Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Life List Day 135 - Accept that All Work and No Play Makes Jill a Dull (and Crabby) Girl

I'm in full packing mode, my move to my beach house being scheduled for August 3. Today, my friend Kirsten emailed me to say she was going to El Torito for her son, Marko's, birthday, and could Danny and I join? I emailed her back with apologies - I was so frantically packing, I couldn't possibly make time.

Then - I thought about how I'm trying to fit more joy into my life as part of my life list. Sure, the new house is a huge source of happiness. But so is getting together with friends.

So I emailed her back with a big fat yes.

Monday, July 30, 2007

Life List Day 134 - All New Songs on My iPod

On my iPod, I've got a playlist of about 400 songs: mostly pop, hiphop, the occasional country song, and even a few showtunes.

Today - just to stretch myself musically - I loaded an entirely new playlist of songs in genres that I don't typically listen to. Metal. Classic rock. Jazz. Classical. To get the music, I checked CDs out of the library and also raided my son's pile of CDs (not only does he have lots of metal, but he also inherited his dad's collection of 300 CDs with plenty of Beatles, Stones and other bands I typically snub).

I started listening to it when I went for a walk today. I plan to keep it on there until I make my way through all the songs I loaded.

So far, it's been kind of fun (although some of these jazz tunes aren't exactly zippy to walk to).

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Life List Day 133 - Dance at the Park

I often go with friends to Polliwog Park on Sunday evenings in the summer, where they have free concerts. We drink wine, eat snacks, and let the kids run wild while we listen to the band.

Today, I grabbed a couple friends and went out onto the dance area in front of the band. In all the years I've been going (and I believe it's 10 now), I've never danced.

But I couldn't help myself.

They were playing Brick House.

Friday, July 27, 2007

Life List Day 131 - Let My Son Stand Up for Me

My son's friend "Kyle" stole my iPod today. I noticed it missing, he'd been the only other person in the house, and he has a bit of a reputation for sticky fingers.

Still, I was shocked to think he'd steal from me. I've fed him...given him rides...two highly valued things to a teenager.

When I saw the iPod missing, I asked Danny, "Do you think Kyle might have taken my iPod?"

I expected a shrug - an "I don't rat on my friends" kind of reaction. To my surprise, he said, "I'm going to kick his ass. He steals from me, but it's not cool to steal from my mom."

"I don't know it's him," I said. "I'm just asking. Maybe I should call him."

He shook his head. "I'll handle it."

"Maybe if I called his parents, and - "

"I've got it. Trust me."

He left soon after, promising he wouldn't resort to 1) violence, 2) retaliation, or 3) false accusations.

An hour later he returned, my iPod in hand. He'd skated to Kyle's house, and when Kyle's stepmom answered the door and said he was sleeping, my son said nonchalantly, "Oh, he borrowed my iPod. I was hoping to get it back."

She told him he was free to go in and retrieve it himself.

So he did, and it was definitely mine. It had all my songs - just minus the skin and a bit of battery power.

Anyway, it was nice letting my son step in and handle things for a change. I'm so used to taking care of myself, I'd forgotten what it's like to have a knight in shining armor.

And, FYI, I debated whether I should tell Kyle's parents anyway (I'd want to know if it were my son), but I know they're already trying really hard with him, just having taken full custody after his mom was thrown in prison...for theft. I couldn't think of anything positive that would come of telling them. His "punishment" is that he's not allowed in our home for a while, a sentence I had my son relay.

I don't know if I handled it right, but this was the first time I can recall that my son went 100% to bat for me. There was no way I was going to do anything to mess with it.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Life List Day 130 - Get a Pedicure


There are women who love pampering, and then there's me. It's not that I don't think I'm worth the trouble - it's more that it seems a chore rather than a pleasure.

I had my first (and only) pedicure a few years ago. I liked having colored toenails, but frankly I found the pedicure a bit painful. I went to some place in a mini mall called Nails! that had a big crowd, figuring, like a busy restaurant, it had to be a good sign. At one point, the pedicurist was massaging my feet, digging in so hard I nearly leapt from my chair. "If you want, I do extra 5 minutes for one dollar," he said. I wanted to say, "I'll pay you FIVE dollars to STOP," but I just said no thanks and grimaced my way through.

