My goal: Learn to ride a trikke within a year ... in mastery
Days into my project: 12
My progress to date: Beginner's Goofs
My mood: Mixed
They say that once you learn to ride a bike, you never forget. Well, that isn't exactly true.
Today, I filed an extension to my tax return and decided to catch the last rays of sunlight to try out my trikke. I felt confident that all I had learned about skiing would be recollected quickly allowing me to at least get a few carves in without looking like an idiot with eight left feet.
When I was a girl of 12, my Dad took our family to Switzerland. I learned about balconies, trollies, traffic police with pure white gloves and ... I learned about skiing. But, before I could race down the slopes that were just a tram ride from our place, my parents insisted my sister and I learn to ski properly. I guess this helped alleviate their fears that we wouldn't do something stupid and hurt ourselves. So, out there in the snow, we would practice shifting our weight on skis that were anchored to the pure white powder going nowhere. Little did I know that learning to shift your weight is not like riding a bicycle. I found out today that it is both an art and a skill that must be practiced in order to maintain.
I soon realized that I would have to learn once again how to shift my weight. I kept leaning on the foot in the direction of the turn... and I went nowhere.
So, I took the trikke to a level place on the sidewalk and mounted it. There, I pretended to be turning one direction and then the other while I practiced for a full 10 minutes shifting my weight until I got it. It was a difficult concentrate to remember that my weight needed to be on the foot to the outside of the turn. I remembered then what my ski instructor told me and started to lift the foot on the inside of the turn. And, I tried very hard not to let it bother me about what the neighbors might be thinking.
When I had mastered the art of stationary weight shifts, I decided to try it on a small incline. The incline that I chose was so small that I had always regarded it as level. I soon found that it was sufficient for my purposes. I started slowly with one turn at a time. I tried to turn left by pushing out to the right, learning to the left, and putting my weight on the right foot. If possible, I tried to lift my left leg. I then stopped. I collected my thoughts. I would then try to turn right by pushing out to the left. I would lean to the right, lifting my right leg whenever possible, and keeping my weight on the left leg. It was all I could do to try and feel comfortable about "hanging" over the turn.
With the help of the incline, I was able to get to the bottom of my small hill. I then walked back up to the top to start all over again.
As I walked, I couldn't help but remember Switzerland and the ski slope by our place. It had a rope tow that didn't work most of the time. So, we soon learned how to climb up the slope by keeping our skis level to the slope and stepping up to the top. We would have preferred the tow but the truth of the matter was that the stepping strengthened the muscles we needed to keep our skis parallel, very quickly.
So, I figured the walk to the top would do me some good. After all, I needed the exercise.
I worked that little hill in front of my place a full 7 times until it got dark. With each new try, I started to carve into the turn with a more powerful, more even, motion. I started to feel how it was the carve that propelled me forward and started to remember, just a little, that sensation I had enjoyed on the slopes.
I can't wait until tomorrow. Trikke Time!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Day 11: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 My trikke arrived!
My goal: Learn to ride a trikke within a year ... in mastery
Days into my project: 11
My progress to date: It arrived!
My mood: Elated
Michigan has just begun to move into spring. The warm summer breeze seems out of character with the bare branches of winter. But, if you look closely, you can observe the small buds peeking out from branches and breaking through the soil in search of the sunlight. I too was soaking up its strength. So much so, I almost didn't notice the package on my doorstep. But, I quickly recognized the its source.
My trikke had arrived!
WAY TO GO AMAZON.COM!!!!! Super saver shipping and it arrives within two days!!!!!
So, I dragged the box into the house. Only 20 pounds in weight I would guess. I put the dogs outside in the back I got the scissors out, cut the bindings, opened the box, and started to read the instructions.
I hate assembling things. Everything always seems to go wrong.
But, the trikke is not that bad. Or, it shouldn't be that bad. Basically, you only have to put on the handle bars and snap on the front wheel. But, in my case... it was that bad. The first thing that happened was the washer on the handle bar bolts fell down the handle bar shaft. Of course, my best efforts to shake it out, (trying to shake a 20 lb unit upside down isn't that easy), failed to give up the missing washer.
Finally, with 15 minutes to closing, I trekked (that isn't trikked), down to my favorite hardware store with the one remaining washer I had managed to retrieve from the other bolt.
"Good luck on matching that one!" was not what I needed to hear. But, the reason I shop this particular hardware store is because they sell solutions, not products. After a few minutes of consultation with some of the other learned staff, I learned, "We might have an "O ring" that would work."
Yes, the two "o rings" I purchased, (only 29cents each), worked just fine. Within minutes my trikke was assembled.
I was on my way.
My unassembled trikke!
Days into my project: 11
My progress to date: It arrived!
