On the Road Again...

     Life is full of so many things to explore and do, that I swear, no matter how you try you just can't do them all!  And I do try.  Not because I have a need to try to do things, but because I love so many things.  I don't want to miss out on any of them.  Since there are only 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week, etc ( and it would be great if that could change - I'd opt for at least 4 more hours in a day) you end up having to pick and choose what's most important.  Besides eating, sleeping and work... and somewhat of a social life. lol.  

An arduous little hike to the top at Mohonk Preserve

     I've spent the last few years exploring and learning new things.  Like how to snowboard, rock climb and hike.  Climbing is hard, by the way.  Don't let anybody tell you different.  But like everything else, you get better at it the more you do it.  And the reward of having conquered a wall or a steep mountain face is immeasurable -  you have to experience it to see what I'm talking about.   I also got reacquainted with my roller blading, which is always going to be one of my favorite loves.  2012 saw me tearing up the city streets like a demon on fire.  Yep.  The blades are hanging in the foyer and as soon as it warms up a bit I'll be back at it, logging some miles.

    But do you know who got neglected in the midst of all this?  This one.  My baby.  My rock - Hot Wheels:

      Up until a few weeks ago, I hadn't been on my bike in 7 years.  Whoa!  I didn't even realize that this much time had gone by.  Understand that you're talking to someone who used to bike everywhere, and who biked back and forth to work between Queens and Manhattan 4 to 5 days a week.  It was intense.  It was serious.  It was FIERCE!  I and this here bike tore up city streets like you won't believe.  Racing MEN up the Queens side of the 59th St bridge and beating their asses, pleased at the look of shock and surprise on their faces after I did it WITHOUT EVEN CHANGING MY GEARS!

Yes.  That was me!  :)

     But then I moved to a 3 floor walk up apartment in 2006.  That one small shift changed everything.  Can you believe that?  I got lazy.  Also, one of my job locations was now right down the street from me, so I arranged to work more hours there.  That lessened the amount of times I'd have to bike into Manhattan to get to work.  Between those two things, the bike got taken out less and less until I took it out no more.  It has sat in the entrance way to my apartment, holding hats, coats, hoodies, bags, etc and gathering dust for years.  Hot Wheels - I apologize.  I shouldn't have treated you so badly! Forgive me!

   But we're back at it now, and I am reminded of how amazing it is to fly through the streets fighting traffic and climbing those hard, crazy hills on the bridge and on all my old routes.  The exhilarating, accomplished feeling I get after making it there and back in one piece after having fought my way through crazy cabs, buses, cars and people.  The joy of not having to sit scrunched in between two people on a crowded subway.  I will never put these wheels down ever again. :)

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What Facebook Has Taught Me About People

     Let me first preface this by saying that there are some things you already know in your heart, but a little confirmation really gets it into your brain!  And THAT's where a lot of things NEED to be when it comes to dealing with life, people, situations and just about anything that comes up, frankly.

     Most of us have become part of the Facebook "machine" this past couple years, and if you're like me, it has become a very convenient way to keep up with what friends, family, acquaintances and interesting people that you'll likely never meet in person are up to.  In the daily/weekly/monthly exchanges, relationships are formed, fostered, sustained or broken and truths are revealed.  You learn.  Most especially about those closest to you, or even just on the second or third tier of your life.  I love learning so that just works damn fine for me!

     To put it all in a nutshell, I have learned which of my family are truly my family and which of my friends are truly my friends.  I learned that the amount of time you've known someone or been connected to them  matters not.  People who have known you the longest can turn out to be some of the most standoffish and shady.  Some who are related to you will treat you like a complete stranger.  I personally have found that it's the newer people in my life who are more willing to actually engage and interact on a real level.  Not only that, some of the people who are geographically more distant to me have managed to pull me closer than ones I've known for years.  On that tip, I also learned that some people, even ones who have known me for years, really are more comfortable being friends only a distance - even if they live right across town. 

     Am I sad, upset or bitter learning these things?  No.  A bit surprised about certain members of my family, for sure.  There were also surprises within a social crowd I once was a part of many years ago.  After it's all said and done, though,  I am much wiser for it.  I now know who not to be so excited/enthusiastic/overjoyed to see at a family reunion, mutual friends event, or at a company meeting, etc.  I know who not to allow to smile all up in my face acting like they're so glad to see me when these occasions arise. I tend to be very friendly, attentive and all "out there" when I run into people.  I now know who not to jump all over like an excited puppy!  LOL!  Yeah, I'm like THAT if I haven't seen you in years! Like I said, I'm all "out there" with my feelings, AND IT'S REAL.  I will now more selectively share my ebullience and excitement.  Especially now that I know how you REALLY feel. ;) One last thing I learned is who to value most among my co workers and the people who have come and take my classes over the years.  It was all so eye opening!

     My Facebook "relationships" taught me that many of the same people that smile all in your face when they see you in person really are just expressing for the moment. When they smile, gush and go on over seeing you at that point in time, they are merely following habitual social cues and gestures.  Many who say "we need to get together soon, girl" don't really mean that - it's just the socially proper thing to say.  I have actually tried to get together with an old friend or two, but after several repeated, failed attempts, I realized that I was the only one trying.  It took banging my head a couple times to finally see the wall that was being put up.  I see and understand now, though.  Sometimes it takes me a minute... ;)   And as a result of that, I have now put those people in their proper place in my life - on the periphery of it.  Which is where they should have stayed in the first place, ha ha.   Proper perspective is good.  Having it allows you to put things exactly where they need to be!

     At the end of the day, these are all lessons well learned!  Thank you!

     On the very, very plus side, I have met some truly beautiful, sweet, amazing people from all over the world!!  I now have friends in Kenya, Tanzania, Germany, The Phillippines, Iceland, India, The Arab Emirates, Poland ... the list goes on!   And I'm not talking about those shadow people who are just a number on your friends list, but the ones who repeatedly take the time to engage via private emails, commentary on posts and more.  Pretty cool, that!  I'll take it!  And did I also mention how much of an addiction Facebook is?....  lol.  Some of you already know!

 .....so.  Have you learned anything about the people in your universe during your time on Facebook?  If so, share.  I'd like to hear your thoughts!

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How Time Has Flown - and I have Grown! :D

Yeah, that's about the brunt of it! :)

     I am back!  Yes, I've neglected this blog and all my blogs for about 2 years almost now.  As you can see, my main focus has changed a bit!  I'm still The FD, and yes, my life is still about staying healthy and fit, but I've added on a few layers and learned a few things since you've seen me last.  I will try to come back and fill you all in, get back to providing some good and compelling info on health and life, and hopefully get to learn what you all have been up to!

    Talk soon!

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