Wondering if I should start a 51 mile journey........
Today would be the first day......and I did run with the group this evening.......
Kind of loses it's zest if I'm not totally committed to doing it.....
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Now I Can Say Hello
H-E-L-L-O TWENTY TWELVE!
Say it like Robin Williams from Good Morning Vietnam.
Hola, Konnishi wa, Ciao, Goedendag, Moi, Bonjour, Guten Tag, Aloha, Shalom, Selamat.
As I was getting in bed New Year's Eve I thought "should I set the alarm? get up in the morning and start the New Year with a mile run?" Could maybe set a goal to run a mile every morning for the whole year....would be kinda cool. But do I really want to get stuck doing that? Can be a huge commitment, and then if I fail I've got the guilt and crap to deal with.
I decided not to set my alarm. I would just make the decision to run or not to run when I woke up on my own in the morning.
I do not make resolutions. Too easy to fail, and I hate failing.
I woke up without the aid of the alarm and first order of the day is take the dogs for their morning walk. It's always a little surreal walking in the early morning on new years day. It's definitely the quietest morning of the year. Since I woke up without the aid of the alarm it was later than usual for me and the sun was up. It was a chilly morning. I noticed the sun warming my arm through my jacket. Mmmmm, felt good, really good.
And then I had it. The first great idea of the year.
A Gratitude Journal.
I will journal one thing everyday for the year. Something that I am grateful for, or something that makes me smile, or something wonderful that happened that day, you get the idea. The simpler the pleasure the better.
And wouldn't it be cool to do it for the whole year, 366 (this is a leap year) days of gratitude?
A year of Gratitude. I'm in.
Every night before I go to sleep I've journaled. The first entry is something like "The early morning sun warming me". Second entry was how it made me smile when I saw the last 4 leaves hanging on a tree dancing back and forth in the wind. After a few days it got a little harder. It can only be all sunshiny and leaf dancy for so long. I am definitely aggravated by things throughout the day more often than greatful.
Like the cop that ran a red light at the intersection just as my light turned green, and she didn't have lights or sirens on, and she did it just so she could pull someone over on a traffic violation. Aggravated me cause she put me in danger, luckily I was super alert and had noticed her when she approached the intersection. I was so peeved that she would put me in danger. She never even looked my way. But that doesn't fall into the "Gratitude" category....so I can't write about that.
And then the very next morning the very same cop, made a u turn in the middle of the road right in front of me, causing me to brake to avoid hitting her, again pulling someone over on a traffic violation. I would totally call the watch commander and complain, but I wouldn't want to become her next target. And that didn't fall into the "Gratitude" category either, so I'm not writing about that either....
The beauty of "A Year Of Gratitude" is that it causes me to be aware through out the day of the good things. I pay less attention to the aggravating things in the process. This may end up being one of my best ideas ever. And how cool at the end of the year to have a journal full of good things.
Happy New Year
PS, almost forgot, Tamara has jumped on the bloggin toboggan. She has started the New Year doing boot camp and she's sharing all the fun here: http://tamaragriffiths.blogspot.com/
Say it like Robin Williams from Good Morning Vietnam.
Hola, Konnishi wa, Ciao, Goedendag, Moi, Bonjour, Guten Tag, Aloha, Shalom, Selamat.
As I was getting in bed New Year's Eve I thought "should I set the alarm? get up in the morning and start the New Year with a mile run?" Could maybe set a goal to run a mile every morning for the whole year....would be kinda cool. But do I really want to get stuck doing that? Can be a huge commitment, and then if I fail I've got the guilt and crap to deal with.
I decided not to set my alarm. I would just make the decision to run or not to run when I woke up on my own in the morning.
I do not make resolutions. Too easy to fail, and I hate failing.
I woke up without the aid of the alarm and first order of the day is take the dogs for their morning walk. It's always a little surreal walking in the early morning on new years day. It's definitely the quietest morning of the year. Since I woke up without the aid of the alarm it was later than usual for me and the sun was up. It was a chilly morning. I noticed the sun warming my arm through my jacket. Mmmmm, felt good, really good.
And then I had it. The first great idea of the year.
A Gratitude Journal.
I will journal one thing everyday for the year. Something that I am grateful for, or something that makes me smile, or something wonderful that happened that day, you get the idea. The simpler the pleasure the better.
And wouldn't it be cool to do it for the whole year, 366 (this is a leap year) days of gratitude?
A year of Gratitude. I'm in.
Every night before I go to sleep I've journaled. The first entry is something like "The early morning sun warming me". Second entry was how it made me smile when I saw the last 4 leaves hanging on a tree dancing back and forth in the wind. After a few days it got a little harder. It can only be all sunshiny and leaf dancy for so long. I am definitely aggravated by things throughout the day more often than greatful.
Like the cop that ran a red light at the intersection just as my light turned green, and she didn't have lights or sirens on, and she did it just so she could pull someone over on a traffic violation. Aggravated me cause she put me in danger, luckily I was super alert and had noticed her when she approached the intersection. I was so peeved that she would put me in danger. She never even looked my way. But that doesn't fall into the "Gratitude" category....so I can't write about that.
And then the very next morning the very same cop, made a u turn in the middle of the road right in front of me, causing me to brake to avoid hitting her, again pulling someone over on a traffic violation. I would totally call the watch commander and complain, but I wouldn't want to become her next target. And that didn't fall into the "Gratitude" category either, so I'm not writing about that either....
The beauty of "A Year Of Gratitude" is that it causes me to be aware through out the day of the good things. I pay less attention to the aggravating things in the process. This may end up being one of my best ideas ever. And how cool at the end of the year to have a journal full of good things.
Happy New Year
PS, almost forgot, Tamara has jumped on the bloggin toboggan. She has started the New Year doing boot camp and she's sharing all the fun here: http://tamaragriffiths.blogspot.com/
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Can't Say Hello Yet.
Ok, so I just have to do it.
While I was writing my previous post I thought should I mention it? But decided not to. And now if just keeps bugging me.....like one shoe dropping, but not the other one. Or getting one hand wet and not the other one (ok, maybe that's a little weird and most people think huh? what's wrong with that? But it bugs me and I have to wet the other hand).
