Folk Life Seattle

So, a few weeks ago there was a Folk Life festival in Seattle and I decided to check it out.  I expected to see a lot of kilts, bagpipes, accordions, goofy hats and Celtic dancing but I didn’t expect to see what I saw.  Well, actually my friends were giving me the play by play as more and more odd characters appeared around us.  Before giving specific examples I will give trends that we noted by multiple appearances.  One of these trends was a male with no shirts on when the weather was in the low 60’s.  I don’t think that is a folk custom but I will check.  Next, were males dressed in tights and wearing skirts.  Many wearing tights that had purple or pink stripes.  Again, I don’t think this is a folk custom but I will check.  Yet another trend dyed hair of all shades and designs.  These were some of the trends but now lets get into some of the good stuff, individual examples.   One guy put on a mask with a stream of different colored locks extending down his back to dress like Rafiki in the Lion King.  He even walked around with a walking stick to fit the part closer.  Another person looked as though they had been stabbed with a machete knife through their head, but in reality it was just one of those Halloween accessories.  Again, how this relates to folk life I have no idea.  While sitting on the lawn watching a band with a giant panda dancing on stage with them, we noticed a large group of people circled around juggling bowling pins as if they were in the circus.  Right near them was a 65+ man with no shirt on dancing as though he was 25 and at a rave.  We even saw some crowd surfing at various concerts, which was not something I would associate with folk life.

The stage performers seemed to play the part better.  As I expected, there were accordions abound and even some bagpipes, banjos and flutes.  Many wore Celtic skirts and those goofy hats I spoke of earlier.  I will say I did enjoy the folk rock and folk punk bands although they sang so fast and with such an accent that I had no idea what they were saying.  The songs could have told a story or it could have been just a bunch of words.  I will never know.

Folk Life Seattle was another eye opening experience.  It was yet another opportunity for the people in Seattle to show their true colors.  It is at these events when you truly realize you have been cultured to the interests and styles of people around the world.  I believe everyone should attend one of these events.  If for nothing else at least to answer the looming question of, “There are people like that do that?”  If you have never seen the things I speak of on public display, you need to come to Seattle.  That is one great thing about this place.  No matter who you are or what you wear, there will be someone like you here!

I’m Alive But a Little Gimpy

The Xterra triathlon  at Fort Custer State Park is over and I am thankfully alive and hobbling.  Going into the race there had never been a blind/VI individual to compete in an Xterra triathlon on a tandem bike.  After getting knocked over, clipped by trees, breaking chains, riding with broken spokes poking me in the legs, twisting my ankle far past its limits and tripping and falling hard on the dirt and rocks on the run, I now know why I was the first to ever complete this feat. I am still alive and gimpy and want to thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.  I am sure your thoughts and prayers were the string that held me together and the drive that kept me going when nature tried to stop me. 

 Was it worth it?  Heck yeah!  This event pushed me too my limits of patients and resiliency.  It solidified my belief that anything is possible.  This race humbled me as a person and as an elite level triathlete.  No matter how long it was going to take or to what extreme we had to go to we were going to finish this race.  We didn’t finish first or anywhere close to it but we did prove something big to others and ourselves watching.  Anything is possible! 

 Now that the race is over we are tallying up the damages and there are quite a few.  The bike is in the hospital getting a complete overhaul.  The back wheel was completely shattered and the chain snapped twice.  Other minor damages are also being fixed.  As for me, I have a bum right ankle from severely tweaking it in the woods.  If not for my flimsy ankles it would be broken.  I think I bruised my tailbone, also known as the coccyx.  In addition I woke up this morning with a swollen left knee and a lot of pain in my right hip.  These all from unknown crashes and falls.  My guide finished with blood gushing down both legs from being impelled by the bike pedal.  He also had a swollen left knee from unknown crashes.  We both are covered with other random cuts and bruises but these are too many to go into detail.  No major fractures, concussions, deep wounds or injuries were sustained.  We will both be gimpy for a few days but will be back in business before you know it. 

Well, this is just a teaser for the full race report, which will come out on the Adventures page of my site. Stay tuned for the detailed report coming soon.  Also, real live video of Josh and I in action will be uploaded to Aaron Scheidies TV via YouTube as well.  Stay tuned!

Danger, WATCH YOURSELF!!

Well, some are calling me insane and yet others are praying for my insanity weekend.  No other blind/VI individual has done an Xterra triathlon on a tandem bike. The Mideast Regional Xterra Championship, like all Xterra triathlons include lake swims, traitorous mountain bike trails and rugged runs that weave through woods and over roots.  To my knowledge, there hasn’t been anyone that has tried one of these on a mountain bike tandem so this will be a first.  There is however one blind/VI individual more crazy than myself.  This guy does Xterra triathlons on a single bike with a sighted guide out in front calling commands.  I forgot this man’s name but I definitely want to meet that guy because he is the Man! 

