Saturday, August 31, 2013

Sometimes It's Just Easier To Be The Asshole.

Have you ever been in a place where you feel no matter which direction you turn, you'll run into something, or find a dead end?

Sometimes that place is more philosophical than physical. Less a meeting of minds than a butting of heads. Whatever the explanation, there is no fighting past the perception. After all, perception is reality.

Something as benign as a single word can explode into a million shards of accusation and intolerance. There is no bomb squad for this type of incendiary device. The mere mention causes such chaos and uproar that evasion is the only logical strategy. Like a mine field; so much easier avoided entirely than any attempt at navigation, no matter how careful. Regardless how meticulously planned the route, it takes but a mere shiver in the wrong direction to loose the inevitable fulmination of judgement and disapproval.

The path of least resistance is the sane choice. Smile and wave, boys.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

I am SPARTAN!!

I hate running. Not just dislike, but actually *hate* it. So of course, the natural course of events for a running-hater like me is to enter a mud obstacle race. Naturally.

I have been lucky enough in my life to belong to the most amazing group of women - the Calgary Rage. 4 of my Rage family members and I spent our morning slogging our way through five kilometers of hills, dust, mud, dragging cinder blocks, climbing walls, crawling under barbed wire and jumping over fire.

It may have been the most fun I've had so far in my life. And yes, there was running (or old lady shuffling as I more accurately describe my gait...)

Every obstacle was a mental and physical test. We climbed, crawled, grunted and swore our way through, helping each other (and total strangers!) conquer each challenge, or sweat out the 30 burpees penalty.

My proudest moment (besides actually finishing the race!) was scaling the 8 foot wall on the first try. THE FIRST TRY.  Yes. I am extremely proud of that.

I couldn't have done any of this without my teammates. Esther, Amanda, Ferne and Whitney stuck with me through the whole ordeal. We hoisted each other over walls and cheered each other up and down hills with sandbags on our shoulders.  We shared burpees to get each other through. And in the end, we finished together. As a team.

I might even do it again.