Category Archives: Denver

The T.A.R.D.I.S

That is the Time and Relative Dimension in Space… AKA Sexy.

It looks like a blue gray Honda Accord thanks to the chameleon circuit, which has been stuck that way since 2003. For the most part it works correctly, but today it failed me. This car has done well so far carry me through time and space (we haven’t worked out the dimension part yet, The Doctor didn’t leave directions for that part). However, we all know that Sexy has a mind of her own. Today she opted to not complete the journey to Woodland Park for V’s baby shower, instead redirecting me to Commerce City.

I was extremely concerned as we were traveling through a wibbly wobbly area of the mountains with no pull off in sight when she failed to accelerate up a particular hill. This was of utmost concern due to the fact that I had been in the fast lane and those other cars were going MUCH faster than ole Sexy here. Fortunately she guided us in to a pull off and we checked the operating systems for failure. Apparently she was a little low on cosmic juice. Since I was also low on extra cosmic juice for her, we determined it was best to return to Denver (a downhill drive).

Once down the hill Sexy was acting fine. She really does have a mind of her own. An S.O.S. was put out to the local D.A.D and he was standing by upon landing at the parental units property. Though disappointing to have rerouted the trip for the day, I did manage to get some pictures of me playing under Sexy’s hood. We performed all the primary maintenance necessary and then some to return her to peak performance.

The moral of my Doctor Who inspired tale for the day is that sometimes life has plans of it’s own. I could sit here and assume that if I hadn’t bought the cheap gas, or had changed the oil before this leg of the trip that it may have gone smoothly. Both might be accurate, or maybe it just wasn’t meant to be for today. Dear wanderer, I hope by now you are beginning to understand that when things occur, each person can choose if their metaphorical glass is half empty or half full. In the end, whatever you choose, remember it is more important that there is ALWAYS something in the cup to work with. I encourage you to sit back and tell yourself the story as if you believe it were both ways, as I did above. Then choose the one that most pleases you. I find the half full story is much better… That sometimes life just happens outside my control. Now that I am accepting this, the moments of stress, overwhelming fear, and anxiety are diminished or easily overcome through self talk and introspection.

I’m a fan of metaphors (if you haven’t noticed), so think of this as a glass of milk. The reason you shouldn’t cry over spilt milk is not because you have more milk (maybe you don’t). It is because once the milk is spilt, you can’t unspill it, no matter how hard you cry or how much you fight. So why fight?

Earlier this year, I locked my keys in my car twice, in one week, in the same store parking lot. I had to call the same lock smith, who sent the same man, who performed the same procedure. Where as once upon a time I would have fallen apart, hidden away, maybe even abandoned the car and walked five miles home to sit outside and wait for my brother… This time I laughed. The second time I laughed. Then I sat on my trunk to meditate the residual anxiety away while waiting for the locksmith. This was the point that I found I was becoming more capable and happier at life. It was pre-wandering, but I was changing. I had tools which showed me to laugh and meditate through the problem.

Don’t cry over the spilt milk, go pour yourself a glass of something else, and make the story something you enjoy telling. It can be done, that is your choice.

Signing off Commerce City, CO.

 

Starbucks Wanderer

I started my day off early. I threw in my laundry and off I went to visit Starbucks across the city.

I first visited with Amber, who I had never met before today except online. She is a fellow TR volunteer who one day requested to be my friend. I friend just about anybody on FB who I have friends in common with or who sends me a message with a valid reason to be my friend (the latter rarely happens). I am no good with photos, so I was concerned I would not recognize her. In fact I walked right past her into the Starbucks in Golden. She found me sure enough. We grabbed our caffeine and headed to walk the beautiful downtown area of Golden, CO.  It was an enjoyable meeting and we got to know one another.

After I got done with that coffee I was off to Lakewood to have Coffee with Al at yet another Starbucks. She had to work, so we made it a quick coffee date. Al and I met in Texas last month. We have several friends in common in Denver EMS and became fast friends.

After I bid her adieu I intended to do a little errand running, but as I drove past my old home away from home I stopped. I was anxious about returning to the workplace I had left so many months ago. Those people were my family, but I didn’t know if they felt as strongly about me as I did about them. My luck, no one would be in the office, I thought. Upon walking in the front door I was greeted by so many people. The hugs were amazing. It was beautiful to be back with them. I didn’t stay long as they were all working, but I did snap a photo pretending to steal an ambulance. I needed the photo for FB to let the owner know I had missed him.

Then I wandered off to run my errands, but stopped to grab a bite at my favorite Old Chicago in Broomfield. I used to spend hours there, almost daily, studying at the bar and sampling the new beers. Trish was bartending, I always enjoyed chatting with her. It was a little awkward for me, being in there without drinking. Not drinking made it a much lighter tab, and a quicker trip. After tipping well I made for some errand running. And of course I stopped for another Starbucks!

A few weeks ago I found myself on Tinder, yes, Tinder, I said it! So many of my friends have found boyfriends or friends on there. Not that I am looking for a boyfriend, but I was curious and bored one day, so created an account. This guy, Jesse, and I started chatting and he seemed nice enough. He wanted to take me to a very nice restaurant downtown. I was a little shocked, but agreed to meet him. Rules to meeting anyone from online (boy or girl)… Public place, separate vehicles. Well in this case, I got stood up. Whether it was a Tinder prank or just cold feet, I was left out in the rain (pretty much… it was raining… pretty heavy).

So I did what I do in any situation gone awry… okay, okay… what I imagine I do when a situation goes awry… I bounce back. I sent a message to Al and we went down to the Pub and drank Iced Tea, listened to live (beautiful!) music and chatted the night away. Honestly it ended up being a much better plan than meeting some guy who was probably stinky and looked nothing like his picture.

Wanderers… be willing to take risks, but be smart when you do. If those risks don’t work out, well then bounce right back. When wandering we have already seen that things don’t go as planned, so Semper Gumby!

Now I hope to get to sleep, but my anxiety has heightened. I was distracted by the day, which was good, but I fear the long drive tomorrow. This is one time I don’t think I will enjoy the drive.

Signing Off Denver, CO

The Long Road

Sometimes while journeying the road may feel long. Even if it is a road you have traveled before. The trip slogs along with an urgency that leaves a person rattled. There is anxiety that shake the boots of the wanderer, making them wish to turn back and do what is pleasurable, but not what is right. This thought is reminiscent of a hero’s tale from mythology. However this is merely the feeling of doing something you do not wish to do. That thing which causes you anxiety and stress. Time slows down, just to make it all the less bearable.

I am working on sucking up my pride for this weekend, but I feel quite rushed to return over 1,000 miles. The journey is difficult seeing as I must return to Cedar Rapids and spin back around to Des Moines all by Saturday morning. So I am returning to Denver today, in order to hopefully get a little enjoyment in before returning Friday. I did not sleep the best last night. I fear I may not sleep well tonight.

I did receive the pleasure of dinner with my folks, Auntie Kathy, Papa, and some cousins. It was a very enjoyable meal, made all the more interesting when after supper Papa pulled out old (really old) photo albums and started showing us pictures from when he was a kid. Some of the photos were of multiple generations back.

I fear the next few days will not go as planned, and hopefully I am not making my own fortune. I have several visits on the Calendar tomorrow and it will be a fast paced day with much more traveling coming up, though I have not honestly thought past this drill weekend. I will probably just return to CO to finish my visit.

Signing Off Denver, CO