I'm tempted to design a cycling jersey with that message, but it would likely pizz off the target audience and make matters worse. :rolleyes: :pQuote:
Originally Posted by jessmarimba
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I'm tempted to design a cycling jersey with that message, but it would likely pizz off the target audience and make matters worse. :rolleyes: :pQuote:
Originally Posted by jessmarimba
Dear AE firm working on the project plans,
You said two weeks ago you'd get the deliverables to me by today at the latest. I am NOT happy that I had to explain to the poor schlepps left in the office at 3:00 this afternoon what I needed. Getting information today was like pulling teeth. :mad:
You should be expecting a call from me if the remaining deliverables aren't in my "in" box tuesday morning.
Sign me,
next time if I have a say in it, I'll vote for in-house engineering and not A/E out
Dear Body,
The last three nights I've only woken once each night with neck problems, this is a great improvement, thank you! Please continue and I promise I will behave and continue to follow doctor's orders :cool:
I also heard from a "crime victim's fund" that I applied to last spring after the dog bite, I thought they had rejected my application outright. All of a sudden they want to see my medical bills and receipts from the incident. It is trying to pay for that little disaster that first started to send my finances spiraling down...if they were to reimburse me for my part of the emergency room bill that would go far to getting me back where I want/need to be...trying not to get overly hopeful but it would be nice...
Catrin: I'm hoping at least a little money comes your way. That dog bite saga was nuts!
Dear bike shop--
I must say that the service at your new location is much nicer than at your old one, and more convenient for me. (Oh, and thank you for attempting to get in a 54cm Ruby for me to try!) Also, I wish you'd pay attention. My finances appreciate it, but seriously? Maybe you should check the underside of the bike more often.
She who bought a metric ton of shot blocks to try to make up for it.
Dear 54cm carbon Synapse:
You felt surprisingly good. Nice and responsive, but still a little bit long and more like I was sitting on top of you and less an extension of me.* Nice try. Sorry. Maybe your sister the SuperSix (or the CAAD10) might be a little more friendly?
*How much of this was the fact that the seatpost was set a little too high, combined with slippery platform pedals versus being an issue with the bike itself, I do not know.
Dear Self,
Yes, PMS and hormones suck. That doesn't give you free rein to stuff every carb and sugar laden thing within 30 miles in your face.
Sincerely,
Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels.
Dear external hard drive
Where are you?
Dear in-laws,
please go home already. I love you dearly and you bring great gifts, but I've been wearing uncomfortable nice clothes and smiling through a cold at you for eight hours in a hot, tiny apartment and my head is about to explode.
I feel your pain...mine just left a few weeks ago. They stayed with us for 2 weeks..:o Our house is pretty small and it was getting to be way too much for me. Could not relax or do the things I enjoy. Hang in there.Quote:
Originally Posted by lph
Dear Friends Who Don't Ride (or x country ski, hike, snow shoe),
Please don't roll your eyes at me when I tell you I went for a 4 mile hike, after you ask me what I did today.
Thank you,
Crankin
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
Tell me about it, I've noticed my sedentary friends and co-workers have stopped asking me what I do on my days off... My supervisor is now extolling the pleasures of being a couch-potato. He thinks after two injuries that I need to give the bike up. Yeah, right, like THAT is going to happen :cool:
So the more appropriate response would be....Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
Where'd you go, did you see anything interesting, is this a route you've done before or a new route? ;)
Yes.
The person who did the eye rolling is one who usually responds with those kinds of questions. She seems genuinely interested. So, that was why I was a bit surprised to see that body language.
She's probably just feeling bad about herself, as it's the time of year for resolutions. She later made a comment she's going to be on a diet of grapes and some other weird thing starting this week. But I know she told our mutual friend (who also rides) that she's just given up on her weight issues.
Could well be - she might have been rolling her eyes at herself, as in "geeze, why can't I be doing that?"Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
Just a thought.
It was really out of character for her, which is why I wrote this.
But, I sometimes wonder how long my friendships with inactive people are going to last. I don't want my world to become so small that I only see one type of person, but it is becoming harder. And I don't even do the amount of training that some of you do, but it still seems over the top to "regular" people.
Maybe I am getting less tolerant in my older years? It does seem that there was more tolerance when I did more stereotypical female work out things, such as aerobics. It didn't take up all of the time cycling and other outdoor activities do. Just today DH wondered out loud "what would we do if we hadn't met (our cycling friends)?"
I have a couple of non-active friends. Strike that, they're non-athletic, which is something quite different. We're friends because we share other traits and likes, but also because we both are passionate about something. It doesn't have to be the same thing, but we understand having an overwhelming interest in something.
This sort of links to the Facebook discussion, of friends who "like" activities they don't understand. I tend to get passionate about a lot of things I do, and I like it when others are like that, even if I don't understand their things.
Dear Old Blender:
You are retired and fired.
