Once in a lifetime
The other day I was in a meeting to change a student's classes and the principal was running late. I sat there making awkward small talk with the parent, Zach, and another teacher. Somehow, we got onto the topic of skydiving and Matley, who I never would have guessed had a wild side, dropped the bomb that she had, in fact gone sky-diving about 10 years ago.
This lead us to begin an interesting story of the cool stuff she had done and brings me to the blog today. I am supposed to be enjoying weekend, which means finishing my IEP's and cleaning, and am clearly motivated to do those things. I didn't say anything cool I had done because I didn't want to drag myself into the spotlight; I think I do that too much in conversations. I feel like if I talk about myself or my own experience doing something I am trying to one-up others involved. So I listened carefully to Matley's story and asked appropriate questions accordingly. The more I think about it through; the more I want to scream out, "I've done really cool, once in a lifetime, things too!" So I am, just in a not-so-look-at-me-I'm-topping-your-story sort of way. I think I'm going to continually document my cool/adrenaline pumping/bucket list style things I've done here.
Swimming with the Sharks
In 2007 I went with Matt, his family, and Scott and Diane to Hawaii to celebrate Michael and Wendy's 25th wedding anniversary. Prior to leaving, they had asked me if I wanted to shark dive. I guess it was expensive and they didn't want to pay for me if I was going to back out, which is very understandable from sitting here. Months had passed and I didn't think much of it until we left. I was then informed that I didn't have a choice, I was going and there was no backing out because it 100+ a person to go and I was paid up.
We had to leave very early, I think like 4 or 5 am if I remember correctly, and I was ready to pee my pants because I was scared... No, horrified. Jumping from something high has risks, but no teeth. Skydiving is scary, but again, has no big animal trying to eat you after you dive from the plane. I was even more terrified upon seeing the "boat" we were taking out 2 miles into the ocean. It was seriously a dingy; the boat from JAWS was bigger and look what happened to those guys. Hawaii oceans scare me, more so than the California, East coast, and the Gulf, because the currents strong and when you go out onto the water on something, the swells are giant and nauseating. I really thought the boat was going to sink- the swells were probably about 15 feet high going out to the ocean, and let's face it- I have the athleticism of an 80 year old man; that boats sinks and I'm screwed.
Anyway, adrenaline is pumping before we even get out there, the cage has a few cracks, and they're chumming the water with blood and fish parts. I'm standing there, on a tiny boat, thinking this is probably the dumbest thing I will ever do.
This is what I went to into. I've never been more scared for my own life.
We luckily got to dive first, otherwise I don't know if I would have gone into the water because the plastic mom of the family with us, barfed repeatedly during round dos. This ironically helps bring more sharks to the area. After diving in, I held onto a railing toward the top, used my snorkel allowing the top of my head to stay out the water, and stayed that way until they pulled us up. I did my best to stay in the middle of the cage and as far, (even though it was maybe 2 feet), away from the sharks. I don't even have a picture of me in the water with the sharks because I wouldn't let go of the cage to take one. I found out later, my oh-so-smart hubs and his brother were trying to touch through the bars of the cage. On the way back to the island there was a beautiful double rainbow. However horrified I was, I can now say been there, done that, and I am never going back unless someone is going to pay me to. Way cool life experience all the same. This adventure gets an 8 of 10, high points for adrenaline, loses some because I will never do this again.
Matthew & me with a double rainbow; Michael was very happy post-dive
Bungee Jumping
Last year, I got married in the a quaint little part of Florida; I'd been visiting there since I was a child and there has always been one thing I've wanted to do when we were on vacation. The mini-golf course has a bungee jumping platform. I can remember being 8, maybe 10 years old and begging my parents to let me do it. Since we were there, I took out all stops post-wedding and took the plunge.
It's weird to me because I think dropping a horrifying 4 stories attached to nothing except a cord, going from a standstill to 60 mph in 1.5 seconds is way less scary than jumping in a steel cage with a bunch of sharks swimming about. Jumping from this platform was intimidating, but doable to me because there are much higher ones, this one seemed like a baby. I knew I had to do it because I wanted it for so long, so I just kept telling myself I will never have this opportunity again. I convinced Adam, my hubs brother, to go with me because my hubs simply refused. I thought it was funny I got Adam to do it because he is afraid of heights. All the stairs gave us a lot of time to reflect on how high we were and how ridiculously out of shape we'd become since high school. Finally, we reached the top, corded up and prepared to jump.
