2 posts tagged “adventure”

Sun 'n Shadows

I’m celebrating a personal milestone, so to speak!

About nine years ago, a set of circumstances made me decide to park my car and become a pedestrian. It changed my life. Now I walk everywhere, do everything on foot. Rain or shine, hot or cold. No matter, I walk, each and every day of the year.

And frankly, I love it.

I love the outdoors, the fresh air, the people I encounter. I love sunshine and long walks, especially on summer evenings, down by the river, with my lady.

The other day, I thought I should calculate just how far I've walked over the years. Once I got the numbers in place, I was simply amazed with the results. I couldn't believe it; I even double-checked my Excel calculation, just to make sure.

I've actually walked a distance equivalent to once around this planet, at the equator. That's 24,902 miles, or 40,076 km, for the metric crowd.

I still can’t believe it.

For me, there are many benefits to walking, aside from the physical aspect. Walking becomes a state of mind, a very pleasant, relaxed frame of mind. I find it peaceful, it allows me to stop and smell the roses, gives me time to think.

One of the greatest benefits, I find, is the opportunity to encounter people, briefly share a moment with a stranger, while on transit or walking along a busy downtown street. It’s these random chance encounters that I cherish most, because you never know what new and exciting momentary adventure, lies just ahead.

Being a hobbyist photographer, with camera as a constant companion, walking offers me a chance to take lots of pictures. Since I can stop virtually anytime to capture something of interest, and since a good portion of my daily routine takes me through parkland en route to and from public transit, I get plenty of opportunity to snap off a few, on occasion, even before the work day begins.

I can truly say that being a pedestrian is one of the greatest experiences in my life and certainly the best thing I’ve ever done, for myself.

Thanks for sharing this milestone. Perhaps we’ll meet along the way.

Dolly's First Christmas

In retrospect of the holiday season, some random ramblings, encounters and observations, for your consideration.

Christmas was wonderful and for some reason, I got into the festive spirit earlier than usual. Normally, for me, it starts a day or so before, but this time ‘round, almost a week sooner. It must have been the sounds of holiday carols, being played in stores and shopping malls everywhere, beginning sometime early November, that inspired me.

Nah! Probably not.

As much as I like music, frankly, Christmas tunes in November, that’s way too soon for me. Never the less, whatever it was that gave me inspiration, thanks, I had a wonderful Christmas with family, friends and loved ones, and that is what I believe to be the purpose of the holidays and certainly, the most wonderful way for me to celebrate the festive season.

And my Christmas shopping, once again a breeze. I had a great time. It was a blast.

As in past years, I waited for the first major winter snowstorm to hit the big smoke. With a sound game plan in mind and a freshly printed gift list in hand, I get it done, in record time and simply have a ball, doing it.

What most consider treachery, I find to be yet another fantastic opportunity for new adventure.

During a major snowstorm, there is nobody in the mall. The stores are empty. Everyone is safely tucked away at home, watching a movie, not wanting to leave the house, let alone drive, on a day like this. Store clerks, customer service reps, sales people are bored to tears and can’t wait for someone, anyone to walk through the door, just to break the monotony, and see a new face.

I get smiled at, courteously attended to, enthusiastically spoken with. I get all the help I need and have an opportunity to meet some very nice, very friendly people, along the way, people that I would otherwise never have a chance to encounter. Everyone is so eager to help me find the things I’m looking for, it takes no time, to get it all done.

Once again, that was the game plan, and once again, success! Here’s to everyone that made it an amazingly memorable Christmas 2007 shopping experience, for me.

Thank you. It was a pleasure being served.

…and how was your Christmas.