I find it ironic that in order to make myself happier in the long term by losing weight so that my clothes fit better and I have more confidence in presenting myself to the world, that I must give up, or at least severely limit, the things that make me happy — eating and drinking beer — in the short term. This makes me sad. Ironic, isn’t it? Or maybe not, maybe I have an Alanis Morissette concept of irony.
Yesterday’s “Walk for My Cause” was a trip on foot to Target in Atlantic Station. Perhaps the irony of this journey was that when I arrived at Target I realized that I really didn’t need anything from there. I walked around briefly, picked up a couple of things including one thing (9v batteries) that I realized later I had already purchased elsewhere, and started my journey back to the office.
On the 17th Street bridge I stopped to attempt photos of Atlanta’s traffic and skyline, but the amount of bright light and lack of dramatic clouds made for rather pedestrian photos; fitting, I suppose. I really needed a split-density filter to bring down the exposure of the sky while not messing with the exposure of the buildings and traffic. That’s what I needed, not that I have one of these for my Nikon 1 V1.
I fought what has become significantly worse traffic lately, and instead of stopping into a bar for a few beers and dinner like I wanted, I made it all the way back to the ITP Estate where I warmed up leftovers and drank water. Oddly my evening was a short one as I was unable to keep my eyes open much past 9:00pm, which is a shame given that I have so much non-work work to accomplish when I am at home.
ITP-Reader Steve, I have clothes for walking at lunch if you are still game. Since it’s still goddamn hot outside I will be changing into non-running shorts, t-shirt, and sneakers since I am a sweater. Also, the shoes I wore to work are not ones in which I wish to walk any distance. There will be food trucks abound today, perhaps post walk that can be my lunch. If you are still game shall I meet you at that statue outside your building around 11:30am?
Hope yours is a good Thursday.
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
Well, you had to pick a “target” to walk toward anyway, and kudos for abstaining from unnecessary purchases. Walking to retail does wonders for one’s wallet, “Do I *really* what to carry this back with me?”
The term that has helped me during major shifts in my life is “new normal”. You’re lamenting the loss of your “old normal”, which is human and understandable. But the “new normal” tends to be pretty cool, and often even better than before, once we wrap our head around it.
I think one of the serendipitous things that will arise from your “new normal” is far more photography opportunities. Another one that’s already arisen is an offer of support from Steve, i.e. today’s walking lunch (and acceptance of support on your part, which feels new given your propensity to hunker down and go it alone). You’re a good man, Steve.
In my experience the walk to Atlantic Station is a pretty soulless route. A more redeeming walk might be down 14th to Piedmont Park. From there you can branch off in a number of directions in the park, as well as pick up both paved and unpaved sections of the Beltline which opens up even more of the city.
I chose the Atlantic Station route because I thought that I needed to go to Target. On Monday I went south, and then back north, on Peachtree. On Tuesday I went from lunch at Front Page News (my last hurrah before they close for major remodeling) over to Piedmont Park.
Normally with temperatures this high I’d seek shadow coverage as much as possible, but have been throwing caution to the wind, or lack thereof, currently.
Ugh, this was supposed to be a reply comment. Oh well, I don’t feel like fixing this error…
It’s progress that you let it go as is. 🙂
Yes, you’ve definitely been baking in the sun on those walks, that’s for sure. I primarily suggested Piedmont Park as a means to put a little proximity between you and the car exhaust/noise that are inescapable on those other routes.
Weather is supposed to start cooling last week . But who knows, it’s Georgia. Can’t get too attached to any aspect of the weather.
11:30 at the Eagle sounds great!
A restless night. Debbie was lamenting as we drove home Tuesday that she had not yet had birthday cake on her birthday. As I drove home yesterday, I stopped at Franks, a little hole in the wall Italian place that shares space with a Fina gas station. Their desserts are second to none and I bought Debbie a slice of “Death by Chocolate” and myself a slice of red velvet cheesecake. Once home they were quickly consumed.
I swear that cake and all the sugar was the reason I tossed and turned all night. Also not helping was Lillie (our neighbors dog who now stays with us apparently) barking at nothing in particular.
This evening, I’ll be in the Smynings area for a last meeting with the Park before it all hits the fan. Hopefully they are as ready as we appear to be.
-FP
Excellent lunchtime walk with Steve. I covered a little over three miles. Because I was sweaty I passed on food truck fare, figuring I’d cobble something together in the office. To my surprise someone made mac and cheese to share. Score!
A very good walk, which will be even better when it isn’t still freaking Summer! Maybe I’ll bring in some hash shoes and actually walk in proper footwear.