My mood: Elated
Michigan has just begun to move into spring. The warm summer breeze seems out of character with the bare branches of winter. But, if you look closely, you can observe the small buds peeking out from branches and breaking through the soil in search of the sunlight. I too was soaking up its strength. So much so, I almost didn't notice the package on my doorstep. But, I quickly recognized the its source.
My trikke had arrived!
WAY TO GO AMAZON.COM!!!!! Super saver shipping and it arrives within two days!!!!!
So, I dragged the box into the house. Only 20 pounds in weight I would guess. I put the dogs outside in the back I got the scissors out, cut the bindings, opened the box, and started to read the instructions.
I hate assembling things. Everything always seems to go wrong.
But, the trikke is not that bad. Or, it shouldn't be that bad. Basically, you only have to put on the handle bars and snap on the front wheel. But, in my case... it was that bad. The first thing that happened was the washer on the handle bar bolts fell down the handle bar shaft. Of course, my best efforts to shake it out, (trying to shake a 20 lb unit upside down isn't that easy), failed to give up the missing washer.
Finally, with 15 minutes to closing, I trekked (that isn't trikked), down to my favorite hardware store with the one remaining washer I had managed to retrieve from the other bolt.
"Good luck on matching that one!" was not what I needed to hear. But, the reason I shop this particular hardware store is because they sell solutions, not products. After a few minutes of consultation with some of the other learned staff, I learned, "We might have an "O ring" that would work."
Yes, the two "o rings" I purchased, (only 29cents each), worked just fine. Within minutes my trikke was assembled.
I was on my way.
My unassembled trikke!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Day 10, Tuesday, April 13, 2010: Still waiting
My goal: Learn to ride a trikke within a year ... in mastery
Days into my project: 10
My progress to date: Not much
My mood: completely frustrated.
There is not much to report. I wait for the confirmation from AllegroMedical.com on my cancellation. And, I wonder how long free shipping will take. Until then, I wait.
Days into my project: 10
My progress to date: Not much
My mood: completely frustrated.
There is not much to report. I wait for the confirmation from AllegroMedical.com on my cancellation. And, I wonder how long free shipping will take. Until then, I wait.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Day 9 Monday, April 12, 2010: I fired AllegroMedical.com:
My goal: Learn to ride a trikke within a year ... in mastery
Days into my project: 9
My progress to date: Frustrated beyond tolerable
My mood: Head-hunting
A week now and they can't seem to get my order off "pending shipping" So, this time when I called, I got a young man who must have known I didn't want to mess with and canceled my order. Of course, I can't get them to give me a confirmation.
But, I went ahead and ordered the trikke from amazon.com. It will likely be here in days!
Days into my project: 9
My progress to date: Frustrated beyond tolerable
My mood: Head-hunting
A week now and they can't seem to get my order off "pending shipping" So, this time when I called, I got a young man who must have known I didn't want to mess with and canceled my order. Of course, I can't get them to give me a confirmation.
But, I went ahead and ordered the trikke from amazon.com. It will likely be here in days!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Day 8: Sunday, April 11, 2010: Twitter and connecting more than 2 dots
Okay, I took the plunge and became immersed in twitter. It was like engaging in bar talk without the anesthetizing effects of liquor. But, at least they make it clear at the outset. "No sophisticated thought permitted. If you have to connect more than two dots of thought, it isn't allowed."
Yes, I appreciate that we can now use the digital highway to avoid getting up from our desks and walking over to the water cooler. (What a wonderful way to avoid exercise!) But, does anything relevant get talked about at the water cooler? A lot of information about our place of work is shared. Often, this information is very useful for one’s survival in the political world of the work place. But, otherwise, it isn’t very useful or even very interesting. I would much rather spend my time kicking back and listening to Phil Collins on drums … or even Metallica.
All this “twitter” makes me think back to the 60s when women and minorities were trying to break through to the “inside” circles. What we found is that as soon as we were admitted to the board room, an inner circle of the chosen elite would soon form that excluded us. Am I the only one who thinks “twitter” is for those who are not allowed in the inside circles?
Oh sure, there are twitter celebrities that seem to affirm the American dream that anyone can make it. And, no one seems to be able to tell me this wasn't just due to "dumb luck".
As I watched the latest episode of “Nurse Jackie”, I realized that like it or not … twitter is here to stay. In this latest episode, Nurse Jackie had offended the young, somewhat idiot, doctor she worked with and he was getting back at her by “twittering” his vents about her behavior. Wow! I don’t know about the rest of you, but I don’t have time to listen to these uninspiring vents of other people … most of them in such a spelling shorthand and lack of concern for grammar or syntax that I often can’t decipher them. I tolerate rambling vents with my best friends. But, to take on a world of people twittering … it is beyond what I can tolerate.
