Mount Mitchell, Contra Dancing, and the Roller Derby

Amidst our numerous "shelves," there is hope. Time in Asheville has not been all work and no play. As the sun comes out and the warm spring weather melts away the lingering work-ethic, the time has finally come to get out and smell the roses. Last summer was wrought with three months of Surgery and OB/GYN, two of the more time-consuming rotations. And with the religious fervor that I tackled six weeks in the OR, last summer was a wash for trekking, exploring, and general tomfoolery. I followed those 12 weeks with studying for the GRE, applications, and diving head first into the continuity curriculum, thus the weather turned before I knew it. But no more! In the background I hear those famous words from John Keating a la Dead Poets Society:

"They're not that different from you, are they? Same haircuts. Full of hormones, just like you. Invincible, just like you feel. The world is their oyster. They believe they're destined for great things, just like many of you, their eyes are full of hope, just like you. Did they wait until it was too late to make from their lives even one iota of what they were capable? Because, you see gentlemen, these boys are now fertilizing daffodils. But if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. Listen, you hear it? - - Carpe - - hear it? - - Carpe, carpe diem. Seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary."

Seize the day, and so I shall. I am thus inspired.

Carpe diem is my motto for the spring, as I realize I only have a few more months in beautiful Asheville before I must head north on a new adventure. I started March with a 11 mile hike to the top of Mount Mitchell, the tallest peak in the U.S. east of the Mississippi River. It stands more than 6,600 feet (over 2,000 metres), surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest. I trekked with a cohort of Pharmacy students, leaving at a leisurely hour of about quarter til eleven. What turned out to be a beautiful hike (see picture, above) became even more memorable for the 4 mile detour we took around the mountain. We ended up travelling two miles horizontally off the beaten path for no reason whatsoever (except our own incompetence), and two miles back. Our now 15 mile excursion ended just in the nick of time, with the sun completely set as we finished the last 30 minutes of trail. I was sore for days.

This was followed by Thursday nights at Warren Wilson College, featuring "Contra Dancing," which I can only describe as line dancing on steroids. The first 30 minutes of each evening is a "lesson" for all novices. Of course, we were late, so I had no chance to learn any of the steps. Instead I was thrown in head-first, pink button-down and loose fitting jeans vs. hipster. I snapped, I popped, I crackled. Line dancing, meet Lil John and the Eastside Boyz. I am here. I danced, I laughed, I sweated, and I kept my shoes on (no way I was going barefoot on that disgusting gym floor). I picked partners who were willing to teach a nube; we square/line/whatever-it-is danced away. All I can say is you should YouTube and Google it before you try; I wish I had done so beforehand.

Finally, no matter where you live, if the Roller Derby is in town then attendance is mandatory. The first bout of the year featured the Blue Ridge Rollergirls (the AVL home team) vs. the Carolina "Hurticanes." It was a no contest bruiser, as Calasmity Jane, the most awesome Jammer alive, led the charge against a much weaker and inferior opponent. Not even Holly Wanna Crack Ya could fend off the relentless onslaught. I may have to pick schools based on Roller Derby teams... and cheering for the Boston "B" Party could be the grain of rice that tips the scale in favor of a Harvard degree (and I'm sure there's contra dancing in Boston as well...).

So, carpe diem. In the months to come, multiple hikes are planned (Looking Glass, etc.), good food will be consumed (latest amazing restaurant, The Admiral - the duck breast was exquisite!), and bucket list items need to be checked off. A full day at the Roller Derby is set for May, and an upcoming weekend with my parents here in Asheville will be another wonderful diversion.

Oh captain, my captain!