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  • jscribe 6:13 pm on February 13, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , sports, teamworkd   

    5/52 – Being a Good Sport 

    I am not athletic. People always ask if i play/ed a sport. Usually they ask if i played softball or volleyball. In high school i thought it was kind of flattering, like i looked like i was in good shape, or maybe that i looked quick or agile. I never did. i did theatre, speech – was in the Just Say No Club and Environmental club. A Sportsless kid doesnt usually object to being mistaken for a sports kid. As i have gotten older, the question has taken on a different meaning. now im always defensive. “Why? because I’m stocky and I date women? Is that why?”

    I love to work out, to run, to be active–but im not coordinated or competitive. i embarrass myself in competitive sports but
    I’ve joined up with a few intramural teams over the past several years–softball, volleyball and women’s soccer.

    Its been a long time though, and since Ive been feeling adventurous, when a colleague from worked asked if i wanted to join her “Big Gay Badminton Team,” I thought “Gay Badminton?” “Sports?” “Here I come!”

    Adventure #5 was actually harder than i thought it would be. Im not that good, and its more physically demanding than I thought. But its a rocking good time–plus, im made some new friends! Details on adventure #6 are forthcoming. It was a little hard on my body, too!

    Now thats an action shot.

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    • Kelly 11:09 pm on February 15, 2010 Permalink

      now if only a straight girl could join…this sounds like a ton of fun.

    • gangstaoflove 9:59 am on February 17, 2010 Permalink

      Way to go! I’m not athletic either. In fact, I have no idea what Badminton is or how it’s played! 😉

    • wip78 2:26 pm on February 22, 2010 Permalink

      I would love to come cheer you on. I can wear my rainbow shoes…

  • jscribe 5:43 pm on February 6, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags:   

    4/52- A Serious Commitment to Science 

    I don’t ever remember thinking that boys were better at science and math, I just knew that I wasn’t very good at either of them. Math and I never really got along, but as a nature-loving kid, science intrigued me.  It was hard for me though, and I readily backed away from the subject. Reading and writing came easily, and I was praised from a young age for having skill in both arenas. As is the lazy way of living life, I threw myself into a world of words and allowed a passion for English to justify an avoidance of science. A pretty successful run in Physical Science and Biology could not suppress my growing fear that I would fail out of Chemistry in my Junior year. I convinced my guidance counselor that I didn’t need to take it, and enrolled in the “easier” Ecology class, primarily occupied by academically low seniors seeking an easy A (or, maybe, a good effort B).

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    • Rhea 9:30 pm on February 6, 2010 Permalink

      It looks awesome! I love how it has that dictionary-esque syllabled style. Go JScribe!

    • jeindeer 12:35 pm on February 8, 2010 Permalink

      Oh, lovely! I’ve always wondered what tattoo I’d get were I to get one, it’s great to see how someone else reasoned out their own. Such a beautiful choice, too.

  • jscribe 6:19 pm on January 24, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: 1/2 Marathon, Future Adventures,   

    For Adventure Seekers out there who are jealous of those Adventurers who Polar Plunged into the icy depths of beautiful lake Michigan on the first of the year (such as myself), there’s a chance to plan out a Plunge in the future, and raise money for a good cause: http://www.chicagopolarplunge.org/site3.aspx. A few Adventurers are planning a to join this organized plunge in March and to raise some money for the Special Olympics. I also plan to make and wear a 52 Adventures t-shirt. Do we have a logo yet? Also, I know that some other folks had “run a 1/2 marathon” on their lists, I believe this is the one I’m doing in Chicago (also in some 52 Adventures garb, of course) –so I thought I’d share: http://www.131marathon.com/13_1_Chicago.htm (June 13, 2010 -plenty of time to train!!

     

    • yearof52adventures 6:34 pm on January 24, 2010 Permalink

      What a GREAT idea! Let’s rally Chicago!

    • renea 1:47 am on January 25, 2010 Permalink

      Love the shirt idea!!!!!!!!!

    • wip78 4:53 am on January 25, 2010 Permalink

      I second the t-shirt idea!

  • jscribe 10:15 pm on January 23, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags:   

    3/52 The Proof is in the Polish 

    For most women my age, getting a manicure would not be considered an adventure. A typical Saturday afternoon or pre-event ritual might more accurately describe the act. For me, the manicure I got today was unique. My first.

    There are a couple reasons why getting a manicure today was a big deal. To begin, I’m really squirmy about being touched by strangers. I just get all uncomfortable and weird.

    Secondly, even though I love to rock an “I don’t care what anyone thinks about me” attitude, I’m often really uncomfortable in my own skin. About my body—not just the shape, or my weight, but all of it. I feel like so many routine beauty processes involve too much of a microscopic look at my physical features – I am scared that I’ll be judged for my eyebrows, my pores, my teeth, my waistline and yes, even my hands and nails. I prefer to looked at from far away—I’m just lamely more self conscious that I like to admit.

    The final reason why getting a manicure was a big deal is because of its close proximity to the “definition” of femininity. I like paining my nails and wearing make up and all that, but sometimes I get nervous admitting to enjoying things that are traditionally feminine because I think other people don’t really see me that way. I would worry that if I wanted to get my nails done someone would respond with, “Really? You? Do you even paint your nails? Hm. That just doesn’t seem like you.” It is like me, but maybe just not the way everyone always sees me.

    For these reasons I have managed to avoid getting my nails done for all of my life. Even though I’ve often looked at them and thought about how I know they would look nicer if I would just suck it up and get them done.

    So, today, I did.

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    • thegirlwholikestoeat 4:28 pm on January 25, 2010 Permalink

      J – this was awesome! next time we are getting our toes done!

