A New New Years Resolution.

A while ago I wrote a post about how a brave little girl helped me learn to face my fears, some of them, anyway. Honestly, I don’t really want to face all of them, I think fear is a good thing, aerobic, cardio. Smart, brave people jump out of airplanes, ski down the sides of mountains, run from the bulls in Spain, go deep sea diving, and invite catastrophe at every turn. No thanks, but, I faced an orthopedic specialist and six weeks of physical therapy, like a boss!!! There is a lot to learn from the youth of the world.

Yesterday my wife had a cold, it has run rampant through the family. It settles into the sinuses and produces a nasty headache. I decided the best treatment was something spicy. And I hadn’t had enchiladas in a long time, and I love enchiladas. Nobody had any better idea for dinner. We decided our time honored New Years Eve enchiladas was a great idea. A tradition one year in the making.

We needed a few things, so I went to the store. A light rain fell as I drove the short distance to the store. It was warm for December and almost pleasant. I like to park in the far reaches of the lot. Away from everybody else. Less chance of some starving, frantic, crazed shopper with low blood sugar slamming their door into my car. And, I can always use a few steps. Plus, driving through all of the pedestrians milling around, pushing shopping carts filled with heavy bags of groceries, bottles of juice, cases of soda, and canned goods, always reminds me of something from Mad Max, or The Walking Dead. 

These people have just been through Meijer’s and are pushing a barely controllable bartering ram. From the look on their face they would have no remorse about smashing a person against the back of a minivan, leaving a broken, bleeding, expiring body sliding slowly down the lift gate. What do you think happens to all of the windshield wipers hanging limply over the license plate? I can walk in between cars, down center lines, in the words of Micheal Herr in Dispatches, I’m a “moving target survivor subscriber.” You have to keep your eyes open, be aware of your surroundings. And, I need the steps.

To keep you up to date on what’s happening folks, we were having enchiladas for dinner and needed some stuff from the store, it was warm for late December, raining lightly, and I parked at the far end of the parking lot. 

When I finished shopping and came outside it was raining much harder. It didn’t really bother me that much, it is Ohio. I just pulled up my hood, accepted my fate and walked toward my car. About halfway there I heard a child walking with a parent, singing, stomping through the puddles, enjoying life, enjoying the rain, living as large as possible for such a tiny package. And I thought life should be lived that way, all through life, rain is a gift, puddles are made for stomping, and singing in the rain is not just a movie from a forgotten time but good advice. I was happier all the way home. And I found my New Years resolution. Enjoy life more.  I don’t know who the child was, but I owe that little person a thank you.

Take My Advice, That is My Advice

My gym, technically not my gym, (but sometimes it is so empty that it might as well be my gym) is located in the school building where my wife works. It is kind of small, and has limited equipment, but employees, their spouses and retired employees can use it for free. Someday I may outgrow it and have to move up to a membership gym, but until then I love the place. There are weights in there I have yet to lift.

Since it is so small just a few extra people can seem like a crowd. And a couple of times a year there are several extra people. Right after New Year there is always a big crowd, people who have decided to really whip themselves into shape this year. I always root for them, silently, hoping they have the fortitude, and desire to stay the course. But, by the end of February they have thinned out, and it becomes the Life Explained Memorial Gymnasium again. It is nice to have the place to myself, but the promises dying makes a sad sound.

When school starts there is always a wave of fitness seekers. It is mostly young teachers, and they are young, brash, and confident. It is a magic time and I feed off their enthusiasm. Waves of enthusiasm flood the small room, you can almost see the good cheer. They come in together, talking, smiling, joyful, and it really boosts the atmosphere. Soon the groups get smaller, and then stop altogether. It makes me a little melancholy, like losing a friend.

But, I keep going, and think to myself, if these people would commit a few more weeks, they would understand the way it makes life seem a little better, things are a little easier when you exercise regularly. Last time I had my blood pressure tested it was 121 over 71!  I was walking on air!

Here is my advice, exercise, regularly, and you will feel like Richard Thompson and me.

Ideas wanted, can you spare a few?

Wow, December 10th already.  That really sneaked up, it was just fall and now, bang it is the 10th of December.  Of course, it has been very busy, here at Life Explained #lifeexplained) and we are completely unprepared.  As embarrassing as it is to admit, we have not even started our "Highlights of 2014" year end postapalooza.  So, we are going to have to come up with some ideas for the list.  Anybody have any ideas?  No idea is a bad idea, we'd like to hear them, really.  And if you come up with the ideas that will save us all of the trouble, and that would be nice.

I am leaving soon to go home, if you come up with something good go ahead and leave a message in the comments.  If you can't wait that long, just write it out on a sign, and when you see my car on the freeway hold it up, and I will take a picture.  If you can't wait that long, and you don't have a sign now is the time to fix that little problem.

Order your "Idea Sign" now!  Only $19.99, plus shipping and handling.  That's right folks, you get this beautiful, handcrafted "Idea Sign" with a brown craft finish, and three inch high gloss divider tape for only $19.99 plus shipping and handling.  Guaranteed to hold your ideas, no matter how fast you drive.  And, if you act now we will throw in a second "Idea Sign" (because we know you have too many good ideas for one little sign) for free!  All you pay is the shipping and handling.  Don't hesitate, order your "Idea Sign" today.*

While you are waiting for delivery check out this insightful, thoughtful piece Life Explains Music.  You won't regret it, at least not very much.  Tell them you want more from this promising new talent.

*Sign does not include ideas.

Excuse me, sir, would you happen to know what year this is?

For the last several weeks I have been thinking about New Year.  Not the traditional Western New Year, with all of the ball dropping, (I remember watching them "drop" the ball for the first time, it was dreadfully disappointing, I thought they were "dropping" something, it should be called "delicately lowering the ball") champagne toasting, parade watching run of the mill routines.  Instead, the Lunar New Year, celebrated by the Chinese has been on my mind.

These are people not really known for their ability to throw a party.  Centuries of creative innovation, untrammeled industriousness, a work ethic matched only by the social insects, plus they build a pretty nice wall.  But, if you were to think of great places to celebrate, it probably would not include China.  

When it comes to this one though, they do it right.  It is a three day celebration, including food, family and tradition.  Ancient beliefs add mystical properties, and that alone is enough to make it wonderful.  Ritual cleaning and ceremonial food provide the "out with the old and in with the new" air to these joyous festivities.  They throw evil spirits from the house and welcome good fortune, happiness and wealth.  

In my job I am, occasionally, fortunate enough to communicate with people from all over the world.  And one year a woman from China emailed me wishing me a "Happy Year of the Rat."  It was a very nice gesture, but, after that I was hooked.  There is something so appealing about the symbolism involved in naming years like that.  

We need to do something like that here.  We need to be a little less strident about our own infallibility, we need to embrace the possibilities, accept the unknown, and the comfort we can find in remembering that there are things we don't need to understand, or explain. Remember the words of George Bernard Shaw, "Beware of false knowledge, it is more dangerous than ignorance."  There is a lot we can learn in unexpected places, if we are willing.  So, have a Happy Year of the Horse.