Today I went for a pedicure to see if I might be able to channel my inner diva and actually ENJOY it. After all, I do the Bikram yoga pretty regularly now, and it involves a lot of staring at your feet.

This time wasn't as miserable as the first, although I still can't say I enjoyed it.

But I do like having nice, pink toenails - Aphrodites Pink Nightie to be specific.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Life List Day 129 - Put Color in My Life

I've had white walls my entire adult life. I've always lived in rentals or - the few years I owned a house - I guess I was just into white.

Today, I decided I deserved some color in my life. Getting ready to move into a beach cottage, I asked if I could paint. My landlady said, "Have at it."

My friend, MJ, helped me pick a color. It literally took us hours. We just sat in there, looking at the walls, trying to decide what colors would bring the best feeling.

The winner: Sea green. (Well, actually, it's called "grasshopper," but I prefer the idea of being surrounded by the sea than by a bunch of grasshoppers.)

It's funny how a little thing like color can make a person feel so bold!

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Life List Day 128 - Play Hardball...Figuratively Speaking

I hadn't realized that I'd been being double-billed for my DSL service for a year. When I called to fix it and get a credit, the customer service person said they only credit for three months. In other words, I was out more than $300 for their error. (Sure, I should have caught it, but if they hadn't made an error, I wouldn't have had to catch it).

Anyway, today, I went to transfer phone service, and - in a move very unlike me - I told them not to transfer DSL. I was going with a new provider because I was unhappy about how they ripped me off. (The part where this is unlike me is that the "old" me...the me not doing a life list...might have switched providers, but would never have TOLD them).

Lo and behold, suddenly they COULD do something about it!

Credit issued.

Lesson learned: Sometimes a threat works.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Life List Day 127 - Sign the Lease on a Beach House

I did it! My #1 thing I want to do is "live at the beach," and today I put a deposit and signed the lease on a cute little cottage on the beach. I move in August 1.

This is definitely one of those things I'd never have done if I didn't have it on my life list. I had just written my "top 5" maybe three weeks ago. I'd surprised myself with my desire to live at the beach - but as soon as I wrote it, I knew it was true.

Amazingly, days later, I passed a sign for a beach cottage up for rent... not beyond my price range (and believe me, my price range is not usually in beach house territory)... and I went on a whim to see it.

In a matter of days, I'll be living there.

Well, I guess I check THAT off the life list.

Life List Day 126 - Pinot Grigio


On Sunday evenings, I love capping off the weekend with a glass of Chardonnay. It's always Chardonnay.

Today - just to do something different - I tried a Pinot Grigio (Bella Sera).

I liked it! It was lighter & fruitier and perfect for summer.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Life List Day 125 - Go to the Whale & Ale

My friend, Irina, and I get together every now and then - we always hit one of a handful of nearby bars.

Today, seeking a change of pace, we left our neighborhood to go to the Whale & Ale, a British pub in San Pedro rumored to be lively and fairly authentic.

It did not deliver on the lively - it was pretty much Irina and me. As far as the authentic, I figured I couldn't be sure unless I had the fish & chips...which I did. Sure, it's a lot of grease & calories, but I was sacrificing for the sake of the life list. I don't know if it was authentic, but it sure was good.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Life List Day 124 - Harry Potter Party & Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans


My local Borders was hosting a Harry Potter party - and even though I was so tired that I could barely move, I somehow managed to propel myself from the couch, into my car, and to the store at 9:30 PM just as activities were getting underway.

I probably wouldn't have gone if I didn't have this life list, but I'm glad I did. All the people in costumes...the buzz of excitement...the general dorkiness of the occasion made it impossible to be grumpy.

There was no way I was going make it until midnight (when the new & last Harry Potter book goes on sale) so I bought a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans and went on my way. (BTW, I will buy the book tomorrow - I'm so afraid of spoilers that I'll read this one a.s.a.p.)


When I got home, I called my son down from his room, and we worked our way through the flavors:

earwax
booger
sausage
black pepper
vomit
dirt
soap
rotten egg
pickle
earthworm

I don't know how those people on Fear Factor do things like eat blenders full of slugworms, because I was eating a candy I knew was nothing but sugar and flavoring, and I was nearly hurling. I was especially grossed out by booger, vomit and rotten egg...although I was determined to try them all. My son actually LIKED the sausage and dirt and ate them all (so I guess the next time he compliments my cooking, perhaps I shouldn't be all that flattered).

