#8. Ride on a Motorcycle
Of all the things I have completed so far…this one has been the coolest!
Joey bought a mot0rcycle a couple of months ago, and told me he would take me for a ride once he got a second helmet. Well, the helmet came in last week! Yay!
We decided to go Sunday afternoon, so he texted me a list of garment requirements: long pants, shoes that lace up, thick jacket (like leather or denim), possibly gloves. It is a lot more difficult than I expected to find clothes that are appropriate for both motorcycling and church-going. I ended up wearing nice jeans and a nice top under my windbreaker. My windbreaker is a semi-rubberized fabric, and was the closest thing I had to leather…I figured it would provide a similar amount of protection should I go flying off the back of the bike. (And once I removed the zip-off hood, it kind of looked motorcycle-y!) I also wore my black wristwarmers…I have always thought they looked kind of hard-core! I also had to realize that my hair, which I had curled and done for Sunday morning worship, was a lost cause…I pony-tailed it. I also had to limit what I was taking with me, since I wouldn’t have a purse. (No knitting…just my cell phone in my jacket’s chest pocket, and my keys/id in Joey’s backpack.)
Joey picked me up at around 3:30, so we would have plenty of time to cruise around before church. He thought it was hilarious that I couldn’t figure out how to fasten the helmet’s chin strap. He asked me how it was that I could knit without looking, but I couldn’t get my own helmet on. (I still don’t see the connection…)
We rode around for about 45 minutes. We went down San Ramon Valley Blvd, and out Dublin Canyon, and around in Schaefer Ranch. There were only two slightly unnerving moments. The first was when we first got on in my apartment’s parking lot, in that second right before we actually started moving. I got very nervous all of a sudden. I shot a quick prayer up that I would survive and actually make it to church. Once we started moving though, I was fine. The second was when we were pulling away from a stop sign. Joey accelerated a little faster than I think he intended, and I got thrown back a bit…I had a good grip though, and caught myself. The ride was a lot of fun. We stuck to country roads and surface streets. We went up hills, we went down hills, we took curves and corners.
After finishing our circuit, we went to the church building. We arrived fairly early, so he treated me to a soda from the gas station convenience store. The only disappointment was that no one had seen me on the bike!
We fixed that after church got out. We went out to the bike, “suited up”, and headed for the post-worship flag football game.
Interesting things I learned while motorcycling:
- A motorcycle will not trigger a left turn arrow…it doesn’t weigh enough. (We ended up having to go straight at one intersection and make a u-turn.)
- Driving a stick shift translates fairly well into motorcycle driving. I could hear/feel when Joey was going to have to shift.
- When you are riding double with someone you get a very good view of the back of their helmet. When you are going fast, the wind makes it hard to turn your head.
- Motorcyclists sort of wave at each other when they pass. Very low key, hand out to the side.
- Riding on a bike makes you feel infinitely cooler than all the sad people stuck in their cars.
- All moms, whether you are their child or not, are opposed to motorcycle riding. The ladies at church were a little disconcerted watching me ride off!
Would I ride on a motorcycle again? Absolutely! (Although I’m not sure I am up to freeway riding yet…)
Would I ever drive one myself? Probably not!
#18. Attend A Renaissance Faire
While I was in Orange County last weekend, my friends took me to the Koroneburg Old World Festival in Corona/Norco. They are incredibly good sports, since I’m sure they had better things to do on Saturday than help me work through this list…at least I didn’t make them dress up!
The fair was great. It was Robin Hood weekend! My favorite legend! (Is it weird that I actually have a favorite legend? Is it weird that I have a favorite specific Robin Hood ballad? These are the questions I ponder when I can’t sleep at night…) We spent a lot of time at the fletcher’s booth looking at different types of arrow heads and what they were used for. It was a little frustrating at first, because the gentleman kept talking down to me…very patronizing. (Probably because I am blonde, and a girl…) I asked a couple questions though, which startled him. Once I mentioned that I had looked into doing my graduate work in medieval studies, his spiel became a lot more interesting.
We got to watch jousting. It wasn’t quite as good as “Medieval Times”, but it was riveting…especially when they stopped doing the accuracy work and actually started bashing each other about. I know it was scripted and choreographed, but they did a very good job. Their swords were sparking, and one of them even used a whip. At one point a girl came out and fought…I thought that they were trying to be politically correct, and figured she would be scripted to win. But NO! She was “severely injured”!
We also went into a weaponry shop. I nearly bought a hardwood broadsword. The only reason I didn’t was because I found the “scissors of doom”! (This is blogged in more detail on my knitting site…you can read it here if you are interested.)
