Changing Gears

This past weekend, my beloved and I went on a three day jeep trip in the Judean Desert.  Eli's sons (24 &22) came with us, as well as a bunch of friends from his hometown, and of course the lovely Helen with whom we stayed in Ancee during our trip to france.

I was a bit apprehensive about meeting the whole gang like that, but it ended up being very pleasent, they are a really cool bunch of people. 

I was also apprehensive about driving the jeep off-road, but I finally got the courage the third day (confession: it was the easiest day) and that left me wanting more...  Eli also drove, sound incredible that a blind man would drive, but he is really good at taking isnstructions, pretty much in the same way he does skiing, he drives.   It was odd that I felt safer riding on the back of the jeep with him driving than I did when I was behind the wheel.

On the way home we just missed the floods at the Kumran Caves, where 4 people were killed while hanging down from snapling ropes.  I for one am glad to not have been in the area, though I would like to witness a flood one of these days...

When we got home Eli went up to Afula again for another physio session.  During the weekend his leg slowly swelled up with liquid.  The physiotherapist said it is almost a sure  indication that his miniscus is torn but that we won't know for sure until Wednesday (hopefully).

So I am home alone with Ludwig until tomorrow afternoon when he returns.  Last night I decided to go to the gym.  I really am trying to get back into the diet and fitness thing.  There was a lecture in the evening about achieving goals. Lots of me-me-me by the lecturer who is also the owner of the gym, but he had some good points, namely focus on the goal and don't let anything get in the way of it.  After the lecture was over I went up to the gym and got on the Cross Country trainer, set the time for 30 minutes and started gliding away.  When one of the trainers at the gym came over and told me there would be an abs class in 15 minutes, I remembered my goal...and stayed on the trainer until I was done.  Then I got on the treadmill for another 30 minutes. By the time I was done I was totally pooped but it all felt really good. 

Today is a rest day, I have set a goal for today of doing something creative when I get home, even if tiny and insignificant, I will try to accomplish i before I get to bed.  Tomorrow I go back to the gym again for some more... 

So much for keeping up with it...

I turned 35 yesterday, where does time go?  Not that I mind being 35, I really never did have an issue with age, I just hope I feel the same way about it in twenty or 30 years...

No special celebrations occured.  I wasn't really in the mood for organizing anything and neither of us really felt like going out.  Eli bought me a beautiful bouqet of red roses and tulips, we ordered in some Chinese (I let him choose even though it was my birthday) and then as usual, I fell asleep on  the couch... Work has been kicking my butt lately, and my back has been giving me some trouble, so it's no wonder I get tired very quickly.  Eli is very sweet about it, but I'm sure he's a little frustrated that I fall asleep on him as soon as I sit myself of the sofa...

Tonight I won't be falling asleep on him, since he went to Afula for the weekend to spend with his son who just got back from Nice.  Hopefully he will be able to get in some physio for his knee and start recouperating from his  skiing accident. 

And because I have the weekend to myself I am planning to pamper myself.  Tomorrow I will start by going to the hairdresser and redoing my colour and hilights and maybe a new cut and then if I can find a place that accepts walk-ins I might just go and get a manicure-pedicure and then I might just go out and buy some new summer shoes and shirts because I have none!  Friday night I am going on a moonlit bike ride with the tandem group (minus my beloved who cannot ride at this time).  I hope the ride won't be too hard on my back.  We end the ride with breakfast as sun rise and then we take a but up to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.  Hopefully I will be back home before 12 noon Saturday and can get some art work done, my fingers are itching...

Chchchchanges...

Many things going on in my life these days, and the Internet isn't a place I frequent that much anymore, and when I do, it's more to check things out than to write things down.  I barely ever post on the forums I used to post at in the past and as my three faithful readers have probably noticed, I haven't updated my blog in ages and ages.

As part of the changes in my life I am trying to see where I can curb my expenses and save a bit more than I do these days. The first thing that called out to me while going over my credit card application was that I pay $5 a month for a blog I don't blog in.  Now $5 a day is not what's going to make the big difference, but I figured before I cut it out of my expenses, I'll give blogging another run to make sure. So here I am.

So what are all these things going on in my life you ask? T'is love... (For those of you who do keep tabs on me and know the story, you can either skip through this part or read it again...)

One of my last posts was about me going on a bike ride with my friend Eli. I wasn't too forthcoming with information back then, because at that time already, we were more than friends, I guess I just wanted to wait a while before I announced it to the world (or more accurately, hi mom and dad...).

