The Raleigh Twenty

 The Raleigh Twenty was my bicycle in high school. Now that I think about it, it was my first bike. The first one that wasn't a hand me down or something I shared. Though, everything in our house was community property for the most part, and things I was given by my father turned out to end up being his, or other peoples later when he thought them unsuitable for me at some point (have I told the story of my first car? Remind me to tell you the story of the first car.) So, when I was not interested in this bike anymore, and he had brought home the more fashionable beach cruiser for my younger sister and I to ride, this was just sort of absorbed into his collection.

His friend Leann was...having a yard sale? Had just acquired more collectibles?  I don't recall...I remember standing in her front yard, of the lovely little house she rented on 10th and...Pearl-ish area of Santa Monica and my father loving this bike. Trying to talk her into parting with it, he said "Sydney needs a  bike!" She asked if I did, and did I like this one. I said yes, to both questions. I really did like the bike. I really did hope it was going to be mine, and not a thing he was telling other people was for me, but was really for him. (This was never intentional really, things just mattered more to my dad than most people and so if you were not interested he would say you were so he could get something, or if you lost interest in it he wold save it from the trash. Everything had a use and a meaning to him.)

The bike was mine throughout junior high and high school. My sisters were not interested, he had many bikes, all used and rusted; but this one was always so charming. It had so much more personality than the others. After the beach cruiser became more practical I lost track of this bike, it went into his Santa Monica storage, then moved to Culver City storage, and when he passed away I reclaimed it. Leann asked if I still had it, and I kept it, either for her or I to restore and ride. It has now been 4 years. I am pairing down my things, trying to totally liberate myself from the clutter and chaos in my apartment, and I am just not going to restore this bike. I have to let it go.

I have known this for, I don't know...a year? I am not totally sure why it came with us when we moved in May 2012. The lady that lived upstairs from us in Palms asked if I was willing to sell it, and it didn't feel right. That's the only way I know how to explain holding onto this thing for 4 years. It never felt right to let it go. For a month I have tried to motivate myself to post the thing on craigslist, it's been hot, I've been busy. For whatever reason I got out and did it Sunday.

Then, I panicked. I have to let it go. I could hear my father say the price I was asking was too low, it's an antique! It's worth money! But, it's very rusted...if it is going to get restored, you can't sell too high. Crap...I'm going to have to let this thing go!! He would be so mad at me..but what am I going to do? Schlep it around for the rest of my life? I do not have the time or money to put into this thing when photography (his and mine) and dance are calling.

I had an email from a man named Jon Sunday night, just his number, just asking to call. I put it off. Other emails asked about the bike Monday morning, but we go in order of who asked first.

He sounded European, and a little older on the phone. He said this was the bike he rode throughout his school years in Philadelphia. Even in the snow! He loved this bike. He had been searching awhile. I told him I would text him the address, and be home at 6:30pm. I warned him it was gonna really need some work. It had been neglected. At 5pm he texted to say he was leaving his house now. I confirmed I would not be home till 6:30. He responded "NP".

 

 I go home, unlock the bike, and say a formal goodbye. I thank her for her many years of service, tell her I always loved her and I always will. I acknowledge out loud I can hear my father arguing with me I am making a mistake, but I can not care for this bike. If there is a person that will appreciate her and can put time and money and love in, that's where the bike belongs. I kiss her handlebar, say goodbye and pull her out of the carport.

Jon texts right then he is parked in the alley behind my building.

I waddle forward with the bike, approach a white Prius with dark tinted windows, and a man with white hair and glasses emerges. "Jon?"
"Yes, yes hello Sydney nice to meet you!"
He takes a look at the bike. "Oh yes, this is it. I rode this bike all over Philadelphia when I was in school. Even in the snow! I would ride over to my wife's house then, when we were dating, and lean against it and wait for her to come outside. Her father would tease her. Say I was crazy for riding my bike in the snow."

Oh my god.

I tell him this is just what I was hoping for. Not someone that needed extra metal for scrap. Or someone that didn't know what they were buying, but someone that would appreciate and put love into this bike.

He looks closer, and realizes the rust is pretty bad. He has a guy, he's bringing him the bike tomorrow, and he said to be sure there is not too much rust. He asks my price again, his eyes are bad and he wasn't sure what I was asking. He winces when I tell him. I knock $15 more off and he hands it to me and starts opening the hatchback on the car. I tell him to please keep my info and send me a picture when the bike is finished. I've had it since high school, I really intended to restore it myself, but I have not had time or money. I am so pleased I found him, I am so happy he wants to restore it. He gasps and then smiles when he hears this, "it was your bike in school too?!" He assures me he will send photos. We both have a good laugh about how you can't be sure who you are going to meet on craigslist and we are both so pleased this was such a positive interaction. He says he is so relieved that after driving all this way it worked out. That's when I find out he came all the way from Laguna Niguel!! Almost 70 miles in rush hour traffic for a bike he's been searching for for years.

Sometimes you wait and don't know why. Sometimes you hesitate and can't explain. I held onto a rusty bike for 4 years and moved it 20 miles because my gut told me to and in the end, the bike got the home it deserved.

Happy Solstice!

