A Small Ultimate Community

When I was 18, I moved to Knoxville, had one hell of terrible first month, and then found Ultimate (that is actually how it happened- more or less). It was great. It was a small ultimate community, mostly made up of college players from UT with some players that were in Knoxville living and working. It was a welcoming and opening community, with the club (non-college) players willing to teach and wanting to, with the boys from the UT men's team doing the same as much as possible, and in the summers, there were 3 and 4 hour pickup games three times a week! My first summer in Knoxville I learned so much about the game, how to handle, how not to freak out, how to really play. Then, I got to be in charge of my team, and whenever we had new girls come out (club or college), we were so excited! It meant we could go to tournaments and actually play! I remember the first time I went to Knoxville pickup- first organized ultimate (what I know now as ultimate)- I was asked to go to a tournament that weekend. Of course, I didn't go- I was way too intimidated by the game, but still hooked from the first point. It was amazing.

Now, 8 years later- and trust me, it's been a fast 8 years- I've gone to more tournaments than I can possibly keep track of, played with more teams that I can count, and gotten to know some of the best people in the world. I went from playing in Knoxville (at most, 4 summer league teams while I was there), to driving down to Chattanooga once a week for two summers for league and playing at tournaments with them, to moving to Atlanta- a community with over 32 summer league teams and 800 people. I went from a very small community to a very, very big one. And it was a great experience and frustrating at the same time. It's hard to be a good player in Atlanta unless you are the best. It's one of the many reasons that I put teams together for the fun summer and off season tournaments- so that I could play, and play with my friends. I was able to play club for two years, but there were 3 season between the two. It's just hard in Atlanta, especially once you are put into a certain box of what type of player you are- there is no getting out of that box. But I still learned a lot about playing there, and I got smarter about how I play to make up for my weaknesses (read: SLOW). I met some amazing people and some not so amazing people, and learned a lot about myself. It was Atlanta.

Now, I'm back in a small ultimate community. Very, very small. The team here in WY is very... young. The girls are trying to start a girls team (have i been sucked back to Knoxville circa 2002?) and the boys are... well- they're college boys. They play a very run-and-gun style of play, and it's all about athleticism for them. The girls that play are like that too. But in the end, small ultimate communities are the same-- they welcome anyone new, and want others to play. I met the captains of the men's and women's teams last Thursday, and once I explained my situation, that I would only be able to really practice with the girls and do open scrimmages due to ineligibility and working on Sunday's, the next questions they had was: "Do you want to come to a coed tournament with us this weekend? We're having a coed scrimmage tomorrow to get ready for it- want to come?" I was just flabergasted, I think because I just haven't been around a community like that in a very long time. So I went, with the knowledge that everyone knew I could only play on Saturday. And I had a great time :) I didn't do too much on the field, or touch the disc too often, but they boys played with the boys. And in this situation I understand that- they just don't know me. But I didn't drop the disc often or get D'd at all, I had one mini-layout, I got a D, and I threw a beautiful backhand break to the opposite side of the endzone. So, I hope I made a mark with these people, because I do hope to get to play with them (Saturday's only) for a few tournaments that are close by. I decided that I will help the girls team out as much as possible because it's the right thing to do, and it will hopefully take some of the pressure off the captains. So, I guess I'm playing ultimate again :)

Now the decision is this: Go to Boise, ID this weekend to play with Susie's team (10 hours, probably alone), go to Durango, CO to play in the Labor Day Hat (8.5 hours, probably alone), or stay here and do homework and go to the game. All of these are possible due to work being put off until Monday, but the first two are not as feasible as I would hope. Decisions, decisions...

First Day of School

Who ever thought that at 26 I could still talk about tomorrow as being my "first day of school"? It's such a foreign and silly concept at 26- or at least I think so. But there it is. Although, technically my first day of school is on Tuesday as all I have to do tomorrow is go look at a bike, go to a new tutor meeting at 5, workout, and do into my office and do a few hours of work. Really, that's a pretty good first day of school.

