Thought it was about time I finally posted something new on xanga.  While I never have been much of a sporting fan, there are occassions where I find myself drawn to watching some form of sweaty, high testosterone charged, male sports challenge.  In this case it is the annual team bicycle road race around France. Now you may ask what gets my interest here?  First off there is some spectacular scenery and aerial views of historic French towns and villages. Then there is the action of men and bicycles jockeying for positions, and the occassional pile up of riders in an unfortunate spill.  But one thing that keeps bringing me back each year to watch the tv coverage is the colourful, tight fitting spandex outfits the riders wear.  Those legs pumping away in the frontal camera shots !!! As they say "its not in the winning, but in the taking part".  VIVA LA FRANCE

 What is it about the turning of the calendar from December 31 to January 1 that gives many of us, even if its just for a few days, the feeling that maybe the new year will bring with it the hopes of  better things in our lives ?  New years resolutions can be a good way of getting motivated to steer us toward a certain goal.  Some years I make resolutions for big or small changes ........ sometimes they work out.  I think back to when the millenium changed. Now that was a time for resolutions !!!!  No one alive had ever experienced a year change like it.  It seemed to creep up slowly, then all of a sudden it became 2000, the magic number that would bring in all the futuristic ideas we had dreamed about. There was special stamps, coins, books, tv shows, concerts, fireworks...etc.  I thought that would hearld in a fantastic new future for everyone.    hhhhmmm ...... and now its 2010.  Ten years into this new millenium, and basically the world still plods on as usual.  Don't get me wrong, I am not one of those doom and gloom merchants that predict all is bad with society and the planet. Sure we have some problems that need to be dealt with but that is nothing new.  We seem to be slowly coming out of the global financial crisis, we are not in a world war like 1916 or 1944, generally medicine has increased our life spans, most can afford a better lifestyle than our past generations, and new technologies are transforming ways of communication world wide.

For all of us, last year had its fair share of good and bad situations.  I know some have had more than what is fair on the bad side.  But that is the good thing about turning over from the old year into a new one. Although this year still holds memories of 2009, this is a brand new, never before been used year.  It is a clean slate to start somethings afresh.  Hold on to those things that are still good from the past and build on that to plan for the future. 

For me, its not really any specific plans just yet, though I am working on a few ideas. Its more of a mind set change from often seeing the glass half empty ....... to seeing that the glass is actually half full.  I know it sounds just a cliche but its amazing how a change of thought can change our attitude to life.

I hope everyone will have a chance for new plans in 2010 !!! And to start the year on a positive note, enjoy some new guy pics ....... fireworks please .......

Why wasn't my high school like Mckinley High School from the TV series Glee ?  They have some pretty wierd situations and conflicts not just between the students but between the teachers too.   My school was just boring. Except for the odd fight at the back of the toilet block. (luckily I missed out on getting beaten up by the school bullies).  They tried more intimidation tactics on me, which sometimes hit the mark nevertheless.  We had elective subjects like music and art, but where was our Glee Club !!!!!  I would have fitted right in with the odd assortment of students that make up Mckinley Glee, and though I don't have a great singing voice, I would have given it all I got. Maybe even learnt a few dance moves with my 2 left feet. 

This series has something quirky about it that draws me into its music and characters.  I love the way they take some older hit songs and redo them in a more modern music sound. And the student characters act different from most played on tv.  This is not just another typical soap opera, it has balls!!!  And not just the guys either.  Often the storylines can start out so unbelievable, but thats the charm about it. You never know where it will go.  And through all the madness often there is an underlying message about tolerance and acceptance of others.  What other club would mix together cheer leaders, football jocks, african american, asian, wheelchair bound kid, caucasian/white, nerds, straight, pregnant girl, and a gay kid ? 

I missed my chance for some great high school years, but thats life.  Although it wasn't all bad, just 9am till 3pm each school day  .   So now I watch Glee or listen to their season 1 cd, and think what might have been.