Dearest Rachel –
I promised you yesterday that I would follow through this morning with regard to working out on the treadmill after nearly a two week absence, and then follow up with you about how it worked out. So, that’s what this letter is mostly going to be about.
But first, I have to acknowledge your attempt at getting my attention last night, since you also have an interest in my dreams. It would seem that I found myself walking in what appeared to be some sort of beach-type resort; it felt like a cross between Miami and camp, if you can imagine that. There were PA speakers mounted on poles every so often across the clean white sand, and I could make out something having to do with new arrivals (of which I assumed I was a part) gathering their luggage.
At some point, I encountered my folks there as well, but they looked younger than they are – in fact, they looked younger than I am, or was, with full heads of naturally-colored hair for the first time in what seems like forever. Dad, in particular, was talking about showing me around the place, as if they’d been here for a while, and waiting for me to show up.
As we were walking along the shore and making our way toward an inland hill, I heard a voice call out for me. Not calling my name exactly; I’m not sure that I made out any specific words throughout the entire course of the dream. But I did recognize that I was the one being called out, by…
…well, it didn’t exactly look like you. I’m guessing she was about seven or eight years old, or that’s at least how she – you? – looked. And rather than having that curly pixie cut that I would’ve recognized from your childhood photos, your curls fell down to at least your shoulders. You were running my way, like some imouto-chan out of an anime would toward her onii-san, grabbing my hand and doing a full circle around me, spinning me in a full 360°, giggling all the time. I think that at some point, you inquired mischievously as to whether I recognized you (again, not in so many words, but I knew full well what you were trying to ask). I acknowledged that I did, and you seemed so pleased with your new look, to be able to be the kid you always wanted to stay, while still looking like someone I would know and love.
If it weren’t for the fact that both my parents are still alive, I would assume that this was a dream of heaven. Well, that, and the fact that… who brings luggage to heaven? And then there was the fact that I was still… old, like I am now. I didn’t know what to make of it, really, but I appreciate the little greeting from you.
At any rate, however, once all of this faded, it was time to get up and get on with what I’d intended to do yesterday morning, and also dressed for last night. Sure enough, last night‘s meal pushed me well back over the hundred kilo mark. What can I say? You know what kind of cook my mom is. Still, I figured that if I put in as much time and effort as I intended to, that could be remedied.
And in fact, I was up at the ridiculous hour of four this morning; mostly because when Daniel and I got home, Logan was there in the family room for Daniel to join up with and watch stuff together, leaving me (literally) to my own devices. I did try, but I actually fell asleep attempting to watch an hour-long compilation video of failed alternate history scenarios. This was barely after eight; I’m really starting to get onto ‘old man’ time, honey.
Still, in theory, this meant I could get in a workout before anyone else was awake – although the family room still seemed to be lit; I think I wasn’t the only one to fall asleep watching stuff last night – and still have the rest of the day to accomplish what I normally do (which admittedly isn’t much). I threw on my gym shorts and shoes, and fired the treadmill up.
A quick aside here – for all the time she spends running, and all the distance she covers, Erin has told me that she couldn’t ever bring herself to work out on one of these things. She claims it’s just too boring to be just running in a single place, as opposed to taking in nature – or even using the workout to get places and get things done. And I took that into account by setting it up in the bedroom, so I could watch or listen to something on the big screen. However, due to both the risk of short-circuiting something in the house and the concern about possibly waking Daniel up, I don’t dare do that these days. Even the treadmill seems awfully noisy when I’m running on it, although I don’t think it can be heard all the way across the house. In any event, I worked out without any accompaniment this morning, and I get what she means about it being a dull slog.
Still, I can’t imagine being out in the snow and the slush at this time of year. Not only that, but – and this may come from getting to it first thing in the morning – I was barely a mile in before I had to stop for a moment. Let’s just say that it’s convenient to have a clean bathroom right across the hall; I can’t imagine being caught short in the forest preserve (well, actually, I can, but I’d rather not think about that) or in the middle of the city. Maybe real long-distance runners can control that function of their bodies while they’re running, but as long as I’m not one of them, I’m just as happy to be able to stop and take care of matters before getting back to things.
In any event, the effort paid off; by the time I had wrapped up six miles overall and washed up afterward, I was back under the two-twenty mark where I think I need to be from now on. So as long as I actually follow through on these intentions, I can actually make some progress. Now, if only it would make more of a difference in my social life…
I’m kidding, of course; I keep busy enough as it is that I’m not sure I’d know what to do with Megumi if she introduced herself at the moment. But I’d probably welcome her, if she’d be willing to make her presence known. Still, until that happens, I’d appreciate it if you’d be willing to continue to keep an eye on me, and wish me luck. I’m going to need it.
Letters to Rachel 