Sheryl is always good to keep me on my toes. Again - as typical - she has reminded me that it has been a while since I posted.
Well, wow, whatever could have happened since my last post - two months ago?
Not to brag (only a little!), but I feel like I'm having my best cycling season ever - I'm not trying to push the big miles, but I think my overall miles average and total are up. And my god, I really love riding this year. Somehow, I've come to realize that I don't have to push every ride, and every ride is its' own journey. Even though my legs may feel tired, I'll still start a ride - knowing that I can go 12+ mph minimum in order to maximize the benefit according to Weight Watchers. And you know, those rides tend to become 15-20 mile rides. Mmmmm... yes....
Speaking of Weight Watchers, I've got less than 12 lbs to go to achieve my goal weight. When my brothers got married in the early 90s, I weighed 305 lbs. Riding Alaska, Montana and Iowa, I was 270 lbs. Today's Matt weighs in at barely over 240. Wow. I can't remember the last time I wasn't clinically obese...
Sheryl and I had an amazing June - we went to our first away Tigers games - in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, followed up by a trip to Cooperstown to celebrate our 5 year anniversary. Along the way to Cooperstown, we stopped in Williamsport, PA - home of the Little League World Series. How cool was that??It's been a phenomenal summer so far - topped off with another crowning achievement - my obtaining project management professional (PMP) certification.
During a heartbreaking winter/spring, I took my PMP exam, and failed miserably. Afterwords, I had decided that it was BS that I'd wasted all that time studying, and it wasn't worth it.
Well, a few weeks later, I was studying again. And I topped it off with a 4 day boot camp, which I took to give me some confidence - at least enough confidence to allow me a good nights' sleep beforehand!
During the evening of July 27th, I sat for, and passed the PMP exam - my god, what an ordeal! Yet, passing the exam was going to happen - one way or another. It had been a few years since I had set such a big goal for myself, and I always (eventually) reach my goals. It is such an amazing relief to have this behind me, though... and I have told some people that this is like the Cowardly Lion getting his diploma of bravery - I feel like I can now expose my intelligence - because I am certified as a PMP - boo-yah!
So here I sit, this early August night. I had an amazing 14 mile ride this afternoon, and I have done my Fantasy Football studying. I watched the Tigers win an amazing game, and have enjoyed another day with my wife.
I finished reading a short book by Clive Barker, and started reading another book on the Nook.
So yeah, looking back, it's been a damn hot summer inhabited by hornets, wasps, and cicada killers. And as sad and dismal as the spring was, the successes of the summer will actually allow for a fall of growth and hope springing eternal - unlike how it usually makes me sad.
The arrival of August reminds me of the Michigan State Fair, and I can say that I was fortunate enough to have seen Alice Cooper twice, and Billy Squier once, to round out the last few years of the Michigan classic. Man, I hope that makes a comeback.
I hope you have had as great a summer as I have. If not, I hope you have an amazing fall!
