So, here we are, in 2013

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I feel like I've been rather silent over the holidays. I contemplated various topics to write about: inspirational, insightful, or my more typical meandering and random. I did manage to write a little bit about Solstice and, thanks to Gretchin and Sven I posted a fun video on the 24th.

 

So here it is on the first day of a new year and I thought I'd check in.

 

I won't be listing resolutions for the coming year. I won't reflect on the year that just ended, either. I can look back through my posts on The Writing Vein or check my Facebook Timeline and see what I highlighted throughout the year - not that those are everything which happened nor that those were necessarily the most important things. But those two places do hold some keys to what happened in me in the year 2012, which is now behind us.

 

I don't make resolutions because they feel like a set-up and, if it is something worth doing, then I will just do it. And not just because I decided at the beginning of a new year to try something new or to renew or whatever. I've learned that sometimes things happen in life over which we have little to no control. So flexibility and balance are what's needed and, for me, it's better to just do the right thing because it's what feels right for me and what makes sense, rather than promising to do something which could be arbitrarily interrupted. Those who know me in the physical world (or what friend Steve Nail recently called the "meat world" - thanks, Steve!) know that I like to keep my commitments. So, I don't make resolutions.

I do set intentions.

My intentions are few but strong:

• to renew my writing schedule, including focused editing on both the novel and the memoir;
• to find physical activities which are also fun and varied enough to fit my schedule and interests (to which I can say I am off to a great start with the new Wii, including Wii Fit with the balance board; will also include hiking when the weather is a little better, and hopefully kayaking again);
• to maintain some true down time in my schedule (pajamas til 5pm kind of days);
• to spend more quality time with my partner;
• to spend more time with friends - talking, writing, hiking, creating, bicycling, eating or drinking wine, and more;
• to be present.

It's 2013. I remember when that seemed very far into the future, so far that I couldn't really imagine it, other than in a Piers Anthony or Ray Bradbury kind of way. But here we are.

Goodbye, 2012. You weren't the worst of years and I can say there were some good things. But there were also some trials and bumpy moments which I'm glad to have resolved and behind me.

So, welcome, 2013. May we be good friends and travel smoothly along a creative and innovative path.

Happy writing, painting, sculpting, dancing, filmmaking, business endeavors, and a good life filled with health and prosperity for all.

Happy 2013.
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truth in a picture

I still haven't found the words to describe my experience rafting the Grand Canyon. The saying about a picture being worth a thousand words comes true in the picture below. My MissFit Dragons teammate, Joanie, and I went on a little hike exploration the first day. We climbed up and over some boulders and a couple of rock ledges; she went up another layer of boulders and rocks to see if there was a path up there and didn't see one. (We found out the next morning that there is one up there; but, it being our first night on the river, we didn't want to get ourselves into trouble when we couldn't see a path or a trail...)

I didn't realize Joanie took this picture of me. And I'm glad she did. It summarizes quite accurately how I'm feeling right now about being there for eight days - wow, big, openness, incredible, amazing, inspired, happy. Awe.

And, yes, I would go back. I will go back.

photograph by JD Sampson

On the Fitness Side: an expo

Dragon Boat training has started up again (the first week of January). The Cascade Lakes Relay team is meeting monthly with clinics and talking about our plans - at least a few of us are going to do the Shamrock Run on March 14th. The Grand Canyon group keeps getting our snowshoe trips cancelled because it's too icy or now too warm (predicted 60 for this weekend) and not enough snow - so some of us will go hiking instead.

As we regroup during the winter months and stretch and begin again our trainings - the expos start coming up, with or without events. I saw this one on the OregonLive RunOregon blog. Looks like fun if you're going to be in the Portland, OR area and want to check out some product and go for a walk/run with a group.

Me? I'll be out in the Gorge, hiking!
The Racecenter Event Expo is coming this Saturday, Feb. 20th at the NE Foot Traffic! What can you expect at this great annual tradition?

• 
  Discounts to some of the area's top events
• 
  Raffle for sweet prizes, free shoes, free race discounts and more!
• 
  HUGE, free group run/walk starting at 9am
• 
  FREE Lompoc Beer while it lasts!
• 
  FREE hotdogs and snacks
• 
  Discounts on store products ranging from 10% off for some of our most popular models to 70% off for discontinued models.
• 
  Special offer on all regular priced shoes:
  .......Buy one get the second 25% off!!! (one per customer, same size).

profundity

...or not.

I want to say something meaningful - worthy of taking up space. I want to give you inspiration and recognition and a boost that makes you want to go create -- something. Create.

But the truth - which is already evident in my slowed posts - is that I am feeling a little uninspired and just trying to get through each day. Well, that's being a bit dramatic. But at this moment that's how it feels and I don't see an end in sight. Which is also a lie because, while it's true that I have a very long work day tomorrow and Saturday which was book-ended with regular work days today and Sunday - I will then be off work until the following Saturday.

So - I'm feeling kind of empty and should have probably just left this post off, too. But it's already been too many days, so you get the excuses and the boring Woe, Is Me posts so that I can keep my self-designated minimum two posts a week -- or else. (I have no idea what my Or Else is.)

Next week promises to be different! Highlights to look forward to when I'm not working:
- a drive to Medford for a meeting about the relay (I was already booked for work for the local meetings; and it's cheaper to drive 9-10 hours round trip than take the time off work to go local).
- a massage
- acupuncture
- a mini-vacation to central Oregon, where I will scout out the relay route and do some training walks
- do the 10k at the Smith Rock Sunrise Classic
- therapy
- two sessions with my personal trainer
- miles of walking
- a kayak lesson on a lake: wet exits and rescues

passage

I decided today that Dragon Boats is my gateway drug. There's probably a more politically correct way to say that - but there you go.

On Thursday - I replaced my lost kayak. A different model, of course. But I am ready to get back in the boat and can't wait until 5/16 when I will be going for a lesson and a flat water ride. Also will be going on something on 6/20 - I'm sure that one will be a lower level shorter ride, because of who I'm going with (my partner's 80 year old step-father and his approach is definitely a more conservative route to skill building; he goes on major whitewater himself, but that day will be for friends of various skill levels and I'm sure he'll put me on something calm). I'd like to get one trip on my own boat (Ridgefield will be their boats) before the birthday ride.

And today I'm poring over the route and details of a high desert relay race I'm going to participate in! I'm putting together a team. My trainer is going to help, because I have never done it before and, until now, haven't really hung out with a long distance relay, boating, hiking, crowd.

Then this morning I went for a walk on a circuit I used a couple years ago, which took be 45+ minutes. I did a little speed walking (for me, remember it's all relative) and did it in just under 30 minutes.

What? Me? Huh!

See: gateway drug. Only better for me than ol' maryjane.

This does relate to writing and creativity. It does. And I'm only beginning to explore that aspect!