ShutterBug/TriBug

Update! : ) It's almost two years now since my husband and I moved out of our home state and I still don't know how big "Joe's Rock" is. Things are settling into familiar routines, however. Even though things are starting to feel more solid, there are still so many new things on the horizon! Lucky me, there's no one else with whom I'd rather take this plunge. : )
As for my background, I worked hard- really hard- in the social service realm for a loooooooooooong time and have been freed (so to speak) with this move. I know that there are other ways I can fit into the world, but I've not yet figured out which path I'll be taking for the next part of my personal journey. I enjoy life and try to stay positive. I am unbelievably loyal until it's proven misplaced, and I take great care for my family and friends. I'm often told that I'm a pretty typical Cancerian.
I am married to my soulmate (yes, I believe that they exist- and that you have to search yourself before you are able to find one), a great guy who has accomplished his goal of completing his first 2 full IM events- Ironman Florida (04NOV06), and Ironman Louisville, KY (26AUG07), awaiting #s 3 & 4 within the next 6 months, with hopes of (someday) going to Kona. I love cheering for and taking photographs of him and his events! Every now and again, I get some really awesome shots. Plus, there is something special about cheering on the athletes in these challenges. If you've never cheered someone on, be it at a 5k running race, a sprint triathlon, a marathon or an ironman distance tri, DO IT! I'd recommend it to anyone- even if you know no-one in the event. Then watch out- you just might be the next casualty of "The Bug"... ; )
My plan was to do some small events and see if I catch that "bug", too! BITTEN! : ) Not in any crazy way (I've no delusional desires for Ironman- it's just not for me...) I've gotten a few road races (maybe 10 or so) under my belt and my first 2 sprint distance tris. I'm SO not the fastest rabbit in the pack but I've been having fun in a way I've never imagined I would. I'm a big proponent for "Yes, you can!", if I may borrow the words of the amazing, inspirational Dick Hoyt. And, at the risk of sounding cliche', if I can do it, so can you! : )
So the goals for this year, I'd like to complete an Olympic distance triathlon (along with the 2 sprints that are definites on my calendar) and work up to a half marathon... I'm nearly there... I would still like to connect w/a "getting-better-at-the-run" partner and a cycling partner (as my husband and buddy are both getting too speedy for me to keep up with : )). Through our househunting, we are finding all these new roads to explore! : ) I would also love to take some classes for photography and get better at something I absolutely love to do. It's time I learned more about that little magic box.
I am open-minded and have truly varied interests- far more diverse than this description can display. I respect honesty and directness over falseness. I choose to be direct so that there aren't questions about what I mean. I appreciate the differences between my friends and I, and oftentimes find them more important than any similarities.
I'm still interested in using this "space" to connect w/some like-minded and not-so-like-minded people for activities, photography and friendship. This means, I have no interest in simply "collecting" #s of "friends" for my list, thank you. (And if you would like to add me, but have a private profile, please take that quick moment to add a note to your request...)
This may not have been the most creative or exciting "blurb" but it's like me- straight forward. I am a relatively private person and I try to choose carefully what I want to share in a venue such as this. I do, however, freely share my sarcasm, enjoying it immensely. I try to ease people into it, but it doesn't always work that way. ; )