Friday, December 25, 2009

MELI KALIKIMAKA




Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.

Through the years
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.

Blane and Martin


Christmases come quicker and quicker each year. I can remember sitting here last Christmas' morning and writing an entry while Jacky and the dogs slept. And now one quick year later I am doing the exact same thing:) 2009 has been a fabulous year for me. These last two years have been without a doubt the best two years of the decade for me. Part of it is some of the changes I have gone through but the biggest part of it is the friends I have and the new friends I have made over these last two years. I'm still a work in progress. I'm still a big hunk of clay that needs to be chipped and sanded and buffed. I am, however, starting to grasp that if nothing else I get a whole lot of joy out of making people smile. I used to use it as an overcompensation for things I felt I lacked, and maybe I still do to an extent, but deep inside it is who I am.



It wouldn't be a Christmas post without me complaining about winter. It has a chilling effect on me both literally and figuratively. Our weather has just been bizarre as can be these last few weeks. A foot and a half of snow, followed by arctic temperatures, and now Christmas rain and freezing rain. It makes a greyhound unhappy :)
I really like to spend this time of year thanking the people who have had a big impact on my life this year. I don't want to leave anyone out so let me start by saying. Thank You to everyone. Everyone who reads this, Everyone who stepped out onto the sand with me and everyone who stepped onto the sand on the other side of the net. Everyone who went and saw live music with me and, everyone who took the time to make, copy, or recommend some music for me. Thank you to everyone who watched some sports with me, dragged me to a game, cheered for Rachel Alexandra, or consoled me after a Terp loss. Thank you to everyone who inspired me this year and believe me that is all of you. Every single person with whom I interacted at the Ridge. You people are truly unbelievable. You inspire me in your actions and your words. I see you do things I can't imagine and then I revel as you make me do them with you. The world is a much better place because of the people at Fitness Ridge, of that I am sure. Thank you to all my friends in Madison you just make my life so much more fun. My best friend used to be my TV and while I still like the guy you guys blow him away. Thank you to my family, my two dogs and most importantly my wife. She has put up with me being gone for a ton of time these last two years and is nothing but supportive as can be. Meli Kalikimaka to you and enjoy your trip to the Kokua Festival in Honolulu. There should be a joyous scream when she reads this :)
I do need to give some extra special shout outs. To my volleyball teammates I can not wait to climb back into the sand with you guys. To the people I share my trivia travails with Paul, Sara, Jon, and Allison thanks for the brain exercise each week I love it. To my workout partner Karen who opens up her gym to me and sweats with me. To the staff at Fitness Ridge you guys make me feel like family and I can't wait to see you. To a few special people who have not only inspired me to try this sprint triathlon but who promise to push me so that I don't completely embarrass myself. Thanks Jen, Linda, Sharon, Paige, John, Nancy, Matthew and especially my Utah workout partner Eric.
Speaking of the sprint-tri. Now would be a good time to invite all of you to join me in the race. The race is Saturday April 3rd in St George Utah. a short two hour drive north from Vegas.If you are going to be at the ridge that week sign up. If you want to come to Vegas and watch the final four which is that weekend sign up. If you have always wanted to try something like this but were afraid you'd finish last sign up..... you wont finish last in this event. If you have had a few too many of these or a few dozen too many( seriously those things of which there are only one on the plate, chow mein noodles, butterscotch, cashews and chocolate are like crack) sign up this will motivate you to get rid of those holiday lbs. You guys are all welcome and I would love to have as many people as possible join me in this adventure. If I am doing this there is no reason not to join in the "fun".
Peace to everyone. Here's to an amazing next decade. I will be starting to 2010 by once again buying Powerball lottery tickets for the first drawing of the year to share with my readers. Anyone who leaves a comment gets to join in the festivities. I will split all the winnings with anyone who leaves a comment between now and the end of the year. You know you are going to feel awfully silly if for some reason we win and you didn't leave a comment :) Merry Christmas, thanks for being a part of my life. I love all of you and wish you nothing but Peace, Love, Great Music, Lots of Wins, Endless Fun, the Warmth of the Sun, and Joy in the coming year, JIMMY T.






















16 comments:

PeaceLoveTurtles said...

You know how amazing you are, right? We are lucky to have you in our lives as well. Thanks for the great blog. I love that PEACE ornament :) Good luck on the triathlon, you'll do great. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Jessica said...

SMooches Jim! Wish I could make it to the TRI. You will do awesome. Sounds like you have some amazing people in your life. Good luck and cheers to 2010 being the best year yet!!!!
Merry merry Holidaze!
J

Jim Trudeau said...

Thanks. Both of you certainly qualify as amazing people in my life and welcome new joys that appeared in 2009.

Rockyrider said...

As you said, "doing the same thing Christmas morning as you did last Christmas morning" I, too, felt like Ground Hog Day as my mom and I cleaned up the Christmas Eve festivities and put Christmas away so the cats could come back in the house. I survived and look forward to getting back to my fitness and healthy eating program. I was awful last week! I really look forward to seeing you all at Fitness Ridge again, and another crack at the SHAQ Tri.

Sabine said...

Meli Kalikimata to you too....
I don't know what this means but I have now watched National Lampoon'S Xmas vacation for the 18th time (this season)......It's just one of the crazy things we do....
I tried to post on your xmas picture earlier, not sure if the message came through.....Your pic of you and Jacky is amazing.....
I wish I could be around for the tri.....after having been sick for about 4 weeks recently, I will still try the Disney half next month. My running buddy in Ontario has me scheduled for a tri-tri in the spring....Again all the best to you and Jacky!

Unknown said...

JOYOUS SCREAM!!
I love you, dear husband!
thank you and Merry Christmas!
Wifey

VAgirl said...

Jim - so glad that I met you at the ridge. Hope to catch up with you again there sometime. Best of luck with the triathlon ;)

Janet said...

Jim,
I have been reading your blog as I have been preparing to go to BLFR in February. You inspire me! Good Luck in April.
Janet

Anonymous said...

Nice to hear your doing well. I was there in October 2009

Steve said...

You will do very well at the tri!!
Been reading your blog and have really enjoyed your postings about the FR.

Anonymous said...

Hey im with you
cute doggy, hope to be at fitness ridge in the future

i hope we win

My name is Kim
kimzla@yahoo.com

Stephanie said...

I love your greyhound's turtleneck. Happy holidays!
weight loss

mam said...

Poor poor pitiful pups. Happy new year, Jim and Jacky.

M

caroline said...

Still a maybe, but leaning toward the 'I'll be there' side of things....

Anonymous said...

Your poor doggie to telling you, no begging you to MOVE! There are so many other wonderful places in this fine country of ours where it DOES NOT SNOW. I know you hate it yourself. So what is keeping you in WI? Family can always travel to where you are. Who knows? They may come to love where you move to and decide to stay. The business? Every college town in America can use a Sunshine Daydream.
Come on! It's a new year and a new you. Give it some thought. It just may work out. : )

Anonymous said...

I'll be in Mesquite the middle of April just not certain when I'll get there. If it is by the first weekend of April, I'll come up for a visit! Missed you by only a few days in October. Did see Eric, Sharon, Deb and crew. Here's to a healthy and more fit new year/decade. Oh, by the way, did you have to send all this snow to KC? Wearing that sweatshit out!! Hi to Jacky and see you both soon, I hope! Pam R.