That run at the fairplex. The one where we ran on the race track. I had a flash back. To the 70's. Probably 78 or 79 to be specific. That was a long time ago, and I'm super fuzzy on the details. But I believe I was there for some kind of Mickey Thompson race thingy. I think my friend KV had won tickets to it from the radio station (she was ALWAYS winning things like that, we saw Nazareth at the forum that same year, she's still winning stuff, recently won a trip to Hawaii from her employer).
ANYWAY, we were at the race track, I'm sure there was some drinking involved, and who knows what else (it was the 70's after all). We are standing in line for the ladies room, seriously have to pee, the line is ridiculously long. We notice that there is no line for the men's room. So some of us girls decide to leave the long ladies line and just go for some quick relief in the men's room.
I don't think anyone was in there when we first entered....but like I said I'm sure there was drinking involved, so it's a little sketchy. We pop in the stalls, go real quick and by the time we exit the stalls the room is filling up......with guys. High tailed it outta there, and got out unscathed....well there was some ass grabbing.
Learned my lesson. No matter how many times in the last 30 some odd years since that I've stood in line for the ladies room and looked longingly at the lineless men's room, no matter where I am, movies, baseball game, upscale theatre, I flash back to that race track and decide, nah, I'll just wait my turn thank you.
So there you have it....dirty little secret revealed.
While I was writing my previous post I thought should I mention it? But decided not to. And now if just keeps bugging me.....like one shoe dropping, but not the other one. Or getting one hand wet and not the other one (ok, maybe that's a little weird and most people think huh? what's wrong with that? But it bugs me and I have to wet the other hand).
That run at the fairplex. The one where we ran on the race track. I had a flash back. To the 70's. Probably 78 or 79 to be specific. That was a long time ago, and I'm super fuzzy on the details. But I believe I was there for some kind of Mickey Thompson race thingy. I think my friend KV had won tickets to it from the radio station (she was ALWAYS winning things like that, we saw Nazareth at the forum that same year, she's still winning stuff, recently won a trip to Hawaii from her employer).
ANYWAY, we were at the race track, I'm sure there was some drinking involved, and who knows what else (it was the 70's after all). We are standing in line for the ladies room, seriously have to pee, the line is ridiculously long. We notice that there is no line for the men's room. So some of us girls decide to leave the long ladies line and just go for some quick relief in the men's room.
I don't think anyone was in there when we first entered....but like I said I'm sure there was drinking involved, so it's a little sketchy. We pop in the stalls, go real quick and by the time we exit the stalls the room is filling up......with guys. High tailed it outta there, and got out unscathed....well there was some ass grabbing.
Learned my lesson. No matter how many times in the last 30 some odd years since that I've stood in line for the ladies room and looked longingly at the lineless men's room, no matter where I am, movies, baseball game, upscale theatre, I flash back to that race track and decide, nah, I'll just wait my turn thank you.
So there you have it....dirty little secret revealed.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Farewell to 2011
Ok, so I'm like 9 days late. Unfortunately I'm so obsessive that I can't begin 2012 until I say goodbye to 2011.
So to wrap it up.....
I committed to running 50 race miles before the year end. At last count I had 56.66 race miles ran, well over my goal. I neglected to add my miles from "The Holiday" 5k. Ran that one December 10th, tipping the count to just under 60 miles at 59.76.
This one was at the Pomona FairPlex. A portion of the race was on the race track.....ironic.
Just checked my results.....total time 34.02 average pace: 10:57 under an 11 minute mile. Not my best 5K, but not too shabby.
After the race we all went over to Elaine's house and had our holiday party. What better way to spend a day? Run a 5K, eat great food, drink margaritas, hang out with cool people, can't ask for much more than that.
I have abandoned the 1,000 miles journey for now. I've had issues with my Garmin and history has been deleted, so I've lost track of the miles. No worries....was getting lame anyway.
As for 2011....Adios, Sayonara, Ciao, Vaarwel, Heippa, Au Revoir, Auf Wiedersehen, Aloha, Shalom, Daa daa, and Good-bye (said like that aol guy....when you signed off, Goodbye, cracks me up now....wonder if aol still does that.)
So to wrap it up.....
I committed to running 50 race miles before the year end. At last count I had 56.66 race miles ran, well over my goal. I neglected to add my miles from "The Holiday" 5k. Ran that one December 10th, tipping the count to just under 60 miles at 59.76.
This one was at the Pomona FairPlex. A portion of the race was on the race track.....ironic.
Just checked my results.....total time 34.02 average pace: 10:57 under an 11 minute mile. Not my best 5K, but not too shabby.
After the race we all went over to Elaine's house and had our holiday party. What better way to spend a day? Run a 5K, eat great food, drink margaritas, hang out with cool people, can't ask for much more than that.
I have abandoned the 1,000 miles journey for now. I've had issues with my Garmin and history has been deleted, so I've lost track of the miles. No worries....was getting lame anyway.
As for 2011....Adios, Sayonara, Ciao, Vaarwel, Heippa, Au Revoir, Auf Wiedersehen, Aloha, Shalom, Daa daa, and Good-bye (said like that aol guy....when you signed off, Goodbye, cracks me up now....wonder if aol still does that.)
Sunday, December 18, 2011
I'm One of the Cheapest People I Know.
What's the bigger pisser.........
The fact that you forget to peel off and use the dollar off coupon on said item?
Ghhhrrrrr!
The fact that you have to make a special trip to the store for the one ingredient the receipe calls for that you never have, never use, and will never use again?
Or.....
Ghhhrrrrr!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Ode To Sonny Bono
What's dumber than tripping over raised sidewalk while running in the dark?
Walking with your head down, trying to figure out why your Garmin isn't connecting to the satellite and colliding with a tree. A very large tree. With a very solid trunk.
Took a second or two to even realize what had happened. Didn't even hurt initially. The clue that something was wrong was Alicia saying "Oh my God, are you OK?" I think I asked what happened. "You ran into that tree". I look up at the tree. Run my tongue over my front teeth checking for chips because the blow to the top of the head caused my teeth to bang together.
