make the best of 2012

It's January 2, 2012, and today still has the brand-new-year smell all over it. Too bad I can't sniff it this morning cause of a stupid, nasty (and rather stubborn) head cold. I spent the last two days of 2011 on the verge of full snothood, and finally, last night (11pm, when I woke up wheezing and coughing, to be exact) it overtook me. This said, I did not and will not ride my bike today. I (gulp) cancelled on Bob.

First, I sent him a text message all full of self pity and then I called him. He's got no reason to think I'd lie to him about not feeling well enough to ride, but I still wanted him to hear my stuffed-up "sick" voice to prove it. I got a "feel better," "don't worry, we have lots of days to ride this year," and "now, go watch the entire Rose Parade from start to finish," from him. It was the suggestion that I watch the parade that made me laugh. He's a funny man, that Bob, he's got jokes. Truth be known, I hated to cancel and was tempted to swallow a few Dayquil's and go riding, pushing myself to the brink.

However, since this is a shiny brand new year, I must start it with my shiny brand new resolutions goals aspirations/dogma. I'm determined to listen to my body and mind this year, and not just jump every time someone whistles. This is a major fault of mine and comes from a very deep-seated loneliness and fear that if I don't please others, they won't like me. Typically, I comply, tail wagging, and then end up resenting the other person(s) when I'm not happy with the outcome. I conveniently forget that it is I who responds/joins at times without thinking the situation through entirely.

There have been way too many examples of this in my life, times when I agree to do something too hastily, commit too quickly. I'm going to practice using regard and judgment this year. Today, I done good. I woke up feeling like shit, and instead of forcing myself to pull it together only to later feel like worse shit, I pulled the plug on attending. I'm not happy about not riding today (miserably sad, actually) but I'm not doing myself or anyone else (Bob) any favors by joining either. So far...I'm proud to report that I've kept at least one New Year's aspiration!!

got to futzing around with Linda's 2012 glasses...
she gave them to me & I see more photos in the coming months...

bring it...

I've got a couple more aspirations that I will share in case anyone is interested, but first I'd like it noted that I did ride yesterday - the first day of the year. I rode with the girls, and we did nothing more than pedal lazily to the ocean for brunch and back. I was coughing consistently throughout, but they and I assumed it was my stupid asthma. We've had phenomenal weather out here in Southern California for the last five days with it warming a tad more each day, almost to summer-like conditions. With weather fluctuations comes breathing issues (for me), but this time, it was a cold and not just my pitiful lungs. Had I listened to my body, I'd have known as far back as Friday that I was getting sick. Hindsight is never over rated!

love thse girls - it's become our tradition to ride on NY Day...

sigh...So Cal winter weather...

so many bikes everywhere...love it!...

I don't have much to report on about our New Year's Day ride other than it was (as usual) very enjoyable. I took lots of photos (of course) and mostly just pedaled along a little ahead of the girls, thinking through last year and imagining the year ahead of us. 2011, unlike 2010, was a good year that brought me new (wonderful) friends and reconnected me with some old ones. It lacked any real nasty drama, and other than my two asthma attacks in the early months, I was pretty healthy. I got to go home in July to see my entire family (including all my cousins and such). I also got to bring sis out for a visit this past December. I still have my job, a roof over my head and a little dragon to love. My fitness and health has improved, although not to the level I'd like, but any improvement is, well....improvement!

Speaking of health and fitness, aspiration number two is all about that. In 2012, I will no longer be using words such as "diet," "plan," and "lose." My new jargon is "fitness," "intention," and "health." I will outright ignore anyone who wishes to engage me in any discussion about their diet plans (Weight Watchers, MyPlate, Myfitnesspal.com, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, South Beach, Insanity, etc.) and how they want to lose, will lose, have lost weight. I'm not talking about it on any social network (or on here) except to report my activities (cycling being number one, certainly).

never gets old to me...

the path stayed fairly uncrowded most of the day...

winter wear in So Cal...

I'm simply going to throw spandex on and move my body any and every chance I get (except when sick). I'm going to eat healthy and make smart choices. I am not drinking Sunday night through Thursday (no happy hours with friends), nor am I drinking the night before a bike ride - and beer is only allowed if I've ridden my bike for three+ hours or more! I plan to ride my bike every Saturday and Sunday I can, unless I'm hiking or spending time with friends/loved ones. I also plan to get my running (on a treadmill or track) up to 30-45 mins twice a week; and preferably, one hour at least once a week (this will be determined by how the knees hold up).

In no particular order, I intend to ride and or hike all of the following:

1. Mount Baldy - by bike (at least four times as I miss that mountain terribly) and by foot (once)
2. Big T/Little T/Angeles Crest - I've been away from those canyons for far too long as well
3. At least six century rides with one being in Big Bear
4. Latigo (just silly that I haven't been up that for over a year!)
5. Various local hikes that I've not done in way too long
6. Maybe the MS150...maybe
7. All of the above if the universe aligns - and if not, I'm okay with that

I do not plan to increase/intensify my efforts to ride dirt. I've decided with no shame whatsoever that I flat out suck at mountain biking. This does not mean that I won't be on my knobbies or out on fire roads, but single tracks and a foray into more skilled riding is over. After last year's clinic/demo, I learned that not only is it really shrewd to be scared of something that you suck at, but it's even smarter to stop doing it for fear of injury. To put it in perspective, I won't be riding BMX or cycle-cross either. And...I'm okay with that.

I think these two were pacing Linda...

this is how I felt after brunch...

With all the fitness/health comes an aspiration that I admit will be difficult for me to keep. I must exercise my mind this year. I'm terribly lazy with this and didn't read so much as one book all the way through last year (I started Girl with the Dragon Tattoo but bored quickly). Therefore, I am determined to choose one book per month to read. I have a month in which to read it. I already have a book selected for January, a short one (and one that Bob's lovely better half loaned me). From there, I'll have to consider what will be read next. I may even buy a Kindle (trying to save the trees and all).

Then, I'd like to take a class to learn sign-language (to sign well and fluently), a class to learn Spanish (conversationally) and possibly a writing class or photography class. I love to write and take photos, but if you've read this blog, you will know that I need some improvement on both efforts. Each one excites and inspires me, so why not?

happiness...

Lastly, I am determined to volunteer at least twice within each six months (so, four times) at a minimum. I may head back to the LA Food Bank, truthfully. Rats aside, I liked the experience and felt a sense of humility and dignity helping out the community at large. I may also volunteer at a smaller shelter in my neighborhood, perhaps one that I can ride my bike to. I find it very rewarding to give back to others less fortunate through my efforts (giving money certainly helps, but I have more time on my hands than I do cash!). And with today's economy, those less fortunate are growing in numbers.

So, those are my 2012 aspirations, none I haven't made before (as resolutions quickly broken/forgotten). The difference this year is that I'm older, somewhat wiser and a hell of a lot less worried about it all. I hope to achieve what I've written here and stick to it, but I'm not getting all bent out of shape if I slip up. Each year is a work in progress and a blessing. I'm truly happy to be alive in 2012. Since we all have until December 21st (that's when the world is purported to end), we might as well make the best of the next 11.5 months! Hmmm...maybe I'll lump all my aspirations into just this one - Make the Best of 2012. Yeah, I like that and you know what? I think I can keep it.