So, as I read the "tweets" of the world, I can't help but believe those incapable of thought that involves connecting more than two dots, have won out. If your thought requires connecting say 5 dots, you are not allowed to express it... at least not on twitter. And, I have noticed how many people on twitter are using connections to "AllSpot" or other web sites where they can provide information that requires connecting more than two dots.
The world of "twitter" certainly celebrates short "snipets" of information and suppresses those thoughts requiring more than two connections of expression.
Is the world of “twitter” for business?
Oh yes, make no mistake about it. While you and I and the rest of the world of consumers are now out there sharing our thoughts and feelings about the virtual Watercooler, those wanting to sell us something are hawking about. Within hours of putting myself on twitter I had many people wanting to follow me. Gosh, what were they going to follow? I hadn’t shared one “tweet” yet. As the efforts to contact me poured in, I realized it was nothing more than a not so subtle sales pitch but with a virtual twist.
But, there are a couple of things I would like to ask that inner circle of folks who gave us twitter. “How’s it working for you? After all the hype and rhetoric are you going to be able to make money off this thing .... over the long haul?"
When you encourage small business owners to "twitter", I have to wonder if twitter is in fact populated by people who are actually consumers. I suspect not. If they were consumers, I would wonder how they can be earning any money if they are spending 2 hours a day, 14 hours a week, on Twitter. No wonder we are an obese society.
So, for now at least, I will continue to twitter and learn. But, so far, I am still looking for something worth my time.
Trikkefied Video & Others
Yes, I appreciate that we can now use the digital highway to avoid getting up from our desks and walking over to the water cooler. (What a wonderful way to avoid exercise!) But, does anything relevant get talked about at the water cooler? A lot of information about our place of work is shared. Often, this information is very useful for one’s survival in the political world of the work place. But, otherwise, it isn’t very useful or even very interesting. I would much rather spend my time kicking back and listening to Phil Collins on drums … or even Metallica.
All this “twitter” makes me think back to the 60s when women and minorities were trying to break through to the “inside” circles. What we found is that as soon as we were admitted to the board room, an inner circle of the chosen elite would soon form that excluded us. Am I the only one who thinks “twitter” is for those who are not allowed in the inside circles?
Oh sure, there are twitter celebrities that seem to affirm the American dream that anyone can make it. And, no one seems to be able to tell me this wasn't just due to "dumb luck".
As I watched the latest episode of “Nurse Jackie”, I realized that like it or not … twitter is here to stay. In this latest episode, Nurse Jackie had offended the young, somewhat idiot, doctor she worked with and he was getting back at her by “twittering” his vents about her behavior. Wow! I don’t know about the rest of you, but I don’t have time to listen to these uninspiring vents of other people … most of them in such a spelling shorthand and lack of concern for grammar or syntax that I often can’t decipher them. I tolerate rambling vents with my best friends. But, to take on a world of people twittering … it is beyond what I can tolerate.
So, as I read the "tweets" of the world, I can't help but believe those incapable of thought that involves connecting more than two dots, have won out. If your thought requires connecting say 5 dots, you are not allowed to express it... at least not on twitter. And, I have noticed how many people on twitter are using connections to "AllSpot" or other web sites where they can provide information that requires connecting more than two dots.
The world of "twitter" certainly celebrates short "snipets" of information and suppresses those thoughts requiring more than two connections of expression.
Is the world of “twitter” for business?
Oh yes, make no mistake about it. While you and I and the rest of the world of consumers are now out there sharing our thoughts and feelings about the virtual Watercooler, those wanting to sell us something are hawking about. Within hours of putting myself on twitter I had many people wanting to follow me. Gosh, what were they going to follow? I hadn’t shared one “tweet” yet. As the efforts to contact me poured in, I realized it was nothing more than a not so subtle sales pitch but with a virtual twist.
But, there are a couple of things I would like to ask that inner circle of folks who gave us twitter. “How’s it working for you? After all the hype and rhetoric are you going to be able to make money off this thing .... over the long haul?"
When you encourage small business owners to "twitter", I have to wonder if twitter is in fact populated by people who are actually consumers. I suspect not. If they were consumers, I would wonder how they can be earning any money if they are spending 2 hours a day, 14 hours a week, on Twitter. No wonder we are an obese society.
So, for now at least, I will continue to twitter and learn. But, so far, I am still looking for something worth my time.
Trikkefied Video & Others
Friday, April 9, 2010
Day 7: Saturday, April 09, 2010: While I wait on the trikke, here is the twitter
My goal: Learn to ride a trikke within a year ... in mastery
Days into my project: 7
My progress to date: zero
My mood: angry
I confess, this social media stuff has got me stumped.
It's like all the conversations of the world have gone online.
Instead of having friends in the places where I work, worship, or hang out physically, I now have many, many, many friends that I converse with online and exchange ideas, misery, happiness, or whatever.
I remember now, some twenty years ago, telling a co-worker that if I did not have my connections online.... I wouldn't have been able to come to work in the morning. Little did I realize back then the import of those words!
