Monday, March 22, 2010

Jubilation to heartbreak in 6 seconds.



I don't wanna feel like this
But I'm so tired of missing you
Oh my baby please
Don't forget you love me
Today

Schuyler Fisk


I made it back to the ridge Sunday evening. I apologize to those of you who had Monday or Tuesday in the pool but I was in need of some reality after a very, very fun time in Vegas. The triathlon is less than two weeks away and I got the news that it seems cnbc is coming out that day to do a conclusion to their story. Ah yes, the joy of appearing on national TV, in your swimming suit, just another thing to take off the "no list" of things I never would have imagined doing.. All my dreams coming true. Speaking of the Ridge, next Monday will be the last time that the stop sign hike will be timed and offered for each camper on Monday. There has been a limit of 11 hikers per hike placed on the guests at the resort including the stop sign hike. It will still be offered virtually every day but only one van will be heading there. The days of 90 people trotting up there are over. It really has been the signature of this program in many ways and I'm sad to see it leaving as the first measuring stick of each guests stay. And I will also miss the communal feeling of most every guest heading up that damn mountain as a group. But life goes on and again it will still be an option just not a requirement.

My schedule for the next two weeks will be triathlon training in the morning followed by pool class at 11, lunch, and then the three afternoon classes. Do to the overflow crowds at the ridge I am staying off campus in a studio apartment in Kayenta. Staying off campus is certainly manageable, but you need be prepared each morning for your full day of activities as getting back during the day is tough. So I really end up looking like the homeless ridger as I have to carry various shoes and bathing suits and ipods and clean outfits with me in a bag that sits on the pool deck all day.

Here's some Vegas wrap-up for you. My brother Jay and I celebrating Maryland's first round win over Houston. Maryland's second round loss was devastating. Taking the lead with six seconds left only to get beat by a buzzer beater. It was an amazing weekend of basketball and the single greatest event in all of sports, but oh what a painful end.







Paul, Jay and the Eric watching the action. We were again holed up at the Golden Nugget, which opens their grand ballroom to the masses with 6 giant tv's.









I'm not sure if Eric was praying or begging for a BYU win but whichever it was it worked. It took two overtimes but the cougars got their first NCAA win in 17 years. And then got run out of the gym in the second round by Kansas St.









My good friends Tim and Paul who made their first trip to the March Madness event and now can't wait to get back. One of the girls from the Ridge said she had never seen Vegas so full of men. I can vouch for the 1,000 or so crowd in the ball room which was 98% men. So there you have it single girls this is the weekend to find men, of course, they are sports addicted, gambling machines who like to go to Vegas with their buddies. I know every girl's dream guy.




Spent Friday night, with some Ridge girls. Here's Jerica, Bobbi and Al. Al was in town with her wonderful husband Richard and was there on my first ever successful stop sign hike. She promised me that day I would never have to do that hike ever again if I finished. I like to think she lied, she says all the rest have been by my own personal choice. she should know me better than that







I'm leaving you with one last picture. It's kind of hard to see. Look Closely. One of the things dancing on that bar is not like the others. Have a great week. I sure hope it is spring where you are. Peace, and go Cornell, Northern Iowa, and St Mary's. It's all about Cinderella now!!, Jim



































7 comments:

Cat said...

Sad to hear about the stop sign hike...but I will be tackling it anyway when I get there! You sound rejuvenated and ready to kick some more butt! Thanks for the heads up and as always, for blogging!!

DebJ/Texas said...

I'm so sad about Stop Sign Hike!! I dreaded it every week the four weeks I was there, but always felt more mentally stronger & physically stronger afterwards!! I am still going strong at home!! Good luck on your training!! I know you are doing a great job!!

Sabine said...

thanks for the update. so where do I stand with that 1 free week at the ridge?
I am not very happy about the SS hike change Not that I enjoyed it that much, but it was a great measure of fitness. I still ahve to break the hour.
And you need to psot when that CNBC thingy will be on. SInce I actually spent something like 20 minutes with you last year I consider myself a close friend....lol....
Can't waut to hear about your tri...

Betsey said...

looks and sounds like you had a blast!!!

Anonymous said...

"next Monday will be the last time that the stop sign hike will be timed and offered for each camper on Monday. There has been a limit of 11 hikers per hike placed on the guests at the resort including the stop sign hike. It will still be offered virtually every day but only one van will be heading there. The days of 90 people trotting up there are over. It really has been the signature of this program in many ways and I'm sad to see it leaving as the first measuring stick of each guests stay. And I will also miss the communal feeling of most every guest heading up that damn mountain as a group."

Help! I guess I am the only person who does not understand the change. Do you mean:
1) No more stop sign hike, period?
2) No more TIMED stop sign hike?
3) No more EVERYBODY does stop sign hike on Monday morning?
4) All guests still do stop sign hike, but in smaller groups throughout the week? (Which solution would no longer measure your improvement in fitness during the week.)

I could continue with the permutations, but will stop because I am confident you get my confusion. Thank you for the the clarification.

jimgoterps said...

Stop sign hike will be offered every day with a limit of 11 campers per day. There will no longer be a everybody hikes the stop sign ritual on Monday or Saturday. They are not timing you on the stop sign ever but you are welcome to time yourself. Some guests will not do the stop sign hike ever by their own choice. Hope this answers your questions.

riss said...

So sad about the changes to the stop sign hike. As much as I hated it while doing it I always knew that it was worthwhile to drag myself up to the top.