multi-hyphenated-me

the hyphens that define my life

Slackers July 15, 2013

Filed under: Life — multihyphenatedme @ 7:37 pm
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We have become slackers.  Not as our normal every day lie around the house doing nothing slacker selves. We are new and improved slackers.

We were inspired to become slackers at the Spokane Hoopfest when this guy, inside the mall, 4 or 5 stories high, walked a slack line across the length of the atrium with a crowd, including us, below.

slacker

Truth be told, I am not inspired to be a slacker, but my 9-year-old, Niko, definitely wants to be a slacker.

I don’t honestly know that people who walk slacklines are called slackers, but I think it is the perfect moniker.  According to Slackline.com, “slacklining is the sport of walking a small, flat nylon rope between two points. It is practiced in the backyard, on college campuses and city parks, and even 3000 feet above the ground. Some people do it for fun, others for the obvious athletic benefits, and others still for a meditative purpose, in seeking a higher state of mind. Since slacklining’s development in the late 1970s, slacklining has grown into an international craze, and is a common and popular pastime within the outdoor community.”

Today we (meaning Vince) went out with Niko to REI to purchase a slackline to suspend 15 feet between two trees in our back yard, 1-1/2 feet off the ground, so we all (meaning Vince and the boys) can practice being slackers.  I am more of the lets hang a hammock between the trees and really slack off  but the distance is too great between the pines and I missed my calling as a slacker.

Three feet above the slackline, Vince rigged a guide rope so the kids can hold onto until they gain their balance walking the slackline.

Niko is pretty good for a first timer with Trace quickly getting the hang of it.  Andre, unable to test drive the slack line due to his broken arm, heckles their attempts.  I missed seeing Vince’s turn on the line and thankfully, he missed mine.

Of course I tried!  I was the closest I’ve ever been to being a Weeble.  True to form, Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down.  The slack line was whipping back and forth and I held onto the guide rope for survival.  Niko was not impressed with my performance.  He pointed out that I’m probably too out of shape for the slack line.  Thanks kid, you know how to make a girl feel good.  Ah well, he’s not far from the truth.

Where will the slack line get us? Hopefully not over some bottomless chasm or at the top of a circus tent, or a mall.  Most likely a fun summertime challenge for all, myself included.

 

 

Bicycle! Bicycle! July 7, 2013

Filed under: Family,Links — multihyphenatedme @ 10:00 am
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There is a lot going on in Spokane!  We moved here so that is an event with a big star on the calendar in itself.  Spokane Hoopfest was the last weekend in June.  July 4th extravaganzas throughout the country the following week.  This weekend, unbeknownst to us (hey we just got here), we walked right into the midst of the Lilac City Twilight Criterion. At the time of discovery, we did not know what was going on other than an obvious bike race.  Internet powers activated, we learned that the “Crit” is a 0.79 mile race through downtown streets raced counterclockwise with six turns and is sponsored by Spokane Rocket Velo.

The first event is a kids race at 6:45 PM, which we didn’t see but think this could be great for our boys next year.  We did see some moms with kids and bikes spread out on the sidewalk outside of The Pizza Oven restaurant waiting for their pizzas. The kids were decked out in race shirts, riding their BMX bikes.  Perfect.

Men’s and Women’s age groups then follow.  The best event to see would be the Men’s event at 8 PM as it is the fastest race of the night.  With our shopping and movie agenda, we missed this race.  Again, next year.

The night ends with a Citizen’s RagTag Rally, an open event for everyday folks to ride their bikes around downtown Spokane while the streets are blocked off to through traffic.  Both the Kids event and RagTag Rally are free.  Way to give back Spokane Rocket Velo!

I took video of the event but I’m unable to upload the video.  Sure, WordPress’s ad videos can be shown, but not my video. Hmph.

The only casualty I heard about, none witnessed, was told to me by the North Face salesman.  He said, and I repeat, that a woman was oblivious to the race and ignored the caution taped off corners and walked into the race course with oncoming cyclists.  Apparently people were yelling at her but she paid no heed.  A cyclist clipped the jaywalker with his handlebars, did not fall, and continued the race.  The woman’s status is unknown but I’m certain she’s going to have a bruise.  Pay attention people!

From my research I’ve learned that Spokane hosts Spokefest on September 8, 2013.  This piece was copied from the www.spokefest.org website:  in celebrating the joy of cycling, the beauty of Spokane,healthy lifestyles and the environment. Last year over 2,000 cyclists of every age and ability took part in the fifth annual SpokeFest! Help us make this SpokeFest an even bigger celebration, so get out your wheels and join us. This ride has something for every rider, from the racers to the folks dusting off bikes for the first time this year.

The “Crit” is not my style of cycling.  Spokefest has my name all over it.  Spokefest offers four courses.  I have my sights set on a 20-mile ride from Riverfront Park to 9 Mile Falls that is billed as covering some of Spokane’s most beautiful riding.

I have a slight problem though.  Remember when we had a huge yard sale and sold all of our stuff?  Vince decided we needed new bikes and pulled all of the bikes out of the garage to sell.  After selling one bike, mine, he changed his mind and put all the bikes back into the garage.  Vince then went out and bought BMX/trick bikes for himself and the boys, adding to our bicycle collection yet still no bike for me.  Clearly, you see where I rate in this house.

Seems that I need to go buy me a bike.

 

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