Groundhog Day

[Walking today in Lincoln, MA; 12 noon, 2/2/08]

I met up with about 14 people from my walking group today and we headed off on paths through conservation land in Lincoln towards Walden Pond. Alas, we hadn't gotten far before dead-ended by a bridge out. We detoured onto another path which was intermittently snowy and sometimes icy and ended up in a swamp, so we turned around and headed off in yet another direction, eventually making it out to the road near the DeCordova Museum  and from there back to the parking lot. We did lose two people who turned back early (one had worn loafers, which were not up to the conditions), but everyone else was good-natured about the adventure. The point was to walk together for a couple of hours, and that we did.

---

Tonight I was searching my online TV guide for the movie Groundhog Day. I understand that in Punxsutawny today, the groundhog saw his shadow, as he would have here in Massachusetts, forecasting six more weeks of winter. But it wasn't on TV, so I caught another time-warped movie of choices and chance, Sliding Doors, which I've also seen before. Not quite as satisfying, but fine for a free night at home. I met friends for dinner last night in Harvard Square after work, had the walk today, I'm seeing friends for another walk tomorrow afternoon, and then to watch the Super Bowl at another friend's place in the evening. Busy busy.

---

There are no real do-overs in life. You can start again, but you're necessarily older, you've lost things -- people, certain options, innocence. You've gained things, too -- scars, yes, but also hopefully wisdom, perspective, a better sense of what's important and what's not, greater security and trust in yourself. A few years ago my life felt like I was stuck in an endless loop like the main character in Groundhog Day. Somehow I got off that track. Everything is different now. It's good.

Comments

[dale]

(o)

[mm]

I have Groundhog Day on video only. It's one of the main reasons I don't throw away my ancient video player. Great film.

That last paragraph speaks to me too.

[rr]

I love this post. It radiates. I also love "Groundhog Day" and have been known to watch it three times in a row on the same day. Luckily I have it on DVD - if it were a video it would have disintegrated by now.

[Tall Girl]

(o)

[Lorianne]

I once heard someone (?) say that the only think you need to get out of a downward spiral is one step sideways. Once you're out of the rut, you can choose which direction to go in...but first, you have to step out.

Last night I saw on the news that there's a local groundhog that's campaigning to become the Massachusetts' state groundhog. Why rely on a Pennsylvania rodent to forecast the weather here?

[Lorianne]

(PS: Ms. G, the local groundhog, saw her shadow, too.)

[zhoen]

If the groundhog sees his shadow, it's six more weeks of winter. If he doesn't, it'll be a month and a half.

[Leslee]

Thanks, all. Feeling not so radiant this morning - a bit overbusy this weekend, and then of course our Patriots lost last night so it's a sad day here in New England. Cloudy, too, appearing that Phil or Ms. G were entirely right that we have much more winter to go. Sigh. Monday morning.

[Lucy]

(o)

[Sara]

Thank you, Leslee! I am so avoiding the newspapers and radio and TV news right now that I would never have known whether the groundhog saw his shadow or not except for you. :)

[kat]

I love that movie, Groundhog Day. I like the advice by Tall Girl. Stepping sideways is a good way to look at getting out of a downward spiral. The way I look at starting over is that in 5 years I'll be five years older whether I start a new adventure or not. So I may as well be happy in starting a new adventure instead of bored to tears. Glad things are so much better now.

[Roberta]

Thanks for the movie tip. I've put Sliding Doors in my Netflix list.
And I'm glad to hear that the changes in your life are adding to your happiness and well being. I hope that things continue to move in a good direction for you.

[Leslee]

Sara: You're welcome. Looks like you can hibernate another 6 weeks. :-)

Kat: Yes, although sometimes there's a timing issue. I'd have loved to have sidestepped a few years ago, but I stepped every which way I could imagine and still found myself back in the endless loop. It took some opportunities to open up from the outside (and meanwhile me putting in work that made it possible). Oh, and just to give credit where credit is due, that was Lorianne's advice!

Roberta: Thanks! Let me know how you like Sliding Doors. Hope you like it better than Cloverfield!!

[Dave]

"Why rely on a Pennsylvania rodent to forecast the weather here?"
Because Phil is the One True Marmot, Lorianne. Believe!

(I have yet to see the movie, though. Weird, huh? And I like Bill Murray, too. Maybe deep down I'm afraid to see it.)

[Leslee]

Afraid of the message or overhype? Anyway, nothing to worry about. Bill Murray is pretty funny in it, cutting any potential sappiness.