Well, the news was broken and we moved in together a few months ago, and other than clashes with Ludwig the cat, things are going really well.  A few weeks ago we brought Tango, the seeing eye dog and now he's much more independent, though he still hates the city with a passion and can't wait to get out of here.

Last week we went to Nice for a week to visit with his older son.  It was an amazing experience, Nice and the French Riviera were breathtaking.  We were staying at the house where his son lives and every morning, I opened my eyes to see the cliffs dropping down to the ocean and every morning the picuture appeared differently.  His son and his friends were the perfect hosts, we fell in love with them.  When they come back from their "tour of duty" I hope I can make them feel as much at ease at our home as they made us in theirs.  We also travelled to visit our friend Ellen living in Ancee, not far from Geneva, replacing the Mediterenean sunshine for flurries and snow covered peaks.  It was great as was the welcome we received in her home.  I would have loved to stay another week or so, I wasn't quite ready to come back to work. On the other hand, I'm also feeling good at home, though a bit lonely, because Eli went back to France the day after we returned for a ski trip with a group  of IDF veterans.  While I am at home I have to keep the peace between Ludwig and Tango, or more correctly, I have to watch that Ludwig doesn't hurt Tango who is trained to sit there and take the abuse.  I am very near a point I am afraid, where I will have to find Lulu a new home, because he is making living in mine quite impossible. 

After Eli returns from his trip we are going to start looking for a new house, hopefully it will be sooner than later and hopefully there will be a nice yard and maybe Ludwig can become and outdoorsy cat and live there.

Pesach is coming up.  Not sure yet what I am doing.  We have a few joint invites, a few separate invites, it mostly depends on Eli's son and where he requests Eli be this year.  I'm all for just spending it like the Israelites, in the desert.

So here it is, my first update in a long long time, and hopefully it will be a much shorter break until the next...

HAVE YOU EVER:

I've been a bit overwhelmed with stuff lately yet there isn't too much to post about so I thought I'd do another meme...

taken a picture completely naked? no
danced in front of a mirror naked? yes
had feelings for someone who didn't have them back? yes
been arrested? no
seen someone die? no
kissed a picture? yes
slept in until 5pm? yes
had sex at work? no
fallen asleep at work? yes
held a snake? no
ran a red light? A couple of times, daydreaming~
been suspended from school? no
pole danced? no
been fired from a job? Yes, Second Cup for allegedly stealing a tea bag…
sang karaoke? Yes, horribly
done something you told yourself you wouldn't? of course, doing it right now...
laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? yes
laughed until you peed? no
caught a snowflake on your tongue? yes
kissed in the rain? yes
had sex in the rain? Not yet…
sang in the shower? of course, doesn't everyone~
gave your private parts a nickname? no
ever gone to work without underwear? yes
sat on a rooftop? yes
played chicken? no
broken a bone? no
flashed someone? no
mooned someone? no
skinny dipped? yes
ever been in a fist fight? no
shaved your head? no
slept naked? yes
kissed a rockstar? Depends on how one would defined "kissed" and  "rock star"…. Do comedians count?
had a crush on a movie star? Who hasn't?
blacked out from drinking? no
break someone's heart? Not that I know of, I'm usually on the receiving end of that one...
someone break your heart? yes
played a prank on someone? Yes
been in a mosh pit? no
had a gym membership? yes
felt like killing someone? yes
break something in anger? No
truly hated someone? no
felt like smacking someone in the face? yes
cried over someone you were in love with? yes
had Mexican jumping beans as pets? no
been in a band? Not a rock band… I was in the conservatory band in the seventh grade, played the clarinet.
been in a movie? no
shot a gun? yes, Uzi, M16, and I thank the IDF for this very useful skill...
shot a bow and arrow? When I was a kid, Lag Ba'Omer
played strip poker? No, ashamed to admit I don't know how to play poker…
donated blood? Try to do it at least twice a year
ever jump out of an airplane? no, but always have wanted to~
been to more than 10 countries? Yes. Canada, USA, Israel, Egypt, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, Turky… I once had a 12 hour layover in the UK as well and rode a train through Rumania…do they count?

TGIF!

This has been the longest week ever. I am so tired.  I haven't done one hour of overtime this week, yet my work week has been so hectic and draining, I just can't wait for 5:30pm to get the hell out of here today.  Thankfully I have company coming over, so I have a good excuse not to stay a minute longer.