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Life List Day 123 - See Harry Potter in Imax 3D


My son and I are going with friends tonight to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Instead of going to the closest theater, we're driving a bit farther to see it on the big Imax screen and in 3D. It's supposed to be spectacular...I can't wait!

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Life List Day 122 - My First TV Appearance!

Today I was a guest on a TV show called Living Live! - hosted by Florence Henderson (of Brady fame) and Meshach Taylor (from Designing Women) - talking about my novel and life lists. It's my first ever TV appearance, and I think I did a pretty swell job (my definition of "pretty swell" being I didn't pass out or wet myself from nerves).

Actually, I admitted to the producer that I was nervous because this was my first time on TV, and she said, "Don't worry. You'll be sitting right next to Florence, so you'll feel completely at ease. She's like everybody's mother. I swear, it'll be as if you were chatting with her in her living room."

I didn't have the heart to tell her that I'd also be nervous about chatting with Florence Henderson in her living room.

Anyway, she was right. Florence and Meshach were both funny and supportive - and my seven minutes of fame just flew by. (You hear that, Andy Warhol? I still have eight left!) I talked about how I had a mid-life crisis when I realized I was too old to ever get my bellybutton pierced, and about the timeI held a snake, and I gave some dos & don'ts for doing a life list.

Hopefully I'll be able to post a clip here. (And I can't believe I forgot my camera, so I didn't get a photo of me with Florence and Meshach...arrrgh!)

It's going to air on Tuesday, July 24, so if you happen to get the Retirement Living channel, check it out!

Life List Day 121 - Retire My Lucky Sweater

This is my lucky sweater.

I bought it about eight years ago, and I often wear it when I'm giving a speech or presentation because I just feel good in it. There's something about it that inspires confidence in me. It's bold, bright & straightforward...and when I wear it, so am I.

So today I pulled it out to get it ready for tomorrow. I'm going to be appearing on the Living Live TV show (!) on Retirement Living TV, talking about my book and life lists. I've never been on TV before, and I'm a nervous wreck.

It sounded like a job for the lucky sweater.

Alas...

Knowing I was going to be on camera inspired me to take a long, hard look at the sweater. I can't believe I've been going out in public in this thing. It's all pilly, stretched out, and there's a rip along the back collar. What's "lucky" is that no one has mistaken me for a homeless woman in it yet. It's funny how we can look at something again & again and never really SEE it.

It killed me, but I had to retire the sweater. And by retire, I mean throw away. It was really hard to let go of it - I was tempted to save it for sentimental reasons, but I feared I'd weaken and wear it. It needed to be a clean break.

I replaced it with a new sweater. This one:



I don't know if it's a lucky sweater ... those don't come around that often... but hopefully it'll get the job done.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Life List Day 120 - Issue an Impromptu Invitation

I'm always wishing I had friends over more. I've recently realized the first step is actually INVITING them. So on a whim, I asked a friend and her son over at the last minute for dinner (I made my famous Chicken Diablo*, which is famous for being one of the few things I know how to cook).

It was fun having people on a weeknight for no reason ... although somehow we lost track of time and we stayed up until 1 AM.

It wasn't so much fun this morning getting up.

But maybe if I make a point to do it more often, I'll get the timing down better.


Chicken Diablo

thinly sliced chicken breasts
Dijon mustard
red pepper flakes
bread crumbs

Spread a thin layer of mustard on one side of the chicken breast, shake on red pepper and coat in bread crumbs. Turn it over and repeat. Fry in an oiled pan a few minutes per side until cooked through inside & crispy outside.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Life List Day 119 - Compare & Contrast Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones's Diary Movies













I've known for a long time that Bridget Jones's Diary was based on Pride and Prejudice (although, truthfully, when I first read Bridget Jones, I didn't realize it was based on Jane Austen's famous novel, even though it happens to be my favorite book of all time ). Today, just for the fun of it, I watched both movies back-to-back with an eye toward noticing similarities and differences.