Other than that, there isn't too much going on. I made it back from Atlanta on Wednesday in one piece and not too long after I expected to make it back- I had to stop in Ft. Collins for Panera... those opportunities don't come up too often anymore- and found my netflix :) Hooray for netflix. That helped with getting over leaving Atlanta (again), and I haven't been too sad this week, or at least not any sadder than I think I should be anyway. Atlanta is a great place. I love it. Of course I'm going to be sad!

Friday I got to meet the other grad students in my program, which was nice. I feel like I'm finally starting to meet people, and last night we all (or almost all) got together at one of the other student's houses and he grilled the things we all brought, we ate, we talked. It was great to be in a situation like that- one that is super laid back, and we all just kinda got to know each other. Or rather, the previous group got to know all of us, and we got to know each other. It was fun. I think my favorite part of the evening (besides me finishing off an entire bottle of wine alone) was when they lit a fire and we had smores. Silly, I know, but there's just something about a fire- and shockingly it was cold enough that it was actually necessary. I loved it! It was fun, we all started making plans- a few of the other students know how to climb and ski so they are going to teach those of us that don't know how (yet). We'll see how this actually goes. But it should be fun.

Overall, it's been a pretty good week- even though my week was all of two days long. But things are starting to get busy, life is picking up, and we'll see where it takes me :)

What should have been a hiking excursion...

turned into a weekend in Atlanta! I know I said that I was going to hike on the weekends, but Jenn Penn decided to change my plans for me. Last week we were gchatting, and she basically told me that because I didn't have anything else to do over the weekend except watch Netflix (yeah Netflix!), finish unpacking, and hang out in my apartment, that I would be coming home for the weekend! So, hooray Atlanta! Off I went on Thursday morning to fly out of Denver to Atlanta.

It's been such a great time, and something I SO needed. I was able to surprise everyone on my team, and pretty much everyone except for JP and the Good Timer's that she told, at GOTW that I was back- that was super fun :) Someone told me "I'm so glad to see you, and super surprised to look up and see you in the crowd, but at the same time it's normal. You're supposed to be here". I guess I just haven't been gone long enough. Just you wait until December people when you haven't seen me in 4 months.... just you wait. Hehe.

SO yeah, good surprise. It feels good to know I'm loved by the people that are happy to see me. I do find it funny that within 24 hours of being back in Atlanta though I see 3 people randomly that I wouldn't normally run into (well- two of them anyway). I ran into Ben Spears while waiting on Marta to take me to JP on Thursday night- that was fun to have someone to talk to on the train, and just to randomly run into someone. I also ran into Rusty from Nooga while waiting on a friend by the capitol building downtown on Friday. What was weird was that we both thought it was the other, but were too afraid to say anything. Finally I did, and it was good to talk to Rusty. Then, when I was closing out my bank accounts here (see... it was a necessary trip), I saw one of the kids from the preschool and her mom. That was great. Atlanta is a lot smaller than I realized....

Friday was spent just hanging out, running EOS errands with Church, and going out. I loved getting to play with Stranger Danger one more time. 2 absolutely heartbreaking losses made Saturday hard, but I played well and had a great time, so whatevs. Rain shortened Saturday a bit, and we ended up not playing last round. Instead, impromptu party happened and we all danced for hours (I'm still sore). It was super fun, and I danced with all my friends all night. Best part is that dance floor was in front of the front door of the house, so there was no easing into the dancing... you walked in and you were dancing. No choice about it. It was a night of debauchery and ridiculousness. Awesome. Yesterday was disappointed due to terrible playing, but it was great to just hang out.

Today I'm trying to get some work done, but the internet at Panera is kinda terrible and won't let me connect to the Wyoming webmail system, so I can't check my school email or my work email... which means I'll have lots of hours to make up when I get back on Wednesday and the rest of the week... that's not how this was supposed to happen. Eh- whatever. This is my last weekend like this for about 4 months. I think I'm already counting down the days until I can come back over New Year's. Sad.

It's been such a great weekend, and I am so happy that I got to do this. I think I'm ready to really start living in Wyoming now- with classes starting next week and all the orientations over the next few weeks and other grad students getting into town (thank god- friend potential), and possibly meeting the frisbee team (still thinking this one over... don't want to fall into the same old pattern), it's time to get busy. And get time flying for Christmas break.

