12 19 am pdt   [ something beautiful ]

Something beautiful happened today. RobeMan, to whom I had told my URL, actually looked me up and took the time to e-mail me. A chance encounter led to a meeting in the vastness of cyberspace. Signing his message "mr. redvine", he offered to take me on a bike tour of the best trails around here. I am ecstatic. If I wanted to go jogging on San Vicente, or working out at any gym, I could think of two dozen names to call, but biking... RobeMan is my knight in shining armor. I don't know anyone who bikes, or at least I didn't, until now...

Jo and I went to see The Other Conquest tonight, and it was quite the eyefull. At some point in the middle of the movie, I noticed that my nose and forehead were tingling. As I thought about it, my breathing got deeper, and I suddenly felt that if I was filled with any more joy I would start glowing in the dark right there in the movie theater. Oh, yes, I know that sounds fully absurd, but I really felt that way. Then I realized that even if I started glowing, no one would be able to see it, so I just kept soaking in the good feelings and letting them course through my veins.

You are more than welcome to blame this nonsense on an endorphin high. In addition to having spring cleaning fever, I have had more of an urge to work out lately than ever before in my life. I lifted weights for quite some time lately; the struggle of it made me laugh out loud over and over. I went well beyond pain, and my arms have been completely useless all night. I forget they hurt and then I try to raise one to itch my nose and I am reminded. When I get my camera back I will do a little segment on lifting weights, so you can see how silly I look. No doubt I will have some bulging Popeye arm muscles to show off. Hee hee! Oh, but that would be nice...

12 15 pm pdt   [ biking ]

The first thing I did when I woke up was to walk into my dad's room and announce that I wanted him to help me adjust the seat on my long neglectd bike. I have my dad's air pumb up at my mom's house (the tire was flat on my brother's car), so I didn't think I would have an opportunity to fill the tires of my long-neglected cycle.

"Maybe I'll go see if our neighbors have an air pump. They have kids." So I did, but with no luck.

My father, seeing my determination, said, "Let me check if I have another pump." In the garage he did manage one, and though it leaked, we got a sufficient amount of air in the tires.

After going through several toolkits, we found the correct tool for loosening to bolt on the seat. It had to be raised about six inches, which should be a good indication of the last time I rode it... I was grinning broadly as I wobbly made my way up and down the alley behind our house. The balancing part is no problem, but my steering is jerky. The breaks are squeaky, but they work.

Now it occurs to me that I don't know much about biking. I don't think I've ever ridden where it isn't paved. Does one tend to fall down on bumpy dirt trails? Do I need knee pads? I figured out that the little levers at the base of the handle bars (which I keep wanting to call a steering wheel) allow me to switch gears. But I'm sure there's a lot more I need to know. Want to help me?

two years ago today: "... to be on my feet schmoozing for so many hours made me delirious."

one year ago today: "There is a guy who has pulled into the parking lot by my apartment before blasting his rap music. So today I leaned out the window and told him that I was moving out of my apartment in one month, and I asked him to please not blast his music for one month."

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