February 25, 2010

Happy Trails To You....

Happy Trails, Crabby...(sniff)
Photo: whatleydude


I’ll be riding off into the Cranky Fitness sunset today as it is my last post here, although I can still be found at the less palatial offices of ChunkyMonkeyMama, where I’ll be brewing my own coffee and doing my own manicures from now on. Stakes are being pulled up and Crabby’s new camp will set up again in parts beyond here. She’s moving on but, as with every successful person and helpful friend we’ve had the pleasure to know and admire in life, she’ll be leaving a part of herself still here at Cranky Fitness while she takes on a new challenge elsewhere. I’m sad to have it end but oftentimes, the wisdom to know when something’s done, and to be able to step out at the top of your game, is undervalued in times like these. I cite Frank Sinatra’s many retirement “comebacks” when the last impression he left us was sounding (and looking) like Joe Cocker instead of the fabulous albums made with Nelson Riddle or Count Basie. The “American Pie” sequels go on and on like a herpes virus, and Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve - will somebody please tell him it’s time to get off the stage. Very few of us are lucky enough to go out on a high note and on our own terms but Crabby hit just the right balance here.

And speaking about balance, how genius was it of her to combine fitness – which many of us still view with loathing and contempt – with humor? If there’s one thing I’ve learned here (and it’s damned hard to teach this old dog new tricks), it’s that anything can be made more palatable when you add gentle humor and oh-so-subtle sarcasm. Or even ballpeen hammer sarcasm. Laughing at ourselves or the process lightens more than just the numbers on the scale (which I know is not the only measure of fitness, as we’ve discussed here many, many times) – it also elevates our spirits so we finally start believing that yes, we are supremely capable of achieving our fitness goals.

Crabby is a genuinely gifted writer. She has always been informative and funny, interested and inquisitive, and has always cared deeply about her friends and readers. Even her throw-away lines like, “your mileage may vary”, would leave me laughing. I hope the sadness she feels at leaving is somewhat tempered by how much she has contributed to the discussion and by how many of us she informed, entertained and befriended. I feel so honored to have been a part of it and hope she remembers me when I show up some day at the stage door of the Broadway theater at the premiere of “Cranky Fitness – The Musical!”

Good luck, my friend. Many thanks for the opportunity to work with you and all the laughs. You’ll be missed. 'Til we meet again.

19 comments:

  1. And to you, Gigi, I also bid a fond farewell on this site. You have done a great job during your time here and I will sorely miss your posts also.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sniff.

    So glad I got the chance to work with you Gigi, and to enjoy your wicked funny posts. Cranky Fitness was so lucky to have such an inspiring, down-to-earth, talented writer on the team.

    That you also happen to be a warm, friendly, easygoing, and lovely person didn't hurt either!

    So glad I can go lurk at Chunky Monkey Mama to continue to get my fix.

    Thank you SO much!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Damn.
    I'm a cranky "lurker" and have enjoyed your posts. But this time, had to drop and say the good byes.

    I suck at formalities and sh*t... but good luck with your future endeavours.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awww, I enjoyed reading your blogs. Thanks for all the great information!

    ReplyDelete
  5. One of my goals, to keep the crankiness alive, since I certainly cannot write that crankiness, is to continue to use her posts, within my own.

    Since I often pay homage to the greats through their inspiring quotes, I will admit it here. I will be "stealing" some of the crankiness since no one can do it better.

    I hope to keep that alive a bit longer than Cranky wants it. To leave at the top of your game, is to leave a legacy!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am so sad to see the end come. I only just discovered this blog when I started blogging myself in November, but I will truly miss it. You are so right that humor and information is the perfect combination for success.

    I wish you all well.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I hate goodbyes (unless it's to unwanted pounds). Goodbye. I've enjoyed your posts and this site. It will be missed.

    ReplyDelete
  8. So sad :(
    I will miss this place. TI've enjoyed reading your posts.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm just glad you've still got your blog, so we can continue to read your posts. Even if you are harboring delusions of stealing my man away from me (Mine! Hugh Jackman's mine!), you're an entertaining writer.

    And I too want to see "Cranky Fitness: The Musical"

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for the fun, Gigi! So glad I could be a part of it. I shall now have to stalk you on your own site. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Very sweet tribute, Gigi. Glad you will still be writing at CMM, though! I couldn't take it if both you and Crabby left!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow.
    OK, I'm sending virtual cupcakes and gold watches before I go curl up in a ball in the corner and cry.
    Good luck with everything! And if you ever find yourself down San Mateo County way, look me up! We can bike the Bay Trail!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Just like there is no substitute for coffee, there is not substitute for Crabby and Co.

    All of you will be missed.

    ReplyDelete
  14. (raising champagne glass...filled with water)

    HERE! HERE!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Good-bye and all the best.

    And thank you.

    cammi99

    ReplyDelete
  16. "Cranky FItness: the musical" [clapclapclapclap] Will the chorus line wear slankets?

    Mary Anne in Kentucky

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oooh. Another blog to follow. But it'll be sad to see you and Cranky Fitness go.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Geez man! I step away for the internet for a few months...!!! Bye Crabby. :( I really enjoyed your posts. :(

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting, Cranky Fitness readers are the BEST!

Subscribe to comments via RSS

(Note: Older Comment Threads Are Moderated)