Adam went first because the bungee attached to the arm was the right length for him; I think it was better that way because he was freaking out. My only complaint with letting him go first was it took him forever to finally step back and fall. After he was unattached, I went up, counted backward from 10 and squealed like pig. The adrenaline, the fear, and every other thought left me as I fell. My whole mind just went blank. It was amazing. I give this adventure 9 of 10 points.I would totally do this again.
Adam first, Yelling at Matt for taking 10 pictures in a row of me gazing at the top, Me squealing
After I went and couldn't stop talking about how invigorating and alive jumping made me feel, I convinced Matt to try it. I told him I would pay for it and if he got to top and backed out I wouldn't be mad. So he did.
Matt taking the plunge
Aggressive Sports
I know this isn't as adrenaline pumping as other things, especially like bungee jumping or swimming with man-eaters, but it makes my list of things I want to brag about and always got my blood flowing. I don't think a lot of people have the balls to get onto a field with no pads, nothing more than mouth guard, chase a ball and tackle people with their bare hands. I think the whole idea of someone running directly at you with every intent to knock the hell out of you detours many from the sport.
When I got into high school I didn't have any intention of playing anything. I never had in middle school and quickly realized how if you don't start then, it's pretty hard to catch up with others who had been playing for at least 2-3 years longer than me. I don't like losing games and I don't play things that I am not good at. I'm very high maintenance in that way.
I was literally dragged to the first girls rugby meeting by my friend, Stef. Oddly enough, she quit after a tragic loss of a team member shortly after joining and I stayed, I owe a lot to Stef for turning me onto this, because I think it helped me grow the most I ever have as a person. We had barely enough girls our first year to even form a team. I was good at it, I could play back line or in the scrum. I wasn't the fastest or strongest, but I was loud and quick, and passionate.
Our first year, we played minimal games as there was only one other girls team, but it just happened to make history. I played in the first girls high school rugby tournament in the state of Illinois. We lost against Noble Street, but there were no hard feelings. That's the best thing about rugby, whatever anger, tension, aggression you hold onto, you lose it on the field. You work it out- hitting people, tackling, grabbing at them- until the end of the game when you're so tired and exhausted, you can't help but laugh. I would never be scared prior to a game, I always knew I wanted blood on the field. If I didn't come home with road-rash, bruises, or cuts, I knew I hadn't played hard enough. I don't bruise easily, so I wore them like a badge of honor, no matter how small. I can vividly remember the one time I really hurt someone on the field; I broke her ankle and I can remember hearing it crack. I dropped the ball scooted away from her and started crying. Don't tell me it's not a humane game.
I never had trouble making or keeping friends in school, I fit in with pretty much anyone and always had someone to hang out with. Despite that, I feel like I have trouble maintaining several deep meaningful relationships and am overall very socially awkward, but these girls made me feel at ease and really good at something. I was something of a leader since I normally played fly-half. I would drive to tournaments, my mom was involved; I've never felt as good as I did on that field. Even looking back now, a couple years since I've played a game, I miss it with all my heart. I played a veterans game a couple years ago and it felt amazing to get back on my cleats and hit some shit. I'm nowhere as good as I used to be; slower, weaker, my fingers are a little buttery, but you wouldn't believe what I would give up to have that back again... I would give up a lot to feel the way I do on that pitch. I don't even have to rate this; 10 of 10 on every account. I would do it again tomorrow if you offered.
This is the best I have ever felt... Ever.
Hot Air Ballooning
This was not something I dreamed of doing, in fact, it wasn't even my idea. My best friend, Caity, had it on her list of things she wanted to accomplish in 2011. I was totally down to help her, especially after learning it was something I would not be paying for.
I thought this would be slightly more extreme than it actually was. I thought being 2,000 feet in the air would be terrifying, I thought I would tremble and shake after being so high up and realizing there was nowhere to go and they would not let you down after you were up that high. An hour in a tiny basket seemed scary when you thought about it being thousands of feet up. It was actually relaxing and rather enjoyable. It had a completely adrenaline-less, rather calming feeling about it.