My friend Eli is coming over this evening and we're going out for dinner and then tomorrow we are going to breakfast with Martin and then for a spin around Hashmonaim street, the bicycle centre of Israel, Eli has never been.. he wants to feel the atmosphere...  Around noon his friend Avi will pick us up and we will go to Jerusalem for lunch with Orly and the rest of the tandem group and Saturday, if we find Eli a front rider (Benji had to go to Budapest and Oded is up North at his parents' place) we will go for a ride in the Jerusalem area.  Should be a fun weekend.

Having company, and blind company moreso, has been one of the motivators for me to get rid of a lot of clutter and junk.  Once the fridge moved to the kitchen, I finally removed the rest of the stuff that was leaning against it... So the futon frame, which is great wood I could be used for this and that in the future...gone.  The old directors chairs I've been schlepping for years now and haven't gotten around to refinishing, gone.  A bunch of dust gathering knick knacks of no other value, gone.  There is still plenty of other stuff I am ready to let go of...but as usual, taking them down the stairs is the bigger issue than being willing to let them go... I'm just lazy and unmotivated, that's all. 

I've been at work two days now.  The boss is with the big boss and they are on their way to Dubai with which we do not have communicatios, so it's been a bit quiet here.  Nice after the hectic non-vacation...

I did manage to paint most of my studio.  My fear about getting too much paint? Well as it turned out, I had to go out and get more.  I don't know if it's the quality of the paint or the quality of the rollers or maybe the skill of the painter, but the paint seemed to not want to stick to the wall, which means I've had to apply a lot of pressure on the roller to actually make the paint move from roller to wall resulting in severe pain in my right hand.  Since I don't want to rist hurting it further before the ride, I've laid off the painting for a few more days. I might try again this evening, I want to finish it  up and move most of the stuff back into the room, I hate seeing it on my livingroom and balcony floor.  Before I do though, I also have to paint the shelves white, so it might still take a little while before I am done.   The only thing I haven't figured out yet is the worktable.  I had envisioned this one long worktable, but I've been thinking it over, and I might go for two smaller ones, that way I have a flexibility with the setup of the room in case one long table doesn't end up suiting my needs or in case I have to move somewhere in the future where a long table won't fit.  The biggest problem right now though, is whatever I get, I have to find a way of bringing it home without having to pay a fortune in delivery charges.

Thirteen days to my ride. I didn't go riding this past weekend. I was in a bad mood and I didn't feel like calling up for lifts and I was too lazy to move my behind for even a local ride.  This is getting a bit worrisome.  I mean I know I can get through it ok, I just don't want to be huffing and puffing while I do it...

In better news, I have come closer to reaching my minimum sponsorship. I spoke with E, a business associate of my boss' who told me that he would give me whatever the difference is between what I raised up until now and NIS 10,000.  That comes out to more than NIS 2000. I was a bit flaberghasted to tell the truth.  I'm just hoping other people I've approached will be this generous (my readers need not worry, I don't expect such sums from them... unless of course they are loaded;-))  This does take some of the pressure off though, so really I just need to worry about the fitness aspect, getting myself and the bike to Jerusalem and deciding whether or not to stay in Eilat for the weekend...

It's Tuesday, half a week gone before it has started.  I'm not sure if I like the fact time flies or not. 

It's been unbearably hot since my return from Canada. I don't remember it being like this before I left, nor do I remember it being like this last summer.  When I get home I usually take a shower, and go straight to my bedroom where the AC is turned on full volume.  Anywhere else in the apartment is blah.  I have to talk to my landlords about renewing my lease in November, and I think I will talk to them about adding a unit in the livingroom.  My other option is to get a unit of my own and have Ran install it for me.  It going to have to be either or because I'm not moving again this year.

When I got back from Toronto with my art materials I promised myself that I would do more art.  I bought some amazingly inspiring books and I've been spending lots of time on the internet, but the heat and Ludwig (who insists on stepping in my paints) are keeping me from it.

I did complete one piece and though I love it dearly, it's going to Rappy.  I'm really happy with this one and it was loads of fun to do.  My mother will be happy to know that I have finally used the tracer she bought me three years ago...   Some people who have seen it, have actually offered me money for it.  I wonder what they would have paid if I agreed to sell...  Anyway, I'm now working on a set of three pieces with the same sort of style.  I haven't gotten far though, I gessoed the canvases and imprinted stamps for some texture.  Tonight if I have enough energy, I will start the backgrounds and trace the outlines.  Hopefully I can keep going and finish it by Saturday... (it's a present).

