Four to go…

1) Pack. Just quit avoiding it, start doing it.

2) Panic less. It'll be fine. My kids will be fine. My work will be fine. My arse will be fine.

3) Praise my 13 year old on making the Honor Roll!!! WHOO HOOO!!!! AMAZING!

4) Pry myself loose from the minutia, and try to enjoy these last few days with my kids before they head off on their various summer expeditions... and I, on mine. Gawd I'm going to miss them.

Five points of interest

ONE: Several people have asked me what the schedule is going to be over the ride. I have honestly been avoiding knowing what the schedule is, because I am kind of, well, overwhelmed by it. So thanks, inquiring minds, for making me face reality. My eye is twitching. Hope you're happy.

The Ride:
June 4--Opening Ceremonies: The Cow Palace, to Camp 1 Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz--79.3 miles

June 5--Camp 2 San Lorenzo County Park, King City--105.4 miles

June 6--Camp 3 Mid State Fairgrounds, Paso Robles--75.2 miles

June 7--Camp 4 Preisker Park, Santa Maria--98.7 miles

June 8--Camp 5 River Park, Lompoc--43.5 miles

June 9--Camp 6 San Buenaventura State Beach, Ventura--84.1 miles

June 10--Closing Ceremonies: VA Center, Los Angeles (near Brentwood)--60.8 miles

TWO: My nephew has graciously agreed to care for my pets during this time period.

THREE: I do not know what the deal is with showers. This is yet another thing I am avoiding looking into.

FOUR: No, I am not going alone. Apart from the thousands of others I will meet on this journey, I will know a couple people on the ride-- in fact, people I work with. You think I'm dedicated? HA! One guy is flying in from North Carolina to be a part of this crazy action.

FIVE: I think that anybody can do this. Anything seems overwhelming at first, but given time, most tasks feel manageable. Unless, of course, you're a horrendous procrastinator such as myself, in which case most things send you to the brink of "overwhelmingness" (is too a word, Harrison.)

Six, pick up sticks…

Today was a day of organization.

It started heavy on the anxiety, and ended with chocolate cupcakes. Suffice it to say, when a woman experiences anxiety, a little chocolate can be a very good thing.

Laundry, planning, packing, phone calls, heavy sighs, tunnel vision, Toy Story, many heart-to-heart conversations with my mother, yet another trip to the bike shop and voila! Bedtime and still the floors aren't mopped.

But all my worries slide to the side as my 3-year old has me rocking out to her "Row Row Row Your Boat" bongo drum-version. Things will be fine. The chaffing will subside in due time. My arse will grow back. It always does. And numb feet-- who needs to feel feet anyway?

Six days.

Gulp.

Lucky Number Seven

Today was the day. I woke up this morning, checked my LifeCycle page and saw that I had made my fundraising goal. WHOOO HOOO!!!!

I momentarily had this intense surge of excitement mixed with relief, topped off with a major sense of accomplishment. But, again, that was momentary. Because you see, making this goal wasn't something I'd done. Sure, I'd asked, begged, hounded, cajoled-- but when don't I do that?

Seriously.

The plain, blunt truth of it is that making this goal was something that you all did for me. All of your donations collectively helped raise $2,545.00 for AIDS research, education and assistance. Your gifts will allow those with this horrid disease live more comfortably and get the help that they need. Your gifts will allow for research that may be integral in finding a cure. Your help is ehancing the lives of others, through both education and assistance.

Thank you all so very much.

* Monica Silva
* Kasco Fab
* Joni Schock
* Carey Schock
* Ken Riddick
* Eric Johnston
* Stephen Dana
* Jennifer Ward
* Susan & Josh Barnes
* Cousin Jana Sweetman
* Ken Hatfield
* Linda McBride
* Diane Arbios, my awesome mom!
* Effie Snashall, my awesome grandmother!
* My brother, Matt Arbios, sister-in-law, Karen Kimura, and nephew, baby Nathan
* Jason Losk
* Robin Wilkins
* Matt Thompson
* Bryan & Sara Zera
* Uncle David & Auntie Judy Canclini
* Uncle Dennie & Auntie Sue Kavert
* Genevieve Choate
* Lisa Birrell
* Kristi Harris
* My sister, Joanna Felger, and brother-in-law, Warren Felger
* Jed Weintrob
* Kevin Mukeriji
* Randolf Kret & Shaun Hill

Eight is enough…

...to fill my life wiiiiiith lovvvvvvvvve... and headwind.

Lots of headwind.

Today was one of those sparkling days, crisp and clear; the kind of day that riders dream about. You know, until they get outside and realize that the headwind exists no matter where they face. Oof.

So it was a good, tough ride. I did half the miles I intended, but I was a rickshaw driver in said headwind, so I think it had the same exhaustion factor as if I doubled the miles. That's what I'm going with.