My only regret? I wish I had taken more pictures. The only one of me was taken while we watched the jousting…I didn’t realize the men’s room was behind me…so it isn’t posted here…you’ll just have to believe me when I say that I actually went!
I would gladly go to another Renaissance Fair. It was fun. I might even dress up for it!
(I learned that they aren’t too picky about your costume’s historical accuracy…well, the vendors are, but the attendees aren’t…my medieval dress actually would have fit right in…and here I had been concerned because it predated the renaissance by a couple hundred years…piffle!)
#16. Eat a Souffle
I went to Orange County over the weekend, and had lunch on Saturday at Yves’ Bistro. Yves’ is my favorite restaurant in Southern California, and in my top 5 favorites globally.
In addition to delicious pasta, elegant surroundings, and a friendly staff…Yves’ also serves souffles!
I have never had a souffle before. (Which should be obvious since it is on the list of 26 at 26.) Normally when I go to Yves’, I order the creme brulee. (Yummy!) This time I asked for a souffle. I had a hard time deciding which souffle I wanted…did I want Chocolate Lover’s or did I want the White Chocolate Pecan? I asked David (the manager/waiter/my old high school friend) which he recommended. He said I didn’t need to decide…he would bring me both!
They were very good!
I think I liked the White Chocolate the best…it tasted more the way I thought a souffle would taste. The boys liked the chocolate better because it tasted, well, chocolatey!
I would definitely have souffle again, but not at Yves’. It was great, just not as great as the creme brulee!
#10. Read My Own Work at a Poetry Reading
I semi-cheated on this one…
…instead of finding a poetry reading at which to read some of my own work, I planned and hosted one at the library!
Bongos+Beatniks+Berets Coffee Shop and Open Mic Poetry Night took place on Thursday, April 8. It was not well attended, comparatively speaking. However, I had the stress of reading in front of some total strangers…as well as the more intimidating situation of reading in front of friends.
The event was a tongue in cheek tribute to the Beat Generation. We told people they could read ANYTHING…their own work, their favorite work by other poets, the sides of cereal boxes…There were so few people at the event that my friend Steve and I had to fill the majority of mic time. I read several other poets, Metallica lyrics, and a week’s worth of tweets from my twitter feed. But, in order for this to count as one of my 26@26, I had to read my own stuff…
So I read a selection of haikus I had written, one fairly personal poem from my undergrad years, and the best poem I have ever written (which regrettably was written as a sophomore in high school…how sad…I poetically peaked at fifteen…).
The poems were well received. I got a great *guffaw* from Steve for my Haiku #23. And he and my friend Sarah said that Two and Two (the best poem) was clever. My personal poem, “Message to my Mirror”, apparently revealed a dark angsty side that they didn’t know I had.
I have decided to end this entry with Haiku #23 (which was written during the only math class I ever took at ACU):
Air Conditioning
Can Be A Horrible Curse
When You Have No Sleeves
Technology Aids…
Time is running short.
My birthday is approaching faster than I expected, and I have achieved less than I anticipated at this point.
The hardest item left on the list, or at least the one requiring the most effort, is the memorization of the 119th Psalm. That thing is LOOOONNNNNGGGG.
How will I manage it?
Well, I recently acquired a bicycle. (Thank you, Mom!) I intend to bike to work 3 times a week, weather permitting. As I biked to the library this morning to time the possible commute, I was planning what audio books I could listen to en route. The ride up Iron Horse trail affords me approximately 25 minutes to listen to my i-pod/i-phone Then I remembered the looming Psalm memorization, and my own technological capabilities.
So here is the plan: I will record myself reading the 119th Psalm and sync it to my i-phone. Then, on my morning ride into the library, I will listen to it on repeat. Eventually it will start to seep in…
I hope.
#4. Re-Read To Kill A Mockingbird with an Open Mind
Before giving my final evaluation, I feel like I ought to explain why this was even on the list:
8th Grade: My English class read To Kill A Mockingbird. My teacher used one of those standard curriculum systems with premade worksheets and activities: define the following terms, predict what will happen next, identify the characters, etc. I remember not particularly enjoying the book, but thinking that the movie was nice. I did like that it was set in Alabama, which is where my dad’s family is from.
9th Grade: I switched school districts, and the new district had a different schedule for when you read certain classics. My English class read To Kill A Mockingbird. My teacher used the same standard curriculum system. I remember being fairly bored, since I knew what happened next, I knew the characters, etc. However, I tried to look on the bright side…I could pretty much coast for this unit, and was guaranteed good grades on every assignment.
