"Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in."
- Michael Corleone, The Godfather: Part III

A line I've quoted before, one that seems apropos for me from time to time. This has been one of those times. Toward the latter part of last year I felt the need, and made the effort, to re-connect a bit more with people from my "other" life, my past. I've recounted here previously; I think the world of them. They, and those memories, that life, are just as much a part of what makes the totality of me as anyone and anything else. What I'd kind of forgotten over time was how different I was as a person then- not worse, not better, but simply different- compared to how I've been the last many several years. Not only my coming to comfortable terms with any gender concerns but simply maturity; many of these people I haven't had much meaningful contact with in 15 or more years. (I also look a heckuva lot different than I did 15, 20, or even 10, years ago :) And while it sometimes surprises me how easily I can still slip into that other mode socially it has been a bit, I dunno, not unsettling but a little jarring I guess to have to try and meet the expectations many of those people have of and for me. That's who I was; it's not who I am. I'm not complaining; I'm fortunate to have had, and have, such good friends. But I guess, as with- too- many aspects of my life, balance often is in short supply. I applaud those who are able to achieve balance.

This winter has not been kind to me physically. While I tried to keep up my running as best I could (and I suffered a nasty fall, and received a nasty gash on my leg as a result, slipping on ice on a run last week) this has been the worst winter for me running-wise in several years. And even my gym workouts haven't been as diligent as they should have been, and usually are. And I haven't been eating as consistently cleanly as I should, and usually do (too much stress eating, and too many @#$%ing carbs!) I need to lose a good 15 lbs. And I can't keep hiding under bulky sweaters, either!!! Step it up, Kel...

Some news to lose...
She's got other-woman-itis Three boyfriends said they were single, but weren’t. Bad luck or bad judgment?
The 'Blue Valentine' Conundrum: Why So Many Boring Women In Indie Film? Why are studio movies beating independent ones in featuring interesting, complicated female characters?
4 Ways to Live a Fat-Burning Life
Sport Science: Free-throw distractions (And yes, it's almost for-entertainment-purposes-only bracket time!)
How to Sell Your Fiction Online: A Love Story
A natural contemplates game

Think spring!

"Roll me over and turn me around/Let me keep spinning 'til I hit the ground..."