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Unstoppable
New Year's resolution
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Are
you tired of ...
...
seeing your New Year's resolutions lasting on average a 100m run?
If
your answer is “yes”, follow this story ...
It
was 1993 and the roller blade craze was at its peak bringing back
roller skating memories from my younger years.
Every spring I would watch my friends taking off with ease and expanding their skills, just like a tree, by adding more branches year after year.
As for me, I was like a bulb starting right from the beginning
every single year.
However,
with the arrival of my 30th birthday I decided to have
some fun and challenge my Sisyphus (Greek mythology) roller skating
destiny by choosing a different type of stone.
With
a brave face I ventured to “toys r us” to fulfil my secret
mission.
While
scanning a large selection of roller blades I was approached by a
young sales assistant wanting to know if she could be of any help.
After
providing me with some valuable information she asked ...
“Who
are you buying it for?”
Oh
no, how am I going to get out of this one?! ...
and the only way out was to tell her the truth.
and the only way out was to tell her the truth.
Before
too long I had blades on my feet,
helmet on my head together with the rest of the padding
that she very much insisted on.
helmet on my head together with the rest of the padding
that she very much insisted on.
“I
would never risk roller blading without any protection.” ... were
her words.
Well,
if a 19 year old tells you this I thought ...
I better listen.
I better listen.
An
hour later I was ready to challenge myself in the park at the end of
my street.
I
probably looked ridiculous on my first attempt, but at least I did
not fall.
After
a few sessions I started to feel a bit more comfortable and decided
to test my abilities beyond the flat pathway within the park.
My
self imposed challenge was to return home on roller blades which
meant crossing a three cars wide road and negotiating an uneven
footpath.
After
a successful street crossing I began my downward ride along the
pathway and to my surprise a barely visible slope accelerated my
rolling above the speed level or so it felt to me.
Not
knowing how to slow down or stop I started to panic. Then seconds
later I spotted my saviour ... a large concrete ball decorating a
gate post.
Now,
see if you can picture this ...
- Speeding like a racing car I get ready to grab the ball.
- I grab the ball and ... (and what?!) ... I become mortified as I feel the ball sliding off the post. Oh no!, a heavy concrete ball is coming with me for a ride.Don't they say ... “Do not judge a book by its cover.”
- To prevent a greater disaster I immediately take hold of the post below successfully ending my unexpected nightmare. Phew!
- Relieved not to see anyone around I carefully reposition the ball and quickly disappear.
The
end.
What
end ... ?!
Yes,
the roller blading may have ended, but the New Year's resolution born
out of this adventure has not stopped rolling and it doesn't look
like it will.
For
the past 20 years, I have been exposing myself to new experiences
with a preference given to those taking me out of my comfort zones
and ... I am no longer a bulb variety! Well, at least in one sense
...
With
every passing year I am getting more and more comfortable with
feeling uncomfortable!
You
may think what you want, but to me this is a progress.
Unstoppable
New Year's resolution ...
Be
quick, grab it and let it roll with you for the rest of your life!
And
what's on tomorrow?
My
upcoming 50th birthday challenge!!! A one hour flying lesson on
Jabiru J-160.
My
advice ...
Please
stay at home as there are no concrete balls in the sky to stop me!
Illustrations
by Jane Corrigan
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