Love,
The Shiny New Vitamix
Dear TE:
Got tricks/tips/recipes?
to whom it may concern.
Raleighdon is eating lots and lots and lots. And getting tube fed. And getting stronger. So when is he going to start gaining weight? I REALLY don't want to outweigh him..
Thank you.
Oh, Vitamixes are awesome. Really loud, but awesome. We made some of the hot soup recipes in the recipe book that came with the unit, but our most common use was to make a healthy blender drink of carrot, celery, apple, flax, a little OJ (or other juice), and ice. In later years we started adding some frozen organic spinach to it. Drank it almost every single day. I miss that machine!Quote:
Originally Posted by Blueberry
Enjoy your new toy!
Lph, I think one of my issues is that these people are not really passionate about anything, especially the one who rolled her eyes. She is the most level headed and smartest person I know, who is not one of my friends connected to athletics, but her life is mostly work, family, and eating out. She has no hobbies or interests. Both her and the other person I've mentioned (friend of the Facebook posts) are friends for 20+ years, made when i first move back here and my kids were small. Our common bond was we met at the synagogue, and now, although we all still belong there, and support the organization, we are not active volunteers.
I think when she rolled her eyes, it kind of was surprising, but it didn't reach the level of my reaction to the other person! I know my reaction to that person is out of proportion, and it stems from the fact that she needs serious mental health help, and as a professional, I can see it, but as a friend, I can't say anything; it would totally end the friendship. This person does have interests, but things that I totally have no interest in. I listen and even ask questions about her interests, but there's no common bond anymore.
Does this make sense?
Maybe it's time to find some new friends, but that's not so easy at this stage of life.
Let my grandmother be an inspiration to you. She was long lived; she lived to be 92. Time after time, she outlived her friends; but she always made new ones... until she lost her voice at the age of 90.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
She taught me a lot, that old gal did.
Well, I've never had trouble making friends, I'm pretty social, but it seems like a lot of people my age are still bound up in their (almost grown/grown) kids' lives, spend all of their time with family/relatives, or just aren't into letting new people into their lives. Some of this is New England, heck, I'm a native, and I know we are not a particularly friendly bunch! Living in the west cured me of that, but even though I never, never regret the choice I made to come back here, we have never developed the group of friends like the ones I had in Tempe. I know lots and lots of people and have had various friends here over the years, but most have faded away, as the interests that brought us together were no longer relevant for me.
On Wednesday, I am going to the last ride/event of the group I have ridden with for 6-7 years. They are a unique group, mostly older than me. I haven't been to one ride this season. When I had the time, I didn't want to drive far to a ride, and I chose to ride with Hirakukibou, who is a friend I made through TE! And sometimes work interferes, although I sought a less than full the job on purpose, so I could continue riding with this group. I keep Wednesdays clear, except for one client in the late afternoon. But really, I haven't developed a friendship with anyone in this group. They are nice, but most have known each other for many years. Even in the past, I didn't ride with them every week.
Another thing is, I stopped being socially friendly with people from work, quite awhile ago. That used to be a big part of my life at one point. And now, my colleagues are mostly closer to the age of my kids.
My co-workers are the exact opposite. Every time we return to work after a weekend or long holiday, they want to hear how many miles I've run, or where I've been riding to. Although I still can't convince them ever to go for a run with me...:pQuote:
Originally Posted by Catrin
My colleagues also ask where I went or what I did after the weekends. Also they want to see pictures but after the third picture, they seem bored by watching people with helmets or green mountains. But I don't blame them, it's not their cup of tea. Still they are really supportive and they are very proud of me when they see me come to work by bike in rain or snow or the temperatures are low.
lph, someday I am going to buy you dinner, or something. I like this post! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by lph
My friends are mostly supportive, as is my advisor (he used to be a runner, so I guess he gets it). My family, on the other hand, is ridiculous. My parents aren't inactive, but they don't do much other than walk. They ask politely and that's the end of it. My sister, on the other hand, makes derisive comments about my needing a grown-up hobby.:rolleyes:
Oh, my parents are not supportive at all. I used to ride to the place they live (25 miles) while my husband and son go by car and they found it ridiculous. How can somebody use a bike when they have a car. Finally my father forbid these visits and he said he was not going to let me in his house if I came by bike one more time. I don't want to confront them so I ride BEFORE I get in the car for the visit. They ask me all the time when I am going to give up. I got used to it and I try not to pay attention. My husband on the other hand is supportive as long as he comes to races with me, drives me aroud and he rides, too. But sometimes he gets grouchy when I spend time on the bikie and I didn't clean the dust or vacuum. Also he was really angry when I called him to go and pick me up because I was badly injured and I couldn't take the train back home. It was about 4 hours drive in one direction and he was mad on the phone but when he saw me, I guess he felt a little sorry for me. Still, he didn't miss the chance to make remarks like "You are overdoing things" or "You are not being careful".