We went with two fine, elderly ladies who I hope to be like when I retire. A cowboy, Chuck Norris, took up in the air with the help of lovely friend, Andy. It was fantabulous. After the trip, they gave us a big bottle of champagne and instructed it to be gone by the time the two had finished packing up the balloon.
You had better believe that task was accomplished by the two of us; mostly Caity because I had to drive home. I would say I would probably do this again with my mom, I think she would really like it. I might do this with Matt if he really had his heart set on it. It was amazing; especially the views. Arizona is gorgeous from 2,000 feet. Overall though, I would give this once in a lifetime experience an 8 of 10. It mostly gets points because I got to do go with my best friend; whom I miss terribly as we live in different states now. It loses points because I was expecting more excitement.
Ride an Elephant
At the Renaissance Fair! How could I pass up this opportunity?! I felt kind of bad because what elephant wants to live it's life giving people rides in circles in the hot Arizona sun? (Probably none). It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up on though. They are so amazing, I want to take one home! I think that means I really need to get a dog... Anyway, riding on elephants will be a 7 of 10; it's not wild or crazy but oh-so-much fun! Plus, it's something my hubs and I together and the Ren Fair was pretty fun all around.
Pet a Giraffe
Tuesdays and Saturdays at the Tuscon Zoo, for seven dollars they invite you to come and feed the giraffes! I guess you aren't supposed to pet the giraffes, because Matt got yelled at for it, however, no one said anything to me when I did it first! Feeding Giraffes are like the elephants, a 7 of 10. Something I would do a million times over given the opportunity, and even better because I love giraffes and their crazy swirly tongues.
Been on TV
For Spring Break 2012 we took a rode trip up from San Diego to San Fransisco. On the way, we stopped in LA, (which included a theft of luggage from the car, a bank under lock-down from a crazy homeless man, and a free show from Don Barris at a comedy club). So, here I am jumping on up on Jimmy Kimmel Live! I give being on TV a simple 5 of 10. I had more fun being part of the audience than actually trying to get on TV... It took Jimmy 3 times to get his intro down so we had to keep jumping up and down like bafoons to get a head on television.
Blown Glass
This was my mother-in-law's idea, and I'm very grateful to her for asking if we could do it and then funding the project! It was super fun, but very scary. I made a Christmas ornament, which is really much harder than it looks. It's very hot, and hard to blow... You get the idea. This I give a 7 of 10, not for the actual making of but because I got to do this with great people and it's a beautiful keepsake.
Completed a Race
I have officially completed 3 "Walk(s) for Women's Wellness" 5k's and I have completed the Warrior Dash twice! (Although, in 2012 that was a touchy year. I was very dehydrated... Thank goodness for my hubby!) I actually really do things like this. It gives me a reason to work out. I am not rating this because each one is different, but I would give the dash an 8 of 10; the obstacles are soooo fun, (they make you feel like a kid again), but the running sucks.
Driven the California Coast Highway
For Spring Break 2012 Caity, Matt, Benjy, and I took a road trip to good old California. While we had our ups and downs, (like losing all of Caity's luggage but then getting a free personal show from a wonderful comedian), it was fantastic. I'm not a big "California obsessee" like Matt is but I can say I have officially driven the Coast Highway. It terrified me! I mean, it's high, the side rails on the road are skimpy, and you can't really go more than 25 miles per hour, (that's even pushing it in a lot of places), but it was breathtakingly awesome along Big Sur. That is one part of California I would go to again. This I give a 10 of 10. It's scary, breath taking, and surreal the entire way. Prefect mix of fun, adrenaline, and nature.
Climbed [a legit] Mountain
Right before moving back to Illinois, Matt and I decided to go the Vortices in Sedona, AZ. We settled on Bell Rock to start. The bottom of the rock sits at about 4,000 feet above sea level and at the peak is about 4, 816 feet above sea level. Matt and I made it almost to the tippy-top of the mountain! When Matt first moved down, we climbed Casa Grande Mountain which is only an 80-something foot climb in elevation; much less impressive. I very much enjoyed this and still am completely in disbelief how high we went! I even enjoyed the climb up with hubs... 9 of 10.
