Bolder Boulder

10K. No problem. Although I did it walking. It's a blast though. You can't help but get swept up in the crowd mentality, the music, the people dancing, the goof balls dressing up in everything from Santa to Elvis. Just a gentle walk thought the streets. I"m hooked!! So then you come up the final hill, which leads to the CU football stadium, you walk in through the field gate and there are literally 40,000 fans cheering, waving, high fiveing. I walked around the entire track to the finish line with goosebumps, waving up at the crowd like I was someone. And at that time, I really did feel like a star. Now I know how sports figures feel when they come into a stadium. Very heady stuff.

Off to the join the people in the stadium to help root on the people following. Then after about a 30 minute wait, the REAL runners come in. Shit, it took me over an hour and a half to do the thing and these guys are running 10K in under 30 minutes. The Ethiopian team comes into the stadium at the same time and running three abreast and hand in hand run around the track and finish tied for first!! Now that's a team!! The place went bonkers.

Then to top it off, parachute guys come down out of the sky and and in the middle of the field, each one carrying a different flag representing the different military services, and finally a huge American flag. I'm awestruck........but wait.....a lightning bolt goes off in my head. I look over a Jess and say, oh shit, I forgot it was Memorial Day. I thought all this was going on because of the 10K. Duh!! At least Jess sets me straight at how happy she is that she is the only one that heard that lame comment. I redeem my self by suggesting "let's get a drink"!!

Man, this place just keeps getting better. Already met some cool new people. Lot of brainiacs here. I'll bullshit my way around and they'll think I am too!! Shhh. Nobody tell them.

I'm still looking for a place to live. Not as easy as I thought since most places don't become available until August 1st for CU. Fingers crossed!!

Oh, yeah, the battery died on my camera otherwise there would have been a lot more pics. Next year!!

Plug in the IPOD and enjoy my ride to work.

This is just one of the trails I can take to work.

Oh, yeah. Ma, don't worry about your baby boy. He found a place to live!! :)

More pics to come of the BolderBoulder race!!

Swapping

That title got your attention. Nope not what you thought though.

Another long walk in the mountains today. I realized I have swapped beaches for mountains, chickens for squirrels, goats for deer, and a car for a bike!! I had so much fun lying in the grass and watching two squirrels chase each other around the tree, then up the tree, then back down again. They would look at each other and then scamper off again. I guess they were kind of frolicking. :)

Still haven't found a place to live yet. The place I loved has been rented to someone else. Oh well, just means a better place will come up soon.

Work, if that's what you call what I'm doing, is going great. It's fun to be part of a growing business (pun intended). Lot's of good wellness stuff and a built in pilates studio and masseuse whenever I want. Hmmmm. Guess I traded in panini's for massages, too!!!

This long weekend coming up will be wonderful. I'm going to partake in the BolderBoulder, a 10K run/walk that will have over 50,000 people entered. Great way to meet people. Also plenty of music, food and general merriment. Friday night going to see a Motown cover band. That should bring back some memories. Maybe I'll put on my bell bottoms!! I really do feel like I'm reverting back to my younger days.

And a massage is definitely in the works for apres weekend!!

Rocky Mountain HIGH!!!

What a difference a few time zones makes. Boulder!! Absolutely beautiful. The mountains, the smell of the pines, the cool running creeks, endless sky, countless stars. Family!!!

Rode the bike to work today. Along the creek, past CU and all that young vibrancy, through a tree lined forest, and voila, 20 minutes later, I'm at work. Face flushed with the exertion but feeling ready to take on the world. No need for coffee.

Still looking for housing. Been looking in the mountains, but recently, thought about a little bungalow in town. Maybe some wood floors, fireplace, outside deck where I can sit and watch the grass grow. Seems weird to be here after so many years by the beach, but I have that same feeling I had when I first moved to Anguilla. Everything ahead of me. New things to explore, see, and do. Looking in the Boulder Weekly, I can't believe how much there is to do. Every day and every night. Music, art, farmer's market, exhibitions, readings, and much more.

Work is a challenge, but it's what my mind needed. Man, I was becoming jello down there. Feels good to be part of something and seeing the possibilities. The best part of work is that it's so much fun, that it doesn't feel like work. Geez, I'm getting paid to do this?

Thanks to N & S in Tucson for their unbelievable hospitality. Also thanks to all the friends that made me feel so welcome and special. I missed you all!

As for C, still missing you!! Come visit soon!!

Molting

What a ride it's been and now it's time for the adventure to move to a different setting.

Got on the ferry heading for St. Marten. I realized when I got to St. Marten, that during the entire ride I never, not once, looked back. Really made me think. Not looking back. And as each mile went past me, I felt like I was losing my old skin and starting a new one.

It was a wonderful 3-1/2 years in Anguilla, but I had lost myself. My identity. My me. My laughter, my smile. It's all back in spades.

Landed in Chicago and was right in the hustle and bustle of ORD, when I realized that the hustle and bustle was flowing around me. I wasn't part of it. What a nice feeling and I have to thank my time in Anguilla for how relaxed I am. How I learned what respect is. Patience. Understanding. And above all, I finally and truly found what love is. Special thanks to C for that. You will always be in my heart.

So, now I'm in Tucson with a grin on my face that just won't go away. The smells, the clear blue skies, the dryness, the soft breeze, and most of all the friends. Everyone seems genuinely happy to see me and the feeling is mutual. I thank you all for making me feel so special.

Stay tuned for the new adventures to come. I cannot wait and every day is a new beginning, new adventure, new friends. Thank God I'm alive, healthy, and happy. There are always people less fortunate then us. My thoughts and prayers to you S. C is a fighter and she'll beat this thing.

Love to you all.