Of course, Bridget Jones = Elizabeth Bennett (albiet a chain-smoking borderline neurotic version of her). Mark Darcy = Mr. Darcy—they're both snobbish at the beginning and smitten by the end. Daniel Cleaver = Mr. Wickham—they're both cads.

I got a kick out of noticing the parallels in plot ... the entire love triangle between Bridget/Mark/Daniel and Elizabeth/Mr. Darcy/Mr. Wickham is almost identical. There are fun modern day twists from the old to the new: the country dance becomes a lunch buffet...letters become emails.

Too bad I didn't watch the BBC version of P & P due to time. Otherwise I could have had a double-dose of the smoldering Colin Firth.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Life List Day 118 - Take a Step Toward My Dream Beach House

The #1 item on my life list "top 5" is to live on the beach — ideally on a walkstreet (which has all the ambiance of the beach, without the craziness).

Today, I made a HUGE step in that direction, putting in an application to rent an absolutely adorable little house.

I thought it'd be a long time before I'd be able to cross off my top item, but I saw it for rent, and I just knew I had to try to get it. It's more than I want to pay. I'd have to move (again). It's completely crazy and impractical and I hope, hope, hope I get it.

Fingers crossed ... !

Friday, July 13, 2007

Life List Day 116 - Give a Whooooooooohoooooooo!

I'm no jock, so every time the instructor in the spinning class I've been taking on Fridays tells us to "cheer each other on," I smile encouragingly but let the others do the whoo-hooing.

It's not that I don't enjoy a good whoo-hoo. I'm just not one to do them myself.

Today, I decided I'd sponged off others' whoo-hoos long enough. After all, if everybody did what I did, we'd just be listening to Cher with no encouraging noises at all.

So, yes, upon being urged to do so, I whoo-hooed.

I won't lie: at first, I was quite self-conscious. This may actually be my first athletic whoo-hoo. Ever. After a bit, however, I was whoo-hooing with the best of them. I even tossed in a "you go girl!" or two.

Does this make me a jock?

And is butt-slapping next?

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Life List Day 115 - Go from No Pudge to No Hunger

Today I decided to try No Pudge Fudge Brownie Mix - a fat-free mix that I heard is supposed to be pretty good.


As I mixed the brownies, I noticed on the box in tiny writing at the bottom:

"The next time you sit down at your computer, visit thehungersite.com"

Out of curiosity, I went. It's a site that promises to donate money to feed the hungry if you simply click on a button. You can visit it daily, and every time you do, they donate cash to feed the hungry.

Oh what a sad world we live in that my first thought was: It's a hoax.

So I went to urbanlegends.about.com
Apparently it's the real deal. Advertisers donate 3 cents per click, according to the myth-busting site, which said, "All the available evidence indicates that the Hunger Site, founded by private citizen John Breen as a personal contribution to improving the plight of the world's poor, is completely legitimate and really works."

So now thehungersite.com is bookmarked so I can fight hunger daily.

Oh, and the brownies are done, so I can fight a bit of hunger right now!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Life List Day 114 - Clarify the Lyrics

I was in the car singing along with Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" - nice & loud to hear myself over the complaints of my 15-year-old in the back seat - when I realized: I've probably sung this song a hundred times (maybe more) and I'm really iffy on some of the lyrics.

Today, I finally took the few minutes to look them up. Here's where I've been going oh-so-wrong:

My version:

hold me closer tiny dancer
count the headlines on the highway
lay me down and she's a planet
you had a visitor today

Elton's version:

hold me closer tiny dancer
count the headlights on the highway
lay me down in sheets of linen
you had a busy day today

So now I know the words, although I'm wondering if I like my version better. When his tiny dancer was a planet and had a visitor, I sort of thought the song was about a crazy lady who'd been a groupie but was now in a mental hospital. Now I think it's just about a groupie he fell in love with.

Although I'm still not sure why she's in his hand.

It makes me wonder what other lyrics I've been getting wrong.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Life List Day 113 - Lunch at a Persian Restaurant

Today I met my friend, Kirsten, for lunch at Fanoos, a Persian restaurant in Torrance. I have no idea if I've ever had Persian food before, but when I asked another friend what she thought I could expect, she said, "Meat."

