Intoxicated by the Spinning Wheels

I don't know why, but the first bike ride of spring is my favorite day of the whole year. There's just something about taking the bike off the trainer the first time and doing all the little maintenance checks with so much anticipation for the ride to come that you forget what you're doing.

I feel like I'm 4 years old again: a little unsteady for the first couple feet off the trainer, without any sense of destination, exhilarated at the sense of freedom and the adrenaline rush that accompanies every sweeping kick of the pedals. My legs always feel strongest on the first ride. It's as if they're finally letting out a sigh of relief at finally being off the trainer. I feel like I could ride forever ... until I hit the first big hill.

I wish I could find a way to get paid to ride my bike around the country. Maybe I'll start a new industry; get some gov't bailout money for my start-up costs, and then stick it to the man.

Poem for a Boy

Slow. Quick-Quick.
Slow. Quick-Quick.

The teacher counts the steps
As we waltz around the gym.
I hear her words only faintly,
For I'm captivated by your warm, brown eyes.

The bumbling conversation matches our graceless dance
As we try unsuccessfully to avoid stepping on toes.
Yet the space in between us grows smaller
With every measured beat.

Slow. Quick-Quick.
Slow. Quick-Quick.

My heart dances a two-step whenever you're around.
Mindless chatter before class sends my mind spinning.
I sneak a glance in your direction when the prof isn't looking,
Daydreaming about what might be.

Summers come and off you go back home,
Oblivious to the fact that
I fill my time with countless jobs trying to forget.
But try as I might, you're still there,
Waltzing across my mind.

Slow. Quick-Quick.
Slow. Quick-Quick.

I didn't set out for this to happen.
Helpless with these feelings,
Vulnerable to your love,
Smitten at the sound of your voice.
Piece by piece you've broken through my walls,
And revealed your beautiful self.

I sleep tonight to the sound of that first dance,
So long ago though so clear in my dreams.
And I long to dance all my dances
Wrapped in your strong arms,
For you have stolen my heart.
And I adore you.

Best Song EVER!!!

Yeah, I feel You fallin'
Like the rain against my skin
And I hear You calling
Your voice like thunder in my head
But now I am stallin'
Cuz I'm afraid to let you in
Yeah, come break me down with Your mercy
Come break me down again

I'm Yours tonight
I'm Yours, You can break me down
Break through these walls I hide behind
I'm Yours tonight
Come and break me down
Won't You break me

I feel it inside me
I feel You underneath my skin
These walls could not hide me
They could not keep You from coming in
So now here You find me
Right back to where I began
Oh, come break me down with Your mercy
Come break me down again

Cuz I need your strength to feel this weak
I need your touch to fill my need
I need your strong hands to carry me
Take me, break me, set me free
Cuz I need your strength to feel this weak
I need your touch to fill my need
I need your strong hands to carry me
Take me, bring me to my knees

I'm Yours tonight
I'm Yours. You can break me down
Break through these walls I hide behind
I'm Yours tonight
Come and break me down
Come and break me down
Come and break me down
Yeah, won't You break me down

["Break Me Down" by Tenth Avenue North]

Coaching is Awesome

I had the team party for my 7th/8th grade basketball team that I coach last night. As I was thinking about awards for each of the girls, I realized how much I love coaching ... and how much I love my girls.

I was always oober-competitive, but after coaching junior high girls for 4 years, something changed. Don't get me wrong - I'm still way too competitive and make everything a competition - but I want my girls to see the bigger picture. It's not all about the winning anymore.

When I was at Blaine last year, one of the PE teachers told me after a loss, "When you lose, don't lose the lesson." I don't mind losing as much anymore because I know that there's usually something that can be learned from it. I still do my best to coach to win, but I want my girls to learn that there's more to life than winning a basketball game.

I want them to know that winning games does not define who they are.

I want them to know that it's okay to fail ... but it's not okay to quit.

I want them to know how blessed they are to be able to run and jump and sweat and put a ball through a stupid little hoop.

I want them to dream the biggest dreams possible and then go make them come true.

I want them to learn respect - for themselves, for others ... even the refs.

I want them to be proud of themselves.

When we lose, I want them to turn it into a victory. And when we win, I want them to cherish it because they've earned it.

My girls struggled at the beginning of this season with being a team and taking responsibility. We lost a lot of games that we shouldn't have. If I had scripted this season, it would have been entirely different. But then I stop and listen to what they cheer and yell at basketball games, and I realize that this season was a huge success. We didn't win the championship, but I wouldn't change anything about this season.

I coach the greatest, classiest, funnest team. I wish I could coach them forever.