No matter what- Hooray for Atlanta! I'm not sure when this actually became "home", but there isn't any place I'd rather call that :)

Hiking Excursion 1: Libby Creek

I have made a decision that I am going to try and hike every Saturday until the weather turns bad and roads become impassable. So far, I've succeeded, but there has only been one Saturday to try this on. I'm not saying this is always going to happen, but I'm going to make the attempt.

This past Saturday, August 7, I did just that. I have bought a book of local hiking trails- some of them easy and just a few miles (7 or less), and some of them are much, much more difficult (multi-night camping and 20+ miles, some peaks). I am really excited about this book, and randomly chose a trail that isn't too far from Laramie and was less than five miles. I'm still trying to acclimate to the elevation, so I figured anything less than 5 miles was doable. Libby Creek seemed perfect- it is a 3.5 mile loop about 45 minutes from Laramie, directly west. I got up on Saturday morning, in no hurry, and made breakfast, a lunch for myself, a lots of water. I also made sure to pack a long sleeve, rain jacket, and a fleece vest, everything just in case.

When I got to the trail head, it was a balmy 57 degrees. (PS: I love this weather!). I paid my access fee, got all my shit together, and hit the trail. It was beautiful! I didn't see anyone else out on the trail, so that was nice. In the Smokey's you always end up seeing people on any and all trails. My friend Brian has been hiking the AT and he doesn't go a day where he doesn't see people he doesn't know hiking. So yeah, it was a little crazy for me to see no one. I was lucky and got lots of sunshine- I was hot hiking the inclines, but never hot enough to take off my vest. So kinda perfect. I got to hike through some small meadows filled with wild flowers (yellow and purple!), saw some really cool mushrooms, and lots of little streams. Eventually I ended up down by Libby Creek, and it was georgous! I love being near running water, and I could hear the creek way before I was able to see it. I think the last incline up back to the trail head was the hardest because I knew I was nearing the end and I really just didn't want to go up anymore!

When I finished with the trail I was able to sit in the picnic area (which also a a creek running through it!) and have my lunch, then I headed back. It took my almost 2 hours, but I wasn't trying to break any speed records and I was enjoying myself. So, IMO, it was a great day. Here is a link to the pictures I took.

Wait a second... when did I start liking working out?

When did this happen? I loath working out. LOATH it. Always have...

Ok... I'm going to start at the beginning.

I am not a naturally athletically inclined person. I know, weird right? But I'm not. Up until I was in college, I basically played basketball for 3 months a year, and that was kinda it. Then I found Ultimate. And that sounds weird too, but it's true. And even then, through 3.5 years with Tennessee, I rarely worked out outside of practice/leagues/pickup. I didn't have to- you could go 4 days a week playing most summers (well, the first one at least). So I didn't really see the point. When I moved to Atlanta, I did track workouts for a year and a half, but that was mostly a social thing- the running was kind of a bonus. Then I quit doing that because it hurt to run on hard surfaces- still does- then sprained my ankle.

4 months later I started working out again because I felt like I needed to strengthen up everything in my legs so that I wouldn't have recurring ankle injuries. That has helped some, but somewhere along the way working out became cathartic- it became therapy for me. And I didn't really realize that until I started working out again for the first time in weeks yesterday. I mean, once the ankle thing happened I realized I was going to have to workout to play ultimate. HAVE to- I have put my body through too much and not taken very good care of it in the last 8 years to not do outside of ultimate cardio and lifting. But yesterday when I worked out I felt good afterwards. I was able to sleep through the whole night without waking up for the first time in over a week. And I felt better emotionally and physically.

I know you're telling yourself (or rather Annie is, since she's the only one that reads this), "Caroline... working out does all of those things. Everyone knows that". And yes, I realized it too, but sometimes I forget. For the longest time I worked out because it was good for me, because I had to do it to keep playing ultimate, but now? I think I actually enjoy it. When did that happen?

