And I don’t mean the type of writing I do for work (though lately, I’ve found that to be highly rewarding as well).
I mean sitting down and just sharing whatever comes out.
Maybe it’s a photo or gratitude list or an issue that I’m wrestling with.
But it is summertime.
The start of the season is always busy.
Bunbury Music Festival
There are a ton of summer events to cover for work, alongside graduation parties, birthdays and group outings with friends and family.
And yardwork. Oh, how I hate cutting grass.
Also, running in heat and humidity.
Dear God, give me the willingness to start running outdoors. I’ve been lax in my devotion to covering miles of asphalt recently. I am growing cranky and fat(ter).
Amen.
Which leads me to this – I’m complaining but not really complaining.
If given the choice, I’d always choose to be busy rather than bored.
Boring is dangerous.
It means I have time to think, like really think.
And when I think too much, my mind will manufacture drama to combat the boredom.
That kind of drama is never good.
So, this is me, sitting here and writing this post for no apparent rhyme or reason.
I’m just trying to remind myself to not stop what I tried to start again a few months ago – resurrect this blog.
Using my ADHD superpower of hyperfocus for good – namely obsessing over a creative problem until I came up with a creative solution for a work project 💪🏻
Texting stay-in dinner prepping and plans with my fiancée 🍽
Remembering that I’m at my best when focused more on process instead of end product (be that a personal goal, work project or target marathon)
Informal group runs begin Tuesday evening 🏃🏼
A running friend group-texting pictures of his newborn grandson and his other months-old grandson 👼🏼
Receiving multiple updates from my mother and sister about my almost-three-year-old niece using the potty. I loved the pride they exuded about as much as my niece’s developmental milestone 😍
The number of old friends who I have not spoken with in a long time whom have contacted me lately
Daydreaming about summer activities
The return of spring temps, if only for a couple of days
Coming home late after a long day of work and still finding the desire to write this list
Letting a friend pick the post-work run location and then accosting them for picking such a hilly route
Creating To Do lists
Constructive feedback from coworkers and friends
Catching-up conversations over post-run beers while sitting outside
Cheap sushi
Conversations of substance that are both terrifying and fulfilling at the same time
Watching my niece owning the stage, dancing and singing her heart out as no one watched. Her “stage” just happened to be framed by the open doors of the shed at my parents’ permanent campsite
All of the sunshine
Options and happenstance
Feeling like I’m planning and moving forward with purpose
Looking back, here are eight things I’m grateful for in 2018.
1. Tirza
I’ve been pretty shameless sharing with everyone how lucky I am to have started dating Tirza in 2018.
We briefly met once before she agreed to go on a date with me. I sent her a Facebook friend request after bumping into her at a running event in late November 2017.
I didn’t even know if she was single and it took me two months (and a couple of drinks) to muster up the nerve to ask her out.
I was obviously scared
She agreed to go on grab a slice with me on Friday, Feb. 9, National Pizza Day. She promptly text me the day after that first date asking if I wanted to grab a beer at a local brewery the following Monday. I’ve been pinching myself ever since.
2. New friends
I also met a great new group of running friends because of my relationship with Tirza. I experienced “Donna loops,” was invited into homes for post-run eats and drinks, and endured some gentle ribbing for training with a different marathon running group.
3. And friendships that endure
The new friends only added to the rather large cast of characters already in my life. I’ve known many of the people pictured above for years through running. We tell jokes and occasionally discuss the rough patches we each experience in our lives.
Outside of running, I also got to spend a weekend with an old college roommate in November. We visited a comic book convention, played D&D with his 8-year-old son and just fell back into the comfortable rhythm built on two decades of friendship.
4. Speaking of running …
Even though I felt burned out at times, I ended the year on an up note when it comes to running. I currently feel re-energized and ready to race in 2019.
Here are some stats from 2018:
5. Family
I made some great memories with my mom, dad, sister, niece and nephew this year. Tirza even impressed my tight-knit group of weirdos with her eating habits and that one time she forgot to meet me at my house for my birthday dinner with them . We all wrapped up the year with great Christmas together.
6. Meeting a few famous people
I was given the opportunity to chair two panels at the Cincinnati Comic Expo in September. I met “Doctor Strange” actor Benedict Wong and Clark Gregg, the man who plays “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” Director Phil Colson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
7. Counting blessings
While saddened to learn of the passing of comic book creator and legend Stan Lee, I was also reminded how lucky I was to have met him in 2016. His passing also was the first of many that reminded me how important it is to appreciate the interactions I get to have with others. In more than a few instances, 2018 proved to be a sad year for those we lost.
8. Pushed out of my comfort zone
And finally, as uncomfortable a process as it has been, I am glad life still presents opportunities that push me out of my comfort zone. I don’t think that I’m the best in front of a camera but work this year has made me get over myself and become more confident in who I am.