Summer has made itself known in
these parts with a bit of a vengeance.
Thanks to all the griping we have done in the recent past about frigid
temps, now we get humidity and heat (I don’t know about you but I believe Mother
Nature has an awesome sense of humor). I
try so hard not to complain but that’s nearly impossible since I’m human and by
nature humans like to criticize. I own
this trait heartily, fyi.
But I’m also the person who
accepts the inevitable and tries to make the most of it I chewed on how I would
take advantage of the weather for as long as it lasted. Day before yesterday while driving to the
hospital to see a family member who had just had surgery, I wondered what I
could do to bump up the quality of my life and more importantly fully integrate
myself into the DC culture (oh and in case you didn’t know, DC has been ranked
as the #1 most athletic state in the union…who knew?). Besides lazing around in bars and pubs
outside, or wandering around the monuments and Smithsonian’s, there is a bit
more to this area then meets the eyes.
There are most certainly the trendy
neighborhoods where one can go and meet up with friends and then systematically
forget the next morning what they did the night before due to copious indulging
of beverages of a more potent nature.
You have amazing eateries springing up at every corner or loads of food
trucks parked strategically about the city so that you can pay an arm and leg
for really gourmet munchies. Then there
are the parks, the free museums, the movies on the National Mall (btw, when I
say ‘Mall’ in this instance, I am not referencing the mega-complexes that
feature a variety of stores that cater to the average brain dead citizen), boat
tours, scenic hiking trails and the list is endless. This place is truly a mecca for untold opportunities
to stay active. No one around here has
any real good excuse as to why they aren’t out and about, other than
politicians. If you know one is around,
retreat!
In an effort to accomplish the absorption
into my surroundings I must now consider the varied options that is being
offered to anyone willing to invest (and spend some money while doing so) time,
elbow-grease, passion, dedication (yada yada yada) and which within those
options I personally am willing to pursue.
Yes, I’ve been back in this area since 2000 (prior to that I lived in
Los Angeles for 3 years) but no, I haven’t had many opportunities which I could
call my own between the obligations of family and unfortunately the profession I
had chosen. In the beginning it was all
about proving to me that I could succeed and climbing up the corporate ladder,
after that it became how to stay there because there were far hungrier and
younger worker bees trying to make their mark.
With working nonstop overtime, extracurricular became a simple word that
others understood, not I.
Now though I feel like it’s time
to step up. I need to start focusing on
something other than work. I’ve heard
this many times as well as said it on several occasions to others but have
failed to remember that on one’s death bed, one doesn’t think “gosh I wish I
had worked harder”. Okay, may be a few
do but I sure won’t be one of them.
On the road of possible self-discovery
as well as becoming a well-rounded individual, I decided to do some research. BTW, Google wasn’t my only source. I also asked friends and then raked my own
brain to come up with the multitude of ideas that I have listed below. Here are my basic options and my feelings
about each:
1. Biking: although as a child I adored it and
used to even be able to do so without any hands but now at this age? And although it’s incredibly good for the
health, my joints would probably protest and shut down on me. This is what I anticipate happening so maybe
I’ll pass.
2. Spinning: This one is closely connected to the first,
and it’s no more appealing. I may try it
anyhow since a good friend of mine is an instructor and has promised that she
won’t kill me. I appreciate that idea but
I won’t lie, I dread the very idea. May
be this one will be a onetime deal?
3. Boating/Sailing: Since I’m not a gazillionaire who owns a big
pimped out yacht (which in my mind is the only way to sail) or possesses a snazzy
speed boat that would zip me about, I’m stuck with either a small row boat (is
that called a dingy? And the very word ‘dingy’
disturbs me anyhow) or maybe a paddle boat.
The last option? A kayak. I’ve been kayaking before, when I was up in
Maine. It was sea kayaking and pretty
darn cool but that also could be because I came face to face with a whale. I don’t believe there are whales around here…pity…at
least not the swimming kinds *heh*. That
was also about 10 years ago when I was a decade younger. My joints are already staging a revolt
against me as we speak at the mere thought.
Maybe I’ll pass.
4. Swimming: No. I
can’t swim. I would drown. NEXT!
5. Hiking: So about two years ago I tried this out. I thought it would just be a nice long
walk. I can do nice long walks. For any of you who know the real concept of hiking,
you are probably cracking up over my dumbass assumption. Yea, it was either all uphill or steep
downhill, through rugged terrain (which was beautiful nonetheless but not
conducive to a person who has problems with tripping over her own feet even on
flat surfaces). At the end of the
ordeal, I felt accomplished and decided to never try that again.
6. Sky
diving: No.
7. Skateboarding: Nu-uh.
8. Zumba: I’m down with some shaking my rump to moosica
and will have to look around to see if there are any classes being offered
close by that would fit into my work schedule.
Hmm…
9. Gym: No, I refuse to believe that the gym can be categorized
as an extracurricular activity/hobby.
The gym is a place one goes to be tortured and possibly die. Period.
Dot. You can’t convince me otherwise with long lengthy explanations
about endorphins and tannins or how you feel amazing as soon as you leave. That proves my point right there, the only
time you feel good about a gym is when you’re exiting it. I too used to be a gym junkie at one point,
don’t die of shock. Now I’m not. I don’t want to hear your defense of it damn
it, just call me a lazy slob then if you must.
