Eating smoked oysters and salmon and drinking a can of Modelo out of a bag while sitting on the beach looking at the waves in Coos Bay, OR is a nice way to spend a few hours.  Sighhh

Fate?

I was drawn into a Banana Republic store while walking across the street looking for a place to eat while staying the night in Oakland. It was surprisingly chilly outside (and a huge relief from the heat in Auburn) and I talked myself into thinking I needed a sweater. Inside I found a sweater on sale -- and a pair of shoes. When I took the sample shoe to look for a sales person so I could try them on, a rude yet attractive black sales woman begrudgingly helped me. When she unapologetically brought a smaller size shoe than I wear and told me they didn't have my size, I said, Ok, no problem. Flatly she suggested I try them on anyway and walk around the store, they run large and they might fit after all. That was a friendly improvement. Although, as predicted, the shoes were uncomfortably squeezing my feet. When I came back from my trot, she was helping another customer in the same begrudging manner. I did not feel insulted by her treatment after all, it seemed standard.

When I told her the shoes didn't fit, she offered to check to see if they were in stock in another store, I said, That's Ok, no problem. She searched anyways and found there were no more shoes like that in my size (bummer, they were really cool looking) I said, That's Ok, no problem. She then started talking to me in a more relaxed manner joking about the shoes. We laughed. Then she talked about slowing down and enjoying the moment more. I agreed whole heartily. Then she mentioned she was soon taking two weeks vacation and I asked her if she was going anywhere special. She said she was just going here and there with her children because they complained she spends too much time at work. Ohh ya, I agreed again, juggling a job and children is THE hardest thing to do. We nodded and mhhmm'd. She declared that she just needs to finish school so she can get a better job.

I spoke up and told her that I graduated from college about six years ago while my kids were in grade school. I told her it was one of the most trying things I have ever done, but that I have a great job now where I can make my own schedule and work from home when I need to (and afford to shop at Banana Republic). She said she just needed to get on it and do it. She said that she doesn't hardly ever talk to anyone that comes in the store, but that sometimes people say things for a reason. I felt a little overwhelmed by her revelation -- was she implying that I was drawn in to that store to share an experience with her in her time of obvious questionning? I wished her the best of luck and gave her a quick knowing nod good-bye as I rushed out of line to not hold up the people behind me any longer. I turned to see her knowing nod in return. Was it fate? It couldn't be, I don't believe in it. Do I . . . whatever it was, it was nice.

Happiness is a Bike

While I have stalled temporarily on looking for a new couch (for now, this is a process), I have found and bought the mountain bike I now love. I've already had great adventures on my new bike:
Manzanita
Tinker
Clementine
Connector
Stonewall
(all Auburn trails) and . . . Downieville!
Downieville was awesome. A perfect 15 mile DH ride, then lunch and a beer, a cruise to the river where we sat with our feet in the sand and skipped rocks in the river. It was a beautiful day with friends and a bike. Perfect. 

Tina and I hanging out on the bridge in between divides.

I'm obviously telling Marianne about my favorite part of the trail . . . or some nonsense.

Beautiful.  We actually encountered some snow at the top of Sunrise trail. It was great fun!

Have You Noticed

that the mustache

is the new sparrow?