More potpourri.

Firstly, thanks for the support. Yeah, it's hard to let go. I've been buffeted by many forces, from many sides. One of the things I keep learning over and over again is to STFU. I end up saying the wrong thing, or going on too long about it, or giving out too much information. I've learned to keep a lot in.

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Today, I did 16 miles on my bicycle. This weekend I did 10 miles each day. It's not a big deal. I do 4 miles each day, 2 each way. If anything, that's not enough for me. The past few times, I stretch it a bit, so it's 3 miles in.

The ride time helps me mentally 'gear up' for work. My job isn't that complicated, but it does require attention to detail, many details. There are unpleasant parts, and more unpleasant parts. The ride helps me get focused so I can face them, starting with the most unpleasant jobs, else they won't get done.

Anyhow, 3 miles in. I lead a lunchtime ride at work. Actually, fell into leading it. We have a rather active community of bicyclists at work. They have two organized rides. The only problem with the organized rides is that ... they're serious riders.

I commented to one of the ride leaders that I knew I wasn't up to it and he offered to help me start a beginner's ride. One thing led to another, and I ended up leading a ride. Well, one other person. Still, that was another 7 miles.

Tonight, I had a racquetball game. The gym was 2 miles away, not a big deal. On the way back, I cooled off with a slow and easy ride (until the bleeping hill at the end...) which was the remaining 4 miles.

To give you an idea of what I mean by 'serious' bike riders, the ride leader is planning to do the Paris - Brest - Paris run. 700 miles, 20,000 feet total climb (not all at once, just rolling hills. Lots of them.) In 90 hours. The other ride leader is going to do the Canadian Iron Man triathlon.

See what I mean by serious?

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Racquetball is a fun sport for me, if I can find someone who's at my level. I think I found someone today. He's slightly better than I am, so I have opportunity to learn.

I used to play what I jokingly call 'jungle ball.' I used to play with elbow and knee pads, and used them heavily. I used to 'dig' for the ball, to dive for it, to almost breakdance on the floor.

Well, that was 15 years ago. Then since, I've gotten older, slower and ... heavier. I've started again, but last October I fell off my bicycle and banged up my knee pretty badly. That knocked me out of the game for half a year.

So, I picked it up again, and played a few more people, but they weren't good matches. Anyhow, today was a good match, and I started to feel the old reflexes to kick in.

I'm going to have a 'raspberry' (rub-burn) on my calf from one of my 'digs.' Of course, I'm not playing with elbow and knee pads, so I had to go easy. Still, it was good to feel my fear let go, and my old reflexes kick in.

It was a good day.

No, I didn't call my mother today. I should have, but I just don't have it in me.