  • jscribe 9:03 pm on January 18, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , bacon   

    Adventure #2 The Bacon Dip 

    I knew from the start that one of my adventures this year would be cooking related – since I’ve moved back to Chicago and am living on my own, I don’t do much cooking any more. Also, my friends here are a little bit older and more “adult” than my old friends in DC and I’ve been desiring some competitive adult party skills such as bringing a dessert to a party, gifting a bottle of wine that cost more than $6.99, and most importantly, having something a little flashier than a bag of chips on the coffee table when I am hosting friends.

    So I wanted to make an appetizer, but I made this adventure a little more specific—I wanted an appetizer than included everyone’s favorite food: Bacon. Oh bacon, you delicious mistress. Bacon, you glorious food item even vegetarians dream about. Bacon, like a stripper inside a birthday cake, you just make every gathering so much more enjoyable.

    You can check out the actual recipe for my dip here, but I’ll just tell you that it included bacon, garlic and blue cheese, among other delights.

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    • heididino 9:29 pm on January 18, 2010 Permalink

      this adventurer thinks you should try sometihng vegetarian. or just make me a fancy dessert. i often use my vegetarinism to eat more desserts than i really should.

    • wip78 9:36 pm on January 18, 2010 Permalink

      It definitely warmed my heart. Bacon makes the world a better place 🙂

    • jscribe 3:42 pm on January 19, 2010 Permalink

      fine. I’ll learn a veggie dip. Can it still be complete with cheese and garlic, though??

    • teresa mcgarry 3:46 pm on January 19, 2010 Permalink

      hah! YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • heididino 9:29 pm on January 21, 2010 Permalink

      i’m good friends with cheese and garlic. probably 2 of my favorite spices-since i don’t really like things with flavor or condiments.

    • Anonymous 4:41 pm on April 22, 2015 Permalink

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  • jscribe 12:04 am on January 8, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags:   

    Adventure #1 – Finding the Words 

    “I’ll probably never write again.” I surely said, tipping back a pint of Stella at DC’s Fox and Hound about 6 months ago. After I graduated from my MA in Writing I put my realism hat on. I knew I’d end up in a desk job, try to make enough money to buy a condo and, in all reality never write much more than a grocery list ever again. There was no market, and I had no great ideas. I told myself that I was ok with this – that I went to grad school to develop a skill not to actually become a writer.

    In the months since that decision, I’ve post a few times on my blog, written a weekly article for TheNewGay.net, drank beers, and watched Netlix. I’ve also felt disappointed. When some one said I was a good writer I said, “Nah, I don’t even write any more.” When some one said I was a writer at all I said, “Nah, I work for a non-profit.” I spent two years studying writing, I love the act of writing, so why wasn’t I writing?

    The answers to that question were pretty simple. I was scared to start new work without support, without feedback, without deadlines. I was scared to fail.

    In comes Adventure #1.

    For the new year, I knew I needed to become a new me. Act instead of react; do instead of desire. I had to push myself. I searched online and found a Meetup Group of writers who got together twice a month in my neighborhood, and after a couple of days of second guessing my confidence and my ability, I replied yes. Yes, I would meet them at the Center on Halsted on Wednesday, January 6th. Yes, I would write.

    Because I knew this was the jumping point for a Year of 52 Adventures, I embraced my nervousness. Like a rollercoaster. I made jokes, shared tips from my writing program and felt my heart go all a flutter as the group talked about parallelism, imagery, structure and repetition. I felt more in my element than I have in months with 4 strangers and a piece of new writing in my hand. I may put on a suit and ride the El to my job at a non-profit everyday, but in the Year of 52 Adventures, I’m a writer.

     

  • jscribe 6:52 pm on January 6, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

    It Took Me a Minute 

    I’m getting a handle on WordPress just as I’m getting a handle on the beginning of my 52 Adventures.

    My first one is tonight. The adventure was to join a writing group in my new hometown of Chicago. I meet tonight for the first time with my group. Woot!

    On my still growing list:

    join a sport
    get behind the scenes at a history museum
    ride the L from end to end
    run a 10 miler, maybe a 1/2 marathon
    ride my bicycle on the mean streets of chicago (as opposed to trails and paths!)
    join a writing group
    go on a blind date
    volunteer with an LGBT organization
    submit three pieces of writing for publication
    learn to make real part appetizers (hopefully containing bacon)
    learn to make a real dessert (that is not made of milk and cream and…ice)
    take a mini road trip to see a historical landmark
    eat a whole piece of fish without complaining

    Thats the list so far i have so many more adventures ahead. I’m thrilled.

    PS: Tweet #52Adventures

     

    • Lauren 7:50 pm on January 6, 2010 Permalink

      As far as the bacon part hors d’oeuvres are concerned— bacon wrapped dates stuffed with chorizo are a huge party pleaser. Take pitted dates, stuff with some Spanish chorizo/Portuguese chourico (not Mexican chorizo), wrap in bacon, affix with toothpick. Seriously the easiest thing ever– then just brown them in a saute pan, or even throw them all on a cookie sheet and pop under the broiler, flipping once. So easy, and ALWAYS a huge crowd pleaser– doesn’t get any better than salty sweet! (Especially when the salty is bacon…) Give it a go!

      Maybe I should just be an adventure-facilitator? 🙂

    • jscribe 12:15 am on January 8, 2010 Permalink

      Um. Theres not a whole lot id rather it than whatever it is you described. OMG. I want it. (I want to learn it!)

    • heididino 4:09 pm on January 8, 2010 Permalink

      i’ll gladly try the dessert you make!

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