Lance Armstrong, eat your heart out!

I felt the need for a double header (that seems to happen when I've had a glum post), so here 'tis.

One great part of my day - I got to sleep in and only ended up at work at 11.30!

Why? Well I'm now cycling royalty. 

Ok, not really - but I did partake in a photo taking bonanza this morning for the local Messenger, as they're going to be putting in a story next week about Ride Like Crazy, and I'm the pin-up girl for it!

To fill in the gaps - Ride Like Crazy is a charity cycling event now in it's 3rd year and is all about raising money for cancer research.

Nathan & I took part last year and it was an amazing experience. Yes it was great to finish the 53kms (and no I didn't have to get off and push my bike up a hill once!), but the best part of it was the atmosphere...the excitement and goodwill that abounded was just phenomenal.

And the fact that we did our part to help raise over $160,000 for 2 great charities wasn't bad either!

Anyway, back to why I'm getting my mug in the paper...Police Credit Union is again sponsoring this fantastic event to the tune of 10,000 big ones, and so when our PR company wanted to add a human element to our press release, I turned out to be a great example.

Having lost Grandma, Nanna & Uncle Melvyn to the big C, and only recently had one of my best friends go through the trauma of getting a malignant skin cancer removed - yes I really do have a personal reason to be involved in this event, and more than enough motivation to get up those Adelaide Hills inclines.

I think 2011 is going to be a big year for me in the charity sphere - it's something that strikes a real chord with me a. And it's just so easy to do.

Speaking of which - if you are interested in donating to a great cause, head to www.ridelikecrazy.com


Or if you're going to be in Adelaide on January 16th and want to take part - it's not too late to register!

And have fun giggling at these photos - it was a funny morning posing in 1,700 different ways and riding back and forth to get the action shots!

The moments that stop you in your tracks...

A couple of hours ago, I got a text from my brother to let me know that the brother of one of my primary school friend's decided to take his life earlier this month.

So as I sat down to eat tea with Nathan at our favourite restaurant Star House, I had that much whirring in my head that I said 'Sorry I have to be rude for a moment and write something down here' well type it onto my iPhone - same same...

It's such an incredible sadness in itself - particularly considering he was only a 24 year old boy -  compounded even moreso by the fact that their dad did the same only a couple of years ago. 

I couldn't help but just feel overtaken by sadness, the thought of that happening in my family is just...

But doesn't it help put your own life in perspective. 

I'm not saying that my or your own worries or issues are any less valid, but you know what - do they really matter? 

In the grand scheme of things - for me I have to answer no! 

I have a fantastic life and I love living - and I'm so glad that the thought of not wanting to wake up tomorrow has never even entered my mind.

I love my family, I love my friends, I love myself - my magnificent mind, body and soul. 
Perhaps this was the wake up call I needed to stop sweating the small stuff and to get back to enjoying life, not taking it so seriously and to be grateful for everything that I have.

Wow I feel like I've been punched in the face and want to burst into tears (and I did have a few tears behind my glasses!) 

But at the same time I want to take this moment and use it.

It's so funny because I was only talking to my workmate Lisa today about how there is always someone worse off than you - something my Nanna used to always say, right to the end of her life, and it's inspired me ever since. 

And if this isn't proof of exactly that I don't know what is.

Life is precious.

Live. Love. Laugh. Be happy.

And may you now rest in peace James. My heart goes out to your beautiful sister and mum especially, as well as everyone that knew you and is left to pick up the pieces. I hope they're able to celebrate all the good times while they mourn and try to adjust to not having you here anymore.