Sunday’s race will definitely take me out of my comfort zone and create a bit of anxiety within me.  People ask me why I do it and I say, “If we have accomplished big feats but keep doing what we have already done than we are saying we are satisfied with mediocrity.  I need new challenges.  This may mean risk but I am willing to risk a lot of show there are no limitations to what anyone can do.”  No matter what you have been given or what has been taken away, the possabilities are endless.  That’s what Sunday will demonstrate!

 Until after Sunday, I am saying goodbye but always remember that anything is possible.  Also, remember to pray for my safety on Sunday as well (hahaha)

In the So-called Real World

After 27 years of living off the parents and working summer jobs to make ends meet, I have finally landed myself in the so-called real world.  Although I don’t really agree with the belief that only 9-5 jobs encompass “real world” work, at least now I won’t get harassed for being a bum.

Last Thursday April 30^th I started my professional practice as a physical therapist at the Anderson House skilled nursing facility in Shoreline, WA.  I am working for a great company in RehabCare and have been accepted and accommodated very well thus far.  I never thought that I would be working with the geriatric population but throughout school and clinicals the older people grew on me.   I feel as though I have a special ability to motivate them and relate to their issues.  I also see the impact that I can immediately have on their lives.  The appreciation that patients show for such simple things is very powerful.

Thus far, my job is awesome.  I work 3-3.5 days per week and then have the rest of the time to train and maintain a social life.  I can’t really complain too much with the schedule.  I will say that I am not nor will I ever be a fan of the ridiculous amount of documentation required for the job.  There is no way around it though so there’s no use dwelling on it.  Sometime you gotta do what you gotta do!

That’s all for this update. I will keep you updated on any new things that come up in my life or any impacting experiences that I have.  Hope you all are doing well and keep moving forward.  Love all of you that support me.  Thanks again!!!

PossAbilities and K Swiss HQ

K Swiss T ShirtSo I am back in LA and getting ready for another race.  This time we are changing things up a little and starting with the run and ending with the swim.  Some would call this a death trap but I look at it more like a challenge.  On Sunday I will be competing in the 7th Annual PossAbilities Reverse Triathlon.  PossAbilities is a non-profit organization run through Loma Linda University that creates opportunities for people ith physical challenges to do things never thought possible.  It is a great organization.   I met the PossAbilities staff while attending the Paralympic Nordic training camp in Sun Valley, ID earlier this year and loved their mission.  The race this Sunday was just going to be a fun little race, that is, until I found out that $2,000 goes to the winner and they pay 5 deep.  Knowing this, the tables have turned and I have my game face on.  Well, I don’t really have my game face on yet but it will by Sunday.

In the meantime, I am spending today (Friday) hanging out with my favorite K Swiss peeps Ivette Ramos and Erik Vervloet.  For lunch we went to some Italian place in Malibu but its not sitting so well with my stomach.  From there I followed them back to K Swiss HQ to catch up on all that is going on for the future of K Swiss running and triathlon.  They’ve got some killer new stuff coming out and I am super excited.  Also while here today I plan on designing some new clothing designs for the 2010 lines.  I am sure these will go over very will  with them.  Although my designs probably won’t get past the drafting and initial cut stage at least the groundwork will be set for the greatest fashion line the world has ever seen.Later today I wll go catch up with my good friends the Talberts in Calabasas, hopefully go for a dip in the pool and then hang out with my guide and former MSU triclubber John Severin  The weekend will be great and I will have more details come Monday when the race is over and I am hopefully $2,000 richer.

Breaking Out of the Comfort Zone

Over my years, I realize that we as humans create  a pattern of life in which we are comfortable and satisfied.  The thought of change spurs on anxiety and discomfort.  Although this comfort zone feels good at the time, it is not the path to success nor will we ever fulfill our full potential.  Success comes to those that break through the comfort zone and endure initial discomfort in exchange for life long success.  I found this poem that I believe explains this better than I ever could. 

 

My Comfort Zone

Author: Unknown

 

I used to have a comfort zone where I knew I wouldn’t fail.
The same four walls and busywork were really more like jail.
I longed so much to do the things I’d never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.

I said it didn’t matter that I wasn’t doing much.
I said I didn’t care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.

I couldn’t let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I’d never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.

If you’re in a comfort zone, afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.

Reach for your future with a smile; success is there for you

Bracketology with Aaron: Part 1

The 1^st round of the tourney is over. Not too many surprises from how I see it. My bracket is still very much alive. The Midwest bracket took the brunt of the upsets but no worries for me because my team out of this region Michigan State is still kicking. The second round should be much more of an indicator of who will go far and who is just holding on by their fingertips.