This lead us to begin an interesting story of the cool stuff she had done and brings me to the blog today. I am supposed to be enjoying weekend, which means finishing my IEP's and cleaning, and am clearly motivated to do those things. I didn't say anything cool I had done because I didn't want to drag myself into the spotlight; I think I do that too much in conversations. I feel like if I talk about myself or my own experience doing something I am trying to one-up others involved. So I listened carefully to Matley's story and asked appropriate questions accordingly. The more I think about it through; the more I want to scream out, "I've done really cool, once in a lifetime, things too!" So I am, just in a not-so-look-at-me-I'm-topping-your-story sort of way. I think I'm going to continually document my cool/adrenaline pumping/bucket list style things I've done here.
Swimming with the Sharks
In 2007 I went with Matt, his family, and Scott and Diane to Hawaii to celebrate Michael and Wendy's 25th wedding anniversary. Prior to leaving, they had asked me if I wanted to shark dive. I guess it was expensive and they didn't want to pay for me if I was going to back out, which is very understandable from sitting here. Months had passed and I didn't think much of it until we left. I was then informed that I didn't have a choice, I was going and there was no backing out because it 100+ a person to go and I was paid up.
We had to leave very early, I think like 4 or 5 am if I remember correctly, and I was ready to pee my pants because I was scared... No, horrified. Jumping from something high has risks, but no teeth. Skydiving is scary, but again, has no big animal trying to eat you after you dive from the plane. I was even more terrified upon seeing the "boat" we were taking out 2 miles into the ocean. It was seriously a dingy; the boat from JAWS was bigger and look what happened to those guys. Hawaii oceans scare me, more so than the California, East coast, and the Gulf, because the currents strong and when you go out onto the water on something, the swells are giant and nauseating. I really thought the boat was going to sink- the swells were probably about 15 feet high going out to the ocean, and let's face it- I have the athleticism of an 80 year old man; that boats sinks and I'm screwed.
Anyway, adrenaline is pumping before we even get out there, the cage has a few cracks, and they're chumming the water with blood and fish parts. I'm standing there, on a tiny boat, thinking this is probably the dumbest thing I will ever do.
This is what I went to into. I've never been more scared for my own life.
We luckily got to dive first, otherwise I don't know if I would have gone into the water because the plastic mom of the family with us, barfed repeatedly during round dos. This ironically helps bring more sharks to the area. After diving in, I held onto a railing toward the top, used my snorkel allowing the top of my head to stay out the water, and stayed that way until they pulled us up. I did my best to stay in the middle of the cage and as far, (even though it was maybe 2 feet), away from the sharks. I don't even have a picture of me in the water with the sharks because I wouldn't let go of the cage to take one. I found out later, my oh-so-smart hubs and his brother were trying to touch through the bars of the cage. On the way back to the island there was a beautiful double rainbow. However horrified I was, I can now say been there, done that, and I am never going back unless someone is going to pay me to. Way cool life experience all the same. This adventure gets an 8 of 10, high points for adrenaline, loses some because I will never do this again.
Matthew & me with a double rainbow; Michael was very happy post-dive
Bungee Jumping
Last year, I got married in the a quaint little part of Florida; I'd been visiting there since I was a child and there has always been one thing I've wanted to do when we were on vacation. The mini-golf course has a bungee jumping platform. I can remember being 8, maybe 10 years old and begging my parents to let me do it. Since we were there, I took out all stops post-wedding and took the plunge.
It's weird to me because I think dropping a horrifying 4 stories attached to nothing except a cord, going from a standstill to 60 mph in 1.5 seconds is way less scary than jumping in a steel cage with a bunch of sharks swimming about. Jumping from this platform was intimidating, but doable to me because there are much higher ones, this one seemed like a baby. I knew I had to do it because I wanted it for so long, so I just kept telling myself I will never have this opportunity again. I convinced Adam, my hubs brother, to go with me because my hubs simply refused. I thought it was funny I got Adam to do it because he is afraid of heights. All the stairs gave us a lot of time to reflect on how high we were and how ridiculously out of shape we'd become since high school. Finally, we reached the top, corded up and prepared to jump.
