some things will never change

I'm happy to report that I am not hungover today. Nope, not in the least. You see, all the salted nuts, horse-a-doovers (little cracker like things with fish eggs on them), salad, full course meal (made by my lovely friend who is a gourmet chef) and a huge, honking piece of fudge-whip berry cake absorbed the four glasses of wine and two glasses of champagne I drank yesterday evening. I said 'no thank you' to the offer of Port. I love port too, it's decadent and toasty on the tongue, something that I've always thought only very cultured, smart people drink, unlike us tequila-shooter types. But I had to drive home after midnight, so I cut the consumption an hour and a half before hitting the road, and rest assured, I consumed what I did in over five hours and drove sober.



I had to choose. Either I was going to my friends' home in West LA for New Years festivities and dinner, or pass and get to bed at a reasonable hour so that I could ride first thing this morning. My friends, who are like family to me and whom I've known many years longer than I've owned Patsy, won out. They are both older than I am and use upwards of 70% more of their brains' capacities. They move in circles of intellectuals and academia and are jet setters. Almost every year they host a 12 person dinner party on December 31st and every year they do, I am invited to join.




When I attend their New Years Eve party, I am usually the youngest and most definitely the dumbest in the room...and calling myself dumb here is being nice. It's like a full-on think tank, these folks are so intellectually astute, and the majority of them are European. I'm a local yokel who's been abroad all of once and who confuses Europe with Asia - needless to say, I'm the (unintentional) comic relief. I was tired and hungry when I arrived last night, and yet I foolishly drank a glass of champagne on an empty stomach, which then made me lightheaded. I was trying to hold a conversation with a German woman (who was very chic and well traveled) and another guest (whom I've known for years and get along quite well with) and I couldn't remember how to say the word 'distribution' for the life of me. I kept stammering and trying to pronounce it. Distribution...yeah, that big 'ol word tripped my tongue. After three attempts, I just spelled it out, started laughing and said, "I need food. Perhaps I'll score the last fish-egg thing." The German smiled politely and the other guest snickered in the 'I'm laughing with you not at you' way and we moved on to another topic.




I wasn't much more successful the rest of the evening either, but I did my best to contribute to the many conversations on politics, world events and literature - mostly just by saying, 'yes, I agree," or 'mmh-hmm, exactly." And when asked something I couldn't answer, let alone pronounce, I just replied, "I cycle" over and over again, as if that fact alone excused my blank expressions and inability to respond. I'm just not as...um...informed on current events, country leaders or famous authors, okay? But I can damn well tell you how to get from here to the top of Mt. Baldy by bike. Too bad none of the guests last night asked me for that exact information or I would have wowed them with my ample knowledge on the subject.

I'm being silly, of course, and to be sure, I did have fun as I always do (I love my two dear friends with all my heart). I also left as soon as I could after midnight. I apologized profusely for cutting out early (like I do every year I attend), but I fear drunks on the road. By the time I got back over the hill and to bed, it was going on 2:00am. Thank goodness I had already bailed on The Pink and told her I couldn't make the 58 miler she was riding today with another mutual friend's cycling club. It would have been a blast and I'd have loved to have seen her, but given how my legs performed today on my solo ride, I'd have also been in trouble trying to keep up.

Yes, I did ride and all by my lonesome. I just took off from my doorstep at 9:30am, stopped to grab a quick bagel and hit a hard pace over to Griffith Park via Ventura Blvd. and Barham. It was on the small climb off of Ventura that I realized I had no leg climbing power in the least, so my ambitious goal of riding 50 miles to the Rose Bowl and back today was left on the roadside. I barely eeked out 33 miles, during which I damn near pitched my POS Garmin in the street several times as the stupid thing kept shutting off. I hate that piece of crap gadget. It was stupid men who talked me into buying it and it goes to show that men are gadget whores. If it has a lot of buttons and can 'go to 11' they'll want it and insist others should buy it too. Being a stupid woman, I caved in and listened to them and I never should have! It was not pitched, however, as I still need it to clock my miles (at least until I can figure out what odometer I want to purchase to replace it). I've decided to log my miles again on Bike Journal. I'm not going to get crazy like I did in 2007, but I would like to know at the end of 2009 how far I've ridden in aggregate.

Well, riding solo sucked, I admit. I was so lonely, I talked to myself most the time and thought about the new year and what I need to do in the next few months. When I began worrying over things (as I'm apt to do when lost in thought), I stopped thinking about anything at all and just kept sniffing the air, which was fresh like a new automobile with it's "new year" smell. Although lonely, I was happy and free and just rode where ever I felt like turning. I did end up in Griffith Park, but not up in the canyons; I instead rode through the park and out on Los Feliz, a kind of odd urban ride. There were so few cars out, it was fantastic. I rode down Brand Blvd. in Glendale and was shocked how empty it was. Usually I'd avoid that street at all costs given the distracted and rude drivers in that area (I don't care for Glendale in the least), but today, it was all mine. There were quite a few folks out walking and I hollered, "happy new year!" to them, even the smokers (Jesus, there were a ton out puffing away today) with their little charred lungs and stinky breath. One elderly man smiled, thanked me and yelled, "God blesses you, young lady, I see it..." as I pedaled off.

After a good 25 miles, I figured why not bug Herb? He'd put his foot down today about needing to do bike maintenance, so no matter how I tried to sound pitiful when pleading with him to come ride today, he wouldn't give in. I knew he'd be out front on his lawn tinkering with his new Ti bike, so I swung by to surprise him and Ellen (he wasn't really surprised as he knew I'd do that). I also mooched a diet coke, heh heh - it may be a new year, but some things will never change. He had a little dog in his front yard that I fell in love with instantly, Mitzy. She's his neighbor's dog and he was dog sitting. Perfect! I got to love on Mitzy and torment Herb. This is the crap he puts up with:

From there, I practically crawled home, my pedaling was so limp. It was if I just suddenly became soggy like a wet wool sock that no matter how many times you wring it, it's still damp and useless. I'm sure it's from all the rich food and alcohol combined with little rest, so I wasn't worried, but I may have to bail on my dinner plans tonight since I'm so groggy and will need to hit the hay early (I work tomorrow, ugh). I still loved my solo ride today (hey, I was on a bike, so what's not to love!) and I'm thrilled it's a new year. So much is possible...that's what I'm going to keep thinking over all else...so much is possible.