Let’s review some of the big wins and potentially unexpected losses from the first round. In the Midwest region, I had Siena over the Buckeyes of Ohio State. The Buckeyes are very young and Siena has done the unexpected in the tourney before, beating Vanderbilt last year. Arizona was too much to handle for Utah as I expected. The Wildcats underperformed in the regular season but I expect them to get back to the Sweet 16 this year. USC was another team that I would have bet money on in the first round. The Trojans are on a roll and Boston College just wasn’t that good this year. The two games in the Midwest that I missed were Dayton and Cleveland State. Wake Forest decided not to “wake up” for their game and Dayton’s win demonstrates another instance of a Tom Izzo disciple getting big wins in the tourney. Dayton’s coach Brian Gregory was on the bench with Izzo for many years before getting the job with the Flyers.

Moving on to the West region I came out unblemished. The one game that was most difficult to pick in this region was the Washington vs. Mississippi St. game which ended up being much less of a game than expected. Based on my ties to the Huskies and their scrappy never give up style of play I went with Washington and it proved worth it. I also had the Aggies over BYU. To me this was a given because Brigham Young is just not meant for basketball. It’s not in their blood. Winning is in the blood of the Maryland Terrapins who always seem to stir it up in the tourney. I have them losing to Memphis in round two but I could easily see an upset in that one.

Halfway down and two more regions to go. In the East region, Pittsburgh gave me a slight scare with their lackadaisical play against East Tennessee State but talent prevailed. In the next game I chose Oklahoma State over Tennessee. The Cowboys are on a roll and Tennessee seems to enjoy “volunteering” their spot in the next round each and every year. I picked Wisconsin over Florida State although I think the Badgers could possibly be the ugliest team to watch in every sport. Somehow they get the job done though. Texas is another team like Arizona that flopped in the regular season but has potential and therefore I had them moving on. The most difficult pick in this region was the UCLA vs. VCU game. Let’s face it, UCLA is just not good this year and they are riding on tradition. I picked them over VCU reluctantly in the first round but I would bet money they are out come Sunday.

Last but not least we have the South region where UNC showed Radford who their daddy is by stomping them 101-58 without their best player Ty Lawson. They will face LSU in the next round who I had losing to Butler. I thought the 3-point shooting of Butler would turn the lights out on LSU but I was mistaken. I did however pick the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky to beat Illinois. You can’t stop a guy with a name like Orlando Mendez-Valdez! The only other game of question was the Michigan vs. Clemson game. Nobody could predict this game with any real confidence. These two teams are the most inconsistent and inpatient teams in college basketball. They chuck 3-pointers up from half court and both are known for throwing some elbows at opponents. I did pick the winner Michigan in this one but that was just a pick out of a hat. Michigan will not be able to handle Oklahoma in round two and will be handed a ticket home come Sunday.

That concludes this Bracketology session for the 1st round games. The 2nd round starts today (Saturday) and this round will be much more of an indicator of who is real and who is just playing “unreal”. Here are some of the teams I have in the sweet 16 besides the obvious #1’s: Arizona, Kansas, Michigan State, Purdue, Missouri, Memphis, Wisconsin, Villanova, Duke, Gonzaga, Syracuse and Oklahoma. With this said, I think that Washington could definitely take out Purdue and I could see Texas beating Duke. As stated earlier I think Maryland could end Memphis’s glory ride. USC will give Michigan State a run for their money but will fall short in the end and the Spartans will move one step closer to the Final Four in Detroit.

SLOPPY!!!

Last night I was at the gym doing a 2hr bike ride on the stationary bike. I got off the bike and went right into a run outside. My nice little run quickly turned crazy as I began to get pelted with ice chunks that were coming down at fast speeds. As the ice poured down harder and harder, I felt as though I was getting jabbed with needles all over my face. It was sunny when I went into the gym so never did I think I would be getting hit with ice balls later. I had shorts on but luckily I had a coat. The plan was to hop on the #73 bus that would take me directly to my house. As I ran up the hill passing another bus that was churning its wheel stuck on the hill I reconsidered getting on the bus. I kept running as the ice balls kept picking up intensity and size. There was now ½-inch of sloppy slush covering the pavement. The ice to the face was blinding me more than normal and I was having trouble seeing the sidewalk below me. I kept going despite the unsafe conditions.

A mile up the road, I crossed an intersection and I heard someone ask, “Hey do you have a cigarette?” I replied, “No, I definitely don’t smoke.” The girl replied back, “Did it look like I was making eye contact with you? I wasn’t talking to you.” Chuckling to myself, I thought, “Well, I never make eye contact with anyone but I am still talking to them.” I decided not to explain the situation but rather kept trudging up the sloppy incline hoping that a bus would come because my feet were soaked. My face wasn’t bad at all because I couldn’t feel it. So many ice balls had hit me that my body had told itself to stop sending pain signals to my face.