Adam went first because the bungee attached to the arm was the right length for him; I think it was better that way because he was freaking out. My only complaint with letting him go first was it took him forever to finally step back and fall. After he was unattached, I went up, counted backward from 10 and squealed like pig. The adrenaline, the fear, and every other thought left me as I fell. My whole mind just went blank. It was amazing. I give this adventure 9 of 10 points.I would totally do this again.
Adam first, Yelling at Matt for taking 10 pictures in a row of me gazing at the top, Me squealing
After I went and couldn't stop talking about how invigorating and alive jumping made me feel, I convinced Matt to try it. I told him I would pay for it and if he got to top and backed out I wouldn't be mad. So he did.
Matt taking the plunge
Aggressive Sports
I know this isn't as adrenaline pumping as other things, especially like bungee jumping or swimming with man-eaters, but it makes my list of things I want to brag about and always got my blood flowing. I don't think a lot of people have the balls to get onto a field with no pads, nothing more than mouth guard, chase a ball and tackle people with their bare hands. I think the whole idea of someone running directly at you with every intent to knock the hell out of you detours many from the sport.
When I got into high school I didn't have any intention of playing anything. I never had in middle school and quickly realized how if you don't start then, it's pretty hard to catch up with others who had been playing for at least 2-3 years longer than me. I don't like losing games and I don't play things that I am not good at. I'm very high maintenance in that way.
I was literally dragged to the first girls rugby meeting by my friend, Stef. Oddly enough, she quit after a tragic loss of a team member shortly after joining and I stayed, I owe a lot to Stef for turning me onto this, because I think it helped me grow the most I ever have as a person. We had barely enough girls our first year to even form a team. I was good at it, I could play back line or in the scrum. I wasn't the fastest or strongest, but I was loud and quick, and passionate.
Our first year, we played minimal games as there was only one other girls team, but it just happened to make history. I played in the first girls high school rugby tournament in the state of Illinois. We lost against Noble Street, but there were no hard feelings. That's the best thing about rugby, whatever anger, tension, aggression you hold onto, you lose it on the field. You work it out- hitting people, tackling, grabbing at them- until the end of the game when you're so tired and exhausted, you can't help but laugh. I would never be scared prior to a game, I always knew I wanted blood on the field. If I didn't come home with road-rash, bruises, or cuts, I knew I hadn't played hard enough. I don't bruise easily, so I wore them like a badge of honor, no matter how small. I can vividly remember the one time I really hurt someone on the field; I broke her ankle and I can remember hearing it crack. I dropped the ball scooted away from her and started crying. Don't tell me it's not a humane game.
I never had trouble making or keeping friends in school, I fit in with pretty much anyone and always had someone to hang out with. Despite that, I feel like I have trouble maintaining several deep meaningful relationships and am overall very socially awkward, but these girls made me feel at ease and really good at something. I was something of a leader since I normally played fly-half. I would drive to tournaments, my mom was involved; I've never felt as good as I did on that field. Even looking back now, a couple years since I've played a game, I miss it with all my heart. I played a veterans game a couple years ago and it felt amazing to get back on my cleats and hit some shit. I'm nowhere as good as I used to be; slower, weaker, my fingers are a little buttery, but you wouldn't believe what I would give up to have that back again... I would give up a lot to feel the way I do on that pitch. I don't even have to rate this; 10 of 10 on every account. I would do it again tomorrow if you offered.
This is the best I have ever felt... Ever.
Hot Air Ballooning
This was not something I dreamed of doing, in fact, it wasn't even my idea. My best friend, Caity, had it on her list of things she wanted to accomplish in 2011. I was totally down to help her, especially after learning it was something I would not be paying for.
I thought this would be slightly more extreme than it actually was. I thought being 2,000 feet in the air would be terrifying, I thought I would tremble and shake after being so high up and realizing there was nowhere to go and they would not let you down after you were up that high. An hour in a tiny basket seemed scary when you thought about it being thousands of feet up. It was actually relaxing and rather enjoyable. It had a completely adrenaline-less, rather calming feeling about it.
