General stuff

Telling it like it is

The circle of cyclists was gathered in the Raley’s parking lot. I was answering questions about my ironman training and describing my favorite equipment, like my Garmin heart strap and black compression sleeves supporting my calves. Various friends were offering encouraging words of support until this one guy piped up with a curiously sarcastic… “Hmm……

Think nothing of it

I was waiting for Evan to arrive for our father and son hiking trip in beautiful Big Sur. I stuck my bare feet back into the chilly water flowing around my weathered Adirondack chair. The hotel puts these chairs right in the middle of the stream for its visitors, and I was wonderfully wedged among…

We’ve got each other

I was aggravated by the truck that blocked my way in the Prime Nutrition parking lot, and had to go around the long way to get out. Then I recognized the old couple under the shady tree on this hot June day. We had delivered thanksgiving meals to Kathleen and her companion Hector back in…

Can we just stop?

I wasn’t watching news, I was suddenly in the middle of it. Walking to the subway in the cold with my colleague after a work day in Manhattan, we were stopped by an unexpected show after dinner. A long line of NYPD officers was forming in front of their well-lit station in Times Square. As…

Feeding Friends

We were not only serving Thanksgiving meals to the homeless, we were serving the hungry and alone. I observed and learned a few things volunteering at the Great Plate on Thursday. It was a heart opening experience for me. First… people who volunteer do it out of passion, not obligation. Theresa, Iwa and the rest…

Wrap your head around it

Since I finished my first full Iron Man in July, I have received compliments from several friends. Many are athletes who are far stronger than me at running, cycling and swimming. However, there is something intimidating about putting all three sports together that strikes fear into their strong hearts. One particular friend (I’ll call him Joe) told…

These are the brakes

I stood on the edge of the black diamond run looking down at the snow-frosted rocks and towering pine trees, intimidated by the difficult terrain on that long run to the lodge. I had recently converted to snowboarding from the comfort of two skis, and earlier that morning this 40-something dude was by far the…

Only human

I’m grieving the tragic loss of Robin Williams and it reminds me of the time I met his idol and mentor, Jonathan Winters. You young whippersnappers may not remember Mr. Winters, but he had a frenetic, multiple-personality delivery style that inspired the young Robin to let go and play so hard on stage. I was…