Yesterday, I was under instruction by my M to help my 2.3 (Charlie) find a book to read. We were digging through some book shelves and couldn’t find squat that a 10 year old would like. We have a boat load of ones for really young critters by Richard Scary, Dr Seuss, and of course some of YHC’s own: Go Wolfpack Go. That’s right folks, bet some of you didn’t know that your boy here illustrated 17 children’s books. Anyway we didn’t really find anything good but we did find an old photo album that was full of my childhood memories that I haven’t seen in forever. I am clearly a pack rat because I have tons of useless stuff in there. Mostly junk really, but there are some doozies in there for sure. Like this one. Giving the cameraman the ole Stink Eye since ’85:
We got to the page where I saved all of my ribbons from my elementary school Field Days. As we scrolled through the pages of blue, red, and yellow ones I suddenly remembered something about myself.
“Hey Charlie, take that blue ribbon out. Let’s see what the back of it says”
“It says you got this from Tug of War”
“Yep, that’s what I figured. Check the next blue one.”
“Tug of War”
“How about the next couple of ones…”
“Tug of War”
Exactly as I remembered. You see, Tug of War wasn’t a single man event like the long jump, 100 yard dash, or even something cool like the 3 Legged race that you did with a partner. The dudes that got blue ribbons in those events were the studs of our class. I can see them now after the big day. Leaning up against a fence waiting on his mom to swing by in her Vista Cruiser to pick him up. Probably so he could go home and shave. Holding a dozen ribbons in one hand. Smoking a Kool in the other.
No, the Tug of War was a class vs class event. And there were only 2 classes per grade, so you were guaranteed at least a red ribbon just for fogging up a mirror and showing up that day. I didn’t earn that ribbon. In fact, I doubt I even broke a sweat to get that sucker. I just let big ole Russ Russel, Terrance Heard, and Big Daddy Shea (real dude by the way) lean back and do the hard work so I could bask in their Tug of War Glory and add to my collection of Huckleberried Blue Ribbons.
So what’s that got to do with 2019, F3, or me, Cousin Eddie? Glad you asked. I was recently re-listening to the Art of Manliness podcast that interviewed Dredd and OBT. Dredd, as he always does, had a great quote: Personal comfort should not be your watch word. Get out there and do something hard. Get uncomfortable. Get dirty. Run far. Post 20 days in a row. This winter, leave that stupid balaclava at home and post in a t-shirt and jorts. Sign up for the Iron Pax challenge (IRON PAX SON). Sign up for the 1st annual Hickory to Boone relay – details forthcoming.
Just don’t be a sucker and ride on Russ’s coattails for that easy blue ribbon because one day, your boy will call your bluff and think you’re a puss in boots for it.
Sidenote: I did find one legit blue ribbon. It was in the Backwards Race, 1982. Get some of that.
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