Skate World

As anyone who knows me best will tell you, I tend to get addicted to ideas. For instance, after Gabby showed me 'Shock and Awe' by Henry Rollins for the first time, I couldn't get enough of him. I tend to spend too many nights googleing and wiki'ing my way through topics, anything from zombies to organic food, from disc golf to Zoe Bell, once I get a topic on my mind its hard to get it out for a while.

My latest obsession, Roller Derby. It started with a poster in a co-workers cubical, led to a bout by the Flint City Derby Girls, and eventually to a Detroit Derby Girls bout, to now where I have laced up skates once again just to see if I could even skate any more.

On Wednesday, I headed up to Gemini Skate & Sport, which is formerly known as the Rochester Skate Rink. From 3-5 PM, Monday-Friday, open skate is just $3. I have to admit I had to wonder if they still had those old brown and orange skates from when I was going there back in middle school, to my surprise, they did.

Skating around the old building, despite its renovations over the years, brought back a lot of memories. It made me think about all those nights that they would host parties for Avondale kids, and about how we'd all head up there to skate and hang out with our friends.

I remember my mom driving Mike, Rhonda, Jamie, Crystal and myself up to that old building in our minivan. Specifically one night after I had bought a bottle of cologne for Mike for Christmas and he used so much my mom had to crack a window.

I remember standing in line at the front doors with all the other kids from school. Holding the five or ten dollars our parents had given us for the night in our sweaty nervous hands. Its kinda gross but I can still smell all that sweaty money. Why were we nervous? I know there were a few times my teenage mind was racing with the thought of skating with that boy I had my eye on, or if that girl friend I had a fight with earlier was going to be there.

Once we'd paid our admission, I can visualise walking through those doors into that loud, dark rink. Orange/brown carpeting covering what seemed to be every surface of the building. Walking to the back of the rink to get our skate rentals, and lacing up those brown and orange skates. One of us would front the change for a locker and we'd cram all of our coats inside and make someone in charge of the key. Once that was all set there was no stopping us.

The music was always loud, playing the current top songs from the radio and not to mention a few oldies but goodies. Certain songs stick out in my mind: "Girls" and "Brass Monkey" by the Beastie Boys, "December 1963" by the Four Seasons, and "Undone - The Sweater Song" by Weezer. Don't ask me why those songs in particular, but they always make me think of those nights when I hear them. The lights would flash and the reflections of the disco ball could be seen on the floor as we skated around and around.

Of course, another common sound was that of any love song by Brian Adams. The lights would go dark and the spotlight would come on and sometimes I'd be skating along with my boyfriend at the time, or maybe I would be gaging at the thought and running up the stairs to join my friends in the snack shop area.

Speaking of stairs. Whomever decided that a two-story building was appropriate for a skating rink is nuts. But I could run up and down those stairs in my skates without even thinking about it. Not to mention the bathroom was downstairs too!

Those were the good ole days. Spending a few hours each month with many of my classmates. Singing, laughing, playing, skating, and sometimes even crying, but I really remember the kissing! Oh to be young and in love! Those days don't last forever, but they helped us grow into what we are today.

Its good to reminisce sometimes. I know I enjoyed it. :)

http://littlepitz.blogspot.com

iCry = iChoose

It finally happened. While adding new albums to my iPod tonight, iTunes had to regretfully inform me that my iPod was full. It tried to work with me by suggesting to remove photos and videos to make room, then it even suggested choosing an array of songs that I might like. I had to decline both offers and do the task that I had been putting off for so long. Everyone knows that even on shuffle, you still can sit there skipping through songs until you finally find one you want to listen to. And if you are like me, you have such a variety of songs to begin with, that you have to be in the mood for certain things. So, I meticulously went song by song and had to judge its worth. Of all the White Stripes, which ones get the axe to make room for the Black Keys? And I am still listening to Matisyahu can I really slice up that album already? It was a long and daunting task, but it had to be done. So long songs, maybe I'll hear you play your sweet tunes on shuffle again some day...