10th Grade: I moved to a different state, and the new district had a different schedule for when you read certain classics. My English class read To Kill A Mockingbird. My teacher used THE SAME curriculum. At this point, I was absolutely sick to death of this book. I hadn’t even liked it that much the first time I was forced to read it. If I had to hear how Atticus was a Christ-figure just one more time I would SCREAM. I determined that I hated this book. I would never ever read it again, and would never ever recommend it to anyone.
Current Day: I decided that since more than a decade has passed, I should possibly give the book another shot. A lot of people that I really admire (mom, Amy, etc.) like TKAM, so it couldn’t possibly be as horrid as I remembered.
Honestly, part of my problem with it was that I had to do that same curriculum 3 years in a row. Public school literature curricula beat books to death. They break everything down into little bits and analyze it till the students are cross eyed. They don’t encourage or engender an appreciation of the work as a whole.
So, I read it. Sort of.
I actually listened to the audiobook version on my iphone. It was read, delightfully, by Sissy Spacek. I hoped that the different format would actually help me get over my mental block…and it did. Spacek was able to bring the story to life, and truly capture the feel of small town Alabama. Interestingly, the parts I liked the best were actually the parts that I didn’t remember…especially the scenes with the new teacher. (I laughed when she told Scout to stop learning how to read!)
That being said…I still didn’t like the book. But I didn’t hate it either. I guess I would give it more of a “meh” rating. I understand why it is a classic, and why students across the nation read it. It just isn’t my type of book. (Categorize it like Great Expectations…I know it’s good, but I don’t go out of my way to reread it.)
Regardless. I did it. And now I never have to do it again.
#20. Cut My Own Bangs
I haven’t had a haircut since I went home for Christmas…in 2008!
Needless to say, my bangs were in need of a trim. For various reasons I didn’t go get them done. (Finances, time, lack of hairdresser.) They continued to grow to the point of desperation.
Then I found out that my psuedo-sister, Sarah, cut her own bangs. They were the style that mine were supposed to be. When she came home a couple of weeks ago, I asked her if she could show me what to do. On New Year’s Eve, she got the chance. She gave me a demo, sort of. She didn’t actually cut her bangs, just showed me what to do.
Armed with this knowledge, I went home and prepared to do the deed. I put my hair into a pony tail, and combed my bangs forward. Then I put them to the opposite side from the side I wished them to fall toward. (Sarah said that if you do this, and then cut a straight line, that when they fall back to the correct side they will be angled.) Was I being courageous…or fool hardy?
I used my best knitting scissors. Not my gingher quilting scissors, but my super sharp knitting ones. (I also, in a rare fit of genius, lined the sink with newspaper. This is what my dad used to do when he trimmed his beard.) I cut across under my fingers, and then feathered the ends by snipping upwards toward my fingers. It was harder than I had expected. I hadn’t even ever cut a doll’s hair. I have great respect for hairdressers now. (I cut my fingers in a couple of places. Oops.) The results were favorable.
I am not sure this is something that I want to do on a regular basis. I would much rather go to the salon. Still…in a pinch, I can do this.
And most importantly…I can cross something else off of my list.
#9: Submit a Knitting Pattern for Publication
Well…I submitted a pattern to Knitty, the online knitting magazine.
It was for a scarf. The scarf’s ribbing and stripe pattern were based on the Dewey Decimal System’s call number for knitting books.
I had really hoped to be able to post a link to the published pattern here…
Unfortunately, I was rejected.
So instead I will post the text of the very polite rejection letter, and a link to the free version of the pattern on my knitting blog.
Hi Megan!
Thanks so much for your submission. It’s very clever! I especially
like the idea behind the pattern, and think you’ve done a great job.
We receive many more submissions than we are able to publish at
Knitty, and that means we must make some hard choices. Unfortunately,
that means we won’t be able to use your submission this time.
But I really like your style! Thank you for taking the time to prepare
it and send it in and hope we’ll see something from you again in the
future!
Best,
[editor, Knitty]
To be honest, I can’t really blame them for turning it down. It is a highly conceptual scarf…but once I explain the concept behind it, it doesn’t really require a pattern. Still, if you want to see the pattern it is posted here!
AND…the goal was to SUBMIT a pattern, not necessarily get it PUBLISHED!!!
So…another list item can be checked off!
#13. A Week Without Meat
I looked over the to-do list last weekend and decided that I REALLY needed to cross at least one thing off.
One thing that I could get done, start to finish.