I wonder if I am ok. I flash back to Sunday's 49ers / Cardinals game. Kolb took a knee to the back of the head and was taken out of the game with a concussion (and he had a helmet on). Could I have a concussion? Should I take myself out of the game?
I'm not dizzy, it's possible I'm a little disoriented, but I'm not in that much pain....and my teeth appear to be intact. I will continue with my run and see how I do.
This by the way is the same run I tripped on the sidewalk a couple of weeks ago. I was very careful to make sure I picked my feet up while running on that street, my knees are still scabbed.
When I got home I picked the bark out of my hair, asked Denny to check my pupils, and felt a little nauseated, which can be totally phychosomatic (not an easy word to spell....still wondering if that's correct), cause I've heard nausea can be a symptom of concussion. I tried to stay awake long enough to watch the Biggest Loser finale, but kept dosing off. I wondered if it was the possible concussion, or if I was just tired.
When I woke up this morning I figured I must be ok.
Although I think maybe I rattled my brain a bit.
Geeze, Me vs Tree......tree wins.
And that's why I don't ski.
Walking with your head down, trying to figure out why your Garmin isn't connecting to the satellite and colliding with a tree. A very large tree. With a very solid trunk.
Took a second or two to even realize what had happened. Didn't even hurt initially. The clue that something was wrong was Alicia saying "Oh my God, are you OK?" I think I asked what happened. "You ran into that tree". I look up at the tree. Run my tongue over my front teeth checking for chips because the blow to the top of the head caused my teeth to bang together.
I wonder if I am ok. I flash back to Sunday's 49ers / Cardinals game. Kolb took a knee to the back of the head and was taken out of the game with a concussion (and he had a helmet on). Could I have a concussion? Should I take myself out of the game?
I'm not dizzy, it's possible I'm a little disoriented, but I'm not in that much pain....and my teeth appear to be intact. I will continue with my run and see how I do.
This by the way is the same run I tripped on the sidewalk a couple of weeks ago. I was very careful to make sure I picked my feet up while running on that street, my knees are still scabbed.
When I got home I picked the bark out of my hair, asked Denny to check my pupils, and felt a little nauseated, which can be totally phychosomatic (not an easy word to spell....still wondering if that's correct), cause I've heard nausea can be a symptom of concussion. I tried to stay awake long enough to watch the Biggest Loser finale, but kept dosing off. I wondered if it was the possible concussion, or if I was just tired.
When I woke up this morning I figured I must be ok.
Although I think maybe I rattled my brain a bit.
Geeze, Me vs Tree......tree wins.
And that's why I don't ski.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
The Unexpected
I'm not the best navigator. I take the wrong turn more times than I care to admit. So often in fact that when I'm going somewhere for the first time and I find it without making a wrong turn it is a pleasant surprise. I must also confess I have even been known to take the wrong turn when I'm going someplace I'm familiar with, like home.
When the kids were young we had a couple of exciting adventures because of thisflaw trait. Like the time we got lost in the hills of Fullerton and found glow sticks glowing on every corner, after we picked some up we realized they were markers guiding party goers to the party house. Worked great, led us to the party...unfortunately we hadn't been invited. We would have put them back too if, you know, I was a better navigator....cause darned if I could remember which way we came. Hope everyone found the party, sorry about that.
Or take last night. After working all day, and a meeting in the evening, I stopped by Tamara's on the way home. When I left her place for home it was about 8pm. I'm traveling north on East street (no wonder I get confused). Usually I'll hop on the 91, but I missed it, I don't know why, maybe a little tired, maybe cause I was talking on the cell phone and slightly distracted? Oh well, I figured I'd hang up and just stay on East, it's heading in the general direction and I'll figure it out eventually, right?
Then East changes to Raymond, no problem, I'm still heading in the right way. And then the unexpected happens. Just after crossing Chapman I find myself in a residential tract. Uh Oh, this is how I usually end up lost, I'm so glad I have Survivor set to automatically record on the DVR.
Just as I was getting ready to click "go home" on my GPS, I see something to the left, just off Nutwood. And then something up ahead. What is that? I've never seen anything like this before. This is pretty darn amazing. I need to drive around a bit and get the full effect. THIS IS SO COOL. I call Tamara and tell her she must get in her car and come see this. "What is it?" she wants to know. "I'm not going to tell you, you have to see it for yourself, I don't want to spoil it. I'm going home, but if you come and see it, tell me what you think".
About 15 minutes after I got home she calls and says "Yeah, that's pretty amazing".
I'm not going to say what it is, but if you are in Fullerton in the evening traveling north on Raymond, just after you cross Chapman, start to look for it....on the left at Nutwood.
When the kids were young we had a couple of exciting adventures because of this
Or take last night. After working all day, and a meeting in the evening, I stopped by Tamara's on the way home. When I left her place for home it was about 8pm. I'm traveling north on East street (no wonder I get confused). Usually I'll hop on the 91, but I missed it, I don't know why, maybe a little tired, maybe cause I was talking on the cell phone and slightly distracted? Oh well, I figured I'd hang up and just stay on East, it's heading in the general direction and I'll figure it out eventually, right?
Then East changes to Raymond, no problem, I'm still heading in the right way. And then the unexpected happens. Just after crossing Chapman I find myself in a residential tract. Uh Oh, this is how I usually end up lost, I'm so glad I have Survivor set to automatically record on the DVR.
Just as I was getting ready to click "go home" on my GPS, I see something to the left, just off Nutwood. And then something up ahead. What is that? I've never seen anything like this before. This is pretty darn amazing. I need to drive around a bit and get the full effect. THIS IS SO COOL. I call Tamara and tell her she must get in her car and come see this. "What is it?" she wants to know. "I'm not going to tell you, you have to see it for yourself, I don't want to spoil it. I'm going home, but if you come and see it, tell me what you think".
About 15 minutes after I got home she calls and says "Yeah, that's pretty amazing".
I'm not going to say what it is, but if you are in Fullerton in the evening traveling north on Raymond, just after you cross Chapman, start to look for it....on the left at Nutwood.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Ouwweeee!
