Another Year

It's another year entirely. I noticed, just before we left for Mexico, that I hadn't posted to this, my original blog, in nearly a year -since Dec. 25, 2007. Never mind, I said, I'll post there on Christmas day, and it will look downright intentional. Then I forgot.

This poor blog. Since I started keeping the two travel journals, I've neglected it terribly. Why don't I blog when I'm not traveling? Do I not have a life, in between journeys? I notice that on our travels, I depend on the journal to remind me of what I've done with my days. Years later, I read an old entry and remember clearly what that day was like - the light, the smells and sounds. My days at home pass in a fog of work and meals and internet obsession, and I don't remember them. That's a lot of my life to let fall on the cutting room floor.

So there it is. All unawares, I've been composing a New Year's Resolution. Never mind that I don't do New Year's Resolutions - recipes for disappointment, I've always felt - this one seems to demand my attention - and my intention. Who am I to demur?

The Great Countdown Has Begun

Now if only I could remember to whom I said "I'll be blogging on Turtle Tracks while I'm in Mexico. No, I won't. Of course I won't. I'll be blogging on The Amazing Voyages of the Turtle (http://sandarastraveljournal.blogspot.com), as usual. To whoever that was, I do apologize. I blame my pre-holiday exhaustion and my excitement over the trip to come.

The In-Between Time

We've come back from Mexico, fallen headfirst into work to finance the next trip and the one after that..... The next trip is in fact a little one, to Orcas Island in Washington. We have a date there for a four-day weekend later this month with a group of friends. Then we'll be scurrying to get ready for England in September. I'm so excited that my baby sister will be joining us in England, helping me open and close locks on the Kennet-Avon Canal. There are many, many things I want to share with her. The poor thing will be exhausted when she gets back home.

I'm over there!

I've opened a page at del.icio.us, which allows me to organize all my bookmarks. When I went to flag this blog, I realized it's sitting all lonely and neglected while I'm down in Mexico. I'm writing pretty well daily in The Amazing Voyages of the Turtle, which you can find at http://sandarastraveljournal.blogspot.com. So come on over and visit me, okay? And while you're at it, you could come have a look at http://del.icio.us/sandara where I'm putting links to my favourite blogs, sites, videos etc.

Or 8679, if you like

...or 1443, my finishing place out of 1581 competitors; 898 of 994 women; 53/60 in my age group; my chip time 1:15:44.

.

Just Call Me 820

That was my number in this morning's CIBC Run for the Cure (5K).

I didn't run, of course - but I walked it in 45 minutes. I would probably have done it a bit more quickly, but I assumed I'd be at the slow end of the scale so I started near the back, only to find myself behind a sea of real slowpokes. I spent the first km dodging around people (and dogs and strollers) to get to my comfort zone. I'll know better next week in Victoria. Mind you, the Victoria race is actually a race, so there probably won't be so many lollygaggers.

I was a little worried about my back, after the mess I made of it in England, (see Turtle Afloat)but the walking actually seems to help. I had fun. I have to work 5 days now, and then I have the weekend off. I think I'll try to go down to Victoria on Saturday morning, collect my race kit, spend the night either in the RV or at a friend's place, and be there in town for the race. Otherwise, I'll have to leave home incredibly early on Sunday to be there for the race.

Given the difficulty I had walking 12 k a couple of months ago, I think I'll stick with my 8k registration. There will be time for 1/2 marathons later, I hope.

Turtle Afloat

Robin and I are flying to England tomorrow for a narrowboat holiday, and I've started a new blog in honour of the event. It's called Turtle Afloat, and I've put a link to it on the list below. See you there!