NEVER change lines when you’re at the grocery store. It’s one of my rules, with only one exception when a lane has opened up next to me and the cashier calls me over as their first customer and it’s a sure thing,  in which case I feel like I have won the lottery.  Why? Because nine times out of ten hopping lines will screw you. You go to another line that’s moving faster and then you find the person now ahead of you is slowing everything down, meanwhile the line you were in has picked up speed but you can’t go back to it now because ten other people have taken your place. It’s like crossing the streams, DON’T DO IT. I find this rule is a great metaphor to follow when making other decisions in my life. Make your choice and stick with it, be confident and see things through, doubt will only makes things worse. 

This week I have been really focusing on getting rid of things in my life I no longer need. Once again I was inspired by the Commander and literally cleaned out my closet. Most of what I got rid of were books. I did find some random things I forgot I had as well as the original packaging for some of my gear. GONE. If there is something in my life that has fallen through the cracks and I haven’t used in years and have completely forgotten about I’m okay with letting go of it and moving on. Hmmm…another useful metaphor…

My frivolous purchase of the month was some old TMNT comics. Reading them sure brings back some memories and puts a smile on my face. Yes, I know some of it’s nostalgia, but that’s what happens when you see a friend that you've had for 30 years. Yup. They’re 30. I guess they should change their name to middle age mutant ninja turtles.

Until next time my steadfast readers, if things aren't going your way and it seems like you won't be able to handle things anymore, hold one for one more day and remember

Whoooo!!! Another fantastic rafting trip this week! I finally got the new floor laced in and got to hang out with some really awesome people I haven’t seen in awhile. The river was packed with commercial boaters that we played leap frog with but we had an amazing time.

We followed up the days adventure with a BBQ worthy of a band of Viking pirates, played charades and intimidated Folsom suburbanites.

Yesterday was the 45th anniversary of the moon landing. One of the most monumental events in recorded human history. I know there are some people out there who think it was faked but Buzz Aldrin knows it was real.

I suppose there will always be people who just want to shit on the success of others. Here’s the lesson this week: DON”T BE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE. If someone actually achieves their dreams and goals, be happy for them. Let them inspire you to reach your objectives. Don’t be spiteful and jealous, be motivated. Don't doubt yourself. All of us are people, what sets us apart is our individual ambition and ability to recover and learn from mistakes and setbacks. Apply your experience to make a stronger foundation for progress. Don’t be content to do what everyone else is doing, embrace your passion and enthusiasm to fulfill your potential. The moon landing was accomplished by people who did just that. They brought together all their amazing talents and drive to do something as a whole that most people said couldn't be done. They defied the naysayers because they believed in themselves. If each of us did that imagine what a giant leap forward humanity would take.

Until next time intrepid readers,

I have been contemplating my future and existence a lot this last week. The recent ‘super moon’ has my mind pondering the vastness and scale of the cosmos and my place in it. Staring up at the tidally locked satellite of the home we call Earth can be quite thought provoking. Roughly 250,000 miles from us, reflecting the light from the closest star to us, our sun, it is truly spectacular. Sure it doesn't have any liquid methane volcanoes but I like it.

I finally got a chance to visit one of my best friends who I usually only get to see once a year. He brought his family out from the mid-west to visit all his friends and family in California. It’s always good to see old friends but this particular visit brought up that ‘I’m single and want to date but I can’t seem to find anyone’ emotion. My male biological clock is ticking and I really am looking for a serious relationship. I’m not going to necessarily jump into the first romance that comes along, but I won’t close my mind to that possibility either, because love can arrive at any time in any place.

In the mean time I am quite enjoying my single life, I don’t have to worry if I’m embarrassing anyone but myself when I say some random crazy thing in public.

I also went kayaking with one of my other best friends at lake Natoma at dusk. It had been a while since I had been on this lake and it was my friend’s first time on this particular body of water and the weather was good. I practiced self rescue in my kayak and snorkeled a bit as well. It wasn't the rush of the whitewater I enjoy so much but I still had a great time reacquainting myself with flat water.

Something that has been on my mind recently are the emotions of anger and fear and the roles they play in all our lives and how they affect us. One we suppress too much and the other not enough. It seems like every time someone does something wrong to ourselves or someone else we are encouraged to shut our mouths and do nothing. There is a reason we get angry, to let us know when something needs to be done. For instance if you see someone being beaten in the streets, don’t push that anger back, embrace it and use it to find some courage to do something, like speak up or call for help, instead of standing idly by.  Do the right thing, not the convenient thing. I realize that anger does need to be tempered and getting mad at stupid things is detrimental not beneficial. That’s why it is up to each and every one of us to be an adult and discern the difference between responsible anger and temper tantrum anger.

Time to talk about that second emotion now, fear. We have been taught not to do one thing or another at some point in our lives because to do that thing might cause us harm. In a lot of cases this comes in handy, things like wading into a pit of toxic waste or jumping into a tank of hungry sharks at feeding time are not things you should really do. Too often though we are also taught to fear things that pose no real danger to us, like going into the woods alone or riding a bicycle on a road shared by cars. What really poses the danger is when you are afraid of doing what others say you shouldn't. Make your own decisions because that fear can cause you to panic and freeze. It will make you stay in your comfort zone and prevent you from doing something new for the fear of failing, which in itself is a failure. When fear does this it can be a self fulfilling prophecy. You will fail because you are afraid of failing. Be bold, try new things, and if you fail, you fail. You’ll get over it, deal with those dreaded things they call consequences and learn from the experience. It’s better to live bravely and stand tall than to be cowardly and crawl.

Until next time my brave readers, be bold, live life, try new things and remember,

Another week and another outing on the Bold Venture. The recent repairs held up but then the floor opened up in a different spot, so another trip through the Gorge with a deflated floor. Much like last time there was literally a boat load of water involved. As always everyone still had a great time even though we got wrapped on a rock we named Captain’s Folly. Just above Old Scary I saw the smallest fawn I have ever seen, barely two feet tall, still with it’s spots. We stopped for some fun at Gorilla rock where a dog tried to hitch a ride on our boat until someone told him he was on the wrong raft. Bouncing Rock was more intense than usual, we hit the rock, dropped into the hole, and just when we were about out, got sucked back in. A fun double whammy! After we got to the take out we unlaced the floor and removed it and it’s now under it’s second round of repairs. After a thorough cleaning and draining of water I applied LOTS of glue and another patch. With any luck it will be ready to go again soon.

I'm always looking forward to my next adventure because it feels so good to be outside, enjoying this amazing planet, witnessing everything it has to offer. The flowing rivers and the trails and roads I travel take me to some pretty amazing places. Even if it's not an epic multi-week trip at least I'm still getting out there.

However, this last week I have been losing a lot of the interest I've had for running. I've been struggling to find the motivation I once had, a running crisis of faith if you will. It feels more like I’m just going through the motions and not actually enjoying it, like a chore I have to do instead of that feeling I now miss of being a free wild creature. Much like my financial burden I just want it over with. I don’t think I will really stop running though, I suppose I will just keep at it, slow and steady just like paying off my debt.

Sometimes that’s all you should do, just keep going. Even if you see no reason to, if you think it’s too much time and effort, if the goal seems too distant, don’t stop. At least if you are moving, no matter how slow, you are still moving and getting closer to what you want.

Until next time my persistent readers,