Friday, August 26, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Bachelorette* (#21)
The prospect of a gaggle of girls for 12+ hours would usually make me break out in hives, but I’m super blessed to have found the most fabulous assortment of female friends in Charlotte. They are all very different but share some common traits: adventurous, smart, beautiful, real and stupid fun to be around. I usually prefer one on one play time but I did get a kick out of bringing everyone together for our special day. We kicked things off with blueberry pancakes, bacon and mimosas.
Next up was a trip to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. I literally felt like a kid in a playground as there were fun and physical activities everywhere you looked. We started off by going flatwater kayaking – but after about 20 minutes of somewhat pathetic paddling we found a small beach and ended up swimming and hanging out for a few hours.
We gobbled down a quick bite to eat and then headed to the main event: the whitewater rafting! We sat through a brief lesson and then got in our boat. I have never done it before so I was a little apprehensive. The first run around was a mixture of funny and scary as I didn’t know what to expect. I quickly realized that the worst thing that could happen was that I’d get wet at which point I relaxed. It was so unbelievably fun I can’t even describe it. I didn’t want it to end and now I feel more comfortable I want to take it up a notch next time!
We finished the day sipping 24oz cans and watching people fall out of their boats.
We were sun soaked and tired but we all put on our rally pants for a delicious dinner at Sushi 101 where we traded “worst wedding ever” stories – those who know me well will know I won this one hands down. After dinner we went over to AB’s for some dancing and late fun. I can't believe we were not kicked out - I'll leave it at that.
The night finally ended at 3am at fuel pizza with this glorious exchange:
Pizza man: “I thought we would see you tonight – and you brought your friends!”
Me: “Uh-huh”
Pizza man: “Is this a one slice or two slice situation?”
Me: “Two slices”
Pizza man: “I think a fountain drink may be a good idea”
Me: “Thanks for looking out for me”
*[Disclaimer] No one was getting married – we just decided it would only be right to honour the awesomeness of the day by pretending we were a bachelorette party
Next up was a trip to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. I literally felt like a kid in a playground as there were fun and physical activities everywhere you looked. We started off by going flatwater kayaking – but after about 20 minutes of somewhat pathetic paddling we found a small beach and ended up swimming and hanging out for a few hours.
We gobbled down a quick bite to eat and then headed to the main event: the whitewater rafting! We sat through a brief lesson and then got in our boat. I have never done it before so I was a little apprehensive. The first run around was a mixture of funny and scary as I didn’t know what to expect. I quickly realized that the worst thing that could happen was that I’d get wet at which point I relaxed. It was so unbelievably fun I can’t even describe it. I didn’t want it to end and now I feel more comfortable I want to take it up a notch next time!
We finished the day sipping 24oz cans and watching people fall out of their boats.
We were sun soaked and tired but we all put on our rally pants for a delicious dinner at Sushi 101 where we traded “worst wedding ever” stories – those who know me well will know I won this one hands down. After dinner we went over to AB’s for some dancing and late fun. I can't believe we were not kicked out - I'll leave it at that.
The night finally ended at 3am at fuel pizza with this glorious exchange:
Pizza man: “I thought we would see you tonight – and you brought your friends!”
Me: “Uh-huh”
Pizza man: “Is this a one slice or two slice situation?”
Me: “Two slices”
Pizza man: “I think a fountain drink may be a good idea”
Me: “Thanks for looking out for me”
*[Disclaimer] No one was getting married – we just decided it would only be right to honour the awesomeness of the day by pretending we were a bachelorette party
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Lady garden (#14)
I settled on a very tasteful shape and went for my first session at the today. Everyone who worked there had glazed eyes, french manicures, too much lip gloss and wore scrubs which I’m amusing are intended to create a façade of medical credibility. The team of robot ladies informed me that I was a strong candidate as I have light skin and dark follicles (although I doubt they tell anyone who is about to hand over $1,000 they are a bad candidate). The actual experience was very fast and took less than 15 minutes. It felt like having a tiny a rubber band snapped at your skin and hurt a lot less than waxing. I think the most unpleasant part was the slightly burnt smell. They said it would take a few sessions as hair grows in cycles but that I should notice a difference after the first session. I will be sure to report back on the results.