10. Flying: Well…okay who are we kidding? No.
Although I can imagine that I would make an awesome female version of
Tom Cruise from Top Gun, at the end
of the day I ain’t gonna be morphing into some awe-inspiring pilot anytime soon.
11. Other
Extreme Sports: No.
12. Shopping: Can one take this up as a full time
hobby? I don’t think so but I had to put
it on the list because it’s a fun option.
And probably a lot of you out there would LOVE this to be a viable
hobby.
13. Movies: When I say this, I mean the concept of
watching every movie I’ve ever wanted to see.
Why this isn’t a feasible possibility?
Because I can only see me become a bigger couch potato than I already
am. Nope. And besides this wouldn’t be outside or at
least be out of my home. Oh well.
14. Parks: This actually is a lovely idea and I would
give it some serious thought if I haven’t already visited nearly every one of
them in the immediate area.
15. Pottery: Now this is more my speed. I like the idea of getting my hands into a
piece of clay and turning it into something marvelous. Think ‘Ghost’ except no Patrick Swayze and I’m
sure as hell not Demi and…well y’all know how that scene goes…ahem…moving on
from that mental imagine. I could look
this up and see where classes are being offered. I’m sure there’s a Groupon deal…
16. Painting: This talent is in my blood. My uncle is a painter. He’s pretty damn amazing at it too. His son has been following in his foot step
and proving that he is equally talented.
I’m not horrible at sketching out a tree or a swan, but I think that’s
where my talents end. I guess I could
give it a try and see where it goes. I’ve
seen Groupon offering classes for this also, I can check it out and maybe
someone would want to go with me? A
painting buddy! How cool would that
be? I could have a whole gallery of my
own paintings and…maybe I’m getting a wee bit ahead of myself.
17. Music: Now this is a given. Music has been a part of my whole universe
since birth. And I already take singing
classes however I do need to step up practicing. I also learned flute, as well as excelled at
one point in my youth. But I’ll take
this off the list since I’m already doing it and for now, I’m looking for new prospects.
18. Dancing: Anyone who has ever hung out with me knows
that I love to dance. Besides having
taken Kathak (a form of North Indian Classical Dance and if you want to know
more, look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathak)
I also at one time started to go to weekly Salsa classes. After the first class my instructor suggested
I advance to the next level since I was just that good. I still preen thinking about that compliment. I may fall over absolutely nothing when
walking down the street but I have crazy rhythm on the dance floor! Going back wouldn’t be a bad idea, right?
19. Photography: Yes, this I can wrap my mind around
totally. I’ve invested money in an
amazing camera anyhow but it has so many options that sometimes I become
overwhelmed. I’ve seen Groupon (no, they
are not paying me for advertising through my blog although by now maybe they
should…hmm) packages which offer walking classes of the monuments with a
professional who will basically teach you how to use your camera to its full
potential. Another viable candidate in
my list, me thinks.
20. Writing: Well I do this anyhow but may be a bit
more? Finish one of the several books I
have already begun and possibly go about getting it published? I have a few readers who are even now shaking
their head vigorously, pointing to this option yelling at the screen “This
one!!! This is the one!!! Do this!!!!!!!” Fine, I’ll keep this on the list.
21. Chief: No thanks, anything that has to do with a
kitchen is out.
22. Formula
1 Race Car Driver: Think Ricky Bobby…think Talladega Knights...think
“If you’re not first, you’re last”.
Think, not possible, but gosh do I love me some speed!
23. Traveling: This is actually a lovely option. But it’s not totally fiscally responsible of
me now (otherwise I would have opted for #12 which wouldn’t include tickets or
hotel rooms) and I can’t do it more than once a year anyhow due to vacation
availability. This year is booked
already anyhow so that’s going to have to be a more long term hobby.
24. Making
model cars/airplanes: Okay, really? Why is this even on the list?
25. Develop
Some Crazy New Invention: I’m not that
smart.
26. Create
Hand Whittled Furniture: Why, again, is
this on my list? And can one even
whittle furniture?
27. Gardening: I have the blackest thumb this side of the
globe. I look at a plant and it
dies. No poor plant deserves to come
face to face with me.
28. Dog
Breeder: Okay, this is just getting ridiculous.
29. Collecting
Comic Books: I’m not geeky enough.
30. Coffee
aficionado: Imagine me on coffee…all the
time. Yikes. No one needs to see me with that sort of
energy. And this can’t actually be a
hobby, can it?
31. Collect
Stamps: I cringed at that idea.
32. Scrap
booking: I tried this ages ago and
realized I didn’t have the patience. I’ll
leave it up to my more creative friends.
33. Crocheting: I like to think that I could sit down for
hours at a time to make a sweater or scarf for someone I love but well…it’s the
middle of the summer. Touching wool isn’t
my idea of a good time, not now at least.
That’s about all I could think of
so far. Some of it is ridiculous, I know
this. But I bet you laughed and are now thinking
of your own possibilities, eh? Now, I’ll
have to start to wheedle this down to a manageable viable list from which I
will pick.
Wish me luck.
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