One thing that did not require the cooperation of others.
I decided to be vegetarian for a week. Monday to Sunday. (By choosing Monday to Sunday I was able to start after my trip to Folsom, and finish before Thanksgiving and all the lovely turkey!)
I discovered that it was actually very simple. I was trying lacto-ovo vegetarianism, so I kept eating eggs and dairy. The eggs provided me with protein, so my nutrition was not compromised at all. Really, I just went a week without shrimp or chicken. (I love red meat and dark meat, but rarely cook it just for me.)
I started out Monday morning by making a HUGE batch of vegetable soup. I basically dumped every canned vegetable and bean I had into a stock pot with 4 cups of vegetable broth; mixed in some chopped carrot, onion, and zucchini; and then added garlic, basil, oregano, and salt. Simmer for a really long time, and voila! A gazillion servings of vegetable soup (so many that I nearly ran out of single serving Tupperware to store it in)! I will be eating this stuff until Christmas!
Here was my menu for the week…pretty redundant day to day:
Monday
Breakfast: Oatmeal, Milk, Orange Juice, Coffee
Lunch: Vegetable Soup, Hard Boiled Egg, Apple Slices
Dinner: Baked Sweet Potato with Brown Sugar, V-8, Fudgesicle
Tuesday
Breakfast: Oatmeal, Milk, Orange Juice, Coffee
Lunch: Vegetable Soup, Cottage Cheese, Hard Boiled Egg, Latte
Dinner: Garlic Sauteed Mushrooms, Cheese Pita Pizza, Salad, Fudgesicle
Wednesday
Breakfast: Oatmeal, Milk, Orange Juice, Coffee
Lunch: Vegetable Soup, Hard Boiled Egg, Apple Slices, V-8, Latte
Dinner: Baked Potato, Cottage Cheese, Garlic Sauteed Mushrooms, Fudgesicle
Thursday
Breakfast: Oatmeal, Milk, Orange Juice, Coffee
Lunch: Egg Salad Sandwich, Salad, Apple Slices, V-8
Dinner: Vegetable Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Fudgesicle
Friday
Breakfast: Oatmeal, Milk, Orange Juice, Coffee
Lunch: Vegetable Soup, Quesadilla, Apple Slices
Dinner: Pasta, Olives, Salad, Fudgesicle
Saturday
Breakfast: Oatmeal, Milk, Orange Juice, Coffee
Lunch: Pasta, Olives, Salad (leftovers, in other words)
Dinner: Salad and Ice Cream Sundaes (at Amy’s Birthday Bash!)
Sunday
Breakfast: Oatmeal, Milk, Orange Juice, Coffee
Lunch: Baked Potato, Cottage Cheese, Salad, V-8
Dinner: Vegetable Soup, Noodles, Fudgesicle
Luckily I am not easily bored food-wise. Even when I’m not being vegetarian I tend to eat the same thing every day for a week. (Cook a bunch, then nuke it over and over and over…)
Conclusion: I could be a vegetarian if I had to be. It wasn’t that hard. In fact, the only thing I missed out on was a coworkers homemade Minestrone that she brought in for everybody one day (it had turkey sausage). However, that said, I don’t WANT to be a vegetarian…I like eating meat, and have no moral objection to it. What can I say? I am my meatcutter father’s daughter!
PS. Menu for tonight: STEAK!!!
Currently…
I have not posted here, but that is not because I haven’t been busily working away at my list…
…things are just mostly in the planning phases still.
Here is where I am at with some of the list items:
1. I have printed out the first four stanzas of Psalm 119 and affixed them to the back of my bathroom door.
7. I am registered for what will hopefully be my last quarter…although, unfortunately, I am waitlisted for one of my required core classes. Still, if I don’t get in this quarter, I will just graduate in June instead of March. (Still at 26!)
9. Pattern written, photos taken, work submitted…just waiting to hear back from the magazine…
10. I have scheduled a poetry night at the library where I work…thereby ensuring that on April 8th this item will be completed. (Thereby also ensuring that I will spend the next 6 months stressing over which of my poems to expose to public criticism!)
22. I have been invited to attend the San Francisco Opera with Sarah and Sir Tim! (We are just waiting to see if we can get tickets to Otello…otherwise we will be going in the Spring!)
Other people have offered to help out with various list items, but nothing is definite yet.
Mr. Rob, being a very organized individual, has suggested lumping multiple items together…such as taking my picnic basket to a campground, pitching my own tent there, and then flying a kite. He is a smart guy.
More updates as things get finished/planned!