And that's why you should be extra careful when running in the dark. Careful to lift your feet up, cause you can't see that little raised area of sidewalk, and when it catches the toe of your shoe it disturbs your momentum just enough that your body starts to fall forward. But your legs can't quite catch up. And while you try with all your might to right yourself, feeling every muscle fiber in your legs trying to keep you upright. But sometimes its just not enough.
And you fall. And end up with bloodied knees and scraped up palms.
That'll teach you.
And you fall. And end up with bloodied knees and scraped up palms.
That'll teach you.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Zip Away!
One evening after a run we were discussing doing something crazy and out of the box. Someone suggested parachuting. Then bungee jumping. Those are insane ideas....we just wanna do something crazy, not insane. We finally settled on zip lining. Someone said a zip line had just opened on Catalina Island, cool, local, yet not next door. And this was going to be a "two fer", we would do something crazy and cure John of his fear of heights at the same time.
A day or two after this discussion a "deal of the day" for round trip to Catalina Island was advertised....obviously a sign, we are meant to do this. Several people purchased the deal (myself included) so now we just needed to decide what day we were going to get crazy and zip. The Catalina Flyer tickets were good until November 30th, we bought them in April, plenty of time.
In mid October we started to organize the trip. Just like everyone else who purchased the Catalina Flyer Deal of the Day and procrastinated till the last minute to take their trip. We would have to go stand by, plenty of seats going to the island, zero returning. We decided on Sunday November 13th. We actually managed to get reservations for the return trip due to cancellations, obviously another sign that we really are meant to do this.
We arrived early at the dock and checked in. After about a half hour or so someone came out of the ticket office and started calling the names of those who were on standby and lucky enough to get on, he called a lot of names. Once everyone who was waiting was told they made it on the boat, he announced we could begin boarding. Crap, we should have been paying attention instead of watching the guy call the stand by names. Now we have to walk to the back of the line. Note to self, next time get in the line right away so we get to sit wherever we want.
Since we were some of the last to board the boat we were stuck at a table at the rear (what is this starboard? aft? port?). Not only are we on the second level, in the rear, Julie, Monica and I get to sit backwards. I have been know to experience a little nausea riding the train backwards.....the water must have been choppy cause a lot of people were throwing up. Luckily, since I was sitting backwards, I didn't witness any of it. Until we were leaving the boat. On the way down the stairs a woman and her small son stopped mid way down while she held a barf bag under his chin and he retched into it. We just moved to the right and walked on by....holding our collective breath.
Thing number 23, stepped foot on Catalina Island.
Our zipline reservations were for 1:30pm, so we had plenty of time to kill. We decided to have breakfast.
Thing number 24, drank a Bloody Mary, you can drink before noon when you are going zip lining and not be considered an alcoholic....it's like vacation.
After breakfast we still had time to kill so we decided to putt around the island in a rented 6 seater golf cart. We were given a map (similar to the kind you get at Disneyland, kind of cartoony). The lady drew arrows on the map highlighting places of interest. She also told us not to take a particular road because it was closed due to falling rocks.
We elected Mason to drive the cart since he drives one at work. Cara was the navigator. Monica sat in the middle and Julie and I rode on the rear seat....facing backwards. My first thought was it's like when you were a kid and you rode in the last seat of the station wagon...you know, the one with the wood panels on the sides. I intimately remember several summer excursions to the beach riding like that. Was fun on the way to the beach, not so much fun on the way home, hot, sweaty, sandy, salty, sunburned.
Julie and I buckled up for the ride of our lives....even buckled our purses in too. Crap, I held onto the side of that golf cart the whole time my fingers practically had to be pried off that thing. I'm sure it was much more exciting seeing where we had been than seeing where we were going, cause we were able to let our imaginations run wild. Like when a Ford Explorer came up behind us (most of the vehicles on the island are of the golf cart variety due to space limitations), but of course one of the few full size vehicles on the island gets behind us, so we can imagine that his brakes will fail and he will plow into Julie and I, crushing our legs.
Or when we began to see rocks on the road.....had Mason taken the closed road?
Or how it seemed like he was driving soooo fast, and we might tip over. Julie said we would still have to run on Tuesday even if we were bandaged like mummies....with slits for eyes. Gawd we were laughing so hard (it helps to squelch the fear). Something I imagined but couldn't put into words (instead I just visualize it in my mind and hang on a little tighter), as we round a curve, Mason loses control of the cart, we begin to tumble down the hillside, everyone else jumps from the cart, but I'm strapped in with the lap belt, unable to locate the release button, legs flailing about, items spilling from my purse, tumbling farther down the hill, end over end, with me hanging from the rear seat attached by my belly the whole time.
Thing #25, rode backwards on Catalina Island on a 6 passenger golf cart.
We returned the cart having had an amazing ab workout from laughing so hard and headed up on foot to the zipline check in. On the way we stopped to pee at the Casino Building, which interestingly is not and never was a place to gamble, rather a place of entertainment, built in 1929 it played host to big bands like Glenn Miller and Harry James in the 30's and 40's. Next time I go I think I'll have to tour this building.
From the Casino Building we walked to Descanso Beach Club, where the zipline check in is. We had to sign waivers, I didn't read it, but I'm sure it said something like I or my heirs would not hold the zip lining company liable in the event I plummet to my death. Next we each had to step on a scale and be weighed.....I don't really understand why they had to do this, other than to humiliate those of us who could stand to lose a pound or two. The website specifically said you must weigh between 80-245 pounds.
Someone said we would not be able to go to the bathroom for the next 2 hours once the tour started. I decided I better go for a quick pee. Ignoring Mason's look that said "What? You just went 5 minutes ago." As soon as I hear that a bathroom is not available I have to go, not to mention I'm experiencing some serious anxiety and that gives me the urge to go too. I ran to the bathroom and trickled a little more.
When I got back to the check in area I couldn't see any of my zip line buddies....where did they go? Oh, there they are, all suited up with hard hats and harnesses. Wow, I didn't think I was gone that long. Cesar introduced himself, slapped a hard hat on my head, had me step into the harness, buckled me up and then hands me a large metal thingy. What? I have to carry this? the whole time? Are you kidding me? It's attached to my harness and has handles. It probably weighs 10-15 pounds. It's the trolley that I will be hooked up to the zipline with. I feel like it is some kind of mechanical umbilical cord. Unbelievable, what, have I gotten myself into? I laugh, it's something I do when I'm scared. The scareder I get, the more I laugh.