http://littlepitz.blogspot.com

Resolutionist

As part of my goals for 2010, I want to get back to a healthier lifestyle. That means going to the gym more than just sporadically throughout the month. I'd like to make it a habit. I am doing better with packing lunches, the cold outside makes that easier. I am also cutting down on my soda drinking, I know that had to be a big chunk of my weight loss before. So today, I did hit the gym and did some good cardio for about 45 mins. I would have done some weights too, but I was really not feeling it today. I know lame excuse right? I am trying to get back into the swing of things! Last year I had said I wanted to bike Paint Creek Trail, and I never did it. Its not going to be an official goal for this year, but I would like to get out on my bike more this year. And for Diesle's sake I should probably take him for walks as often as possible! Let's see how these ideas hold up...

http://littlepitz.blogspot.com

Scaredy Cat

So in an effort to start writing more...

This past weekend, Mikey, the dog and I headed up to Camp Grief to celebrate the new year. New Years Eve day, Mikey and Diesel went out for a walk, but as Mikey got part of the way down the first trail, he heard deer run into the woods. He didn't want Diesel to chase after them, so he brought him back to the cabin. A little while later as I looked out the kitchen window, I could see Mikey walking back up the trail to our cabin. Knowing how badly Diesel wanted to be outside, I opened the door, "go get Daddy" I told him excitedly. Of course Diesel didn't know that Mikey was on his way back, so he just stood around taking in the sweet smells of the north. Mikey sees him and decides it would be a fun time to test out his winter camouflage. Mikey crouched down and hid behind his white sheet, whistled and called the dog. Diesel, hearing the echo off the trees, ran behind the cabin. No, no silly dog! The other way! Mikey crept further, and called again, Diesel came running back to the cabin, but still couldn't find Mikey any where. Mikey came even closer, and still Diesel would look right at him without any kind of recognition. Mikey came within 30 feet of him and still nothing! So Mikey calls him again and this time Diesel senses something, and starts walking towards the noise. Just as Diesel gets close, Mikey jumps up and yells "Blah!" The dogs ears went down, tail between his legs and darted in the other direction. What a little scaredy cat! Diesel did realize it was Mikey and come running back, but oh what a site to see!

A New Year!

Even though I had a pretty good year compared to many others, there were still a lot of ups and downs that I would like to avoid this year. There are also many things that I would like to accomplish now that I have some new freedoms. By freedoms, I mean the open schedule not held down by taking college courses, and financial freedom from not having to pay on an expensive mortgage (or on that tuition!).

Yes, in the year 2009 I managed to complete a few of life's goals. I finished my Bachelors degree, and moved-in with my boyfriend of 13 years. I also did a lot of soul searching, that has made me realize that I need to chill out and relax more.

2009 started off in a really odd way, I started using Facebook and transitioned away from MySpace and started rediscovering a lot of old friends, but also started to notice a trend. Many of the friends I hadn't seen in quite a few years were ending their long-term relationships. Even friends that I thought were in happy marriages, were breaking up and divorcing left and right. It really made me wonder what was going on. This really messed with my head.

At one point I even sent an (unanswered) letter to 'Dear Abby' asking her if she thought my generation was doomed with failed relationships. Almost everyone I knew had parents that were divorced and I was starting to think that my generation was doomed to the same because divorce had become such a common outcome. And I am not going to lie, it made me look at my own relationship with Mikey in a different way.

Thankfully to Mikey's saving grace, he bought us a new house. And even though I was worried about what kind of housewife I would be, after moving in things just began to click together.

I also had a dose of reality when I realized that just because someone says they'll be your friend for life, doesn't mean it will really happen. Some people are just never going to be happy. I tried to help a friend that was down-on-his-luck or so I thought, and in the end he decided he no longer wanted to be my friend. It was then that I was thankful to have all of the friends and family that I do have and I couldn't waste my time and energy on his problems anymore anyhow.

My friends and family have shared with me their lives and for that I am so thankful. The lessons that I learn, the shoulders to cry on the, the moments to laugh about are so very important to me. And so to them I am forever grateful.

