Both Sides Now

The BackBlast:

Boot Camp with a little aerobic. Throughout the workout, we distributed the Q so that several led an exercise.

 

Warm-up consisted of a series of ‘on-your-feet’ (SSH, IW, Squat), Merkin-type, ab and stretching exercises. We did 4 rounds plus a little Foundation Training (back strengthening) led by Rev.

Moseyed to the wall on the walkway off Cedar Street for People’s Chair air press, Derkins, Donkey Kix and People’s Chair milkers.

Next to the rock pile on the parking lot (624 S Cedar St.) for a few choose-a-rock exercises.

Next, we did “find a line” and jumped back and forth over the line in cadence. This is good cardio. Three times.

Partnered up; one partner did a bear crawl/mosey back with the other doing merkins. Total of 100 merkins.

To the balcony for Bulgarian split squats, incline merkins and reverse crunches.

To the parking lot for 5 burpees and back to the start.

 

Announcements:

For the FNGs, if you don’t have a name, DON’T name yourself, unless you’d like a name like Estrogen.

Money’s 80^th Birthday at ALS, Tuesday at Selwyn Elementary.

Wednesdays here at 6:00 PM, F3 workout

 

Take out started by Hellboy and finished by Vega.

Competing music by Rev and Vega.

 

I’ve got this song stuck in my head. I bought it 50 years ago. I loved the tune and the poetry, even if I wasn’t clear on what it meant. And I’m sure I still don’t fully understand what Joni Mitchell wrote.

 

What resonates with me might not resonate with you. But it’s not your head this song is stuck in. It’s mine. It’s ‘Both Sides Now’ if you want to find and listen to it.

 

“Rows and flows of angel hair

And ice cream castles in the air

And feather canyons everywhere

I’ve looked at clouds that way

 

“But now they only block the sun

They rain and snow on everyone

So many things I would have done

But clouds got in my way

 

“I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now

From up and down and still somehow

It’s cloud illusions I recall

I really don’t know clouds at all”

 

Angel hair, feather canyons; illusions.

Blocking the sun, rain and snow; reality.

 

“Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels

The dizzy dancing way that you feel

As every fairy tale comes real

I’ve looked at love that way

 

“But now it’s just another show

You leave them laughing when you go

And if you care, don’t let them know

Don’t give yourself away

 

“I’ve looked at love from both sides now

From give and take and still somehow

It’s love’s illusions that I recall

I really don’t know love at all”

 

I remember my first love; and the awful, depressing feeling when it fell apart. Later a marriage, a divorce and a second marriage. I see the beauty of my two children’s marriages. That’s an illusion that has become reality. You can learn things from other people, even your children.

 

“Tears and fears and feeling proud

To say, “I love you” right out loud

Dreams and schemes and circus crowds

I’ve looked at life that way

 

“But now old friends they’re acting strange

And they shake their heads they say I’ve changed

Well something’s lost, but something’s gained

In living every day

 

“I’ve looked at life from both sides now

From win and lose and still somehow

It’s life’s illusions I recall

I really don’t know life at all”

 

Forty-four years in Charlotte are soon to be on the other side of my life. No doubt, you’ve experienced some of the same changes in life here I’ve experienced, plus others: people who have passed away, friends gained, friends lost, the ups and downs of jobs, marriages, personal struggles, faith lost and faith recovered.

I’ll miss the F3 people I’ve met here. Look me up if you’re ever in Richmond. [email protected]

May the illusions of life become reality.