Non-Athletic Sport Created Around Rednecks

Good Morning S!
Its Friday, August 1st and I'm going on a camping trip next week!

Ok... So its a NASCAR event, what do I care?

I know what you're thinking right now S, "yes. when I think of C, the first thing that pops in my head is a hick racefan, hanging out in crocs, sweatpants and a 'mrs. kasey kahne' tee shirt." However country bumkin it might be, it has become somewhat of a family tradition, and I can't let go of a chance for a long weekend.



For four years, my dad and I, as well as other extended family, made our way down to the Finger Lakes in New York state for a 4 day “camping” trip. The purpose of this trip: to watch a bunch of cars go around a track, wasting gas for 4 hours on a Sunday, and then hightailing it back home. When we first went when I was 11, it was less about the racecars than it was about the seemingly endless partying crowd that congregated for the event, not to mention the chance to get out of Ottawa for a precious weekend.



For the past couple of years, we haven’t had a chance to go, due to family issues, and next week will be the first time we can return since I was 15. The entire weekend consists of us wandering aimlessly around downtown Watkins Glen, wandering aimlessly around the race track grounds, eating, and sleeping in tents (or, in my case, the back seat of cars because it has always rained every single time we go there).
Every year I get a sunburn, every year I get grossed out at the state of the toilets and showers, every year I get sick from eating so much junkfood everyday and every year I feel so sad to leave the stupid, muddy field on top of a mountain because I had so much fun with my family.



Although over the past few years I have lost interest in NASCAR – and feel morally obligated to protest the excessive use of fuel and energy it takes to not only power the cars, but to get people to the site, I still can’t wait to spend next weekend outside in the (probable) rain, with my family (who will complain about the weather.. again).

This year, I expect, will be different. There's also a go-cart track, Seneca lake, an ARBY'S (as well as several other restaurants, but I know what you're really interested in), a national park (with super pretty waterfalls!), and colonial houses everywhere (you know how much I love americana, S). Basically, my job for today is to figure out exactly what else there is to do in Watkins Glen besides going to see a national park and sitting in an Arby's for 4 days...


Sure, I want to hang around with my family and get the 'full nascar experience' for the first time as an "adult", but I also don't want to be bored out of my mind and texting you frequently about why the hell I came. Backup plans S, are the holy saviour of many a stupid vacation, and should be planned with great caution. For the immenant moment when I can no longer keep my mouth shut about the environmental and economic factors of the race will come... and I will be ready!


I'll see you this weekend for fireworks at the casino!
Don't forget to be awesome, S!
-xo

Confusing stories 101

Today class, I'm going to get down to the reason why I made this blog in the first place!

To say it simply: my life is the exact opposite of everything when I was younger. I'm fine without a boyfriend for now, I'm also thankful that I'm not as socially irresponsible as television and movies told me I'd probably be, and its probably best I don't own a Lambougini and a mansion (insurance purposes) at this time in my life. At the same time,the intangible things I thought I'd have by 19 are missing too. I seriously wanted that sense of accomplishment and adventure - to be proud of all the things that I did. I used to travel with my parents all the time: Halifax, British Columbia, Chicago, Montreal, New York - and I even went to Edmonton all alone to visit a friend when I was 12. I was preparing myself to be something of a great traveller - knowledgeble, likeable, completely self-reliant and comfortable anywhere. Being awesome was pretty much my ultimate goal...

So all that I expected didn't quite happen really... which turns out is the way life is. Who would have thought? Aside from a few familial related bumps in the road, my life hasn't been the worst. I was sheltered- correction: I am sheltered in Ottawa - and its not exactly something I'm proud of. I live on my own in an apartment building full of students and elderly people with all the amenities around me, I live on a main bus route, I rarely go downtown by myself unless theres a reason, I don't sneak into clubs and drink or do drugs, I'm very trusting of people around me (I talk to everyone), I see my father every day (I work in his office) and if I really wanted to, I could probably get my parents to pay for everything that I pay for currently.

Although I am kind of afraid of change and unfamiliar situations, I want my future to be filled with amazingly fulfilling experiences - ones that are bright and shiny. Thats why this blog was made. It has become my own way to share the mini adventures I'll have, as well as the planning for larger adventures. Who knows? Maybe one day something big will happen, and I'll be posting from Italy, Ireland, Bali and Egypt. My mother recently asked me (in a concerned tone) if I thought I could REALLY do anything. "You could get a job at Heritage Canada and work in an office for the government - they'd love you there, and you'd have a good pension!" She said. I realized then that being a curator, and traveling (even by myself) is something I need to do. I don't want to end up like my mother - unhappy with her marriage, unhappy with her children, unhappy with her lifestyle. I'm sticking to my guns on this one.

To update all my readers (*waves to the empty seats*), I'm planning to take next summer off and go abroad for a work vacation. I'm currently in the what-the-hell-would-this-entail stages of this plan, and its not quite off the ground yet. I've found some lovely organisations that would help me with the visas I need and finding suitable employment and residence when I arrive, and I've bought a couple "so you want to travel" style books that will help me out. I'm thinking about returning to England and try to work in a museum or at a castle. We'll see where that goes...

Any and all comments are greatly appreciated - especially if you've done a work abroad program and you have some advice!

'Tune in tomorrow - same bat time, same bat channel!'

-C

ps: can you tell I like linking?