Over the Edge

I signed on with my company in part because of the good they do in the world. The mission and the work have been such a good fit for me. When they said, "who wants to rappel down a building?" I raised my hand. Holy moly, is this what they meant?!

They did mean that. The easy emotion for me was to get excited about it - this is a core part of my personality. Getting geared up? Walking out on to the roof? I was a different person. I was feeble. I let the guides do their work. I was the body on the rope, but they were kind and patient souls getting me to the ground.

The part that changed me was getting a medal from an Olympiad. He talked about how he likes to play basketball in addition to track and field events. He is the brave one.

Ban Fracking y'all

The other night, I did an exercise. In three phases, you describe your dream in full color detail to another person. You actually put a voice to your heart's greatest desire. We repeated the two minute recitation of what happens a year after achieving this dream, and then ten years later. Unsurprisingly, the first session is touched marked with a lot of fear. If it was easy, wouldn't everyone already be doing it? The second phase for me was way less encumbered. It was exploratory and exciting, and I can't wait to get there. In the third session, I described an altered state of my current life. It's a mirror life to the one I lead now, with a different continent and way of life -- but I'm still me. I have the same values. I have the same moral code. And I'm free.

I tell you this, because I can't wait to get to the beginning, middle, and end of all these pieces. I'm so lucky to live my beautiful life. I'm so enamored with my children, my friends, my job, and my daily. I can clearly see all kinds of ways forward from here.

Just delivered my children and parked my fuel-efficient vehicle to hop on the bike. Yesterday started with yoga and a bagel. Living the dream! (My dreams anyway)

Next step: get the children biking to school. 

Next-next step: paddle boards and trailer. 

Next-next-next step: scuba certs for the kids. 

Next-next-next-next step: sailboat. 

Strawberries and Cream

My sister had a sad event and needed for me to keep her kids for a couple days. Let me tell you, I'm elated for the opportunity. My sister's kids are people I want to know. They're smart and friendly and awesome. You know what we did first? Bike fit.

When my nephew begged to ride on the back of the tandem, my heart popped with glee. His sister wanted to ride the Dutchie. We set out for Starbucks. Where they live, you can't ride to very many things. Distance and speed limits make it tough for the elementary/middle school crowd. The novelty of riding to a Place for Something was huge for them. My nephew's glee about riding the tandem was noisy. And then there was the uphill. My sweet niece kept her focus on the venti strawberries and cream. Heading home is more downhill and went way faster.

I just wanted to share the joy of a bike ride.

Challenge Anew

Sometimes we judge people. Sometimes the person I'm judging is me. I had a day that... if I were not me... I might judge.

I hit up a learning session at a dev conference, followed it up with the farmer's market and my son's soccer game. If I had quit there, it wouldn't be enough. I went home via the biodiesel shop that is also a remarkable vintner and organic produce stand. By the time my sister arrived from across the state after her apple-picking adventure, any connection to my tree hugging self was lost to my elitist counterpart.

Guilt has set in. There's an oil spill in Alabama. I have means and ability to do better. These aren't first or third world issues. Alabama has real world / in your face / here because of our wastefulness Issues.

I'm looking at my week, and I hope you will too. Where can you streamline your trips? Can you do more with less? How? Find it. Do it.