We then have to sit through an orientation/safety presentation by our tour guides, Cesar and Charles. Cesar starts first. He speaks very quickly and is using terms that I am unfamiliar with. I laugh throughout his entire presentation. He is using acronyms that I do not understand. W.O.D. what is that? He's said it twice now, it must be important. Julie looks at me with a confused look on her face, I think she is having as hard a time understanding what he is saying as I am. He is saying when we climb the platform he will clip us in for safety. Then he will attach the trolley to the zipline. He will then open the gate, we are to climb down from the platform, but whatever you do, do not go until he tells you it is safe. He must unclip you from the safety line, or you will experience W.O.D (wedgie of death), whew, well at least that mystery is solved.
I am dying, I cannot stop laughing, I can't believe I am really going to do this.
Cesar goes on to explain that when he tells us it is time to go, we must jump from the platform being sure to clear it, or we will hit our asses on the wood and will probably suffer some serious splinters. OMG, I am so glad I went pee that second time.
Next up is Charles. Charles is all business and very serious. He begins his talk with safety being first and foremost. We can die out there if we don't take this serious. If we get out there and he determines we are too drunk to understand or follow his instructions he will end our tour. Uh Oh, I think maybe he thinks I'm drunk. I'm not drunk, yeah sure I had that Bloody Mary, but that was over an hour and a half ago, and we've walked like 20 minutes of it. Dude, I am stone cold sober and scared outta my mind. I occasionally express my emotions improperly, I am not drunk, trust me.
Charles is easier to understand, and not nearly as funny as Cesar. He is also using terms I'm unfamiliar with, but explains them right away. When you begin your zip you are to "cannon ball", lean back, and pull your knees up to your chest. You can enjoy the first two thirds of your zip, but the final third you must pay attention to Charles who will be at the other side. He will be watching, and listening to the sound of the zip. He will then determine if you are traveling too slow or too fast. If you are zipping too fast we will give you the star fish, lifting and spreading his arms above his head and spreading his legs. If you see him do this you are to come out of the cannon ball position, pointing your legs down and spreading them (I don't remember if you are supposed to do something with you arms or not......how could you? cause you are supposed hold onto your trolley at all times).
As you get closer to the end you MUST get back into the cannon ball position to avoid breaking your legs on the platform. Charles will lift his knee to his chest very quickly to signal that you do not have your legs up enough, get them up when you see him do this!
Do not worry, you will hear a loud noise as you connect with the brake (a piece of wood with a rope attached to it that Charles will pull to stop you). What the hell am I doing here? Who's idea was this anyway, and how the hell did John weasel out of it?
They also go over what will happen if you do not go out fast enough and you stop in the middle of the line. They will throw a rope at you, you are to catch the rope, then pull it to your harness connection and hold it with the harness. You must hold it like this, otherwise it will not work, Charles will then pull you in. If you miss it the first time, he will throw it a second time. If you miss it the second time, you are on your own and will have to shimmy in. Cesar demonstrates "The Catalina Shimmy".
Please God, don't make me do the Catalina Shimmy.
My mind is on overload, it is too much to remember.
We board the shuttle. We travel up that same hill we rode up in that "Mr. Toad's Wild Golf Cart Ride" On the way up Cesar asks if anyone is scared. I laugh. Julie and Monica point me out, and tell him Cindy is.
As we exit the shuttle the driver asks if it's anyone's first time. She tells us we will have a good time. She sounds like she has zipped before. She appears to be much older than me. Because of this I am hopeful that I may survive.
We descend the stairs to the platform. Charles and Cesar give us some last minute instructions and reiterate all the important stuff, cannon ball, starfish, how to hold the rope assuming you are able to catch it, beware of W.O.D, don't hit your ass on the way out, don't break your legs at the other end.
It is time to zip. Cesar tells us the person that is the most scared needs to be the first one to go, cause the longer you wait the scarier it will be. I do not make eye contact. Charles prepares to zip across. Cesar looks at me, I look away. He asks my name, I tell him, he says alright Cindy you go first. Charles is all hooked up and ready to go, he looks at me and says something like "you are the most afraid, you have to go first". I say, "well I don't want to be the first one, I want to go after someone". He pushes himself off, and says, "you can go after me". I try to think of an argument as I watch him zip to the other side....like I wanted to go after someone else in the group, just a regular person, not an expert.
It is futile, I succumb to the fact that I have to be first. I go up the 3 steps to the staging area. Cesar hooks me to the safety line. I step down as he opens the gate. He does the 4 point check (I don't really remember what these were, I just remember that his job was to check these 4 things so I don't die). I stand on the edge, holding the handlebars of my trolley. Trying to get the nerve up to jump off. My mind goes over all the things I've learned, cannon ball, starfish, splinters in my ass. How the hell do I jump off this thing to avoid the splinters!
I take some deep breaths. Have you unhooked me? I don't want a W.O.D. I try to get the nerve up. I notice some people above us on the road looking down finding the whole scene below them very comical. I try to get the nerve up. Splinters in my ass. Cannon Ball. Starfish. W.O.D. More deep breathing. Just do it. You can do it. Just let go. Cannon Ball. Splinters. Starfish. How do I hold the rope. Catalina Shimmy. Breath Deep.
Go.
And I am sailing through the air.
Am I screaming?
I feel the wind. I hear the cable. I'm holding on for dear life. I keep my eyes on Charles at the other side. I'm trying to pull my knees as close to my chest as I can.
Feeling the air.
Charles appears to frantically make the knee to chest sign, my knees are as close to my chest as I can get them dammit! Don't want to break legs. Hear the wood hit the trolley. See the brake rope. Beginning to slow. Keep Legs Up.
I made it.
Charles unhooks me, tells me I did great. I'm smiling like a fool. I weakly walk down to the waiting area and watch the others zip across. Besides the 5 of us, there were 2 couples although I can only remember one of their names. Rhoda, she sounded like Cyndi Lauper, with a Boston accent. And she was just as scared as I was....dammit, why did I get stuck going first, oh well at least the worst is over.
