Que David Bowie's "Changes" to set the mood.

The past two years have not been solid, calm years.  They've been stressful, heartbreaking, full of tears years.  The world turned upside down and just as I started to adjust to the gravity, it flipped itself back around.

Today, however, is a touchable moment in time I can point to and say "This is where it all changes."  I wish I could say I was scared, but I'm not.  I'm not happy but content enough to leave behind the last two years.  I am slightly discouraged in the way I had to run as fast as I could to slam the door.  I learned long ago that the plans you make often blow up in your face, but I didn't even have the chance to make plans before everything exploded.

Sometimes you just need a pick me up when life has kicked you down a time or two.

This is a list of ten songs that (sometimes sarcastically) remind me life's tough but you've got to keep on keepin' on and just do you.

You Get What You Give - New Radicals

I don't drink alcohol.  It smells bad.  It tastes horrible (I've had a sip or two in my hey-day).  It's expensive.

But why don't you drink?  Well, random stranger I've just met for the first time ever: I truthfully don't know.

Oh, California.  The trip to kickoff the challenge.  I traveled with four guys, three of them co-workers.  When we arrived, I realized they rented a Mustang...for five of us...and our luggage.  Well, it was an adventure after all.  No one says all adventures go smoothly.