Peter’s Soapbox

Plateau

I’ve been feeling like I’m on a plateau lately. At least, that’s what people usually call this type of period in training, when it does not feel like you’re making any progress. Continue reading Plateau…

Shoulder Tension

Why do humans have a tendency to “get into our shoulders?” I’ve been pondering this for a while now. When I first started practicing aikido, my sensei told me that I was “very much in my head.” These days, I feel like I’ve settled down from being in my head to more “in my shoulders.” Continue reading Shoulder Tension…

Book Review: Everyday Enlightenment

I recently read Everyday Enlightenment: The Twelve Gateways to Personal Growth by Dan Millman. In summary, if you think you need to read this book, you do, and if you don’t think you need to read this book, you still probably do. Continue reading Book Review: Everyday Enlightenment…

Melissa

I’ve been seeing someone. Since late in the fall of 2008, after my separation from my ex-wife had had time to really sink in, and I decided I was ready to move on. One day, quite out of the blue, I received a phone call, asking if I wanted to go out. Not having anything better to do with my time, I accepted.

— gory details omitted for brevity —

Fast forward to 2010. I have a (very) cute, (extremely) funny, (sometimes) bubbly, (always) silly companion in my life. She brightens my day, gives me new things to think about, and makes the world a better place to be. She’s not (very) afraid of tackling the mountain bike trails at Killington (although she may curse them and me for (literally)  dragging her down them). She’s always up for sushi or a glass of sweet, white wine. She’s happy to fail at 100 situps while I fail at 100 pushups. She’s never afraid to say exactly what’s on her mind, or to suggest new things for me to try. She’s stood by me during the ups and downs, and has always been there when I needed her.

So, Melissa, you can stand up and take a bow. You’re “my girl” and I’m not afraid to say it: I love you. You make the sky bluer, the grass greener, and the stems stemmier. You put the silly back in my life, and I don’t like thinking what the last year would have been like without you.

Yes, stemmier.

I’m Single

I just got a letter from the Windsor County Family Court, ordering my divorce. A year and a half later, I’m finally free. I’d like to again thank all of my friends who were so supportive during this trying time, because it sure as hell wasn’t easy.

Love and peace to all. It’s a good day.