I put my bike at the shop this morning. For sort of an overhaul.  It sat at home for three months without use due to my knee injury and the last few times I took it out, it didn't feel quite as usual. Figured we'd give it some attention.  The mechanic just called to tell me that my break pads we finished.  I'm not sure they are, but I don't want to take any chances. There go another $50.  Friday I went on a ride that nearly killed me.  36K, including a 9k continuous climb on the Jeep Road.  Total elevation was almost 700m.  My knee was hurting bad when I got home. I did all this because a. I am a masochist and b. I really wanted to get an invitation to the Apothecary's wedding on Sunday and he said it was the only way I'd get it.  It was really nice to see the old gang, I haven't seen much of them lately, they've all been training for the Israel Rider, a three day on-road ride from Metula in the North to Eilat in the South.  My heart cries out for a road bike to join them with but my bank account cries out for the big hole created in it during my trip to Canada... If anyone wants to gift me a road bike, I'd be extremely grateful, if only so I can hang out with my riding buddies again...

In the meantime I have to find new friends because my training isn't going too well. Though I have started adding gym work to my exercise routine.  I try to go at least three times a week to lift weights and walk/run an hour on the treadmill.  I've also started to watch my food intake.  I went to a nutritionist last week and discovered that rather than overeating, I'm just not eating enough.  I find that lately I can go a whole day without a bite, or on just a meal a day.  So now I am on 5-6 small meals a day. I've lost a couple of kilos already.  I'd really like to lose 8-10 kilos by the time the ride comes along, it will help get up those hills...

Fundraising isn't getting far either, I should really seat myself down and get to work.  I know that 5000 NIS won't be too difficult to raise.  Someone has already pledged 1000NIS (though he's a little unreliable these days), and some other people (new people) have indicated their willingness to sponsor me, so now it really all depends on me.  What would be cool was if work's stupid security system would allow me to actually get into the ride site so I can start sending links to people.  I guess I could do it from home but did I mention the heat and the cat who is very fond of my keyboards just when I want to sit at the computer...Besides, what good is free time at work if not to do this kind of stuff, especially if it's for a good cause.

Catching Up

I'm trying to slowly upload all my pictures from Vancouver, BC, but it's going very slowly. It's a combination of my technical ineptitude and too many defenses here at work that make the whole process extremely slow. I haven't got the patience for it.

I've been back two weeks now, and so busy, that I've practically forgotten that I was on a three and a half week vacation.  It was a great vacation though.  I got to fit in family, travel and shopping...lots fo shopping..

Since coming back I have been overwhelmed by work.  It's a good kind of being overwhelmed though, it's much better than sitting here in front of the computer and doing nothing. 

I've started riding again after a three month break.  It's hard to get back in shape, my legs are strong, the problems  is with my aerobic abilities, I find it very hard to breath going up those hills... I have until October 29th to whip myself into shape for the Alyn ride.

I started my fundraising campaign yesterday with the company.  I was hoping they would double the contribution this year, but had no luck.  The explanation was that due to the situation up North, they had extended their contributions budget for the year... I shouldn't complain and I am very grateful for what I got, but I know what goes on here, and another $1000 would not have put a dent in any of the company's budgets...  It does put me at half way of my minimum requirements, and this year with all of the new contacts I have made through work, I shouldn't have a problem raising the rest and even more, I just have to get off my behind and start talking to people.

I came back from Canada to a war.  It's odd how you hardly feel it's effects here in the centre of the country. Yet people's worlds have been turned upside down over the past month.  The ceasefire went into force this morning.  I find it hard to be optimistic about what the future holds, but what have we got if not hope?

And on that note, I hope I find the time and energy to update this site a little more often...

Different Can Be Good

Ten days since my last post, I'm such a slacker.

I do have a good excuse though, I've been so busy I've barely had time to breath.
The day after my last post, my new boss started.  I've been slightly overstressed over the changes in the office, things are going great so far. My new boss is very nice and easygoing, unlike my old boss he actually seems to enjoy sharing the personal aspects of his life and his experiences and he is an avid mountain biker which means he understands my dire mental state..lol, which means he can't be too bad.
As far as work is concerned, the differenced between him and my old boss are also huge. My old boss was very independent, if I wasn't at my dest he'd answer the phone, he'd use the printer and photocopier on his own without asking me to do it.  If I needed to take a vacation, he would handle his own stuff.  I had lots of free time on my hands... New guy is very high maintenance.  I basically have to do everything for him.  Also he is very connected resulting in a very full schedule to juggle and never ending phone calls, this keeps me extra busy with barely a moment to myself. There are advantages though, for one thing, time goes by faster. Also I am completely involved in all aspects of his work and life, which makes things a lot more interesting. Another positive is that I am so busy, I barely have time to nosh, I might actually lose some weight as a result of all of this. All in all, though I already miss my old boss very much, I think I got a good tradeoff. 