I guess pain is relative - having beams of infrared light fired at my pink bits was pleasurable compared to the day that I’ve had.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Après Birthday: it's like après ski but with presents (#2)
29 is the birthday that keeps on giving. My friend Emily visits Maine every year with her family and is an obvious candidate to help me with activity #2. She brought me this back from her latest trip:
"I thought it was a perfect representation of your lobster goal, and our shared love of booze"
There were other après birthday activities at work this week. Sunday was a dark day as I'd been away from the office for several weeks and I had a heavy, nervous, and overwhelmed feeling about returning on Monday. It reminded me a lot of how I felt the night before going back to school after summer holidays. It was part apprehension (what has changed, what have I missed, will people still like me etc.) and part bone idle laziness (vacation > work).
I trudged into the office at 7am to find my door decorated, my office full of gifts, belated birthday cards, welcome back messages, a card celebrating being in my job for one year and a homemade cake from the person on my team least likely to ever bake a cake or commit an act of kindness. My team was actually happy to have me back, was telling me I was missed and know me well enough to have played some pretty funny pranks including a mousetrap in my cupboard, a vodka bottle in my desk and removing a wheel from my chair so I fell over when I sat down. It made me feel really special.
"I thought it was a perfect representation of your lobster goal, and our shared love of booze"
There were other après birthday activities at work this week. Sunday was a dark day as I'd been away from the office for several weeks and I had a heavy, nervous, and overwhelmed feeling about returning on Monday. It reminded me a lot of how I felt the night before going back to school after summer holidays. It was part apprehension (what has changed, what have I missed, will people still like me etc.) and part bone idle laziness (vacation > work).
I trudged into the office at 7am to find my door decorated, my office full of gifts, belated birthday cards, welcome back messages, a card celebrating being in my job for one year and a homemade cake from the person on my team least likely to ever bake a cake or commit an act of kindness. My team was actually happy to have me back, was telling me I was missed and know me well enough to have played some pretty funny pranks including a mousetrap in my cupboard, a vodka bottle in my desk and removing a wheel from my chair so I fell over when I sat down. It made me feel really special.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Reactions to the List
“#14 & #27 make me want to be sick”
~Rosie (little sister horrified at anything that involves body parts)
“You sent me your blog – woo woo woo”
~Mum (who is either excited or has turned into a train)
“Here’s a deal…if you can get us tickets for the US Masters I will take you to Joshua Tree “
~Dad
“Bonnaroo - as long as you promise to write my name and emergency contact in sharpie on my arm”
~KD
“Inspirational… all of them (that apply) are appealing, even the laser treatment (never thought of you as hairy)” <--win!
~HD
“I can help you out with item numbers 7, 25 and 27!”
“How are you going to help me "try" online dating???”
“Well... if you sign up to a dating website I can join it too and we can go on a date ;)”
~DK
“US Masters (is that golf?)”
~EL
“Can we add an unlisted goal of seeing me more? That would be great. “
~BR
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Things are different on the mountain (#1, #13)
I've always loved hiking. When I lived in San Francisco, CA I used to hike almost every weekend and appreciated the variety the Golden State had to offer: the rolling hills of the wine country, the redwoods in Marin, foggy coastal paths, the rugged Sierra's or just a plain old stomp up to Buena Vista park to throw around the football. I also did extended backpacking trips to the Black Canyon of Yellowstone and Los Padres National Forest. I relocated to Charlottesville, VA for graduate school and some of my happiest memories and closest friendships were formed while exploring various parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway. When I moved to Charlotte, NC last year the vehicle for making new friends and ultimately peace with the Queen City was hikes and dog walks. One of my favorite rituals whenever I visit England is to walk the familiar loop across my grandparents farm.
Summer 2010 a girlfriend and I decided to take our love of hiking to the next level and take on Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and one of the seven summits. On the spectrum from "gentle stroll" to "expedition", my interest and skill level still occupied the middle ground but the trip marked my transition from "hiking" to "climbing" due to the length, difficulty and technicality of the trip. We managed to summit and spent much of the descent pondering our next trip. We decided to take e a mountaineering course in the Cascades to gain the skills and experience required of more challenging mountains. We spent the past week completing the course and summiting Mount Baker in Washington State.
Nicole and I survived the experience, but to say we thrived would be a stretch. I struggled with cardio vascular fitness as we moved to higher camps, “mentals” as I peered over a crevasse in a mock rescue, balance as I stumbled across the river, spirits when I was soaked to the bone and endurance on the long, uncharacteristically challenging descent. Not to mention the injuries that landed me in the emergency room 24 hours after we came down. The guides (aka dreamy and dreamier) will send us a formal review stating if we would be an asset or liability on future expeditions and suggest trips that are appropriate for our skill level. I am eagerly watching my inbox for this coveted feedback although I’m expecting a mixed review. Whatever it says I plan to reach out to our guides and ask them for ideas about how I could be a stronger climber and better team mate.
