I have had such a long, great weekend- and it is not over yet. This post could go on for 3 pages...I don't even know how to trim it down. The highlights are as such:
- Memphis Italian Festival: Friday night...my family and friends have a tent, and needless to say I had a great time. Needless to say, I left the festival at midnight with a funnel cake (?because that sounded like a great idea at the time?) and by the time I made it home, I had eaten the whole thing. I was hoping it would give me some fuel for a Saturday morning ride, I guess.
- 106 miles: Saturday morning...slightly hungover, severe lack of sleep from the whole week, and remembering the funnel cake? I had no breakfast in the house and set off to ride hoping that I would kick the hangover and just hang on to wheels. And, no, I did not plan to go from 30 mile rides to centuries. When no one was turning around and we were 40+ miles from the start, I had a moment of "oh s#it!" Since I am directionally challenged, I couldn't get myself home and just had to suck it up and ride. I pushed aside all thought that I have not ridden over 70 miles since IMFL2008.
And, to be honest, I felt good the whole ride. I have no clue what was "fine" about riding 100+ miles with no preparation, but it was. Was is my awesome bike Torres that doesn't tear up my body quite as much? Or the good aerobic base post surgery from just doing easy stuff? Or less knee pain? Or good company? Or the funnel cake? Or all of the above? It was an epic good day.
-John Prine/Keith Sykes: after spending the afternoon lying in bed and reading, I put on my party face and went to hear some of the best acoustic music I have heard in my whole life. If either of these two guys come near you, you better go see them. You will never want to listen to radio music again- you will feel scammed by the lack of intelligence, creativity, story-telling, and skill that our pop culture has to offer.
It was during this show that I started to think about how amazing my life is.
Fast forward 4 hours or so and I was STARVING! 106 miles will do that to you. Dave and I sat across from each other in a booth at Westies around midnight and I cleaned my entire plate + a hot fudge pie dessert worth about 2000 calories. I told Dave how GOOD my life is. I know that not every day can be as pleasant or fun as these past few, but it seems that I have so many more good days than bad. I have had so many adventures- so many good friends.
And last little bit- as I work in a nursing home/skilled nursing facility, I have the opportunity every day to talk with older people that are ending their lives- some with friends, and some without. John Prine sang a great song about TALKING to older people and saying hello. The end of life can feel pretty lonely when your friends have already passed away, or your family lives in another state, or your kids cannot afford to take care of you and you have to live in a facility. Take the time to say hello.
Ya' know that old trees just grow stronger,
And old rivers grow wilder ev'ry day.
Old people just grow lonesome
Waiting for someone to say, "Hello in there, hello."
And old rivers grow wilder ev'ry day.
Old people just grow lonesome
Waiting for someone to say, "Hello in there, hello."
1 comment:
great post as usual, my favorite part is the funnel cake sounding like a good idea! anything at midnight after a night of drinking sounds like a good idea!
good job on the century! that is awesome!
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