Thing #26, Zip Lined.
We have 4 more zips. Each one is a little easier and more enjoyable. Charles lightens up, and I think he realizes I am not a drunken adrenaline junkie. At zip number 2 they tell us to scream as we zip across, because there is a whole new crew of people preparing to zip on line one and we want to scare them. At line number 4 we are told we can get a little creative. We can zip sideways, let go with one hand, and wave to the others as they wait to zip. Line 5 is even more relaxed. It's a little bouncy, watch out for the splinters, we can go side ways, move our feet like we are peddling a bike, act like a princess ballerina, do a little dance thing, and just have fun with it. By line 5 we were relaxed enough to have a little fun.
Dang, would be so cool if we could go back to the start and do it all over again. Would totally be able to enjoy the whole thing now! Oh well, will have to come back and do it another day.
Charles and Cesar tell us soon these lines will be operating at night. They say we have to come back and check it out in the dark. I'm not so sure it would be so much fun, but I definitely want to do it again. I'm hooked.
The zip line ends right where it starts, back at Descanso Beach Club. We have a little more than an hour till the boat departs. All that is left to do is eat a Buffalo Burger. Catalina is famous for it's Buffalo (or Bison as kill joy Charles refers to them). They were brought over in 1924 for the filming of a silent western movie "The Vanishing American". Fourteen were brought over originally and over the years the herd grew to as many as 600. Such a large herd was detrimental to the island so the Catalina Island Conservatory now keeps the herd down to approximately 150.
Thing number 27, ate a Buffalo Burger, tastes just like chicken....not really, tastes like beef.
A day or two after this discussion a "deal of the day" for round trip to Catalina Island was advertised....obviously a sign, we are meant to do this. Several people purchased the deal (myself included) so now we just needed to decide what day we were going to get crazy and zip. The Catalina Flyer tickets were good until November 30th, we bought them in April, plenty of time.
In mid October we started to organize the trip. Just like everyone else who purchased the Catalina Flyer Deal of the Day and procrastinated till the last minute to take their trip. We would have to go stand by, plenty of seats going to the island, zero returning. We decided on Sunday November 13th. We actually managed to get reservations for the return trip due to cancellations, obviously another sign that we really are meant to do this.
We arrived early at the dock and checked in. After about a half hour or so someone came out of the ticket office and started calling the names of those who were on standby and lucky enough to get on, he called a lot of names. Once everyone who was waiting was told they made it on the boat, he announced we could begin boarding. Crap, we should have been paying attention instead of watching the guy call the stand by names. Now we have to walk to the back of the line. Note to self, next time get in the line right away so we get to sit wherever we want.
Since we were some of the last to board the boat we were stuck at a table at the rear (what is this starboard? aft? port?). Not only are we on the second level, in the rear, Julie, Monica and I get to sit backwards. I have been know to experience a little nausea riding the train backwards.....the water must have been choppy cause a lot of people were throwing up. Luckily, since I was sitting backwards, I didn't witness any of it. Until we were leaving the boat. On the way down the stairs a woman and her small son stopped mid way down while she held a barf bag under his chin and he retched into it. We just moved to the right and walked on by....holding our collective breath.
Thing number 23, stepped foot on Catalina Island.
Our zipline reservations were for 1:30pm, so we had plenty of time to kill. We decided to have breakfast.
Thing number 24, drank a Bloody Mary, you can drink before noon when you are going zip lining and not be considered an alcoholic....it's like vacation.
After breakfast we still had time to kill so we decided to putt around the island in a rented 6 seater golf cart. We were given a map (similar to the kind you get at Disneyland, kind of cartoony). The lady drew arrows on the map highlighting places of interest. She also told us not to take a particular road because it was closed due to falling rocks.
We elected Mason to drive the cart since he drives one at work. Cara was the navigator. Monica sat in the middle and Julie and I rode on the rear seat....facing backwards. My first thought was it's like when you were a kid and you rode in the last seat of the station wagon...you know, the one with the wood panels on the sides. I intimately remember several summer excursions to the beach riding like that. Was fun on the way to the beach, not so much fun on the way home, hot, sweaty, sandy, salty, sunburned.
Julie and I buckled up for the ride of our lives....even buckled our purses in too. Crap, I held onto the side of that golf cart the whole time my fingers practically had to be pried off that thing. I'm sure it was much more exciting seeing where we had been than seeing where we were going, cause we were able to let our imaginations run wild. Like when a Ford Explorer came up behind us (most of the vehicles on the island are of the golf cart variety due to space limitations), but of course one of the few full size vehicles on the island gets behind us, so we can imagine that his brakes will fail and he will plow into Julie and I, crushing our legs.
Or when we began to see rocks on the road.....had Mason taken the closed road?
Or how it seemed like he was driving soooo fast, and we might tip over. Julie said we would still have to run on Tuesday even if we were bandaged like mummies....with slits for eyes. Gawd we were laughing so hard (it helps to squelch the fear). Something I imagined but couldn't put into words (instead I just visualize it in my mind and hang on a little tighter), as we round a curve, Mason loses control of the cart, we begin to tumble down the hillside, everyone else jumps from the cart, but I'm strapped in with the lap belt, unable to locate the release button, legs flailing about, items spilling from my purse, tumbling farther down the hill, end over end, with me hanging from the rear seat attached by my belly the whole time.
Thing #25, rode backwards on Catalina Island on a 6 passenger golf cart.
We returned the cart having had an amazing ab workout from laughing so hard and headed up on foot to the zipline check in. On the way we stopped to pee at the Casino Building, which interestingly is not and never was a place to gamble, rather a place of entertainment, built in 1929 it played host to big bands like Glenn Miller and Harry James in the 30's and 40's. Next time I go I think I'll have to tour this building.
From the Casino Building we walked to Descanso Beach Club, where the zipline check in is. We had to sign waivers, I didn't read it, but I'm sure it said something like I or my heirs would not hold the zip lining company liable in the event I plummet to my death. Next we each had to step on a scale and be weighed.....I don't really understand why they had to do this, other than to humiliate those of us who could stand to lose a pound or two. The website specifically said you must weigh between 80-245 pounds.
