2,000 One Three

I suspect I wrote this exact same thing last year (although, I've not looked back to find out): sniff as hard as you can.  Smell that?  Well, you should given it's now January 2nd.  It's the "New Year smell" which is just slightly sweeter than the "new car smell" and not nearly as fresh as the "new human smell."  Good to breathe in, any oh how, given that we were all suppose to perish in spontaneous combustion on December 21st.   I'm sure there are some whack-a-doos out there who are highly disappointed.  I'm not one of them.  And even though I hate the number 13, I am not one to diss a whole shiny fresh new year.

As for the number, I prefer to call this year "2,000 One Three."  13 is a morose, spooky number for me.  I lost my cousin (who was closest to a brother I'll ever have) at a young age on April 13th.  That was pure hell and the number has never lost its sting.  In my usual weirdo way, I joked with a friend that this would be the year I would expire although I hadn't a clue how it would happen.  I shouldn't joke like that, so, um...Universe, it was a joke (humble grin).

Nah, I'm not going anywhere.  I got a lot more suffering ahead of me as well as opportunity.  That's my new word of favor, opportunity.  It implies promise but does not promise ease.  Any opportunity worth taking is one you must strive for and striving is working, working is doing, doing is...I think you get my point.  It doesn't come easily.  

Last year, I wrote on this blog's title "2012...bring it."  I asked the year to bring it to me.  That was a mistake.  For starters, I didn't clarify what "it" was that I wanted.  One must be clear and precise with her requests.  I also came across as lazy and that impression never left me.  Turns out, I was just that.  Instead of working and seeking, I kept asking for it to seek me (and, no, I still can't tell you what "it" was).  

This year?  I'm not doing that.  I'm going to it and I can tell you what it is - opportunity, to improve (duh), to make gains (in my fitness and otherwise), to shed (more than just weight) and, lastly, to retain balance.  I'm not implying that I didn't have opportunity last year.  I just didn't see it, I guess, or was too busy moping to notice.  Not in 2,000 One Three!  This year, I'm gonna seek it, find it and hoard it.  No, I'm not sharing and you can't have any of mine.  Go seek your own.

Now, about 2012...so glad it's over.  Too much of an odd year, too much election business, too much crazy rhetoric in this country and far too little bike riding. I'm determined to change that this year.  And by determined, I mean I got up on New Year's Day after too little rest and too much celebration and rode my bicycle.  I rode it to Griffith Park, climbed Trash Truck Hill (without puking), up into the canyons and went forth taking new photos for the blog heading on here.  I can't say it was an epic ride, but it was just what I needed.  

I rode solo and measured in my pace, thinking through all the many reasons for why I am (still) so very grateful:

• My family - phew! Mom took a fall last year and came out okay, but the experience of it all brought to focus just how lucky I am to still have her, and Dad, and J.T., and Grammy, and... (the list is really, really long).
• My loyal, nonjudgmental and supportive friends - I didn't lose any friends this year (I don't recall, anyway) and I gained one back, one who's gonna be on here a lot in the next year, I'm sure.
• My home - I love my new(ish) apartment and neighbors and I don't think I've ever been this happy or content.  I don't mind paying rent and have made the place my own. 
• My health - other than my nemesis (weight), I'm pretty healthy.  Well, there is still the stupid asthma to contend with, but that's not going anywhere so I'm not going to fret over it.
• My job - I have one.
• My passions - bicycling for sure, but I have others that I've neglected and will focus more on in the coming year.
• My dragon - lizards make the best pet!
• My muse - never you mind.

Okay, enough of my yakking; here are the photos from yesterday and one bonus photo:

 

I got these glasses for myself and the girls for New Year's Eve and decided to wear them out on the ride and to use them for the blog header photo again this year...

 it was empty out, as if the roads were all mine...

 I rode through Burbank, the most urban part...

the Burbank bike path was empty too (not that I minded)...

heads up if you ride over at Griffith Park - there is some road work going on that has made some parts of the roads very narrow...

 aww, Trash Truck, how I hate thee...

I wasn't entirely alone the whole day...

  

I've missed this canyon and plan to be up it on a regular basis in the new year...

The valley below, beautiful; I was feeling pretty good at this point...

and then this sent my mood soaring...

 setting up a photo shoot on a picture perfect day...

the observatory, so magnificent and peaceful in the distance...

 then I noticed all the cars lining the hill...

 doh! some kind of event - I hightailed it out of there and skipped my 

planned stop up at the observatory...

I rode through Los Feliz instead and out onto the bike path where I was again in solitude except for a few other cyclists out enjoying the first day of the new year...

 

 

 I didn't mind the usual route home as it was just so nice out...

 back into Burbank riding on still calm streets; I almost didn't want the ride to end...

 

 and here are the runner up photos that I took; yes, I stopped and did this all the way up the canyon, so I can't claim to have pushed the pace...

Do you see the Hollywood sign in the background?..

 

 this little girl popped into frame out of nowhere...

she looks just like me when I was a little girl riding a bike...

do you see the observatory in the background? (yup, still a dork)...

 I had so much fun taking these...

 almost my first choice...

That's it.  Great way to start the year!  I'm looking forward to more rides.  Today, I had one more day off from work and I chose a hike.  I'll be riding again this weekend, so it's all good (plus, I do plan to hike more this year as well).

Now, final photo for your viewing pleasure.  Boo says it for me...