Holidaze

Float Center Lobby

My days are all  messed up.

Went grocery shopping last night since I did not want to shop on Christmas Eve. Did part of my shopping at Target and when  I got in line this woman matter-of-factly told me that her husband is ornery and that he contests everything. "I'm telling you this so you won't get angry."

And sure enough, he did exactly what she said he was going to do so I moved to another line...

I don't usually go to yoga on Saturday but there was one class being offered and it was at 10, a feasible time. Class was jam packed and a good look at what January will be like.

Annie's reminder of the day -- the real gift to our peeps is true love and presence. Roger that, Annie...

Hadn't planned on it but I when I saw that this floating place had evening appointments, I booked a float for today. I had gotten a group coupon package which was going to expire on Dec. 29th and I knew that I wouldn't be able to get one in next week.

I am so relaxed and sleepy right now.

On Friday one of my coworkers gave our little department some cookies and coffee -- such a sweet gesture. She also gave me an eco-friendly blanket that will work great for yoga. When I got the studio the props are already there but when I practice at the gym, I take my own props. I wasn't expecting a gift from my coworker but...

The Grape Exercise

We had a mindfulness training at work on Thursday. You know, how to be mindful in your life and at work.

The presenter, Greg, talked about organized forms of mindfulness like yoga and Tai Chi etc. We also did an exercise with a grape -- concentrating and observing it for about three minutes then eating half of it. While we were studying the grape, I kept thinking that if I ate mindfully more often, my clothes wouldn't be shrinking...

I've been feeling pretty confident about the whole take my front wheel off my bicycle but got to the riverfront today and the brake cable wouldn't cooperate. Thought that Alison and I would end up walking but this guy who looked like a hardcore cyclist tried to put it back together and it didn't work for him either. He suggested putting the cable together then deflating the tire which then made it fit between the cable mechanism. Inexplicably, the darn thing worked when I reassembled at home.

Around the five mile mark, we hit the rest stop and there were some other women there with Nutcase helmets on. We chit-chatted with the women a bit and one, a former trauma nurse, gave us a friendly reminder about wearing helmets and then her friend chimed in to say that when you crash, your body is still going 14 miles per hour. Obviously, she hasn't witnessed the speed at which we ride. The little lecture definitely gave me something to think about though.

Went for a float again. It didn't seem as relaxing as last time but I do like the whole ritual of showering, floating then showering again followed by a post-float time-out in the relaxation room. While it wasn't as relaxing, it still felt like a reset.

Float Tank, Filtration System Activated

...Float Until

The weather was stunning on Friday so Forest Park beckoned and I walked around it for two hours and thought about how much I like the park that that includes several museums, an outdoor theater and a zoo.

Forest Park

Listened to several podcasts including Radio Hour: Phone Call, Flamenco, Surprise Party from The Moth. I haven't finished the episode but got goosebumps listening to Auburn Sandstrom's tale...

A colleague once suggested that I go for a float and I poo-pooed the idea saying that I'd rather go for a massage than a float until... I saw a group coupon for a float. I had some misgivings but booked a float for yesterday evening.

Opened the door and set off the wind chimes. I was immediately sucked in by the decor and the soft music.

Got my instructions, took a shower and got in float tank number two. Really didn't know how I was going to do with the door to the float tank closed but I did just fine. The ten minutes of music that eases you into sensory deprivation is such a smart idea.

It didn't take long before I got a bit emotional. Also kept thinking about that silly Dalai Lama joke.

One of the things that stays with me is the number of times I was able to breathe so deeply. Often, during yoga classes, I feel like my breaths are so choppy and abbreviated.

Before Enya piped into my suite, I was also struck by the sound of my beating heart...

Took another shower then went to the relaxation room to have tea and to read the Far Side.

Relax and Enjoy Life -- Sign in Relaxation Room

This cartoon from the Far Side made me think of an artist that I know.

Float On

Today was kind of a soft day. Managed to finally roll out of bed and get myself together for 11 o'clock Zumba. Ran a few errands then stayed at home for about five hours then I headed to the city pool. Today is the next to last day and they had an adults only swim session from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

When I got to the pool, there were only about four people there. I see why people like to float. I spent about 80 minutes in the water and dedicated some of that time to floating. It was just what I needed as I've been feeling tense lately...

Watched relay swimming and a tad bit of track. I'm enjoying the stories of the athletes including Claressa Shields, Katie Ledecky and Simone Manuel and all of the other athletes with flair.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, JAM