Someone said we would not be able to go to the bathroom for the next 2 hours once the tour started. I decided I better go for a quick pee. Ignoring Mason's look that said "What? You just went 5 minutes ago." As soon as I hear that a bathroom is not available I have to go, not to mention I'm experiencing some serious anxiety and that gives me the urge to go too. I ran to the bathroom and trickled a little more.
When I got back to the check in area I couldn't see any of my zip line buddies....where did they go? Oh, there they are, all suited up with hard hats and harnesses. Wow, I didn't think I was gone that long. Cesar introduced himself, slapped a hard hat on my head, had me step into the harness, buckled me up and then hands me a large metal thingy. What? I have to carry this? the whole time? Are you kidding me? It's attached to my harness and has handles. It probably weighs 10-15 pounds. It's the trolley that I will be hooked up to the zipline with. I feel like it is some kind of mechanical umbilical cord. Unbelievable, what, have I gotten myself into? I laugh, it's something I do when I'm scared. The scareder I get, the more I laugh.
We then have to sit through an orientation/safety presentation by our tour guides, Cesar and Charles. Cesar starts first. He speaks very quickly and is using terms that I am unfamiliar with. I laugh throughout his entire presentation. He is using acronyms that I do not understand. W.O.D. what is that? He's said it twice now, it must be important. Julie looks at me with a confused look on her face, I think she is having as hard a time understanding what he is saying as I am. He is saying when we climb the platform he will clip us in for safety. Then he will attach the trolley to the zipline. He will then open the gate, we are to climb down from the platform, but whatever you do, do not go until he tells you it is safe. He must unclip you from the safety line, or you will experience W.O.D (wedgie of death), whew, well at least that mystery is solved.
I am dying, I cannot stop laughing, I can't believe I am really going to do this.
Cesar goes on to explain that when he tells us it is time to go, we must jump from the platform being sure to clear it, or we will hit our asses on the wood and will probably suffer some serious splinters. OMG, I am so glad I went pee that second time.
Next up is Charles. Charles is all business and very serious. He begins his talk with safety being first and foremost. We can die out there if we don't take this serious. If we get out there and he determines we are too drunk to understand or follow his instructions he will end our tour. Uh Oh, I think maybe he thinks I'm drunk. I'm not drunk, yeah sure I had that Bloody Mary, but that was over an hour and a half ago, and we've walked like 20 minutes of it. Dude, I am stone cold sober and scared outta my mind. I occasionally express my emotions improperly, I am not drunk, trust me.
Charles is easier to understand, and not nearly as funny as Cesar. He is also using terms I'm unfamiliar with, but explains them right away. When you begin your zip you are to "cannon ball", lean back, and pull your knees up to your chest. You can enjoy the first two thirds of your zip, but the final third you must pay attention to Charles who will be at the other side. He will be watching, and listening to the sound of the zip. He will then determine if you are traveling too slow or too fast. If you are zipping too fast we will give you the star fish, lifting and spreading his arms above his head and spreading his legs. If you see him do this you are to come out of the cannon ball position, pointing your legs down and spreading them (I don't remember if you are supposed to do something with you arms or not......how could you? cause you are supposed hold onto your trolley at all times).
As you get closer to the end you MUST get back into the cannon ball position to avoid breaking your legs on the platform. Charles will lift his knee to his chest very quickly to signal that you do not have your legs up enough, get them up when you see him do this!
Do not worry, you will hear a loud noise as you connect with the brake (a piece of wood with a rope attached to it that Charles will pull to stop you). What the hell am I doing here? Who's idea was this anyway, and how the hell did John weasel out of it?
They also go over what will happen if you do not go out fast enough and you stop in the middle of the line. They will throw a rope at you, you are to catch the rope, then pull it to your harness connection and hold it with the harness. You must hold it like this, otherwise it will not work, Charles will then pull you in. If you miss it the first time, he will throw it a second time. If you miss it the second time, you are on your own and will have to shimmy in. Cesar demonstrates "The Catalina Shimmy".
Please God, don't make me do the Catalina Shimmy.
My mind is on overload, it is too much to remember.
We board the shuttle. We travel up that same hill we rode up in that "Mr. Toad's Wild Golf Cart Ride" On the way up Cesar asks if anyone is scared. I laugh. Julie and Monica point me out, and tell him Cindy is.
As we exit the shuttle the driver asks if it's anyone's first time. She tells us we will have a good time. She sounds like she has zipped before. She appears to be much older than me. Because of this I am hopeful that I may survive.
We descend the stairs to the platform. Charles and Cesar give us some last minute instructions and reiterate all the important stuff, cannon ball, starfish, how to hold the rope assuming you are able to catch it, beware of W.O.D, don't hit your ass on the way out, don't break your legs at the other end.
It is time to zip. Cesar tells us the person that is the most scared needs to be the first one to go, cause the longer you wait the scarier it will be. I do not make eye contact. Charles prepares to zip across. Cesar looks at me, I look away. He asks my name, I tell him, he says alright Cindy you go first. Charles is all hooked up and ready to go, he looks at me and says something like "you are the most afraid, you have to go first". I say, "well I don't want to be the first one, I want to go after someone". He pushes himself off, and says, "you can go after me". I try to think of an argument as I watch him zip to the other side....like I wanted to go after someone else in the group, just a regular person, not an expert.
It is futile, I succumb to the fact that I have to be first. I go up the 3 steps to the staging area. Cesar hooks me to the safety line. I step down as he opens the gate. He does the 4 point check (I don't really remember what these were, I just remember that his job was to check these 4 things so I don't die). I stand on the edge, holding the handlebars of my trolley. Trying to get the nerve up to jump off. My mind goes over all the things I've learned, cannon ball, starfish, splinters in my ass. How the hell do I jump off this thing to avoid the splinters!
