DEN to CLE

"Ah."

The simple relief of sitting at the gate at DIA, ready to board our flight. There is such a routine to get just to this point. Getting the dogs to my folks, packing, and repacking (packing once again). The profuse gratitude to Scott for wheeling us here. Then the circus of TSA security. I enjoyed the full body x-ray only to be pulled aside, have my fingers swabbed and tested, patted down and asked, "do you have a gun on you?" No lie.

Yes air travel is luxurious and fancy.

Tiff and I are off to Ohio for Christmas. I am excited to see her family and will miss mine. It's still the greatest gift every year to spend it with family. As I get older I appreciate ll the work that goes into gathering around the Christmas tree on December 25th. Hell, even the cost of the tree has meaning now.

However, my time is up and we boarding momentarily. As is tradition from Denver International Airport, I bid you, my 4 readers, adieu.

Being an adult sucks sometimes. I am just going to go out and say it. Blah. I am aware of this factor today as I have a doctors appointment to checked out . I also kinda need a doc closer than Chicago. I don't like going to the doctor at all. Positive thinking usually cures all for me, lest I need stiches. None the less, I know this is a good precaution. I would be disappointed if the fear of hearing a bad prognosis would prevent me from doing positive action.

Today I say fuck fear.

Quiet

It's snowy and quiet outside tonight. The Christmas lights are twinkling across my neighborhood. I am not sure if it's just the byproduct of having worked so much for so long lately, but when the quiet settles in, sometimes I am not sure if I have forgotten something. Just being still is still a challenge, pardon the pun. 

Fa La La La La

The final packages are being wrapped and arrangements for multiple family Christmas stops are being worked out. I love this time of year, but always feel there's a simplicity that annually escapes me. I yearn for the ease of just enjoying my families without all the hulabalou. It is that energy though that makes it fun too. I look forward to seeing loved ones more than any gift. That is what I look forward to personally.

The Mall

Tif and I are about to venture into the retail world for some last minute needed shopping. We take off for Ohio this week and this will be our last chance to get a couple things together. I am excited but ever mindful that the true spirit is less in what we may get and more in how we get on with those around us. My hope is to get what we need and get out with little aggriavtion. That seems to be our responsibility. No one can take my happiness but me and so long as I can hold that idea close, I am confidant we will enjoy this potion of the holiday frenzy.

I hope...

Happy Picture Friday

Bike Mental

"You rode your bike here? You're crazy."

That was the warm greeting I received tonight when I was checking in at my neighborhood gym. The sentiment was mostly in jest, yet it struck me that there was no cause for it. Now bear with me as I attempt to explain. This is not merely a case of shallow nerves. It's 28 degrees out there with some thick patches of ice still. Denver may not be without its share of hardy bicyclists, but my suburban world still has 20:1 ratio of coyotes to cyclists. At night, a bike does not exist out here. This was a fact I discovered recently when I decided I would not drive a half a mile to go to the gym. That is stupid. Ergo, I began riding again, and to be honest it is one of my favorite things to do now when I can.

Enter the remark. Why is it when someone does something unusual, it is usually met with disdain? At very least a dismissive comment? It would have been easier, warmer, safer, faster, and considerably more normal to drive. Yet I rode and the guy rather sincerely passed it off as the act of less intelligence (i.e. crazy).

Well, if trying something even modestly adventuresome is crazy, I hope the sane world remain small and quiet. Personally, I liked the chilly ride and quiet, empty streets.