Friday, July 30, 2010

BUNGEE - Part 2: Parlez-Vous Bungee?

The day started like any other, “Hey kids, we’re going to Quebec!”

Okay. So, packing the family up for a day trip to another province isn’t exactly a regular occurrence at our home. Of course, knowing that the sole purpose of our journey would be to jump from a 200-foot tower just made it that much more unique.

With my birthday fast approaching, Bungee Jumping remained one of the few unfulfilled dreams I’d be able to check off my Dare 2 Dream list before the initial deadline passed.

Now, I had known for sometime that I would be experiencing my first Bungee at Great Canadian Bungee at Morrison’s Quarry in Quebec. But, I hadn’t been able to figure out how and when I was going to be able to make it happen.

Enter Heidi.

My wife came to me, quite out of the blue actually, and made an intriguing suggestion. She’d take a day off work, we’d pull funds from our “family time” budget and, bringing the kids with us, we’d turn my “dream” into a family outing.

That was awesome. (My wife is so smart).

Then, my 12-year old daughter, Aliyah, approached us, quite out of the blue actually, and expressed her interest in possibly Bungee Jumping with me.

That was awesome. (My daughter is so…brave?)

So, I called up GCB and made an inquiry into open spots for…“Tomorrow”. Despite the last minute request, they were very accommodating and our time was booked. I was so excited I couldn't sleep...but, then night time arrived and I got tired.

Wednesday, July 7th. 9:00am. With a French-English dictionary in one hand, a map in the other and a Tim Horton's bagel in the other, we were on the road to Quebec.

The drive was relatively “normal” for a family road trip. The kids kept themselves amused with episodes of Transformers, while Heidi and I spent the time staring lovingly into each other’s eyes.

Since I’m the driver, it really is amazing we arrive anywhere safely. I guess our love force field protects us.

Anyways, about 30 minutes into the drive, Heidi’s lustful gaze was momentarily broken as a shiny object on the dashboard caught her attention. I wisely used that opportunity to make sure I was still in my lane…and to ask Aliyah about her shoes.

My concern was that she was wearing her slip-on flats, instead of runners. That concern was justified, but it was too late to change her footwear. So, seeing as I was still safely within my proper lane and the shiny object had vanished, Aliyah went back to watching Optimus Prime shoot at Megatron and I resumed my silent game of seduction with Heidi.

Not long after crossing the border into Quebec we turned into Morrison’s Quarry. You’d think a bunch of rocks would be “blah”, but it was actually quite stunning. The scenery is certainly one of the reasons that Great Canadian Bungee is considered one of the five best Bungee Jump facilities in the world. The huge white rock cliffs surrounding a blue, crystal clear “lagoon” creates an absolutely breath taking environment.


We parked our car and walked to the Bungee office/hut where Aliyah and I filled out a form (478 pages less than Skydiving)...


...and were weighed.


Having arrived earlier than scheduled we were prepared for a long wait but within a half hour our names were called and our adventure officially began! After kissing Heidi and Connor goodbye (for what could’ve been the last time), Aliyah and I joined the group being led up a long winding path to the Bungee bridge.


STAY TUNED FOR BUNGEE - Part 3: A Leap of Faith

Dare2Dream,
Timmy

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

BUNGEE - Part 1: Bungee? I'd Rather Jump From a Plane!

“3…2…1…BUNGEE!”

“What? You mean now?”


Standing at the edge of a 200 foot tower, even if it is overlooking a beautiful crystal clear lagoon, is slightly…intimidating.

Now, despite how logical that may sound (after all, 200 feet is kind of “up there”), I will confess, for a brief moment in time, I actually thought leaping off would be an absolute breeze.

I would simply walk up to the edge, crack a joke or two and then…voila! I’d dive headfirst into the vast expanse below me.

I mean, really. Not more than a month earlier I had travelled up to 12,500 feet and hurled myself from an airborne aircraft (as opposed to an un-airborne aircraft…which provides a very different experience).


Twelve THOUSAND, five hundred feet! That is 62.5 times higher than the piddly little distance now standing between me and the water below.

Moments after surviving my first Skydive, I actually remember verbalizing to my friend Steve that I should have gone Bungee Jumping first because, after what I had just experienced…

Bungee Jumping is for kids.

How wrong I was!

In fact, here is the truth. At the point of no return both experiences provided a genuine sense of hesitancy (with a hint of “Are you crazy!”). However, the prospect of diving into the clouds attached to another man was not nearly as freaky as diving off a 200 foot tower attached to cord.

I know it sounds weird but let me try to explain…

You see, Skydiving produced some sort of eerie disconnect from reality that Bungee Jumping didn’t.

“Why is that?” So glad you asked. Here is my theory…bearing in mind that, in school, Science wasn’t one of my strong suits - along with Math, Language, Geography and History for that matter.

When I was in the doorway of the plane, I was completely aware of how “stupid high” (in the sky, not in the head) I was. But, I was SO high (in the sky) it actually became a surreal moment, rather than a real one (hence the word “surreal).

Even though I could see the earth, through the clouds, it was as if the planet was too far for me to gain any true sense of what role thousands of feet could play in the cause and effect game I was about to partake in.

Effect: Body-bending crash, causing death.
Cause: Falling 12,500 feet.

I believe traveling to my jump location in an airplane erased any sense of real perspective. I simply went too far…too fast.