In not so great news, I went to see the Orthopod yesterday. He has taken me off my bike and put me on anti-inflamatories and physio for the next ten days.  I've taken the bus to work two days in a row and it is starting to drive me nuts (45 minutes for a net distance of 2.8kilometers).  Hopefully it is just a bit of an inflamation and nothing more serious. I have to start training for Alyn soon.

I have been getting rid of stuff in my apartment. I can't begin to express how liberating it is to let go of things.  I've packed up most of the softcover books I've already read, somehow I don't think I will be reading them again... Next week I will take them to the used book store.  I've also started removing items from my closet, things I dream of fitting into one of these days (ok I'm keeping a few, I'm only human), things that are just totally unflatterring but I have some sort of attachment to, things I said I'd repair years ago, but seem to remain in the same sad status...
My craft room is the hardest, because I can't seem to let go of my crafting materials.  Only the crafters of this world can understand me on this one. The next phase is the kitchen, but I think I will keep that for after I am done with the rest. As it is, this process though intended to declutter my house and my life, makes my home relatively messy and I need to bring it back to some sort of normalcy no later than a week from now because I have houseguests. I can't believe it is just a week away.

I'm going to meet my cousin after work today, we are on a mission of sorts which cannot be revealed here.  I'm very excited to see her because she told me yesterday that she is ten weekgs pregnant..EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
While at the mall I want to check out a deal for photo paper and a guilliotine (no, not the kind that chops of heads, the kind that cuts paper...) and maybe a nice pair of flat shoes to wear while I am taking care of my knee, I'm tired of wearing boots (it's almost summer) and sneakers (they don't look too great with a skirt..

Somebody Gave Me The Moon Yesterday

Since my birthday fell on Rememberence Day this year and I wasn't in much of celebratory mood I decided to postpone my celebrations.  This weekend we had a full moon, and my friend Ran organized a full moon ride in my honour at the Philip Ranch and the Ruchama Badlands (still can't figure out why they are called that).   He says it was nothing but I know how much thought and planning he put into it, how many times he went out to scout the route to make sure it was ridable and all the discussions he had with fellow riders behind my back, collecting money for my gift and ensuring I had a great time.  And I did.  We had a little last minute glitch when the guy who volunteered his 4x4 called an hour before the start of the ride to tell us (quite expectedly actually) that he wasn't going to make it.  A few panicky phone calls and we managed to arrange another 4x4.  There were almost 50 poeple there (as opposed to the 30 we limited the ride to), and it is quite touching to know so many people came just for me (ok ok, some did come for the ride and the moon and didn't even know me...)  The route was perfect, the weather was just right and the sky was so clear that the light of the mood felt like full daylight.  About 3/4 of the way through we stopped at a place called Tel Nagila, where we emptied the back of the jeep and had a bit of a spread.  Well, a bit of a spread is an understatement.  There was a ton of food, the kind people make at home, not stuff one buys at the store.  It took about 30 minutes for the majority of it to disappear:) and then we somehow managed to get back on the bikes and ride back to the cars.  I got home at 3am and slept almost until noon today.

Today was cleanup day.  I was somewhat successful in putting parts of my house in order...  I actually dumped two of the cardboard boxes from my balcony (thanks Rappy).  I organized and cleaned the livingroom, the balcony, the kitchen and the bathrooms.  I still have the bedroom to do (the night is still young and there is always tomorrow..) and of course my craft/computer/guest room which is a total mess...

Then I decided to get crafty again.  The new challeng on Inspire Me Thursday is journaling.  I've actually been journaling a bit recently, but I wanted to do one of those arty art journals.  When we were clearing out Gilad's office this week, he gave me lots of materials to shred, a lot of them were bound in booklets with nice cardboard covers and separators, so I took the booklets apart and kept the covers and separators.  Today I cut them up to size, gessoed and started paining the backgrounds.  I did some using Misty's method and some using glazes.  So far I like the result, I hope somehing nice actually comes out of it.  In any case, the process of taking out my paints, getting my fingers dirty and just being crafty is enough to give me energy for next week.

Thursday was Gilad's last day, and quite emotional for me.  Sunday we begin anew with Nir.  So far he makes the impression of a nice guy, I'll just go into work tomorrow believing that it's true and hope for the best.