Yep. The menu was pretty much meat, meat and more meat.

So I decided on the meat (chicken actually, in kabob form). It also came with a salad, yellow rice, a pita, and a really yummy whole roasted tomato.

At the end of the meal, the waiter brought us a small chunk of baklava on a plate - like you'd get a fortune cookie at a Chinese restaurant. I'm sure the calories are about the same, too. Heh.

Now I can check "try Persian food" off my list of things to do in my life.

Monday, July 9, 2007

Life List Day 112 - One Can Closer to Kicking the Habit

I'm trying to kick the Diet Coke habit.

After all, here I am: eating organic veggies, free range chicken, natural eggs... and washing it down with a big can of chemicals. I used to drink it by the gallon (or by the 2-liter anyway). I've weaned myself down to three 12-oz cans a day (starting with the one I crack first thing in the morning...mmmmm).

Today, in honor of my life list, I cut one of them, and vowed that I'd keep it up. I'm going to try to limit myself to two a day. Instead, I'll treat myself to a Perrier or one of those cool new waters, like the Metromint water I recently discovered.

(Got that Aunt Marcy?!? Are you happy?! You can stop sending me those links to web sites about the evils of Nutrasweet now, OK?!!)

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Life List Day 111 - Kwik-E-Mart



7-Eleven recently turned a dozen stores in the U.S. into Kwik-E-Marts, the fictional convenience stores of "The Simpsons" fame, as part of a campaign to hype the July 27 opening of "The Simpsons Movie."

Today I made a special trip to check one out in Burbank, about 45 minutes from where I live. (A friend and I detoured there on our way back from a trip to the Palm Springs area.)

There was actually a line to get into the store - but the crowd was lively and friendly (as were the staff, who were clearly getting a kick out of the whole thing, as if it were Halloween in July). The 7-Eleven sign had been converted to a Kwik-E-Mart sign. They sold Buzz Cola, Squishees (a Simpsons knockoff of Slurpees), and cartoonishly pink donuts ...of which I bought a half-dozen. No Duff beer, however.

I have no idea why I was so excited about this, but I was - maybe because I like The Simpsons. Or maybe because I appreciate a really good marketing gimmick - which this was.

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Life List Day 110 - Hit the Casino on 7-7-7

Today being July 7, 2007 - or 7-7-7 - my friend, Mary Jo, suggested we hit a casino, both in honor of such a "lucky" day and also our friend, Sue's, birthday. Vegas was more of a trek than we wanted, so we decided to check out the Morongo Casino in Cabazon (near Palm Springs).

The bad news: So did everybody else and their brother. The casino was MOBBED. Literally every one of the 2,000 slot machines and 100-plus gaming tables was occupied. There was a sort of low hum of despair rather than the buzz of hope (and the occasional clanging of a winning slot machine) that I've come to associate with a casino. At one point, Mary Jo gazed around at the teeming masses and said, "It looks like Ellis Island."

We killed time at a nightclub hoping things would clear out. They didn't. Around midnight we stood at the bank of video roulette tables and tried to start the wave (two guys participated, but then it died).

At 1:30 AM my friend dove for a vacated nickel slot machine.

By 2 AM - tired of the crowds and the confusing slot machines (one of us got a 777 and it didn't pay anything) we gave up and went to Denny's for breakfast.

OK. Even though it wasn't the gambling fest we'd hoped for, the evening wasn't a total bust: I left 40 cents up on the slots...and the experience was SO bad, it was good.

Friday, July 6, 2007

Life List Day 109 - Lunch at Tender Greens...and a Stolen Table



I met the gals today for lunch at Tender Greens in Culver City, a great little place that serves local, organic salads and lunch plates.

What I enjoy about this restaurant is that the food actually tastes like food. I had the chinese chicken salad and - instead of being lettuce drowned in some overly-sweet dressing - the dressing was light, and I could actually taste the spicy greens they used. My friend ordered a salad with heirloom tomatoes so juicy and bright they looked like candy.

We sat on an outside patio and had a lovely lunch. After our plates were cleared and we were sipping our iced teas, a busboy came up and told us they needed our table for a party of seven.

It was a bit strange - I've never been so hastily disposed of at a restaurant - but we figured it's a busy place, so we moved to a table in the front for a few minutes until we were ready to leave.

