Crisis Prevention.....A Steeplechase

“When we tire of well-worn ways, we seek for new. This restless craving in the souls of men spurs them to climb, and to seek the mountain view.” ~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

So I know I usually blog about upbeat things....how great life is and how lucky we are and how wonderful (fill in the blank) is to me. And it's true---I feel like that 95% of the time. And the other 5%, I should feel like that, because I've been so incredibly blessed. But, sometimes even this girl gets in a mood. So, I decided that I'd share.

Do you ever have of those weeks where nothing is wrong, but nothing is really right either? I mean, you're sort of in a blah place? College Roomie calls this magenta. Whatever it is, sometimes it hits. During one of these phases a couple of weeks ago, I decided I'm going to have a mid-life criss. A conversation with Nomad (who is the worst influence in this kind of situation since he lives his life like a mid-life crisis) confirmed this for me.

So I had been analyzing life and what I want and where I'm going and all that jazz. I came up with this theory that concerned me. What if there are two kinds of people....the first are the people who get good jobs and an IRA and they get married and buy a house and drive their kids to practice in an SUV (because I refuse to own a mini-van). And the second are the people who don't end up getting married, which sucks, but instead they end up getting to do a whole bunch of crazy fun things and have all these awesome life experiences and go on great trips. AND....what if I'm really the second type of person, but I'm trying to be the first? And what if, because of that, I miss the good parts of both the first and second people? Have a headache yet? Yea....try living in mine. :)

At one point, I thought to myself, "Maybe I should just sell everything I own and move to a beach somewhere to sell surf boards." And then I thought, "Maybe I should just go do something crazy like sky diving or swimming with sharks." Along with these thoughts, I had this mental picture of a bald, overweight dude with some coctail waitress on a motorcycle and realized.....I'm totally going to have a midlife crisis if I am already thinking this way. Sigh.

Fortunately, it must not be time for my crisis just yet. I got some good sleep, spent some time outside in the fresh air, got some runs in, and began to feel better about life. I also knew that it was time for a trip. Turns out, when this girl doesn't have somewhere to go, she gets restless. And contemplates selling surfboards and jumping out of airplanes. Makes spending some money on a little getaway seem like a necessary investment!

It was time for a trip......but I wasn't sure where to go. And about that time, my dear law school friends Top Gun and Mrs. Top Gun came to the rescue by inviting me to fly out to Washington, DC and go with them to the Virginia Gold Cup Steeplechase. There are no words for my excitement---cute dresses, fun hats, horses, and mint julips---this place is going to have it all!

Only problem.....I have less than 2 weeks to find my hat....ANY suggestions would be very much appreciated (preferably something cheap that has fast shipping!)

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And just like that, my magenta mood was cured. So for now, mid-life crisis averted thanks to a steeplechase. But stick around for a few years.....because I doubt I'm over my crazy ideas!