Namaste!

Hello my strong friends!

Gratuitous Santa Cruz shot.

Well, some big changes in the life of this intrepid conquerer of mountain ranges. So for those of you who have followed my journey, I hit it kind of hard right out of the gate after surgery and had to learn some hard lessons about letting my body slowly adapt to its new life. It took a while, but I finally accepted the fact that I can no longer be the guy who jumps first and asks questions later.

So in addition to my 100+ miles a week on the mountain bike and intense calisthenics workouts, I've added yoga back into my repertoire. To be completely honest, I was sweating my first class. I've been practicing 'yoga light' on my own, but it's been over 4 years since I attended a serious class. So tensions were rather high.

I experienced some twinges and tightness during class, and easy it was not! But afterwards I felt relaxed and loose on a level I hadn't experienced since long before surgery. So I've been getting my downward dog on 2-3 times a week and feel fairly confident moving forward that this will be yet another tool I can whip out any time I feel the need to literally unwind.

Now one thing I don't believe I ever mentioned was my past as a skate god. I spent my impetuous youth rolling my cares away all over the Bay Area. It's been years since I slapped on my K2 Fatties and 'Roll Bounced' to the beat of Roger and Zapp. But last night that streak came to an end as I glided around with friends at the Santa Cruz Palladium. Holy mother of all that is funky that felt good! I was pretty shaky at first, but after a few beats I fell right back into a smooth rhythm and it was 1992 all over again at 6th Ave in San Francisco. After the surreal and crappy week we've had in this country, it was fun watching people smile and just have fun. And other than being in the woods on my bike, it was the most free I've felt physically in a long time.

Roll Bounce!

Time machine to childhood

OK, but here's the best part, and I'm jumping out of my skin these days with pure joy. I met a girl! OK, a woman, an amazing woman. Someone that flat out makes me ooze love from every cell in my body. Meet Bonnie. Remember that name kids, she's gonna figure prominently in this lucky boy's life for a very long time. She's an artist, a warrior and just the most wonderful collection of intelligence, kindness, strength and beauty I've ever stumbled across. Lucky doesn't even begin to describe how I'm feeling. She makes me feel...free.

Love

It's been two years and nine months since Germany. There has been nothing linear about this journey, and if this process has taught me anything, it's to be patient. Pain is still a passenger on this road, but it doesn't steer the bus any longer. I never take anything for granted and there is no time for complacency. Every day is an opportunity to get stronger. The pain keeps me hungry, it reminds me that recovery isn't a one week or one month affair. This is a lifelong voyage, and I'm grateful for every second.

Peace and strength my friends!