Learn to Duck

Every couple of months, my sister and I decide that it would be fun to get together in Denver. For the last couple of years, when I was in the depths of my drug addiction, the visits always kinda sucked. I tried to get her to party, she tried to get me to stop, and it just ended up in yelling and crying, mostly at the same time.

You see, I have known my sister for 25 (I mean 26) years. I was the first person she smiled at (it wasnt gas), and crawled to (I kicked her, but what else are big brothers supposed to do?). For some reason, she and I connected (perhaps at birth, she was at the same mental level I was at 9 years old). My middle sister, Marissa, while I do love her, never seemed to connect with me the same way. It wasnt for lack of trying on either of our parts, we just grew to be different people. I respect her greatly, but also understand that she has a different set of priorities than me. She is living a life I am proud to see her live, and I know nothing but the best will happen to her, but Natalia, for better or worse, has been my family connection.

Ted (Natalia’s boyfriend) please stop reading now:

So, last week or so, she called me and told me that her boyfriend and his friends had a crew and they called themselves the RP boys or something equally retarded. The girlfriends had decided to get together and get t-shirts proclaiming themselves as the RP Bitches. Natalia calls me and tells me this story, ending with “I am no Bitch!” Needless to say, I give her an out. A free plane ticket to Denver.

Ted, you can start reading again.

So, Thursday night she flew in.

Friday, we went to the gym in the am (I ran 1.75 miles), and then got massages from my friend Kristi Castle at Rhythmic Touch. After that, we had lunch with an old friend, Matt Hessler, and then went and saw the movie about the rat. Ratatouille. It was pretty good.

Saturday, we took my dogs, Billie and Taylor, up to Maxwell Falls (Total hike just over 3.5 miles).

Grabbed dinner at Hapa. Had a good laugh when Danny Newman came in with his girlfriend.

Sunday, we walked the dogs around Washington Park (1.5 miles), and I put her on her plane back to San Jose around 10am.

The best thing about her visit, other than the time we spent with each other, is that she tried to kill me. In a good way. She forced me to stick to my new healthier way of living, and got me moving. The time we spent showed me a sliver of what I will be able to do once I get back into shape. It so completely motivated me, that I worked out again Monday morning (2.4 miles). Four days in a row. Stupid sisters.