The weather conditions aren't great for riding this weekend so in the next few entries I'll record some of the key decisions/milestones that have led to my decision to "do Taupo". These entries aren't in chronological order! I want to get them into the blog though because they represent good influences.
A year ago I finished a really good work project. It was a seven month project that involved working with a lot of "fit" people. That was their job - outdoor adventure. I worked with an external advisory group. The representatives had various expertise - ex Outward Bound instructor, deer hunter, serious grade white water instructor, pilots, and a guy that jumped off bridges for fun. It just happened that all the representatives were male. I used to go the "Friday working group meetings" and one of the random things I noticed that aside from the usual common place thing of people playing with their i-phones, a few of their guys would take off their watches during the meeting and put them on the table. It intrigued me, because they could easily keep track of the time by flicking their wrist or checking their i-phones. It was like the watch was a badge of honour. These watches were serious "sport watches". The kind of watch you would want people to see.
Then one day my colleague asked me to go and meet a representative who had done a lot of work in the education outdoor sector. (As an aside, she is currently my lead advisor colleague on my current contract and her influence in deciding to do the Taupo challenge deserves a separate entry). She was passionate about her experience, had a really good energy, and had good input into the work we were doing at that time. She talked passionately about her experience. One of the things I noticed in our meeting was she had an "outdoors" of "fit" watch. I left the meeting with her thinking, among other things, "interesting watch".
I also met a researcher who climbs mountains for fun and in a random fact of history completed Outward Bound about the same time I did - 1984. I noticed she had an amazing "outdoors" or "fit" watch too. I decided one day over coffee with her I would mention the watch thing to her. I thought she will probably think I am crazy that I've given this watch thing so much thought. She laughed and without me saying anything said her watch was a "badge of honour". I noted that I had set myself a goal that once I had achieved five things that challenged me and got to a weight I was comfortable with I was going to get a new watch. She concurred this would be appropriate and was a good goal. I really have no idea why I engaged in the watch conversation with the researcher as we didn't know each other that well, except I guess I saw her as living the life I wanted to lead, and that she was comfortable with it. The fact that she's a recognised "expert in her field" I guess added credibility to my random watch theory.
The watch I currently wear is a "male" Tissot watch. I purchased it in Germany. At the time it represented a challenge to be able to purchase a watch in German. The new watch I want to buy is a "male" Tissot sports titanium watch. I've priced them in Stewart Dawsons and the jewellers in Lambton Quay. Circa $2,000! Needless to say the shop assistants get very excited when you note those are the watches you want to look at. The first time, (yes, I've priced them a few times) the shop assistant asked if it was for my husband. I said "yes". It seemed easier than saying than saying no, actually it was for me.
I haven't until now, finalised the five things to complete until I get the watch (which is going to be dependent on my financial/"working" situation. Still, I have to believe that will work out.
My five things are:
1. Raft the Kawerau river (Completed last year with the project leader)
2. Walk the Milford Track (Completed Feb 2011 with the owners of the straw house)
3. Ride 100 rpm sessions (In progress - currently at 73/100)
4. Ride the Taupo Challenge
5. Ride in the Carterton Hot Air Balloon that leaves from the Paua factory (given I've previously been scared of heights this will be interesting! - I have though a fascination with the Hot Air Balloon - and hope when I do it the air is such it drifts over my house - that would be perfect!)
I'd also like to add a Kayaking challenge to the above. But that will be a bonus.
The template I use for this blog is a cylist - and if you scroll to the bottom of the page you will see the arm, watch, handlebar thing. I haven't quite got the template positioned as I would like. However, the watch and the bike are why I selected the template. They visually represent the goal I've outlined above.
No comments:
Post a Comment