Finally, after 41minutes of sloppiness I returned to my cozy apartment. The bus never passed. I don’t think I was running that fast. Maybe I should stop taking public transportation and just start running everywhere. We’ll have to see. I do know that my nice little run turned into a sloppy mess with slush flying everywhere and ice balls falling from the sky like we were back in the ice age. I am still alive though. Alive and kicking up here in crazy Seattle.

Going Solo for the First Time

After 8yrs of living in your typical run down and always messy college house I have finally made a step up in the world to my own place. No roommates to remind me to do the dishes or to leave the dishes for me. Its all on my own now. I think I am done with the 12 person Real World Seattle house from Craig’s List. I think I am done with wandering from house to house carrying my life with me on my back. Lastly, I think I am done spending more time on the bus than all other places combined. Now, don’t get me wrong I will still spend enough time on the bus to have more crazy stories to tell. The stories may just be more spread out. The process of house hunting was a little more involved and strategic than you may expect. My requirements are different than most. Most people want a nice peaceful neighborhood that is very safe and free of crime and any suspicious people. Most people want an area where they feel they have their space and aren’t so crammed together. I on the other hand wanted quite the opposite. I needed a place where everything was jammed packed as close as I could get it. Where I didn’t have to strain to travel anywhere. I needed a place where all bus trips were transfer-free and buses were plentiful. Looking at these requirements and the way our society functions you should quickly realize that the place I am describing normally sacrifices a little on the safe and peaceful side. Those that use public transportation a lot seem to enjoy themselves just chill’in around the station. These types of places also tend to be situated around major gathering spots such as malls. Gathering spots are non-discriminatory. People of all types, suspicious or not, like to gather. When people gather things occasionally happen. That’s just how the cookie crumbles! So, if you guessed that I live near a mall where there are restaurants, grocery stores and a bus transit center right around the corner than you guessed correctly. I just moved in to my own solo apartment 7 miles north of downtown Seattle in a neighborhood known as Northgate. Northgate is actually a pretty nice area. I exaggerated a bit on the crime and cleanliness. It is a perfect location for me at this point and I am really excited to be going solo for the first time.

Testing Out Fresh Powder Part 2

So I told you about my new little interest in Part 1, now I will explain how my experience in the powder turned out.

The Sun Valley Camp was intense in terms of the hours we put into the snow and for the first half of the week my hip flexors were screaming for me to stop.  I was doing Classic style Nordic skiing for the first half of the week and the constant flexing and extending was out of the ordinary for my little muscles.  They adapted quickly because they knew I wasn’t going to stop.  I began feeling more comfortable staying in the 20-in wide tracks and keeping myself forward.  That is, I was comfortable up until the point I had to go around a turn or up a hill.  Then things started getting dicey. 

On Thursday, we did a 6K time trial and I had a nice little female guide.  I managed to get through the fairly flat course without any accidents but there were many close calls.  A group of locals decided it was dog day and had their dogs running all over the ski tracks.  Me being new to the sport and not confident with quick decisions almost had two major collisions.  The first one included a small little Boston terrier bolting right in front of my ski tips nearly getting pierced with the sharp front edge. The second involved going over a bridge having no side railing where there was again a dog pound in my way. This time I was also going down a hill and had picked up a lot of steam. As I got the bridge and was heading right for the people and the dogs I took two steps out of the tracks and just missed the collision as well as managed to stay on the bridge and not go flying into the below stream. I was so relieved that I had dodged the elements. I finished the time trial in a very respectable 17:45.

My next test was also my first true Nordic ski race. It was the Boulder Mountain Tour Race, which was a 30K race, but we (the training camp athletes) would just do the last 15K of the race. Before the race I took my secret weapon AdvoCare products and with guide Steve Cook started cranking.

I had yet to go full power on skis so it was not all smooth sailing. The course was very windy and a few turns got the best of me. I took three falls in the race but when I was not falling I was hauling. I finished the 15K in 44:49, which was first of the Paralympic camp athletes. When taking into account the factor system for Paralympics I had beaten the next guy by only about 20seconds. My lungs were on fire. I am used to pushing myself but in cold weather it’s a whole new ball game. The pain was good pain though. The pain that makes you want to do more. As a matter of fact I think I will do more.

My experiences with Nordic skiing have led me to pursue the US Paralympic Ski team. The 2010 Winter Paralympics are right around the corner and just outside my backyard in Vancouver, CAN. Stay tuned because you may just see me on the start line!