Off!

Photo Credit ToastyKen (Flickr)

I made a promise to myself and Seth and others who love me that I will take care of myself. You can read about My New Rules if you are so inclined.

This morning, Ruth wanted to do some art, which included a baking project (twist my arm). SO...... I didn't get out to have my exercise until tonight.

When I exercise at night, I usually go down the street into my in-law's condo development. I feel very safe there, in part because it is a very well lit neighborhood. A light next to every garage. A lamp post at every corner, and others where the labyrinthine shortcuts through the neighborhood meander.

Another reason to exercise in my in-law's neighborhood is that the quiet of the place and the uniformity of the homes makes a walk there more meditative. I don't have any interest in what the homes look like - they are pretty much the same from the outside. Why is this? Well, of course! They have a homeowner's association (otherwise known as an HOA).

An HOA in most housing developments is supposed to look after your best interests by ensuring no one does anything interesting outside his/her/their home. OK - I will admit that at times, an HOA does have your best interests at heart - for example, by making sure everyone's roof is replaced on time. BUT, I have a bias against them, because they generally exist as a beaurocratic impediment to creativity.

Interestingly, however, on my walk this evening I noticed something completely different. Suddenly I was overstimulated in my in-law's neighborhood. It was as if the HOA said, "All bets are off from the day after Thanksgiving until January 1. Do whatever the hell you want around your house!"

Tonight, being there felt almost like Las Vegas without the smoking and casinos. There was an onslaught of decorations and lights, lights everywhere. A plethora of arrangements in the entire spectrum of the rainbow. And the entire technicolor nightmare was heightened by the rain which: (1) created a reflection of the spectacle on the black wet street; and (2) created droplets on my glasses (without which I cannot cope even during the day) which refracted the view.

There were giant lit inflated Santas. Windows filled with lights. Windows traced in lights. Artificial candles in windows. Lights randomly thrown on tree branches. Lights carefully placed on bushes. There were flashing, moving reindeer. There were flashing snowflakes and snowmen (some even tipping their hats). Wreathes lit up (some flashing).

As I walked, I became nauseous. Really, I did. I sat down on a bench and closed my eyes. I almost called Seth to pick me up. But I had made my promise for a real workout and I was not going to give up. I am one stubborn chick, that's for sure.

As I am learning to take care of myself, however, I am trying not to be too stubborn to make myself overly miserable, so I left the neighborhood as soon as possible and entered the neighboring housing development which appeared to have much more reasonable holiday light restrictions.

At least until New Year's, I'm going to have to exercise during the day.