Without further ado, here is my "resolutions" for 2010:

• Continue sharing in the joys of life with Mikey


• Spend as much time with my friends as I possibly can


• Spend more time with my sisters


• Spend less time talking about traveling, and more time doing so


• Remember to take pictures of all the good times


• Spend a little less time on Facebook


• Write on my blog more often, some of life stories need to be preserved!


• Continue to tie hemp thingers, make buttons and other crafty things to challenge my creative side


• Ride a roller coaster, sky-dive, take a hot air balloon or just be more adventurous!


• Continue to learn new things; including visit new places, see new things and just observe life


• Eat healthier, exercise more and find a peaceful weight


• Sleep in with my boys whenever I can, wake with the dawn to get up and out, be happy with the times I can just be alone, and spend time with new friends!

I know that last one is a bit of an impossibility all at once, but my overall goal for 2010 is to just be happy.

http://littlepitz.blogspot.com

Home Sweet Home

The house is staring to come along very nicely. Its actually feeling more like home everyday. Here is a quick run down room by room:

Living room - We have couches and a recliner, end tables, a lamp and no more watching the TV while its sitting on the floor, we have an entertainment center! I am starting to get pictures together, soon they will be on the walls. Oh! And I even have candles!

Kitchen - Counter tops installed, we finally got our last back splashes after they came in chipped. Appliances are all hooked up, just need a new door wall and we can finish the molding. Oh, and people keep telling me that a table and chairs would be nice. :o)

Bathroom - Fully functioning! Needs some molding, and could use another towel bar. Needs a sill around the window in the shower. Ansel Adams prints ordered, they will look great on the grey walls!

Spare Rooms - They need sills and window treatments, closet doors would be nice too! Mike's is fully organized of course, and mine is a disaster!

Master Bedroom - Needs a closet door and some blinds but other than that, its all good!

There are other little projects that are needed throughout, but nothing that can't wait till the winter boredom sets in. I do find myself to be a bit more of a homebody again. But that's not a bad thing. Having guests over is fun, but I do find myself secretly hoping everything looks great... LOL. I am very happy at home. It's peaceful. I also find myself daydreaming about how the decorations will look come Halloween and Christmas. Well, that's enough for now, I will post pictures once I am not so lazy!

A Walk To Remember

Months ago Gabby and I discussed going camping, just the two of us, some random full moonlit night in the summer. She had gone up to Metamora-Hadley years ago and said that it was far away from everything, yet not to long of a drive, and that there was an amazing meadow that you could walk to. Well, when we started planning this trip it ultimately turned into something entirely different, and it ended up being Ian and I spending a weekend at my cabin. Totally different.

Thanks to an unfortunate event, I have been in a very blue mood. I had previously requested to take Friday as a vacation day for a different trip that was cancelled a while ago. And as the week started to progress I didn't know if I would rather stay at home all weekend feeling sorry for myself, or if I wanted to distract myself with friends and family.

One of the things I thought about doing was going to see a cheesy movie at the Main Art Theater, so when I reminded Gabby of the movie times Thursday morning, she came up with an off the wall suggestion to go camping. She also had Friday off. Hmm... camping. What the hell!

So, Thursday I got out of work, packed a quick bag and we headed off down the road. One quick stop at Meijer for some snacks and beer and we were camping. We got there with enough time to put the tent up, and get a fire started. It was a nice night, just the right temp, fire lies, booze, campfire and good conversation.

At about midnight, Gabby gets this idea to walk up the trail a little ways, maybe we could find that meadow she talked about. Why the heck not? We had a flashlight. We head off down the trail, which was fairly clear and well marked. Not to many bugs out that late, and the moon was nice and bright. We found one trail map posted and it looked like the trail was a big loop, not to bad, we could make it all the way around in a short while maybe. Lets just say, we somehow missed a trail marker, ended up in the meadow, and it took us until about 2 am to get back to our site. We went on one heck of a walk, but it was very memorable, beautiful, and relaxing.