Well, we all survived Saturday and I'm glad about it. I'm not saying that the end is never coming. I just don't believe we'll ever know when it is coming. I'm okay with that. Having a deadline really freaks me out...
Change. Uncertainty. Two things I believe are necessary and constant. I know that I need change. I know that change can be good, is often very good, but at the same time I fight against it with all that I have. I am living in uncertainty and am coming to realize that maybe this is what life is about. In recent weeks, I've discovered that I'm a fairly inflexible person and have spent considerable time trying to change this. I have never before seen myself as someone really 'high-strung' or 'wound tight.' But, in the face of uncertain futures, I certainly become this way...for better or worse. When I am able to stop and think about my life and what the future holds, I'm gripped with panic because I have no answers. I can't reassure myself that I'll ever find the one person I'm great with. I can't reassure myself that I'll have a job in 6 months, a year? three? five? I can't reassure myself that I'll stay in good health and that my family members will also keep their health. Lacking answers to all of these questions, and many more, is terrifying. So, I try not to think about them.
In the meantime, however, I feel myself getting stuck in a rut. I'm doing the same thing over and over every day and nothing new is happening. I need something new. I need something to mix it up. I remember feeling this way several summers ago, when the opportunity presented itself for me to drive cross country with some friends. I need that again. Well, I don't need to drive cross country again...as much fun as that sounds...I can definitely hold off on that. But, I do need something different. My feet are itchy. So apparently, if I introduce the change, and change is not forced upon me, I'm good with that. I have no idea if this is "normal" or not. It's just the way I feel.
I'm thankful to have healthful, fit cousins who participated in the Pole, Pedal, Paddle last weekend in Bend. Of course, I had to tag along. I was slightly skeptical going into the weekend thinking it might be awkward or dull. But, it was anything but that. I had a great time hanging out with my cousins! It just doesn't happen enough! I have to admit though, I was slightly jealous that I was not in good enough shape to even consider doing any ONE of the legs of the race, even though each of my cousins did 3 legs a piece. That's insane. I did vow to start training for next year. Although I'm pretty sure the only thing I could ever do out of any of the legs would be to run...and Tacchini's hate running. Hate. It. My cousin, Jason, and my cousin, Connor, dominated the P.P.P, or P cubed. Jason...a little math humor? Anyway, this is how it went...
Friday night Jason and I arrived at the gorgeous house we stayed at in Sunriver. By gorgeous I mean, awesome western decor, an arcade room, a sauna in the bathroom, and a hot tub. Dan, Jason's friend we were staying with, was showing us around the house, and pointed out the "twin room" and the "bunk room." Jason looked at me, and said, "Which one do you want?" What a gentleman, right? Immediately, I was like, "Pssssshhhh twin room." So, J, got stuck with the bunk room. He's such a good sport. After we were settled, we went into Bend, to meet up with Connor, hammer out some race day logistics and go to dinner with Connor, his g/f Mallory, and Mallory's parents. Turns out Mallory's parents are the kindest people on the planet. I had a great time hanging out with them, and getting to know Mallory a little better, as well. Dinner went swimmingly, good stories were told, and excellent beer was had by all...except Connor maybe? I don't remember him drinking the night before race day! Jason was not on board with that plan. ;o) After dinner, it was time to hash out the plan for the following day. It is here that Connor informs me that this will probably take three hours. Three hours!? That was definitely not on my agenda. But, ok. This is why I was in Bend afterall. So, the minute we got back to Dan's, you can bet that I was packing up snacks, and activities for the following day. It sounded like it was going to be the most boring day ever.
Boring? It was not. Saturday morning brought a very early wake up call...6:45. I got up and promptly made breakfast, just like a good girl cousin should. (Gag, gender roles, shudder) But, I knew it was important that J had a full belly and a decent amount of carbs. Once that was done, we packed up and headed out to pick up Connor before heading up the mountain. The first leg of P cubed, is a 100m (?) sprint up the mountain and then snowboarding down. That was Jason's leg. Then, Jason tagged Connor and Connor took off on a 5 mile cross country ski loop. Then, Connor tags Jason and he takes off on a 20 mile bike ride, or something crazy like that. Then, Jason tags Connor who goes on a 5 mile run, then hops in his kayak to paddle 2 miles up and down river. Lastly, Connor tags Jason who sprints a half mile to the finish. Yeah, I know, right? Are you kidding me? So, the only important job I really had was to drive Connor from the top of the mountain down to where the cyclists meet to tag the runners. Arguably, the other important job was to document the entire event, which I did, to the best of my ability. Jason's first leg took a total of 4 minutes, including the crash and ice rash he, consequently, sustained on his back. Connor had anticipated his 5 mile leg to take approximately an hour. Needless, to say Jason and I were in no hurry to wait around in the bike exchange area. We were lolly-gagging around when suddenly Jason was like, "Oh man! He's right there!" He dropped his shoes and sweatshirt and ran. I can't really convey how hectic it was. But, it was. Let me put it this way, I barely had enough time to order, and drink, my chai tea latte before I was heading back down the mountain with Connor in tow. Now, it was time for my big important job of getting Con down the hill. We got back to the car, got his skis loaded up and wouldn't ya know it, those darned VW's have a sneaky way of getting in reverse? I absolutely could not figure out how to get that Jetta into reverse! I was panicking, because I was about 2 inches away from slamming into a beautiful Yukon, and, of course, the driver was sitting in the car. This actually came to behoove us, as Connor said, "Here, watch this." He jumped out of the car, tapped on the mans window, and said, "Hey, yeah, there's something wrong with our transmission, could you pull over there (points) so we can just pull straight out?" The man happily obliged us. Quick thinkin, Con! So, now, off we went. I tried to hurry him down the hill but then we found ourselves stuck in traffic. Connor started panicking because we knew Jason was hauling ass down the hill (because we passed him not too long ago) and Connor made the executive decision to get out where we were stuck and just run to the exchange place. So, actually, Connor ran about 6 miles that day. Jason arrived at the exchange and saw Mallory who flagged him down to inform him that Connor was not there yet. Ha ha. This was confusing for many. The rest of the race was fairly uneventful for us spectators. Connor didn't tip his kayak or anything so we just went from place to place to watch and take pictures, obviously. The boys finished in 2 hours and 43 minutes. Not bad for not really having any background in kayaking or cross country skiing, I thought! Maybe next year I'll be able to participate with them, and have someone taking pictures of ME, instead! ;o)
All in all, a great weekend was had by all...I think? Enjoy the photos courtesy of yours truly!
Today's list: Pet Peeves
1. Men not knowing how to drive a stick shift
2. Revving of engines
3. That beeping noise a school bus makes when it's backing up
4. Wet counter tops
5. My phone not working at my own house for a solid week
6. Inefficiency
7. Insincerity
8. Dishonesty
9. Sneakers on a wet floor (Squeak, squeak)
10. The gym being closed 2 days this coming weekend! ARGH.
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