Under pressure

Has anyone seen this I Love Lucy episode (Lucy and the Chocolate Factory)? Sometimes this is exactly how I feel. Life is going faster and faster and I just wanna stuff chocolates in my bra! :-D I have been so stressed out for several days that the bike ride to work and home are the only parts of my day that I feel relaxed. I am convinced that biking is what has helped me deal with the stress better. I find that when I get home at night, the problems I have been mulling over are lightened and I sleep better at night. I hope that I am able to keep cycling over the winter because it sure helps!

Miles: 6.5

Happy Veterans Day

When I was a little girl I can remember my Dad and I sitting on the couch, drinking hot cocoa and talking one fall evening and he told me he did not have to go to work the next day. When I asked why not he said, "Well, it is a national holiday. Can you remember what it is called?" I started thinking and said, "Veterinarians Day!" which made him laugh and laugh (I was close!).

Having grown up in a military family, I always take Veterans Day seriously and give thanks for all the sacrifice our veterans have made for our country. I am glad we preserve a day to honor them.

Miles: 6

Close encounters of the vehicular kind

Today started out rough because I was running late and just felt irritable---I hate overcast days. To top it off, I had 3 (THREE!) bad encounters with cars today.

ENCOUNTER 1: I had just crossed Stadium at the light on Forum and was winding up that little side road to catch West. I was nearing West and around the corner comes this hugh jass navy blue work truck (the kind with big hips). The guy driving had turned off of West and instead of getting in the right hand lane, he stayed left and was headed straight for me. It took him a minute to realize that I had nowhere to go and he needed to get the heck over. My heart lurched in my chest when I realized how close it was. What an incredible moron.


ENCOUNTER 2 & 3: On the way home in the afternoon on Stewart, two cars decide to pass so closely I thought my pedal would scrap their cars (it would have served them both right). There is PLENTY of room people-so get over!

However, I am in a better mood simply because I got out and rode everywhere today. I got tons more work done and am still feeling fine at 6:30 at night.

Miles: 6

A beautiful day in the neighborhood

Today I biked into town to meet a friend for breakfast and then on to church. I biked to my office to work for awhile and then to a restaurant for dinner. I biked home and just really enjoyed the day and being outside. I love biking!


Mile: 6
Stuff I smelled: A weird, smokey smell on West Blvd. Suspicious.
Stuff I saw: An older guy riding round and round downtown on his bike with no helmet
Stuff I heard:
Girl 1: "One I time I dated a guy who had been a male prostitute"
Girl 2: "What did your parents think about that?"
Girl 1: "I don't wanna talk about this anymore"
Girl 2: "YOU brought it up!"
Girl 1: "No I didn't! YOU brought it up!"
((small quarrel ensues))

Chinese Obesity

I thought this was an interesting news blurb on Chinese obesity. The increased use of cars in China, along with the prevalence of Western fast food, is causing the same problems there as here in North America. I found this really, really sad because China has long been the standard of a higher quality diet with much more physical activity built into their day (i.e., commuting by bikes, walking, and lots of soccer!) than what most people experience in North America.

What was also alarming was that some of the kids that spoke in the video were simply "comfortable" with being significantly obese. This attitude will be far more troublesome than the fast food and lack of activity in the long run because once they are comfortable with their condition, there is little reason to change (i.e., they will hang out with other kids that are obese, won't feel the need to change their eating or activity patterns, will experience serious health decline and cognitive function but won't do anything about it). This goes to my post on how habits are "catching'.

Miles:
Walk: 3
Bike: 2

Let the wild rumpus start!

Sunday I went to the movies to see Where the Wild Things are and it was perfect in every way. Dave Eggers co-wrote the screenplay and it does not disappoint!

One thing about going everywhere by bike, I always feel like a wild thing! :-D

Miles: 6

Back in the saddle again!

It has felt so good to be back on the bike this week. I did not lose much strength or conditioning and was reminded how much more enjoyable life is when biking! I had a blast with my folks but I sure missed getting around by bike.

Miles: 7