I take some deep breaths. Have you unhooked me? I don't want a W.O.D. I try to get the nerve up. I notice some people above us on the road looking down finding the whole scene below them very comical. I try to get the nerve up. Splinters in my ass. Cannon Ball. Starfish. W.O.D. More deep breathing. Just do it. You can do it. Just let go. Cannon Ball. Splinters. Starfish. How do I hold the rope. Catalina Shimmy. Breath Deep.
Go.
And I am sailing through the air.
Am I screaming?
I feel the wind. I hear the cable. I'm holding on for dear life. I keep my eyes on Charles at the other side. I'm trying to pull my knees as close to my chest as I can.
Feeling the air.
Charles appears to frantically make the knee to chest sign, my knees are as close to my chest as I can get them dammit! Don't want to break legs. Hear the wood hit the trolley. See the brake rope. Beginning to slow. Keep Legs Up.
I made it.
Charles unhooks me, tells me I did great. I'm smiling like a fool. I weakly walk down to the waiting area and watch the others zip across. Besides the 5 of us, there were 2 couples although I can only remember one of their names. Rhoda, she sounded like Cyndi Lauper, with a Boston accent. And she was just as scared as I was....dammit, why did I get stuck going first, oh well at least the worst is over.
Thing #26, Zip Lined.
We have 4 more zips. Each one is a little easier and more enjoyable. Charles lightens up, and I think he realizes I am not a drunken adrenaline junkie. At zip number 2 they tell us to scream as we zip across, because there is a whole new crew of people preparing to zip on line one and we want to scare them. At line number 4 we are told we can get a little creative. We can zip sideways, let go with one hand, and wave to the others as they wait to zip. Line 5 is even more relaxed. It's a little bouncy, watch out for the splinters, we can go side ways, move our feet like we are peddling a bike, act like a princess ballerina, do a little dance thing, and just have fun with it. By line 5 we were relaxed enough to have a little fun.
Dang, would be so cool if we could go back to the start and do it all over again. Would totally be able to enjoy the whole thing now! Oh well, will have to come back and do it another day.
Charles and Cesar tell us soon these lines will be operating at night. They say we have to come back and check it out in the dark. I'm not so sure it would be so much fun, but I definitely want to do it again. I'm hooked.
The zip line ends right where it starts, back at Descanso Beach Club. We have a little more than an hour till the boat departs. All that is left to do is eat a Buffalo Burger. Catalina is famous for it's Buffalo (or Bison as kill joy Charles refers to them). They were brought over in 1924 for the filming of a silent western movie "The Vanishing American". Fourteen were brought over originally and over the years the herd grew to as many as 600. Such a large herd was detrimental to the island so the Catalina Island Conservatory now keeps the herd down to approximately 150.
Thing number 27, ate a Buffalo Burger, tastes just like chicken....not really, tastes like beef.
I love rock and roll, so put another dime in the juke box baby....
Ran the L.A. Rock and Roll Half Marathon on Sunday October 30th. Tipping the race mile tally past my goal of 50 miles this year for a total of .....56.66 miles, yeah baby.
Since I've been so neglectful in posting I'm just gonna make this a mini recap.
Met my race buddies earlier than the crack of dawn to carpool to LA. One of our buddies didn't make it to the meet up location and had to drive solo due to an accident on the 60 freeway. She said the freeway was shut down and she saw a helicopter medivac the injured away. Of course my mind immediately thinks, "Dang, Denny didn't come home last night, and while I knew he wasn't coming home, I wish I knew where he was", cause of course I'm picturing his car crumpled on the 60 while he's splayed out on a stretcher getting his first helicopter ride.
This was my first Rock and Roll race, and I'm very impressed with how organized they were. Although....much of the race was "out and back", so while they promoted the race as something like "a band every mile", turns out you just run past the same bands a couple of times.
At about mile 10 I started having the calf cramping issues again. So frustrating. I was careful to make sure I was adequately hydrated hoping to avoid them, but ended up hobbling in the last couple of miles. I think I'll try vitamin supplements in the future.
As we were walking to the car from the finish line we passed the final "featured" band, playing...."I love rock n roll". It sounded so good (the other bands on the route were "local" and frankly were a little disappointing, and while I love "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Hey Jude" neither are not my idea of music to run by. I didn't realize it until later in the day, but it was Brett Michaels singing I love Rock N Roll at the finish, shoot, no wonder it sounded good. I'd have hung around and watched a bit if I wasn't so darn tired and if I had known who it was.
On the was back from LA Denny texted me, "Whew, at least I know he wasn't the one medivaced on the freeway this morning."
We all came back to town, and had lunch at a local mexican restaurant. Celebrating with margaritas....what better way to end a race?
Since I've been so neglectful in posting I'm just gonna make this a mini recap.
Met my race buddies earlier than the crack of dawn to carpool to LA. One of our buddies didn't make it to the meet up location and had to drive solo due to an accident on the 60 freeway. She said the freeway was shut down and she saw a helicopter medivac the injured away. Of course my mind immediately thinks, "Dang, Denny didn't come home last night, and while I knew he wasn't coming home, I wish I knew where he was", cause of course I'm picturing his car crumpled on the 60 while he's splayed out on a stretcher getting his first helicopter ride.
This was my first Rock and Roll race, and I'm very impressed with how organized they were. Although....much of the race was "out and back", so while they promoted the race as something like "a band every mile", turns out you just run past the same bands a couple of times.
At about mile 10 I started having the calf cramping issues again. So frustrating. I was careful to make sure I was adequately hydrated hoping to avoid them, but ended up hobbling in the last couple of miles. I think I'll try vitamin supplements in the future.
As we were walking to the car from the finish line we passed the final "featured" band, playing...."I love rock n roll". It sounded so good (the other bands on the route were "local" and frankly were a little disappointing, and while I love "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Hey Jude" neither are not my idea of music to run by. I didn't realize it until later in the day, but it was Brett Michaels singing I love Rock N Roll at the finish, shoot, no wonder it sounded good. I'd have hung around and watched a bit if I wasn't so darn tired and if I had known who it was.
On the was back from LA Denny texted me, "Whew, at least I know he wasn't the one medivaced on the freeway this morning."
We all came back to town, and had lunch at a local mexican restaurant. Celebrating with margaritas....what better way to end a race?
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