sensory overload

I saw this video of Mike's yesterday. I stumbled across it as I took in some old Kona footage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfcBg8BIK-U&feature=channel

I experienced such a rush of sensory overload - it was bizarre and overwhelming. All of a sudden I was transported back to my riding years - the view of Mike's back in front of me - the familiar lean into the curves as he navigated the roads and bike paths on the way to Gatineau park. I felt the tinge of anxiety of the long road ahead of me. The familiar pang of stress and fear that I couldn't keep up or didn't want to keep up. I could smell the damp and musky scent of well-used cycling clothing. I could hear the grinding of my gears and feel the tension in my calves and hamstrings from the circular pedal motion. I felt the sticky salt on my face, the sound the wind made in my helmet. I could feel of the exertion in my throat and lungs; the metallic tang of pushing myself hard. I felt right there, as if all these years hadn't gone by.

I remember reading about our brains and how we store our memories in the moment - searing them into our brain matter like hot iron brands - and that the best way to retrieve information and memories is to recreate the situation that you want to remember. Recreate the location, the sounds, the visuals, the scents and how that experience guide you deeper into your memories.

It must have been the convergence of seeing Kona, watching her over the years, thinking about my past and suddenly being thrust on the back of a bike that triggered these feelings. I was on that road - winding my way deeper into my memories. It reminded me about how powerful and amazing our memories are - especially when they sneak up on you like this.

Happy New Year!

It's a brand new year, a new decade, even. We've had a snowfall in the city and everything looks like a fresh canvas, waiting for the splashes of color and life and adventures that the year holds for us.

I love this fresh new start. I love how the day, the year, the world feels like it holds so much potential. It feels ready to burst! I decided to spoil myself with an astrological report today to see what my year may potentially hold for me. Here's what I have to look forward to:

This year is a turning point. As cliched as it sounds, you're getting ready to take your powah! From this year onward, you will slowly climb to a career peak or a time of major culmination about eight years in the future. This is the beginning of your chance to walk your talk! The unusual sojourn of your ruler Mars in your Fifth House (the longest it's been there since 1962-63) totally energizes your creative output. Ever the artisan, ready to try anything new with your hands, many of you will create and produce more than you ever have before!

This Mars effect is the boost you need to kick off your debut into the public world. Depending on whether you're an early or late Aries, Pluto will trigger a huge change in your life direction in the next 12 years. This is unavoidable. It will allow some of you to take a hobby and turn it into a career. It will also make you ask yourself if you really believe in what you're doing.

I'm not going to sugarcoat things. You're entering a challenging time for partnerships and close friendships. The last time this occurred was around 1981-83. This year and next, relationships that aren't cutting it will fizzle out. Partly, this is because you're becoming stronger and more ambitious, which means you're upsetting the status quo of the way these relationships have been. You're changing and this changes everything else! Nevertheless, relationships that are meant to endure will last. No question. However, they will undergo major readjustments this year and next.

For most, the relationship with their inner self (call it spirituality or whatever) changes throughout their lifetime. But this year is different. You'll experience a real learning curve in terms of getting in touch with your deeper values, and also getting in touch with the importance of kindness and compassion in your life. This could occur because you meet a teacher or a guide. (Or possibly, you'll play this role for others.) You might study metaphysics, or New Age philosophy, or a traditional religion. You'll seek this out because you feel something needs to be healed. Actually, this is the best opportunity you've had to explore this very meaningful part of your life since 1998. C.S. Lewis said, "Humans are amphibians - half spirit and half animal. As spirits they belong to the eternal world, but as animals they inhabit time."

Hope your 2010 brings you laughter and lots of love!
Best wishes,
lala