Oh Grease - Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong era, I dream of a world where everything is musically represented with choreographed moves, not the High School Musical type, but rather more the Bye Bye Birdie, or West Side Story type.
But I digress...
If you remember, I had created some what of a summer wish list - now although "get and train a puppy" was not visible, it was definitely apart of our planning but left out to avoid the obvious focus that a puppy brings. I can hear my father's voice "no, no dogs, they are hard to train" yet I know he is thinking "YES PLEASE!!"
So now in mid July (I refuse to admit that it is close to being over) here is my small update.
1. Beach Volleyball: we had our first meet last Thursday and our team was pumped. I joined this team of 8 knowing only 3 people and this seemed to be the case with the entire team. I enjoy meeting new people but was beyond nervous to play a team sport with them. Especially one that I play so very rarely and have minimal skills in. Regardless we were fast with jokes and full of laughter in just a few short moments that would last the entire 2 hours. By the end I was covered in sweat and sand but felt elated. I missed being on a team.
2. Rowing: Twice a week since the beginning of July I have made my way of the usual 45 minute drive into the city (in traffic, an hour or more) to sit in a boat with 7 other people and have very little control on how the boat moves. This team sport requires all 8 rowers to move in synchronized time in order to keep the boat balanced and moving. It is an incredible feeling when it happens, you swiftly move through the water almost parallel to it, however the opposite is not just choppy, it's terrifying as you tilt toward the water or your blade gets stuck and the end of your oar jabs into your chest. My position is bow or number 1, and along with number 2 we make bow pair - the toughest positions. This is the worst position for someone with control issues. I can see the drunken caterpillar before me as I hear "in 5 strokes, bow join in". I know I need to follow 8, the stroke seat, but there are 6 seats between us that distract and change the boats movements. Once I join in it's full mayhem, my boat rocks and I begin to accept that I will be going into Lake Ontario- an act that not only I fear, but actually deters from my focus of trying to row. I grow furious as the coxswain points out "bow you are not feathering!" - really!? this is what you want to point out. I begin to list out in my head what every other person is doing incorrectly - this is probably what is throwing off my "perfect" stroke.
If anything, learning to row has taught me I need to give up my control, I can only control what I do - and in focusing on everyone else I am not even doing that.
3. House changes (painting, shelving, general decorating): Dave is taking a week stay-cation in August - our plans to go away were gladly pushed aside once we got Blondie and instead we are going to work on making those small (I use that term lightly) changes in the house. However I think we will readdress what "must be done" and what is actually feasible.
4. Recipes: Dave is mastering bread making, and added bagels to his repertoire! I am focusing on the BBQ - it may not be once a week but we are trying! I want to tackle one from Mario Batali. His orange book calls to me even as I sit here.
5. Books: stay tuned for my reviews at the end of the month for widely talked about The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - Steig Larson and Generation A - Douglas Coupland.
As for the rest...well...there is still a month or so to go !
the picture of your dad with the cotton ball of a dog made me howl -- how can she be that small....
ReplyDeleteLoved hearing about your sporty spice summer ...