I Will Survive

At first I was afraid, I was petrified…

I tossed and turned all last night worrying about the upcoming school year and could barely choke down the leftover Honey Nut Cheerios in Mimi’s breakfast bowl this morning.

But eventually, I climbed on my bike and started pedaling out to Cascadia, and honestly, by the time I got to the Burke-Gilman trail in the Sandpoint neighborhood, I knew I’d be okay; I’m sure there will be loads of days with nights like today’s, but I guess it beats not working—at least my creditors think so.

Riding through the wetlands northeast of Husky stadium, I ran across a flock of birdwatchers, easily identifiable as the common form of Gray-Haired Caucasian Systematizers. Many were already wearing their fall plumage of Gore-Tex and Polarfleece, even though the temperature was pretty warm. I felt sorry for them, displaced from their home offices and station wagons, and sort of relieved that I’ve still got someplace to go to, thus delaying my own possible metamorphosis into such a creature, although I’ll be more likely to spend my mornings trying to identify types of mushroom than species of bird.

I have to remember that no matter how difficult or trying a day at school turns out to be, I’ve still got my ride home, a psychological salve I’m blessed to enjoy. This afternoon was perfect for cycling; I even had a bit of a tailwind, since it certainly couldn’t have been an improved fitness level that made the ride so relatively easy—except for the climb from Montlake to Union, which, I’m sure, is going to be, if not the death of me, at least the cause of my ready use of the U-Pass as the year goes on.

I did miss being home or in the neighborhood all day, but that’s something I’ll just have to get used to. The kid, by contrast, seems completely adapted, ignoring me just as much as ever.