Bruises and cowbells

Well I got my bike today. The guy at the bike shop was very helpful. I would have stayed longer to ask questions about my new hobby but decided otherwise for fear of passing out from the stinch of what I could only assume would result his from lack of showering for 5+ days. Those of you in Starkville that have payed him a visit can relate. I hurried home with all intentions to rev that puppy up and fell asleep watching Never Been Kissed...whoops. I woke up to the sound of cheering during the climactic ending where the "way too cute for Drew Barrymore" guy runs out onto the field and gives her an melt me kiss. I hopped off the couch, got dressed and set off.

Now keep in mind that my behind hasn't graced a bicycle of any kind since my preteen years. This considered, I decided to start off in the private likes of my parents' neighborhood. All went well and I started off with about 5 miles of alternating hills and flat (although nothing like the elevations I will meet when I return to Birmingham). After I regained my confidence, I set out for the lovely campus of MSU. There are several bike paths and the nostalgia is a good feeling. Still wanting to stay moderately incognito, I was alarmed to find about a gazillion people on campus. I quickly remembered the game on Thursday and all the events that seem to precede the BIG DEAL GAME (blood bath by the way - but still going). I made sure to exit campus shortly starting off at the Sanderson center and heading towards University.

That's when it happened...

Roadwork, unsteady bike skills, plenty of construction workers staring...I fall. I hit an uneven part in the road a bit too sideways...and toppled over. UGH! Now there are several ways to handle this - 1)Stop there, start crying and see if someone will help - um H no. 2)Get up look around and laugh WITH everyone else watching with an "Oh well" shrug. 3)Get up straighten things out and get the crap out of there without looking up. You guessed it...option 3. I could have been gushing blood out of some wound and would still have jetted out. Such a blow to my biking confidence...but I got back on campus and rode several more miles. I guess I had my initiation and got it out of my system

I'm following up with something i KNOW I can do tonight...tennis. Something I have missed so much while in Birmingham. A sport where you HAVE to have a partner...there are surprisingly few people I have met there willing to play. Maybe I'll join a mixed league. Hmmm.

I'm considering a half marathon...looking at training plans. It's been a while since I did any sort of organized training but I will be glad to return. Keep you posted.

My blog should be more interesting hopefully in the next few days...Hailey is going to work on it...Until then, sorry. Farewell from Mississippi!

Here Goes..

So I've been waiting forever to be able to start doing this. My computer won't let me for some reason. My sister is in town and brought hers so I thought I would cease this opportunity. I always told people that I shouldn't have a blog, that it would be less than entertaining...so no guarantees. It will be more for me and my creative outlets.
I sit here wondering when I will get tired (as I often do on my nights off)...memories of nights that I've stayed up bored to tears until 6am haunt me. I have found, however, that it is the most opportunistic time to do reflection and thinking. Quiet, dark, almost audible thoughts.

I'm still trying to get used to Birmingham. After living in ONE place all of my life and knowing every single person there, this is a huge change. In some ways bad (bored, sometimes lonely) but so many ways amazing that I wouldn't have ever seen coming. I'm getting to know myself and who I really am more than I ever have. My character has changed so much in the past year.

People here are...well, different. Not a day goes by (that I actually come into contact with people) that I am astounded at the audacity and pure shamelessness of Birmingham's inhabitants. Guys come up with the most preposterous pick up lines that can only make me wonder if they have ever come into contact with a woman. Girls just stare....and not in a good way always. I'm not saying this is birmingham-specific behavior, but it all seems so amplified to me now. There are some great people here and many that I know are in the cards for me to meet in good time. My patients often ask me if I'm from around here (if they are actually of the small percentage that have anything to request other than pillows or a food tray). When I tell them I'm from Misssissippi, they always ask what led me here. I never know what to say. It is only by chance and circumstance that I find myself in this "non-hilary" type place. I now have settled on the rehearsed line that is much easier than going into long babble about my life - "well all of my friends from college were getting married, and I needed a change of scenery."

Does that sound negative? If it does, by all means don't misunderstand my disposition here. I love my job and where I live. Change is good. The uncertainty of my future is absolutely invigorating.
For the past 3 years, I have been a tad obsessed with running. Not anything competitive, but my devotion to is alarming to some. Although I love that part of my day, I know that it is wearing on my body. So I've decided to mix it up. I just bought a mountain bike. It's sitting in MS with my parents right now and I feel like a child that can't go to sleep because they are so excited about something. I will pick it up this week. I have been "training" on the stationary bike as much as I can to prepare. I even looked at those awful tight shorts with padding in the butt that honestly find repulsive...but whatever is necessary. So I will most definitely be blogging about that new adventure in my life when it begins to develop.

I'm watching 300 right now. Very intense. Very far from my usual movie interest of stupid comedy or chick flick with an occasional horror film. I'm going back to it now...Not all my posts will be this lengthy or seemingly serious. I felt the need to catch up for a bit of lost time.

One flight down
There's a song on low
And your mind just picked up on the sound
Now you know you're wrong
Because it drifts like smoke
And it's been there playing all along
Now you know
Now you know

The reeds and brass have been weaving
Leading into a single note

In this place
Where your arms unfold
Here at least you see your ancient face
Now you know
Now you know

The cadence rolls in broken
Plays it over and then goes

One flight down
There's a song on low
And it's been there playing all along
Now you know
Now you know