After drinking whiskey and piña coladas until 2:30am the night before (Chris drank the fruity drinks, I drank the whiskey) we went to Raceway Park track where I learned how to drive very slowly in straight lines. Turning, while not difficult, is still, well, difficult. It took me 47,000,000 times (actual number) to start the bike and I maaaaaay have flooded the engine a time or two, but I got it into third, didn't fall off and now realize that buff shirtless young men live in quantity on the motocross tracks of South Jersey. Very. Important.
We then pre-planned another very important part of our Baja trip. The tequila drinking. With margaritas and Mexican food in our bellies we are researching motocross trail rides and looking for a bike for me on craigslist. I hope it's pink.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
"Every Woman Should Own a Blowtorch" -Julia Child
My name is Sarah. But you can call me the editor.
My blowtorch is named Christopher.
You know how everyone has those crazy ideas that you make up over dinner, drinks, a lot of drinks? Well. I have that friend who makes those ideas come to fruition. He is... dangerous. He is FUN!
(This here is where we insert the lady-style backstory, cause I'm sure you're all fascinated with my life story. I mean, who wouldn't be!? I'm delightful!)
Chris & I met when I was 14 & he was 15. We both wore brightly colored Converse. We dated for 2 weeks. It was obviously a passionate love affair. Obviously. I will gloss over the child protective services drama, forced relocation and awkward teenage years (as any woman is want to do). Chris went to a big state school on a full scholarship where he rowed crew, majored in Philosophy (practicality is key) and Political Science and worked full time as a corporate trainer for a Mexican restaurant chain, traveling the country. He has since managed restaurants, managed a mortgage firm, managed a finance firm and managed to become an excellent tequila drinker. Christopher is an underachiever. He also really does own a blowtorch... He went through a welding phase.
I, your kindly editor, attended a small liberal arts college on my parents' dime and majored in Fine Art, performed in theater, studied medieval art history, handed in a photo essay for a science final, lived in the vegan Environmental coop, and was notorious for skinny dipping in fountains and causing mayhem. I have been told many times, "If only you applied yourself." Since college I have worked as a teacher on a Native American Reservation, worked as a documentary film editor in New York City and finally as a massage therapist. I finally applied myself. I have the best job ever. My spirit animals are sequins and the chocolate chip cookie. I really do want to ride a unicorn.
But back to our story... One nights over drinks in my neighborhood in Brooklyn, Chris mentioned that he had just bought a motorcycle. A dirt bike, to be exact. And our plan was hatched. I didn't really plan on following through with it. I never plan on following through with Chris's crazy ideas.
So here I am. Never having been on a dirt bike. But y'know, sometimes poor life choices are the best life choices.
My blowtorch is named Christopher.
You know how everyone has those crazy ideas that you make up over dinner, drinks, a lot of drinks? Well. I have that friend who makes those ideas come to fruition. He is... dangerous. He is FUN!
(This here is where we insert the lady-style backstory, cause I'm sure you're all fascinated with my life story. I mean, who wouldn't be!? I'm delightful!)
Chris & I met when I was 14 & he was 15. We both wore brightly colored Converse. We dated for 2 weeks. It was obviously a passionate love affair. Obviously. I will gloss over the child protective services drama, forced relocation and awkward teenage years (as any woman is want to do). Chris went to a big state school on a full scholarship where he rowed crew, majored in Philosophy (practicality is key) and Political Science and worked full time as a corporate trainer for a Mexican restaurant chain, traveling the country. He has since managed restaurants, managed a mortgage firm, managed a finance firm and managed to become an excellent tequila drinker. Christopher is an underachiever. He also really does own a blowtorch... He went through a welding phase.
I, your kindly editor, attended a small liberal arts college on my parents' dime and majored in Fine Art, performed in theater, studied medieval art history, handed in a photo essay for a science final, lived in the vegan Environmental coop, and was notorious for skinny dipping in fountains and causing mayhem. I have been told many times, "If only you applied yourself." Since college I have worked as a teacher on a Native American Reservation, worked as a documentary film editor in New York City and finally as a massage therapist. I finally applied myself. I have the best job ever. My spirit animals are sequins and the chocolate chip cookie. I really do want to ride a unicorn.
But back to our story... One nights over drinks in my neighborhood in Brooklyn, Chris mentioned that he had just bought a motorcycle. A dirt bike, to be exact. And our plan was hatched. I didn't really plan on following through with it. I never plan on following through with Chris's crazy ideas.
So here I am. Never having been on a dirt bike. But y'know, sometimes poor life choices are the best life choices.
We are intrepid...
As humans our condition is often to strive for what is just outside of our reach - get outside our comfort zone, do what is not easily attained and advance our achievements to the next level. Cure polio, man on the moon, etc (Editor's note: I'd like to ride a unicorn)
This is none of that - not nearly as noble, not nearly as reputable, but just as far a reach. Sarah and I have resolved to not only enter the 2012 Baja 500, but also to win it. For those of you who may not know what the Baja 500 is we suggest you rent Dust to Glory - a documentary about the longer 1000 mile version of this off-road race set in the Baja desert of Mexico.
A few key facts that we should probably share:
-Where the race allows the entry of both 4 and 2 wheeled vehicles we are opting to trek these 500 miles on a dirt bike.
-I picked up dirt biking 6 weeks ago and Sarah has as of yet not been on a dirt bike...ever (Ed. Note: but I look excellent in body armor)
-The only reason we are waiting a full 10 months to compete is that we simply missed the June deadlines. Otherwise we'd be entering the race now.
(Ed. Note: Jesus Christ, WHAT are we doing!?)
This is none of that - not nearly as noble, not nearly as reputable, but just as far a reach. Sarah and I have resolved to not only enter the 2012 Baja 500, but also to win it. For those of you who may not know what the Baja 500 is we suggest you rent Dust to Glory - a documentary about the longer 1000 mile version of this off-road race set in the Baja desert of Mexico.
A few key facts that we should probably share:
-Where the race allows the entry of both 4 and 2 wheeled vehicles we are opting to trek these 500 miles on a dirt bike.
-I picked up dirt biking 6 weeks ago and Sarah has as of yet not been on a dirt bike...ever (Ed. Note: but I look excellent in body armor)
-The only reason we are waiting a full 10 months to compete is that we simply missed the June deadlines. Otherwise we'd be entering the race now.
(Ed. Note: Jesus Christ, WHAT are we doing!?)
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