Independence Day means so many things to people.
For me, this year, it was the beginning of my re-independence from my flab. Okay, I haven’t gained THAT much weight back … but enough. This week, I restarted the cardio. On Independence Day, I restarted the weight training.
My complex has a new Bowflex unit. I’m completely thrilled … our old equipment was getting to be, well, in it’s twilight years. After doing my cardio for the day, I started with the Bowflex, and although it seemed pretty easy, I definitely felt it in the morning.
I had to cut it short, though, in order to make it into SF in time to meet friends, and then be home for fireworks. You see, from my place, you have the Sausalito fireworks being set off directly across the bay from my balcony. There’s nothing but water ahead of me.
I got into town, and I had to break a $10. You can’t do that and get change that works for MUNI at the Civic Center station, so I went, broke the $10 at Walgreens, and then walked 2 blocks to the Van Ness station underground. Well, I get there, and the quarter machine isn’t working. I’m literally 5 Bloody Cents Short!
I walked to the Castro, which I’ve done on several occasions now. It’s not unpleasant, but I was constrained for time, and it took 25 minutes! To my surpise, I learned today that it’s 1.9 miles … I could have skipped my cardio earlier and concentrated on the weight training!!!
To my surprise, a group of friends from gay.com chat were at the front birdbath when I arrived. I didn’t recognize the one because … well … I’d never seen him with clothes ON before (see the dinner party story from SF Gay Pride/Pink Saturday). There was a veritable CLUMP of chatters there … they seemed to have a good time. I hear some went to dinner at Poesia after (see previous post on Poesia), and there was a small … indiscretion. I think everyone had fun, though!
I joined my posse at the back, and we were carrying on. One of Peter’s stalkers … a certain “Dr. Bill” as we call him … was already ensconced at the middle birdbath. They were all but locking arms and signing Cumbaya when I got to them, in an attempt to keep Dr. Bill at bay. I was able to join, and it was funny. The recently married gay couples had pulled away from the rest of us. So, of course, we single folk are saying things like, “Uh Huh. Seeeeee how they are now? Too good for us …”
It was all in good fun, though, and we had a lot of laughs. At one point, I said something that cleared everyone from the table, including me, to laugh like fools. I was there for about 90 mins, before heading out, grabbing a bite, and heading for the bus.
When we rounded the bend on the bus, they’d just started the fireworks. After the bus driver nearly killed me in the aisle (no offense to the driver – he hadn’t heard the bell go off because he was having to concentrate on all the illegal parkers, and had to slam on the breaks to make the stop), I ran down to my place, and got the camera out.
We were lucky – it was clear, and I had a great view of the fireworks! I’m going to add a couple photos below. A very safe and pleasant fourth, here. I hope yours was, too!
