christopher575

It's been such a weird day. I woke up to my alarm and got up about 20 minutes later to head out to Japanese Gulch for a walk, completely unaware of the mass shooting at Pulse in Orlando. I really don't like to speak out much about tragedies as they happen online and definitely don't like to describe personal connections, but it's hard not to think about the fact that the largest mass shooting in American history is now at a gay club in what's obviously part of a huge backlash against the advancements we've made in the past several years. Coincidentally, the club I went dancing every Friday and Saturday for three years shortly after I turned 21 was also called Pulse, and while I always had such a great time there, it's impossible to forget being relieved that the outdoor patio was surrounded by a very high wall, and always being scared while heading back to the car.

So I guess I'll always look back at today's walk and be grateful for my trek around my favorite place in the last moments before I heard.

It's already been a very busy week where I had to skip a couple of workouts, so I just wanted an easy walk in the Western portion of the Gulch. I decided to take the fast way to the parking area by the community garden, and was delighted by the early morning view of the main drag.

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