bodacious

So. My memories of my Avon Walk as I remember it. I've had a lot of ibuprofen and delirium since now ans then so someone correct me if I"m wrong.

First off, started off the morning to the sound of a siren at around 3:00. What an obnoxious alarm Kitty has, I thought. Turns out its not her alarm, but I didn't really get back to sleep afterwards.

After some repacking and picking up of sleeping bag, MK's mum dropped us off at Solider Field to a beeYOOtiful sunrise off the lake. We dropped off our gear to the trucks and went of to hunt for breakfast.

Soon after walkers started to walk into the starting pen. There Kitty and I did our Floss!(the show we are in together) warmups to start the day. We were getting some goofy looks but went on to do some Lindy Hop anyways.


Just before Opening Ceremonies began, a girl comes to us introducing herself as Laura. She had come by herself from Michigan and was looking for people to walk with for the weekend. We were the ones she chose. We got along famously as you will hear.

Opening Cermonies. I don't know how smart it is to start off people walking the street after an inspiration and tear-inducing process. Here I'll have to explain the iconology of what blew me away this weekend. A big pink ribbon sash that has the phrase "Every Three Minutes" printed upon it. John began "The Chain of Ribbons" by giving the first ribbon to Mary, a cancer survivor, who shared her story with us. From that point on, every three minutes, a walker or crew member would randomly receive a Three Minute ribbon. There would even be ribbons placed outside the tents during the night since "cancer doesn't keep to schedules."

So finally after our first of many encounters with the green port-a-potties, we made our way up north along the lake. Twas, a gorgeous day littered with applause and smiles from passersby, bikers, and beach ball players. Even a cutie police officer that had many a female walker commenting that insprational sights like that that would get us walking a marathon.

The first half of the marathon seemed to be a blur. It seemed so fast but filled with so many little things worth mentioning. Stopping to smell the flowers (MK's forte). Singing, making up songs, skipping. As for the actual walking, there was distinct manuver our little trio had for when we were stuck behind a more leisure walker. Someone would yell out "Lateral!" and lead the rest alongside the walkers in our own "passing lane".

We were going at a good clip and I would tire out more easily than the other two but I would always get a burst of energy right before a scheduled authorized Cheering Area. The one on Broadway and Roscoe included our friend, mitten and a drill team that had cheers written just for the walkers. They even did "The Wave." Along with a MK and few other walkers, I led a "Wave Back." That cheering stop might have been my favourite.

That attention-deprived preformer in me was always pushed along by the people that cheered and supported and thanked us along the entire route. There was Team Maureen - a family of walkers, crew, and professional cheer-er-on-ers that were consistently motivational. Whenever I saw a Team Maureen shirt or tag, I put my hand out for a high five or yelled out, "Yay Team Maureen!"

I'd pretty consistently yell out for out road crew, too! Yay, Road Crew! And Thank You! Road Crew was made up of volunteer bikers. I started identifying them by their bikes which would be parked at the corner as they made sure all the walkers got across the busy intersections safely. Pretty sweet bikes and very sweet folks that would cheer us on, tell us to smile, and tell us how much longer to the next rest area or quick stop.

There was sweep crew that would drive along the walkers that would cheer and toot the horn alongside us. A mobile cheering section but also was there to pick up people that needed to be carried to the next area or stop. The Rest or Quick Stop Crews had people cheering us as we got there - at almost every two miles. Then they had folk helping us refill for water and Gatorade. (Ok, I don't know why the Blue Gatorade was so popular. I always looked for classic Lemon Lime.) I had a love/hate relationship with the green Port-a-Potties. God Bless 'em I would need to take a serious piss after all that water and Gatorade. But then eeeeww.

So finally we hit the hald way point at Northeastern Illinois, where we have the Dam Hoovers playing for us. At this point MK and I start doing Bojango(a dance from Floss!) where we were resting and stretching out. The lead singer calls out and tells we can dance up front. So we do! The rest of the weekend, we'd hear "You're the dancing girls!"

...Cont'd

posted by nuprin @ 5:31 PM

.:] Last Volunteer Visit [:.

So today I dropped by without calling Allison. I'd been doing that alot anyways. I knocked on the door noticing that the boxes and boxes of goody bags are GONE! A sign was up saying that the office was closed from Thursday to Monday.

I was just about to turn tail when I notice Allison at her desk. Turns out they needed just a little bit more help. I also got to meet some other folks that run the other Avon Walks in other cities.

Thinking about next year, I would love to do another walk in another city. At the very least, I could offer my massage services and then go dance dance with the other folks in the lindy city.

As I left, I asked where I would be meeting Allison tomorrow. She looked at me quizically. Apparently I wasn't on the list of volunteers. Well, i am now! So I volunteer most of the day tomorrow (and they're providing dinner!) That's right I'll do just about anything free for dinner ;P

Then there's a party to go to afterwards and if I was a good girl I wouldn't go but instead get some sleep.... yeah, i know.

posted by nuprin @ 6:39 PM