Thursday, August 15, 2013

What I Did Over My Summer Vacation

Bugs and a chaser: Not just for breakfast anymore.
A new reader asked me what experiences I've already checked off my list of  this year's 52 new challenges.

Here's a quick listing of my ventures since I started this project in May, along with a snapshot summary of what I learned from each:

(1)   Taking Belly Dancing Lessons: Proved that I'm a lady, not a hussy, even though I will go to the grave unsexy and uncoordinated.

(2)   Entering a Pizza-Eating Competition: Discovered Caper's Pizza is delicious, until you've stuffed down your sixth piece in ten minutes.

(3)   Visiting an Adult Bookstore: Learned that bunnies, butterflies, elephants, beavers, and hummingbirds are NOT just characters in a Disney cartoon.

(4)   Experiencing a Series of Diverse Churches and Temples: Realized that we are all different, yet we are all the same.

(5)   Giving up Caffeine for a Week: Confirmed that caffeine is the only thing standing between an amiable me and the me that could go postal at the office.

(6)   Auditioning for the TV Show "Survivor": Learned that, apparently, it takes TV producers an inordinate amount of time to decide their perfect contestant is a middle-aged, square-shaped woman. Still waiting, and waiting...

(7)   Eating Insects: Discovered worms are not chewy, like their gummy candy counterparts, but crunchy, liked the dried-up ones on your driveway a couple days after it's rained.

(8)   Enduring a Professional Photo Shoot: Proved any photo is vastly improved by a dog--the real kind.

(9)   Being Hypnotized for Past-Life Regression: Determined that either this life is not my first, or I am a damn good fiction writer.

(10) Getting a Full-Leg and Brazilian Wax: Learned that if someone tells you that sitting up naked on all fours, while a salon technician studies your nether regions, is not the most humiliating thing you could ever experience--they are wrong.

(11) Tent-Camping Alone: Concluded that a Bic lighter and a marshmallow fork are not useful tools of defense when your only campground neighbors are the family from "Deliverance."

(12) Getting an Extreme Haircut: Confirmed that sometimes taking a slight yet still frightening step toward change can make you feel good about yourself.

(13) Crashing a Wedding Reception: Discovered that if one wants to stay inconspicuous and anonymous, it's probably best not to catch the bride's bouquet--or to be Facebook friends with the owner of the reception hall.

Do these make me brave or stupid? Which of these are you most--and least--tempted to try? What new challenges are on your not-so-much a bucket list?

16 comments:

  1. Keep going! It's like getting a report on stuff so I don't have to do them myself.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I loved your description of all of these, Sherry, but #3 had me snorting my coffee this morning (and Googling, but don't tell anyone).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The adult bookstore visit was a very, very educational experience. Sadly, the video I watched wasn't much of a documentary.

      Delete
  3. I now recall that I have not seen the photo shoot pics. AND I want to know if you have touched up your brazilian!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Almost all of these are so far outside my comfort zone I can't even get my mind around them. (Though I'm down for the solo camping trip, if only to escape the whoops of my son and his buddies.)

    You're giving me courage, Sherry. All I want to be able to do is read from my book and talk to people about it. After all you've done, it seems like small potatoes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Public speaking is the scariest, isn't it? Doing a stand-up routine at a comedy club is on my list, which was our friend Betsy's idea. Somehow, I keep putting that one off... But oh, you will SHINE at your book-readings and signings. And I will get to one, somehow, someway!

      Delete
  5. You are very brave! Stuff like going sleeveless is on my bucket list. Let me know when you are doing your stand up. I want to come watch!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will let you know when I book the date. You'll wear a tank top, right?

      Delete
  6. You are my hero. I want to go tent-camping alone, too -- but preferably a slightly more crowded campsite? :) Still looking forward to when I'll be in BG and possibly able to witness one of your shenanigans in person....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Laura, you can be sure I will be planning a good one for you to accompany me on...

      Delete
  7. You are doing a GREAT job with this Sherry.... Enjoying all the stories.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm new to your blog Sherry, but have caught up on your stories. I admire your courage. Although none of the above are on my to-do list, I'm glad you have done them and written about them. You have me thinking about what new adventures I might try. I'm still thinking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So great to hear you've begun to read along--and even more excited that you're thinking about your own list of adventures. I hope you'll come back and share a few!

      Delete