Summer Solstice Blessings!

Enjoy the longest day of the year!

Today was a good day.

I didn't feel quite so lost or as much like crying at my new job.

I went to my first belly dance class since the end of physical therapy for my ankle.

It was my first Tribal class, EVER (this is my favorite style, so it's weird it took me this long to get here, but I didn't have a car before).

It was being subbed by Sherri Wheatley and she was the nicest person. We got to talk for 15mins before hand cause we were waiting for class to start.

I got through 1 of the boxes of my dads stuff that has been too painful to sort through.

The Mr. is making brownies (not like I need a brownie cause I need to loose 30 pounds by June...but I'm back to trying to develop a healthy relationship with food, and so I need to learn to eat in moderation, and...I can't hurt my dude's feelings, right? ;) )

I remembered to publicly count my blessings and not just my bitching.

 

Still wading through all the stuff...

SD started her first day of senior year. I can't believe it! Time flies....

"Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude."  —Denis Waitley

Life is weird

Things have gotten so weird. Life is so freaking weird.
I can't go into details, cause some of it is about my job, and some of it is just...like, things that could only happen by cosmic connection and so then I'll sound nuts. But, at least I'm never bored.

Walking continues. I'm slacking too much on exercises...the ankle is a bit stiff...but I am so grateful to be able to walk. I am so blessed.

Moving - Day 2 - The Last Scramble

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We're moving! Not far, not even out of this town (we love this town), just 2 doors down in our building. YAY! More room! Step-Daughter has decided to stay and so she needed a room. It was such a lucky break to find her one right here in the building. We got a good portion of stuff out yesterday. We have to finish today. I am most worried about our bed, cause it's heavy. But, there is actually lots of work to be done still...

I am about to lose the internet while my man moves the computers next door, then we have to have the bill swapped. So I will be gone for the  next week probably sorting all that stuff out. 

Have a wonderful start of July and I'll catch you up on all the fun we had next week. 

~Sydney  

Busy, busy - Solstice blessings late

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I meant to wish you a happy Solstice on Friday and didn't get the chance. :(

I hope it was wonderful. It was a very busy day for me,  long walk, went to Universal Studios with my family, dinner, movie, basken robbins . So blessed to have had such a wonderful day. I passed out early, couldn't handle it.

SO, though I realize it's 2 days late now, Solstice blessings to you for a very happy summer.

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So, today turned out to be amazing, I loved this day.

I was told I was the best step-mother anyone could ask for and I was thanked for all I do and I was told not to worry about anything. She told me she was worried about us getting along and that doesn't even worry her anymore and we get along great. I am so happy we get along great. We are so happy. She held my hands while she said all this.

I can't tell you how amazing this was. Cloud 9.

People this is a breakthrough.I want to cry. I kinda did..a little.

♥

Life has turned on it's head again, this time in a really positive, happy way. New adventures, new opportunities, new possibilities. Things have all happened very quickly, but I think that only adds to the excitement.

I also feel a tidal wave of debt coming on as I need a car and a new apartment pronto, but I can't tell you how excited that makes me. So, I am passing up much of the worry to simply savor this moment as long a possible. ♥ 

Me being pissed at facebook = more posts for you!

So, yeah, lots of the extra stuff that's seriously just pictures around here lately is all the stuff I like on facebook and don't want to share on there because, I just don't feel like participating over there. So, yay! More posts for you!

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Time, time, time

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"Time does not change us, it just unfolds us."

~Max Frisch

Hello Germany!

Apparently I am very popular in Germany (according to my google stats).

So, umm...

Guten Tag Deutschland ♥

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The Beautiful People

The Obligotory end of year post

Have a safe, warm, happy, fun night tonight and an amazing, peaceful, and healthy 2013!

Progress - Definition of:

prog·ress  (prgrs, -rs, prgrs)n.

1. Movement, as toward a goal; advance.

2. Development or growth: students who show progress.

3. Steady improvement.  as of a society or civilization: a believer in human progress.
4. A ceremonial journey made by a sovereign through his or her realm.

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‘BIRDS OF THE MONTHS - DECEMBER - ROBIN.’

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Krampus is coming, Merry Christmas!

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I almost totally forgot that tonight and tomorrow night (December 5th and/or 6th depending on the source it seems) are Krampusnacht where we celebrate the evil Krampus as he comes to take little children that were bad this year down to HELL. Then, Santa will bring the good little children presents. It's so amazingly scary and so much better balanced than lumps of coal, dontcha think? 

What would our world be like if we had a Krampus here in America and not just lumps of coal? Or, for many, no lumps of coal...no real consequences for your bad behavior at all...
I was first introduced to the Krampus when I came across THIS little book at some book store in god-knows-where-Hell-A. Then, I instantly fell in love. My older sister doesn't understand the fascination  but, he's akin to The Devil and keeps spoiled brats in check. What's not to like? Plus, he is featured in lots of amazing, beautiful and cleaver Victorian era postcards and artwork:

Also, we went and got our tree tonight, our first tree in 4 years and our first real full sized tree. SO excited. Our Christmas season has begun! Huzzah! 

More on that later.

Savor the flavor