Toilet, cats, and the need for seat belts....

I ended a long week away from Seattle by dropping my cell phone in the toilet on a bright Sunday morning (it flipped out of my shallow back pocket) - my hand dove in after it but alas, even with a 5 hour stint in a rice bag and a bit of blow drying - it couldn't be saved (and because I knew that, carelessly tossed it in my bag and lost it. Ooops.) It was a discombobulating way to end a week of vacation that could have been just as good without it.

The vacation started with the Brewhaha in Milwaukee - a derby tournament. We had a scrimmage (unsanctioned bout) against Philly Rollergirls and pulled away to a substantial win. It was also a bout for our "b" skaters on our Bombers - those who don't always make it on the 14 person roster. Our bout against Arch Rival was fantastic. We were down by 30 points at the half when at half time, we asked what needed to be done - this bout is not lost - made those adjustments and came back to win by more than 70 points. We rocked the after party together. Our Sunday bout fizzled as the team we were suppose to play sustained too many injuries and they forfeited - we tried to get another team to fill the slot and it just didn't work out. (Having spent a lot of time trying to find a replacement and herding more cats, I was exhausted by this weekend but at the same time, I had a great weekend - especially once I decided that we didn't have control of the weekend.) It was a great bonding weekend...and we rocked the after party.

My week was peppered with many great visits - chalk drawing on the driveway with the girls, swimming at the Y with them, drinking beers with a few select friends, a walk with my dad, a great chat with my brother, hanging out with my mother. And the week was also peppered with many fantastic conversations with my parents, brother and the few friends I got to see. Conversations with girlfriends about their kids and sports; about midlife crisis (perceived or real); about depression and dissatisfaction; about change; with my brother about his new business; about goals and risks and other things we can do; with my parents about life, the environment, politics and other stuff. I asked my dad what he thought about the environment movement - about climate change (we had been having many conversations about it) and our need to do something about it. He likened climate change to seat belts. You may never be in a situation where you need a seat belt to save your life, however, the moment that you realize you do, it will be too late... Awesome.

Inspired...

This last week in Washington, DC was completely inspiring... I took a break from work, from derby, from email (answered just the few necessary) and focused on things so much bigger - like where we are in trying to find an HIV vaccine - it was inspiring and humbling. It asked me often if I was doing what I should be doing... and I think it's time to make some changes.

I can't wait!