Where everybody's normal

Last Sunday, while Mike and I were at Camden, Mike ran into an old coach of his from High School (or Junior High?). Not sure which. In any case, this coach is a manic fitness guy; he's got artificial knees/hips/something else, from years of running and such. Mike said "hello" to Mr. Amand (or Dave...not sure how to spell his last name), and Dave said "hello" back. He told Mike that he was so glad to have Mike in town now because folks don't think he's (Dave) so strange anymore. Mike is out there riding in the cold, commuting to work, and always outside doing what he does...and so Dave doesn't seem like the odd man out anymore.

This got me thinking a bit. In California everyone we knew was out riding/racing their bikes, running, doing triathlons, etc., too. Maybe we were die-hards, even then...but there were lots of folks in that boat with us. We didn't "stand out" because we were out riding all the time. Anonymously normal; no one really cared about what we might be doing. Now we live amongst "normal" people and so we're kinda weird I guess.

The funny thing is that 90 percent of the folks on this list would be "weird" here. Maybe even more than that. I am very fortunate to have so many weird, athletic, adventurous and "off the beaten paths" friends. One of the best things about living in NorCal, is "everybody's normal"...and no one really is all that interested about whatever little quirk's you have. It's a bit of a challenge to hide any "odd behavior" here. Mike doesn't care what anybody thinks...he never did. It was one of the things I found so attractive about him when we first met.

I can just hear all 90%+ of you now saying to yourself, "Well, actually Joni, we thought you were pretty weird even here in Northern California!" I suppose that's true. Even my family's probably saying, "yup! a little strange, that little redhead of mine"! Sigh!

Anyway, yesterday was way better than the day prior. Less wind and a little warmer. I'll be happier when the snow melts....my running paths are frozen ice, and while it may be warm for here...it's still pretty chilly to go for a bike ride. It can be done with the right gear...but it's cold (in the 30's). Today is forecasted as warmer still...but the wind gusts will be between 30-40 mph. Enjoy the day!