In Chinese astrology the cycle not only revolves by a twelve animal totems that you see on those paper menus in the restaurants, but also on five elements (metal, water, wood, fire and earth) – this year, after spending many hours in solitude, casting the yarrow stalks and meditating to mantras, I have calculated that this 2013 is the Year of the Water Snake. That’s pretty cool for babies born this year or in 1953 because they share something in common. According to a website or Guru that I beseeched:

“Water Snakes are: Influential, motivated, insightful, and highly intellectual are words that best characterize Water Snakes. These Snakes work well with others and enjoy being recognized and rewarded. They’ll reveal feelings to those closest to them, but no one else.”  (page link)

So, what does that mean for the rest of us, or if you believe in this hoiky-doiky stuff? Well, light some scented candles and nag champa incense and sit on that papasan chair so you can listen to this: Snakes are extremely effective at getting things done. They are analytical. They prefer having a manageable workload rather than having a schedule that’s over-booked. . . there’s a bunch of other crap, but there’s a point to all this jargon. Back in mid-December, I made my new year’s resolution. What was that resolution? To simply be more organized. I didn’t know jack about this Snake year stuff. Manageable workload is exactly what I was thinking about. What about this water stuff?

So water is wet. Yup. Think fluid, transition, always moving – forceful. Water can cut stone and shape mountains, but it can also be gentle. It’s like emotional and receptive, deep or some shit. Or it’s like always rainy because I live in the Pacific Northwest. Take from it what you want.

What am I getting at? That it’s now February and I have taken a month to talk about New Year Resolutions. It’s almost apropos. Most people have already given up their’s by now. I actually started mine back in December just to give myself a “practice” or “dry run” of it, so to speak.

What was mine?

To be more organized.

And so I am writing the New Years entry in February.

Yup.

What happened to ring in 2013? Let’s briefly catch you up.

• As you may have noticed in photos, I dyed my hair back to normal color in November and then cut it all off, so have been sporting this swanky little pixie do.
• In shocking news, Lance Armstong admits to doping to one of the most powerful women in the world. I don’t think anyone saw that one coming. But now we get videos of LA singing Radiohead’s Creep and of him lying to Oprah, which are even better than the epic interview, in my opinion.
• I am now wearing glasses. After having migraines that were getting worse and worse, I decided to take a different route for healing. I went and got my eyes examined. I used to have glasses that I just wore for computer use when I worked tech support. I haven’t really worn them anymore because I knew the prescription was old and I only really wore them when my eyes felt strained. I knew I had a slight astigmatism. Found out I was both far and near sighted. Nice, right? Got me some tinted lenses for computer and fluorescent light use and another pair. (Tinted lenses is a whole separate entry if you’re interested in info.)
• I had some seizure activity though, so there has been some medication changes. They added a new med because I am maxed out on my other epilepsy meds. So, I am currently titrating up for eight weeks. I am optimistic about it because I have taken this med before for an unrelated issue and didn’t have weird side effects with it. Of course I wasn’t taking this particular cocktail of meds, but still. I’m pretty stoked. Waking up a little groggy in the morning, but figure once I get used to it, I will be cool.
• This summer a bunch of us tall bikers were filmed by the Travel Channel for a show and the Portland episode finally aired on January 23rd. It’s called Edge of America. You can see the tall bike joust segment here where I am featured for all of 2 seconds falling flat on my face in a day-glo orange shirt. All I got was pizza and beer for doing it, none of which I could eat, but it was fun anyways. You joust for the glory. . . and then you sell out to the Travel Channel. . . and don’t even get any swag.

First Bike Move 5/11 – About 20 people showed up to help me move just under 5 miles on a gorgeous May Day!

Now on to the good stuff. You can tell it’s good because I’ve started an entirely new paragraph about it. Recently a friend of mine and local cycling, pedestrian and environmentalist (and all around good person) Steph and her (also equally fabulous partner) Ed, had a bike move. They have been a part of the Portland bike community for a long time and “Shifties,”  as well. What’s so monumental about it? It was Portland’s biggest move ever. 67+ people! 10+ miles! Holy shit! It made the local news! And then it went national on CNN! Steph and Ed have done so much for the community at large that they totally deserved every last person that showed up to carry, haul and help out that day.

It kind of makes me feel a little humbled when I bring up the fact that on February 9th, I will be hosting my 3rd personal bike move. That’s right. I am moving. It feels like I just about six months ago. . . wait, yeah. . . so. . . it was seven. While my move will be a longer commute from work, stores, friends, pretty much every kind of accessibility thing I can think of, it is going to put me really close to The Lumberyard Indoor Bike Park! This place is pretty fantastic! I have hung out with the owner and he is a stellar guy. They host all sorts of events and living nearby I might actually be able to take part in some of them.

So I’ve been packing.

And going to doctor appointments.

• I just had my two month check-up with my podiatrist and my post-foot surgery scar is looking pretty good to him. He diagnosed me as healed! There’s still some tenderness but that’s normal.
• My Raynaud’s disease is still a “thing.” I still have chilblains on my toes, but they are slowly healing. I am taking blood pressure medication which is supposed to act as a vascular dilator. Kind of like internal embrocation cream, right?!

Also, I just joined up with a cycling team this year! “Flahute Racing Presented by Trailhead Coffee Roasters.” You should “like” us on Facebook!

So there’s that. We’re also hosting a series of road races this month.