We went with two fine, elderly ladies who I hope to be like when I retire. A cowboy, Chuck Norris, took up in the air with the help of lovely friend, Andy. It was fantabulous. After the trip, they gave us a big bottle of champagne and instructed it to be gone by the time the two had finished packing up the balloon.
You had better believe that task was accomplished by the two of us; mostly Caity because I had to drive home. I would say I would probably do this again with my mom, I think she would really like it. I might do this with Matt if he really had his heart set on it. It was amazing; especially the views. Arizona is gorgeous from 2,000 feet. Overall though, I would give this once in a lifetime experience an 8 of 10. It mostly gets points because I got to do go with my best friend; whom I miss terribly as we live in different states now. It loses points because I was expecting more excitement.
Ride an Elephant
At the Renaissance Fair! How could I pass up this opportunity?! I felt kind of bad because what elephant wants to live it's life giving people rides in circles in the hot Arizona sun? (Probably none). It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up on though. They are so amazing, I want to take one home! I think that means I really need to get a dog... Anyway, riding on elephants will be a 7 of 10; it's not wild or crazy but oh-so-much fun! Plus, it's something my hubs and I together and the Ren Fair was pretty fun all around.
Pet a Giraffe
Tuesdays and Saturdays at the Tuscon Zoo, for seven dollars they invite you to come and feed the giraffes! I guess you aren't supposed to pet the giraffes, because Matt got yelled at for it, however, no one said anything to me when I did it first! Feeding Giraffes are like the elephants, a 7 of 10. Something I would do a million times over given the opportunity, and even better because I love giraffes and their crazy swirly tongues.
Been on TV
For Spring Break 2012 we took a rode trip up from San Diego to San Fransisco. On the way, we stopped in LA, (which included a theft of luggage from the car, a bank under lock-down from a crazy homeless man, and a free show from Don Barris at a comedy club). So, here I am jumping on up on Jimmy Kimmel Live! I give being on TV a simple 5 of 10. I had more fun being part of the audience than actually trying to get on TV... It took Jimmy 3 times to get his intro down so we had to keep jumping up and down like bafoons to get a head on television.
Blown Glass
This was my mother-in-law's idea, and I'm very grateful to her for asking if we could do it and then funding the project! It was super fun, but very scary. I made a Christmas ornament, which is really much harder than it looks. It's very hot, and hard to blow... You get the idea. This I give a 7 of 10, not for the actual making of but because I got to do this with great people and it's a beautiful keepsake.
Completed a Race
I have officially completed 3 "Walk(s) for Women's Wellness" 5k's and I have completed the Warrior Dash twice! (Although, in 2012 that was a touchy year. I was very dehydrated... Thank goodness for my hubby!) I actually really do things like this. It gives me a reason to work out. I am not rating this because each one is different, but I would give the dash an 8 of 10; the obstacles are soooo fun, (they make you feel like a kid again), but the running sucks.
Driven the California Coast Highway
For Spring Break 2012 Caity, Matt, Benjy, and I took a road trip to good old California. While we had our ups and downs, (like losing all of Caity's luggage but then getting a free personal show from a wonderful comedian), it was fantastic. I'm not a big "California obsessee" like Matt is but I can say I have officially driven the Coast Highway. It terrified me! I mean, it's high, the side rails on the road are skimpy, and you can't really go more than 25 miles per hour, (that's even pushing it in a lot of places), but it was breathtakingly awesome along Big Sur. That is one part of California I would go to again. This I give a 10 of 10. It's scary, breath taking, and surreal the entire way. Prefect mix of fun, adrenaline, and nature.
Climbed [a legit] Mountain
Right before moving back to Illinois, Matt and I decided to go the Vortices in Sedona, AZ. We settled on Bell Rock to start. The bottom of the rock sits at about 4,000 feet above sea level and at the peak is about 4, 816 feet above sea level. Matt and I made it almost to the tippy-top of the mountain! When Matt first moved down, we climbed Casa Grande Mountain which is only an 80-something foot climb in elevation; much less impressive. I very much enjoyed this and still am completely in disbelief how high we went! I even enjoyed the climb up with hubs... 9 of 10.