2012
Archive for December, 2012
24
Dec
12
Going to see the horses
The earliest memory I have is loving horses. I don’t know where I got this. I was born in the bay area of northern California and I lived the first few years of my life in the city. My folks didn’t know the first thing about livestock; we lived on a cul-de-sac! Our black neighbor, Nedra, taught us girls how to shake our butts properly and we’d stand on the sidewalk and practice as she coached us. I remember asking my dad every morning if I could have a horse. He would calmly explain that we have no room for a horse. We didn’t have much money at all. Dad was a California police officer making jack squat and mom worked part time at the church office. It was tough raising 3 little girls. So you can imagine my overwhelming joy when I got a Breyer model horse for my birthday.
In the first grade, we moved to northern Idaho. My dream became a reality when we were able to buy property and get a couple of horses. My life for the next 13 years was consumed with horses. I can’t even begin to explain in words how much I loved them. Nothing—and I mean NOTHING—gave me more pleasure. Nothing made me happier than being on a horse.
My horse ownership ended when I turned 18 and left home. Life took a hundred different turns but I’ve never owned a horse again. Owning a horse is a tremendous responsibility that, unless you live on a ranch and ride every day, is just plain ole stupid to partake in. Miles has owned horses, too, and neither of us has the desire to go down that path again.
But it’s funny that 19 years later, I still get emotional walking into a tack shop. I tear up when I smell leather or hear horse hooves on the pavement.
Upon moving to Harris Ranch in east Boise, I discovered a pasture nearby with 4 horses in it. I find myself walking over there every other day to see them. Even in the blowing snow and blistering wind, I bundle up and walk down there. I bring them carrots and they gallop to the fence when they see me coming. They aren’t good looking horses, by any means, and they’re not particularly friendly. But I smile, talk to them, pet their noses then walk back home.
I wonder why I go see the horses all the time. Why do I take time out of my day to put on my boots, hat, gloves, coat and scarf just to go see some ugly nags that I know nothing about? Is it the horse smell left on me when they nuzzle my cheek? Is it the way they search me for more carrots? Or is it something deeper that I’m dealing with?
Perhaps my riding career never had closure since I left so abruptly in 1994 and didn’t look back. I never said goodbye to our old ranch and my 3-year-old Arabian colt “Bo” of whom I was right in the middle of training. My poor dad had to sell him at the market because I chose not to come home and deal with him myself. Being around those horses nearby makes me wonder how my life would’ve ended up had I continued training horses throughout my adult life.
When I do my meditation, my “happy place” is always a memory of being on a horse someplace. I smile at the very thought. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of my special childhood in Grangemont and my many years on a horse. Perhaps going to visit the nearby horses fills a small void in my heart. Maybe I’m missing my childhood, like so many of us do at times.
Or perhaps I just love horses. And that will probably never change.
Cristy on “Smokey”
16
Dec
12
Someone is always watching
No, I’m not talking about Big Brother. Yes, Big Brother is always watching and especially every time you touch your computer, someone or something is recording and tracking your every click. I’m talking about WATCHING YOU. Actually. Watching. You.
I learned this lesson back in 2004. I had had a few fights by midyear. The Mid-South was beginning to learn who I was and my fan base was forming. I was working at a local hamburger joint and going to college full time. I trained at night for boxing. Most of my training and weight management was done alone and I relied on my own drive and motivation to keep myself in fight shape. One morning, at 5AM, I was out doing my roadwork.
(Boxers train in many ways to get ready for fights such as running, sprints, weight lifting, plyometrics, sparring, yoga, etc… “Roadwork” refers to running).
It was dark and quiet and no one was around…or so I thought. The only sounds I heard were my footsteps on the pavement and DMX in my headphones. I did my run and went on with my day. The next day, on the front cover of the local sports page, there was me running in the dark. A caption over the photo read, “While you sleep, local boxing star trains for upcoming fight.”
I was astonished. How did that photographer know where I was? How did I not see them? How long were they watching me?
My old boxing coach used to tell me, “No matter where you are or what you’re doing, someone is always watching you.” He taught me to always be on my best behavior, look my best and be kind to people everywhere I go. When my MTV show hit the air, I was recognized everywhere, all the time. Soon that fame wore off but my actions are still the same. Years later, in Boise, Idaho, people instead know me from my local spin classes, seeing my flyer at a coffee shop or have a friend who hired me for training. My one-of-a-kind hairstyle and no-nonsense attitude cause people to stare wherever I go. My point isn’t that I “think I’m all that.” I certainly don’t. My point is that you don’t have to be famous to always have people watching you. A kindergarten teacher will need to be kind to everyone no matter what. If she’s a jerk to the Walgreens checker, someone might think she’s a jerk to her kids in class. A plumber will be sure to be friendly to his neighbors when walking his dog. His next client (and next remodel) could be 2 doors down. This isn’t just about business, making money or scoring another paying client. It’s about your reputation as an upstanding citizen, contributing positively to your community. You might need someone to speak on your behalf and attest to your generosity and compassion. You might need a couch to sleep on, a ride to work or $100.
We all have made mistakes and have screwed up in front of others. But people forgive and people understand. I’m certainly not one to judge. Of all the advice my old boxing coach gave me, “someone is always watching you, Cristy,” was probably the best. I pass it on to you to remind you that it’s good advice for us all.
Beginning Dec. 10th, I will be teaching 2 spin classes downtown.
When: Mondays and Fridays at 5:45AM
Where: A20 Fitness
511 Americana Blvd
344-5377
- Note: Classes taken during launch week (next week) will be half price!
My Meridian spin classes:
When: Saturday mornings at 8:15AM and 9:15AM
Where: Breakaway Cycling Studio
10 Mile and McMillian
(must reserve your bike ahead of time)
- More info: http://www.breakawaycyclingstudio.com
01
Dec
12
old school “Code Red”
My friend sent me these photos. The one on the right is my high school graduation picture (1994) and the one on the left is me with my Arabian, “Ben,” at a horseshow when I was about 17, I think. Horses were my life for 13 years and I still get emotional when I smell leather or even get around horses.
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