Before driving home, I decided to hit the restroom. As I did, I passed the guy who kicked us off our table for that "party of seven" which, as it turned out, WAS HIM!!

I suppose a better woman would have been appalled, perhaps complained to management. I just laughed, reported back to my friends (who also laughed)..and then I paid my friend Mary Jo a dollar to go take his picture.

Here he is:



I can hardly begrudge him the table - he looks so happy!

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Life List Day 108 - Indulge My Curiosity

I was browsing the classified ads of my local paper, looking for used bike. There were ads for furniture, computer parts, exercise equipment...and then I came across this:

REACH MOUTHWASH, 18 OZ. Brand new. $2

Immediately, I thought, WHY? Why would someone go through the bother and expense of placing a classified ad, taking calls, letting someone into their home... to sell a $2 bottle of mouthwash?!

This is the sort of thing that eats at me.

So I called.

At first, I said, "Whoops, wrong number," and hung up when a woman answered, because I'm that big a coward. Besides, I didn't want her to think I was making fun of her. I just wanted to KNOW.

So I waited...and then I called again.

This time when she answered, I said, "I'm calling about the mouthwash. Is it still for sale?" Real innocent...like I figured a hot item like that was likely to have been snatched up immediately.

"Yes, it is," she replied.

So I asked a few questions, like what flavor it was (mint), and where she was located (within a couple miles). I couldn't figure out a way to ask WHY she'd be selling it when she said, "Well, I have a few of them. So any time you want to stop by, feel free."

Ahhhhhhhhh. Mystery solved. She probably inherited a case somehow - maybe she was a gameshow winner and got a lifetime supply - so stood to make more than just a couple bucks.

After I hung up, it occured to me I still didn't know how she could justify the cost of a classified ad, even if she did have several bottles.

So I called the classified department of the newspaper.

Turns out, ads up to two lines are free.

And I can now sleep at night.

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Life List Day 107 - Fireworks



OK, so it's nothing new, but it WAS impromptu! I hadn't planned anything for Fourth of July. This afternoon, I happened to be chatting with a friend who mentioned she could see fireworks from her yard. I invited myself over - yes, I am that shameless - and celebrated a holiday I'd had every intention of ignoring.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Life List Day 106 - Walk in the Sand Vs. the Strand

Whenever I go for a walk at the beach, I always walk along The Strand - the paved walkway that runs along the ocean, rather than the sand itself.

Today, I went the extra few yards to walk along the edge of the water.

I was amazed, 1) how different it felt looking at the water rather than houses, and 2) how much harder it was to walk on the sand vs. pavement (my calves may not speak to me tomorrow).

The bonus: getting to see a herd (gaggle? bunch?) of dolphin, which I'd never have spotted from The Strand.

Monday, July 2, 2007

Life List Day 105 - Switch to an Environmentally Friendly Drycleaners

I don't do a lot of drycleaning, but I feel guilty every time I drop off what few things I do have professionally cleaned. I know the chemicals they use are bad for the air, but there's only so much handwashing I'm willing to do. Like none.

Today, I looked at the pile of dirty clothes in the corner of my room and sighed. It seems ridiculous to have to choose between clean clothes and clean air.

Then I had a brilliant idea. I went to my local air district's web site and - lo and behold - they had a list of environmentally-friendly cleaners. As it turned out, there was one less than a mile from me.

It's a bit more expensive than the cleaner I usually use, but not much.

Besides, I got to feel all do-goody, and it's hard to put a price on that.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Life List Day 104 - Tilt-a-Whirl for One

It was a gorgeous day today so I took a walk on the beach near the Redondo Beach pier. Looking for something to do for my life list, I detoured to the arcade and - on a whim - bought a ticket for the Tilt-a-Whirl. So what if I was by myself?

Turned out, I wasn't just alone in my car - I was the only person on the ride...period!

At first, I felt sort of silly, swirling around all by myself. But soon my giggles won out over my self-consciousness. I LOVE rides (my dream is to live near Six Flags, buy a season pass, and start every day with a roller coaster ride...how fun would that be??).

Until that day, this was a nice little jolt of joy. I'll definitely add it to my walk again.

And maybe some skeeball too.