Before and during the trip I kept being asked was "why are you doing this?" Our guides were asking to understand our motivation for taking the course and my co-workers were asking as they couldn't fathom why I would chose to spend my summer vacation in the snow and wind, lugging around a 65lb pack, sleeping in a tent, walking up to 12 hours a day, pooping in a bag and voluntarily throwing myself headfirst backwards down the mountainside.
Why I climb:
• I do it because I love to be outside.
• I do it because I find it hard. I find school and jobs easy and I typically coast through life but when I climb mountains I am afforded the opportunity to go outside of my comfort zone physically and mentally, to confront fears, challenge boundaries and learn more about myself. Mountains humble me.
• I do it because it calms my soul. When you set out to summit a mountain you become laser focused achieving that goal and every ounce of physical and mental energy is expended on making it to the top. This involves tasks like making sure you are eating, sleeping and drinking enough, being efficient, taking care of your feet and reacting to a myriad of changing conditions. My everyday life (family, work, friendships, relationships, community, finances etc.) doesn't just diminish in significance, it disappears. There is also the overwhelming sense of accomplishment when you make it to the top. I am not a spiritual person, but climbing mountains takes me to the most simple, peaceful, and relaxed place physically and emotionally.
So that is why - despite the fact that I'm laid up in bed with a twisted ankle, bruised muscle, no sensation in my lower left leg, a sunburt nose and a grazed knee - I can't stop myself from scouring the internet in search of my next mountain.
Summer 2010 a girlfriend and I decided to take our love of hiking to the next level and take on Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and one of the seven summits. On the spectrum from "gentle stroll" to "expedition", my interest and skill level still occupied the middle ground but the trip marked my transition from "hiking" to "climbing" due to the length, difficulty and technicality of the trip. We managed to summit and spent much of the descent pondering our next trip. We decided to take e a mountaineering course in the Cascades to gain the skills and experience required of more challenging mountains. We spent the past week completing the course and summiting Mount Baker in Washington State.
Nicole and I survived the experience, but to say we thrived would be a stretch. I struggled with cardio vascular fitness as we moved to higher camps, “mentals” as I peered over a crevasse in a mock rescue, balance as I stumbled across the river, spirits when I was soaked to the bone and endurance on the long, uncharacteristically challenging descent. Not to mention the injuries that landed me in the emergency room 24 hours after we came down. The guides (aka dreamy and dreamier) will send us a formal review stating if we would be an asset or liability on future expeditions and suggest trips that are appropriate for our skill level. I am eagerly watching my inbox for this coveted feedback although I’m expecting a mixed review. Whatever it says I plan to reach out to our guides and ask them for ideas about how I could be a stronger climber and better team mate.
Before and during the trip I kept being asked was "why are you doing this?" Our guides were asking to understand our motivation for taking the course and my co-workers were asking as they couldn't fathom why I would chose to spend my summer vacation in the snow and wind, lugging around a 65lb pack, sleeping in a tent, walking up to 12 hours a day, pooping in a bag and voluntarily throwing myself headfirst backwards down the mountainside.
Why I climb:
• I do it because I love to be outside.
• I do it because I find it hard. I find school and jobs easy and I typically coast through life but when I climb mountains I am afforded the opportunity to go outside of my comfort zone physically and mentally, to confront fears, challenge boundaries and learn more about myself. Mountains humble me.
• I do it because it calms my soul. When you set out to summit a mountain you become laser focused achieving that goal and every ounce of physical and mental energy is expended on making it to the top. This involves tasks like making sure you are eating, sleeping and drinking enough, being efficient, taking care of your feet and reacting to a myriad of changing conditions. My everyday life (family, work, friendships, relationships, community, finances etc.) doesn't just diminish in significance, it disappears. There is also the overwhelming sense of accomplishment when you make it to the top. I am not a spiritual person, but climbing mountains takes me to the most simple, peaceful, and relaxed place physically and emotionally.
So that is why - despite the fact that I'm laid up in bed with a twisted ankle, bruised muscle, no sensation in my lower left leg, a sunburt nose and a grazed knee - I can't stop myself from scouring the internet in search of my next mountain.
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