So, sometimes it's difficult to handle the things :)
Well, I went offtopic....I can write something like:
Dear drivers or pedestrians,
Stop making signs by your hands "Are you nuts" :eek: when you see me on my bike riding in the snow. If I stop riding in winter, it is a difficult start of season and it's difficult to make up for the lost weeks.
And cheers to you :)Quote:
Originally Posted by salsabike
:eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by Anelia
How can he tell the difference anyway? Stupid question, I guess you need a shower or at least a change of clothes, but I can feel my inner rebellious teenage daughter rising up at this one. I'd be standing at the door in full bike gear daring him to not let me in.
Ok, less confrontational: you could always meet your husband and son right around the corner, change in the car, toss the bike in the car, and turn up at the house "driving" ;)
But honestly - how can he possibly think he has this kind of authority over you, to dictate how you should travel?
I am not sure why what I said seemed to raise the ire of some here, yet when others mention their friends (or family) being negative toward their riding, I didn't feel the same vibe. Frankly, when people who are supposedly my friends do this, it hurts my feelings. I listen to them talk about their dogs, tennis, downhill skiing, jobs that seem boring to me, etc. That's part of being a friend. I guess I'm at the point in my life when I want to surround myself with like minded people, but I am too nice to cut the others out of my life at this point. My only concern is that I could really spend ALL of my time engaged in the activities I love, or with my DH, or our cycling friends. I know this is probably not healthy, so I try to continue my other connections. But, I admit, it's hard for me to be around people who live unhealthy lifestyles. I say nothing, though, and just go on.
Thankfully, my family is very supportive. My dad will tell me I am "crazy," but he does it in a kidding way. My mom, when she was alive, always encouraged me in this stuff. She was athletic at a time when women weren't supposed to be. And it was my son, who got me into cycling.
I agree, it doesn't feel good when "friends" only refer to my activities with discouragement or to laugh at them, yet I've spent hours listening to them talking about some of their activities that I find quite boring - but I listen because that is part of what being a friend is about. Listening to and supporting each other. Of course I was already considered something of an eccentric...which seems to give them permission to talk about my activities as they do. Meh, I do get tired of this.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
Oh, I certainly didn't mean to be critical, I was just commenting with my own experiences around the subject. I agree that anyone rolling their eyes or otherwise putting down an activity you love is not only annoying, it's also really rude.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
A DH who was mad he had to pick you up when you were injured? :eek:.
Get someone to clean your house, or better yet, have DH do it.
Hi Crankin, if you're referring to my comment, that was not my intention in the least! I was just suggesting perhaps your friend was aggravated with herself, not with you. No ire raised at my end.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
Do not worry, JoBob.
I think it would be perfectly healthy! :D That's pretty much the way my life is. We don't spend time with family; they are all back east. Our friends are mostly people we cycle with. And really, we're happy to just hang out together.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
Life is too short to do things that don't make you happy.
Veronica
I'm with Veronica on this one. I had to go back and re-read your sentence: "...I could really spend ALL of my time engaged in the activities I love, or with my DH, or our cycling friends. I know this is probably not healthy..."
Sounds like bliss and the recipe for a long and happy life to me.
Roxy
Yup, agreed. This is something that I've been contemplating myself...Quote:
Originally Posted by channlluv
For those of you with friends who don't seem fully supportive of your activities--in a hurtful way--have you ever discussed it with them? In a perfect world, we would all support one another 100%, no questions asked. But, of course, we don't live in perfect world. IME, a heartfelt conversation can go a long way toward a better mutual understanding. If a good friend of mine seemed judgmental of my activities, I would at least try to broach the subject with them before dismissing or downgrading the friendship. Of course, if they continue to remain unsupportive or judgmental, then all bets are off.
ETA: I wanted to clarify that I do appreciate that it's hurtful when we don't feel supported by our loved ones.
OK, I don't have much time to reply.
While I generally agree with V, I don't have any intention of dropping the friend I originally wrote about. I could say something to her if it happens again. The other one, well it has to do with celebrating the Jewish holidays with them &occasional socializing. I don't see my relatives here anymore and the others are in CA, except for DS 1. I feel guilty, I guess.
My life has totally changed, which is the gist of it
I don't think anyone has said you should drop your friend. If they did, I missed it. But I, for one, for sure don't think you should ever feel guilty for engaging in the activities you love to do and that enrich your life, because in living your life to its fullest potential, you enrich the other people around you, this particular friend being possibly excepted from that general rule.
As far as your friend's not being fully supportive, I think that maybe, as someone else pointed out, she's feeling down about herself not being as active as you are. I mean, you are pretty awesome on that account. You're probably a living, breathing, hot-cha-cha example of the woman she wishes she could be.
Be yourself. Shine bright. Ride on. You're awesome.
Roxy