I Could Take Her

As you may, or may not be aware, my friends and I like to take random trips together. This last weekend we embarked on the open road; destination: Pocatello, Idaho. Lindsey booked us a sweet room at the local Marriott (she gets great deals because she works for a Marriott in South Jordan - so we have good reason to keep her around.) Many may beg the question why in the world would we go to this forsaken hell hole? Well, we had good reason: we wanted to see Heather in a leotard. Heather is a trained powerlifter, and competes in local and out-of-state competitions. She is actually very good. Allow me to describe exactly what a powerlifting competition emcompasses. You walk into an open gym/room that is filled with the aroma of stale sweat and old socks. There are chairs for spectators set up at the far end of the gym. On the far left wall, there is an announcing table, complete with three women who inform you of who's up next, who's on deck, and who's in the hole. In the front center of the gym there is a mat where all the action takes place. There are three different competitions that these powerlifters are competing in: squats, bench press, and dead lift. This is how a typical set goes. Commentator: "Up next is Helga Uchenvot for the dead lift. Helga is attempting to set an Idaho State record by lifting 445 pounds." Helga struts over to the center mat sporting a leotard that I am positive is cutting off her circulation, a worn in leather belt that is three prongs too tight, and chalk smeared over all remaining uncovered flesh. She stands in front of the weight bar that is lying unsuspecting on the floor. On either end there are massive weights that the gym crew just finished putting on. Helga looks to the sky and raises both arms like Moses. She yells out an unintelligable phrase in her native tongue (the onlooking crowd is frightened at this point), then proceeds to bend the upper half of her bulky body to ground where the bar lays. She puts two hands on the bar, holds her breath, and then finally lifts. She pulls the bar a foot off the ground; then another inch higher, and another. Her body continues to struggle to get the weight completely up. She then lets out one final cry, and distorts her red face in a way you didn't think possible and lifts with all her might until her shoulders are completely back. She drops the weight immediately; and the task is accomplished. She grunts aloud once more in victory. This is a reason why us common, regular-strengthed folk are slightly terrified at these competitions. Anyway, Heather did awesome in her competitions. She benched 140 pounds, and dead lifted 305 pounds. She walked away with first place in her weight her division! Oh, and she also won a case of a mystery drink shown in the photo below. All in all it was a very fun trip - and I beat Heather up. Twice. So I wonder who the real champion is...

Inside My Mind...

Hello All,
I guess this is my first blog (well, at least since the Glenhooker days...), and I thought it appropriate to fill out this thing that Tara had on her blog (actually, I really couldn't think of what my first entry should be about...so here you go!)

Someone gives you money and sends you into the grocery store to pick up 5 items. You can only pick one thing from the following departments.. what is it?
1. Produce: Strawberries
2. Bakery: Whole wheat bread
3. Meat: Steak
4. Frozen: Burritos
5. Dry goods: Tortilla chips (and salsa)

Let's say we're heading out for a weekend getaway. You're only allowed to bring 3 articles of clothing with you. So, what's in your bag?
1. Black Reef flip-flops
2. Favorite black zip-up jacket (Empire is the brand, I think, if you care.)
3. Big Star Jeans

If I was to listen in on one of your conversations throughout the day, what 5 phrases or words would I be most likely to hear?
1. "Whatever."
2. "Legacy OB-GYN?"
3. "Hmm. Interesting."
4. "You're dead to me."
5. "Where's Kally?"

So, what 4 things do you find yourself doing every single day, and if you didn't get to do, you probably wouldn't be in the best mood?
1. Look at a cadaver :)
2. Check my email
3. Relax for a moment on the couch.
4. Schedule an appointment for a pap smear. haha

Sweet, you just scored a whole afternoon to yourself. We're talking a 3 hour block with nobody around. What 5 activities might we find you doing?
1. Watching a movie
2. Scrapbooking
3. Napping
4. Rollerblading down the canyon.
5. Guitar Hero III (when I get it, of course)

We're going to the zoo. But, it looks like it could start storming, so it'll have to be a quick visit. What 3 exhibits do we have to get to?
1. Anywhere in the feline house
2. Penguins
3. Monkeys

You just scored tickets to the taping of any show that comes on t.v. of your choice. You can pick between 4, so what are you deciding between?
1. The Office
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. Oprah (on her "Favorite Things" day)
4. Lost (bonus - I would be back in Hawaii)

You're hungry for ice cream. I'll give you a triple dipper ice cream cone. What 3 flavors can I pile on for ya?
1. Costco Vanilla Ice Cream
2. Cookie Dough
3. Cherry Chocolate Chip
*Disclaimer - I'm not really an ice cream fan though...

Somebody stole your purse/wallet…in order to get it back, you have to name 5 things you know are inside to claim it. So, what's in there?
1. Brown DaKine wallet
2. probably 4-5 chapsticks
3. Cell Phone
4. Car Keys
5. Pink iPod

You are at a job fair, and asked what areas you are interested in pursuing a career in. Let's pretend you have every talent and ability to be whatever you wanted, so what 4 careers would be fun for you?
1. A freakin' Nurse!
2. National Geographic photographer
3. Person who travels to foreign countries tasting the best foods
4. Nutritionist

If you could go back and talk to the old you, when you were in high school, and inform yourself of 4 things, what would you say?
1. Take your nursing pre-requisites early!
2. Travel more.
3. Get better grades.
4. Become a CNA.