From the ATL to WY

I'm here. I actually made it without my Jeep blowing up (and it was touch and go there for a while) and without too many tears shed. It wasn't easy- any of it- but I made it in once piece. I don't know if I'll be able to sum up the last month or so, but I'm certainly going to try. It's probably going to be a bit had to read and slightly disjointed, but this is me we're talking about. That's how I write about my personal life (it's kind of how I tell stories as well... I had to get something from my grandfather).

5 weeks of Atlanta

That is the only was to describe my summer. I went on a two week road trip starting on Memorial Day weekend from Atlanta to Orange Beach, AL for a Mom's side of the family family function, then headed from there to Memphis for a week of hanging with my Sarah and Lacey's wedding (it was fabulous, and I walked away with a thicker southern accent for a short period of time), then headed to Dyersburg for some quality family time fo

r a week, and last headed to Poultry days for my annual pilgrimage to the land of frisbee, chicken dinners, and general ultimate debauchery (with a Sunday evening sleep over in Knoxville). It was a great two weeks, but when I got back to Atlanta I had 5 weeks. ONLY 5 weeks! That sounded like such a long time when it started, b

ut it flew by, and up until the last week, I was working at 7:30, hanging out until all hours every night either because of frisbee or general hanging out with friends, and getting very little sleep. I also got to make a trip to Pickwick for more family and Cordova crew time which was totally necessary and I loved being there with the people I grew up with.

The time in Atlanta was the best I've had in a very long time. I got to play five great weeks of summer league and we did pretty well at MST, which was a nice change of pace! I spent countless hours with the people that I loved there and yet not quite enough time with anyone. Had a great going away get together that was super laid back but with so many people there I didn't get to talk to everyone! I hate that, because I loved it! Even Meredith was there, so I got some TN girl time in the Meredith and Taylor which is always nice. Saying goodbye to the girls and to a few others was one of the hardest things I've ever

done. There were lots of private tears (I'm super unattractive when I cry- there are a few people that can attest to this fact), but not necessarily tears of total sadness, but rather wishing t

hey could all come with me.

THE Drive

Once I left Atlanta, I drove to Nooga and got to spend some time with Abbie and saw all the Chattanooga people that I absolutely adore but only see a few times a year now- can't wait for Pdays 2011!!!! Fr

From there I went home and spent another wee

k with my Mom and Dad, and we did general "getting ready to move" things- collected and cleaned furniture, threw stuff away, packed, rented a trailer, learned how to drive and backup said trailer- and then I was on my way. I left my parents' house on Wednesday, July 28 and dr

ove 10 hours to Kansas City and spent the night with a friend of mine from Memphis. Then I got up at 5am the following two days- drove 10 hours on Thursday to Paxton, NE, passed out exceptionally early, got up and drove the rest of the way on Friday- but I finally made it. Thankfully met a few people that helped me move all my shit up 4 floors with no elevator, set up my futon and bedroom the first day, spent most of yesterday finishing moving stuff from my car up, went to Ft. Collins today for a Target run (giftcard... otherwise, no driving for a few days), and generally getting settled. I realized yesterday that I don't have basic things like garbage cans (and almost didn't have TP the first night... oops!) and sh

ower curtains and dishes. Hence the Target run- and I still don't have everything I need! I keep remembering things and adding them to my Walmart list. Yes I hate Walmart, but it's the o

nly option I have at this point.

So far I have met few other grad students (two from my department, others from various others) and have found the cutest (cheapest) coffee shop about two blocks from my building. Which is awesome since they are cheap and have free internet! I think I'll be spending quite a bit of time here in the next few weeks. I wish I had more to tell about Wyoming and Laramie, but so far most of my time has been spent unpacking and alone. Which while it makes me sad based on how social my last few weeks in Atlanta were, it's a nice change of pace. I figure I'll be busy enough soon, so I should enjoy it.

What I can say is that so far I LOVE the weather (compar

ed to the South, basically no humidity- it's all heat)- it's been getting up to the mid 80's, but that's it. And I have mountain views from my apartment. I think that is what I'll end with for now. I promised Annie I would update more, and I'm going to try-- as long as it's interesting. To end, I will say I miss everyone in Atlanta and Nooga and the South in general, but I'm off on my new adventure--- come and join me!!!!