recall
The kind of thing that takes it's toll
Over years and over time
Over smiles and over wine
All in all it wasn't bad
All in all it wasn't good
But i still care
That's the problem with the days
They're never long enough to say
What it is you never said
All the books you never read
I throw myself into the wind
Hoping somebody will pick me up
And carry me again

Where are you now
Do you let me down
Do you make me grieve for you
Do i make you proud
Do you get me now
Am i your pride and joy
I believe this to be true
Nothing sacred nothing new
No one tells you when its time
There are no warnings only signs
And you know that you're alone
You're not a child anymore
But you're still scared
All your mountains turn to rocks
All your oceans turn to drops
They are nothing like you thought
Can't be something you are not
Life is not a looking glass
Don't get tangled in your past
Like i am learning not to

Where are you now
Do you let me down
Do you make me grieve for you
Do i make you proud
Do you get me now
Am i your pride joy

May is usually my month

Good things have generally happened to me in the month of May. Typically, I look forward to May because of my birthday, which usually brings travel plans. More than once it has been a transitional month for new career opportunities for me. Hoping more than ever that this holds true. This is the first year I can remember not being excited about the month of May. I am trying to remain positive and optimistic. Sometimes easier said than done.

I try to remind myself that God doesn't give us more than we can handle. I have faith that there is some truth to this. However, that doesn't promise things will turn out as well as we hope. I have no intention of being Debby Downer, but being realistic is critical. I've drafted this post more than once and each time is slightly more positive. You certainly don't want to spend your time reading something negative. I know I wouldn't want to. So...moving right along.

Regarding updates on 32x32, I am sad to report that it's not going to be completed in time. It's certainly not for lack of effort. Lack of time, financial resources and even appropriate weather are all contributing factors. However, I will finish it. Maybe not in the next 10 days before my birthday. It could be this month, or maybe even this year, but I am confident that I will complete all of the items. In fact...I've already begun working on a new list. I will release it and begin once 32x32 is complete.

I've already shared this story with a few people, but for those who don't know I finally took the Spin class last week. Seriously the most agonizing 45 minutes I can recall. Spinning is a terrifically horrendous way to work out. I can't for the life of me figure out why so many people enjoy it. The hard part isn't the "work out" or exhaustion. Honestly I've had a better workout on the elliptical. I'm convinced that bike seat was sent from an evil place. How can anyone be comfortable on that thing. Seriously, c'mon!?! NEVER AGAIN! I have absolutely no desire to try it again. The instructor took the time to get me properly fitted and asked me after class how I did. When I told her I wouldn't be returning, I think she took it kind of personally. Maybe if they invent seats that don't leave me unable to sit or walk normally for two days, then I'll reconsider. P.S. It's okay to laugh at this story. ;)

Spinning right along...I completed another item on my list tonight. I attended the SNAP! Performance Production tonight at The Lincoln Theater. The venue was nice. Not quite what I expected, but nice. The show was very entertaining. I was pleasantly surprised.

Hmmm....wonder what the next challenge to be completed will be? May is shaping up to be a busy month.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Happy Easter

I can't believe that April is winding down already. I only have a couple weeks left and an overwhelming number of items on my list left to complete.

I spent most of my Easter weekend baking desserts for other people's Easter gatherings. Hopefully, everyone was happy with their treats. I also walked 7.5 miles yesterday in preparation for the full 13.25 mile walk along the Olentangy trail. I'm pretty sure I need some new kicks because I have shin splints today. Assuming we have some decent weather in the next couple weeks, I'm confident I'll be able to finish. Between the walking and the baking all weekend, I was barely able to function during our family gathering for Easter lunch today. Oh...and an overdose of sugar from the cupcakes may be contributing to my coma-like state. Hehe.

Tickets have been purchased for #10, attend an event at The Lincoln Theater. I'm going to see The Manilla Envelope on May 5th, and really looking forward to it.

Today, I planted my herb seeds. Hopefully, we'll see some results soon. I thought about posting a picture but...how exciting is a picture of dirt. Not very.

Anybody up for paintball next Sunday, May 1st?