The anchor of my soul is being shifted.
There is a virtual world out there that offers stimulation, much like a drug. And, I am not so sure the consequences of that virtual world are any less grave than the stimulation of drugs.
Hmmm.....
Is that why I find myself thinking more and more about my place up north.... in the wilds... where one can put the Internet connection in the next room and forget about it? Where after a two hour drive the Internet is not within reach? Is that why I think about the other place further up north where there isn't even a connection?
Yes....I do feel a certain sense of security in those places.
I guess I don't want to lose my identity in a handle on twitter.... or facebook...or wherever.
I am witnessing a great change in this world and rather than embrace it....I want to lay low and allow it to wash over me... much like a malevolent storm.
In truth, I feel privileged to live during this time.
I have a choice. I can celebrate what it is to be human...to be in control of my destiny...to explore, to perceive, to feel real emotion and think complex thoughts with a brain that even the best computers cannot yet duplicate.... or ... I can immerse myself in twitter.
Hmmm.... I wonder what I will choose?
I think I will dance in twitter. But, I will never give up the anchor of my soul.
Gosh.... I wish that stupid trikke would get here!
Days into my project: 7
My progress to date: zero
My mood: angry
I confess, this social media stuff has got me stumped.
It's like all the conversations of the world have gone online.
Instead of having friends in the places where I work, worship, or hang out physically, I now have many, many, many friends that I converse with online and exchange ideas, misery, happiness, or whatever.
I remember now, some twenty years ago, telling a co-worker that if I did not have my connections online.... I wouldn't have been able to come to work in the morning. Little did I realize back then the import of those words!
The anchor of my soul is being shifted.
There is a virtual world out there that offers stimulation, much like a drug. And, I am not so sure the consequences of that virtual world are any less grave than the stimulation of drugs.
Hmmm.....
Is that why I find myself thinking more and more about my place up north.... in the wilds... where one can put the Internet connection in the next room and forget about it? Where after a two hour drive the Internet is not within reach? Is that why I think about the other place further up north where there isn't even a connection?
Yes....I do feel a certain sense of security in those places.
I guess I don't want to lose my identity in a handle on twitter.... or facebook...or wherever.
I am witnessing a great change in this world and rather than embrace it....I want to lay low and allow it to wash over me... much like a malevolent storm.
In truth, I feel privileged to live during this time.
I have a choice. I can celebrate what it is to be human...to be in control of my destiny...to explore, to perceive, to feel real emotion and think complex thoughts with a brain that even the best computers cannot yet duplicate.... or ... I can immerse myself in twitter.
Hmmm.... I wonder what I will choose?
I think I will dance in twitter. But, I will never give up the anchor of my soul.
Gosh.... I wish that stupid trikke would get here!
Day 6: Friday, April 09, 2010: I should have ordered the trikke from amazon.com!
My goal: Learn to ride a trikke within a year ... in mastery
Days into my project: 6
My progress to date: nothing
My mood: terribly depressed
Okay, I felt proud of myself finding that 20% off coupon and with it AllegroMedical.com had the best price for the Trikke with shipping.
Now, I regret my decision. Like a spouse who had been with me for years and years, who had gone through challenge after life's challenge with me, I tossed amazon.com aside for a mere 20%. YUCK! What was I thinking?
I wasn't thinking. I was being greedy.
Loyalty and friendship are difficult to find. And, when you find them, you should think twice about some distraction.
Now, I will have to go groveling back to Amazon.com and order from them as I should have ordered in the first place. But, I will likely have my Trikke in days. And, I will need to cancel my order with AllegroMedical.com (since I am beginning not to trust them).
All I wanted was to get a trikke. What a nightmare life sends me!
Days into my project: 6
My progress to date: nothing
My mood: terribly depressed
Okay, I felt proud of myself finding that 20% off coupon and with it AllegroMedical.com had the best price for the Trikke with shipping.
Now, I regret my decision. Like a spouse who had been with me for years and years, who had gone through challenge after life's challenge with me, I tossed amazon.com aside for a mere 20%. YUCK! What was I thinking?
I wasn't thinking. I was being greedy.
Loyalty and friendship are difficult to find. And, when you find them, you should think twice about some distraction.
- I wonder if that is how Bill Clinton felt after Monica Lewinsky?
- I wonder if that was how John Edwards felt with Rielle Hunter?
- I wonder if that is how Brad Pitt feels choosing Angelina Jolie? (But, I have to confess I never liked Jennifer and I always liked Angelina.)
Now, I will have to go groveling back to Amazon.com and order from them as I should have ordered in the first place. But, I will likely have my Trikke in days. And, I will need to cancel my order with AllegroMedical.com (since I am beginning not to trust them).
All I wanted was to get a trikke. What a nightmare life sends me!
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