Front Porch: Cardboard Sleds, Machu Picchu, and Sami May

I host a weekend series here at Jane Be Nimble called Front Porch with a focus on people’s stories, spanning comedy to tragedy, to steep us in the human experience. Many of life’s best stories are told on front porches, in break rooms, and in back yards; that’s what Front Porch is all about.

The people on my Front Porch aren’t necessarily bloggers—anyone can be featured on the Front Porch. If you want to join me on the Front Porch, drop me a line (Contact Me) and let’s talk! Read the introductory post about this series here. Make sure you don’t miss the next installment of Front Porch—sign up for free delivery via RSS or into you email in box.

I’m excited to have Sami May on the Front Porch today, a dear friend, an inspiring soul, and the mastermind behind the blog, Life, Laughs, and Lemmings. If her name sounds familiar, you may remember her guest post at JBN describing a hilarious encounter with the crazy Smurfette Mobile. (I’m still laughing from that video!)

OK, Sami, you’re on the Front Porch with me! Let me stir up your drink of choice, what’ll it be?

“Hmm, drink of choice. Let’s go with rum and ginger beer, ice cold. Oh, and feel free to add a cocktail umbrella too. And maybe one of those swizzle sticks. And a tall glass. I like a tall glass. And what about a snack? Got any snacks?”

You got it! Now, let’s dish! (Author note: Sami already has me laughing at this point.)

Sami, you once mentioned to me that you often do things that make people look at you funny. And, having observed your Flashdance routine (scroll down linked post to witness in amazement), I do not doubt you! Please entertain me with a scenario/story of one of those times!

Cardboard Sleds and Laughter Skyrocket Down a Mountain!

“Well, that would have been the annual cardboard sled derby at the Mount Norquay ski fields in Banff, Canada, where I lived for two years.

“30-something year olds dressed as polar bears in a cardboard sled tends to turn heads. We were in good company though. If I remember correctly, there was a sumo wrestler, cross-dressing men and pirates amongst us as well.

“The rules around the sled construction were very specific; only the following could be used:
• Cardboard
• Paper
• Paint
• Glue
• Tape
• Garbage bags
• String

“The sled was a sleekly designed Bundaberg Rum bottle in honor of Australia Day, which happened to fall on the same day as the derby. Our team, dressed as Bundy bears (Bundaberg Rum’s official mascot), consisted of my partner, Chris and friends, Fi and Bernie.

“We started sled construction a week out, visualizing two days out and shaving down and carbo loading the day before. It didn’t help.

“Somehow we started backwards. We suspect Chris’ Aussie flag cape got caught underneath, spinning us around. But, thanks to our NASA-type design, the sled righted itself, flipped back around, and then proceeded to take off at light speed down the mountain with its cargo pale faced and hanging on for grim death.

“All was going to plan until half way down the mountain, right in our path and going nowhere was a stalled sled. Now at this point, we were, shall we say, effin’ flying. I used my knowledge from the previous year’s race and resumed the crash position. To hell with the rest of the team, it was every bear for themselves. We did a nice job of t-boning our competition (it’s called natural selection—chaos, panic and disorder, our work here is done) and sped off leaving the carnage behind. Had it not been for the less-than-textbook start and creating human road kill, we would have easily won. Oh well, we did win the most Australian sled.

“By the way, it was the middle of winter so as far as weather goes, it was fine for polar bears. Not so fine for Australians!”

(To see evidence of Sami’s story [and laugh out loud] : watch this video below or follow this link)

Holy schmolies, Sami! I would pay at least $5 to see that in person! Blazing down that mountain must have been a crazy feeling! Now, I KNOW you have done many, many such crazy things. I just love hearing your kooky, kick-arse stories. I mean, that’s what this is all about, sharing stories! Lay another one on me, girl!

“$5? It was surely worth at least six!”

Machu Picchu, Bring It!

“OK, how about I tell you the story of our four day trek into Machu Picchu.”

Get out! What?? That is soo cool!

“Visiting the Lost City of the Incas was on my Daisy List; it was a long held dream of mine to visit.

“It was fun because we were with a group and were fulfilling a dream but it was also challenging—we were battling the elements, large mountains, high altitude and…how do I put this delicately? Well, think of a soft-serve ice cream and then apply it to how humans expel waste! Let’s just say, hiking and gastro is not a combination I’d recommend.

“Even though we were in a tour group, it was quite a solitary expedition. You tended to go within yourself, do a lot of thinking and talking to yourself to keep yourself going. There was, however, a lot of encouragement, laughs and banter within the group whenever we stopped for a break or meals. What was interesting to me was that each day, someone different was the stronger of the group and helped inspire the rest on. No words were needed, the group just followed the strongest person’s lead.”

Having participated in endurance road cycling (biking) teams, I can completely understand, Sami. Your story reflects my experience, too…but, maybe without the soft-serve ice cream part.

“After trekking more than 50 km (31 miles) and battling rain, snow, hot sun, low oxygen and unruly poo (and to think we actually PAID to do it), our pilgrimage ended as we walked through the gates at sunrise. It’s an absolutely spectacular place. It took my breath away.”

I feel like I’m there with you, Sami. That’s an amazing experience! I felt the same way when I was hiking the Eastern Sierras—not exactly the same, but the mountains were absolutely majestic!

The Best Revenge is to Live Well!

Having known you for going on a year, and having read your entire website (some content more than once!) I feel lucky to know you, Sami. You absolutely inspire me!

Given your experience in the ‘school of hard knocks’, what would you tell someone having a hard time in life—what advice would you give?

“I would say to the person, ‘the best revenge is to live well.’ I would encourage them to define what living well means to them and to take steps to bring those elements into their life.

“Other tips would include:
• get support
• talk about the situation to someone trusted
• release emotion in a healthy way (e.g., like crying)
• look after your health
• start a gratitude journal
• find the humor in the situation”

Thanks, Sami, for chatting with me; it’s always fun to talk about your experiences, and it’s even better that you allowed me to share your stories on my Front Porch! Simply said, Sami, you rock the universe!

“Right back at you Lori! Thanks for having me over. And for the snacks!”

Thanks for joining me and Sami on the Front Porch, everyone!

Sami and I touched on a humorous story, a gutsy story, and a final piece of advice. Climb on the Front Porch with us and share a time in your life that made you laugh out loud or when you accomplished a great feat! For me, sometimes it’s just getting out of bed in the morning to meet another day with hope. What about you?

Create a great day!

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Previous Front Porch Posts:
Front Porch: The Series
Front Porch: Not A Typical Day In The Park (With Tim Piotrowski)
Front Porch: Pearl’s Wisdom (A conversation with Lori’s first pet)
Front Porch: An F22 Jet and a Costa Rican Chica (With Lisis Blackston)
Front Porch: George and the Power of the Human Spirit (With George Angus)
Front Porch: Of Bands, Explosions, and Cattle Auctions—Laughter (With Jay Schryer)
Front Porch: Brave, Bold Tess (With Tess Marshall)

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