That’s right, Science teachers. Write this down in your text books (with proper credit given):

“Being detached from the natural sensory stimuli one experiences when distancing themselves, proportionately, from something else leaves a person with a skewed reality.”

For example, the mode of transportation one chooses in order to travel across Canada will directly affect their understanding of how far they went.

Having flown many times to the West Coast I can assure you making the trip by air creates, albeit in perception only…an alternate reality. Without fail, every first night after completing that journey, I would end up lying in bed absolutely fascinated by the concept that I woke up in Toronto and am going to sleep with an entire continent between me and my family.

Of course, lest you think I’m some sort of 24-7 philosopher, this type of super-deep reflection wouldn’t happen until I had finished watching a few episodes of Gene Simmon’s Family Jewels. (Please note there is no direct connection between the theory I am espousing and KISS’s front man. I’m just being transparent with my evening routine.)

So if Skydiving is like flying to B.C from T.O. then Bungee Jumping is like walking there.

Although highly ashamed by it, I will be the first to admit that despite my 37 years of being Canadian, I’ve never crossed this country on foot (and yes, I feel I’ve let Anne Murray down). But, if my theory is correct then I’m assuming after doing so, Canada would seem…in body, mind and spirit…HUMONGOUS! And, rightfully so.

Now, obviously you couldn’t fit Canada between the Bungee bridge, which I was standing on, and the water below it but, after walking the long winding uphill path and climbing some stairs, I can honestly say when I got to the launching pad and looked down…unlike Skydiving…everything felt VERY far and VERY real!

“3…2…1…”

Wait. Before I jump, let me take you a few moments back in time.

The day started like any other, “Hey kids, we’re going to Quebec!”...

GO TO BUNGEE - Part 2: Parlez-vous Bungee?

Dare2Dream,
Timmy

Monday, July 19, 2010

Live Before You Die!

“LIVE BEFORE YOU DIE”

“Sit down son. Come take my hand.
Look me in the eye. Take these words.
Promise me you’ll live before you die”
                               - Bon Jovi

Dream #18: “Backstage at a Bon Jovi Concert”

Mr. Jovi. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Mr. Jovi?

Let me explain.

A long time ago (in the mid-80’s), in a galaxy far, far away (unless you live on Earth), there was a young boy with big dreams. He just didn’t have the courage to pursue them.

His name was Timmy and he was a little…different. Now, don’t get me wrong, he was well-liked but no one ever considered him “cool”. No wait. That’s a lie. There was that freckly kid who stored boogers in his braces. He thought Timmy was pretty awesome.

Anyways, Timmy journeyed through the already awkward teen years, seemingly intent on increasing the awkwardness, by living a few years behind everyone else in the areas of fashion, trends and especially…music.

When others were listening to Bon Jovi, Timmy was listening to The Beach Boys (not that there is anything wrong that). However, Timmy secretly liked this Bon Jovi. The hair. The energy. The name “Bon”. What an awesome first name.

Bon.

Timmy often wondered if he would ever get the opportunity to meet Bon and utter these words,

“Mr. Jovi. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

25(ish) years later…I have yet to have that pleasure. And even though, at some point over the last quarter century, I discovered that Bon Jovi’s first name is actually Jon, I’d still be incredibly honoured to have that experience.

Now, having said that let me bend your mind slightly.

I am a fan of Bon Jovi but very few people would ever know. You see, although meeting Jon Bon Jovi would be a dream come true, I don’t know the names of all of their albums or even how many they have. There are no Bon Jovi T-shirts in my closet, no Bon Jovi posters on my wall and no Bon Jovi tattoos on my body. In fact, I’ve never been to a Bon Jovi concert and my tiny music collection isn’t even home to a Bon Jovi CD.

Believe me, I am well aware that my position on the “Fan-Meter” is right near (or at) the bottom, but let me say this: Bon Jovi sits in a very unique place in my life.

In January, I compiled my Dare2Dream list. In it were 18 dreams that I desired to fulfill by my next birthday (July 21, 2010). These were the cream of the crop. They were the 18 things that were deeply ingrained into my, “That would really be awesome!” section of my heart.

One of those dreams is to “Go Backstage at a Bon Jovi Concert”, and it truly would be awesome to meet Jon and finally utter those words from my childhood,

“Mr. Jovi. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

I love music. I really do. But, the few CD’s I own are dust collectors and I fail miserably at games like “Name that Tune”. Music, unlike baseball or comedy, has simply never been a defining factor of my life. Yet, somehow, Bon Jovi is etched so deep into my being that I’ve included meeting him on this list of dreams.

That, I believe, says something about the power and magic that is Bon Jovi.

A few days ago, a friend surprised me with tickets to “The Circle Tour”, in Toronto...on July 21, 2010.


That's my birthday! I almost fell of my chair. I cannot tell you how excited I am to be able to attend this concert. I’ve been practicing “Livin’ on a Prayer” for years in the car and I can’t wait to belt it out in the Roger’s Center.






In 1993, I was in that very stadium when Joe Carter hit a homerun to win the World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays. It was, by far, the most electric experience of my life. Now, I can’t promise “The Circle Tour” concert is going to take that #1 spot, but I am expecting it to at least challenge for 1a.


However, guaranteed, July 21, 2010 would become, “The Most Awesome Birthday of my Life”, if I was to get the opportunity to fulfill Dream #18 (not listed in any particular order) and say,

“Mr. Jovi. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Have a good one,
Dare 2 Dream,
Timmy

*Update:  My birthday was AWESOME!  The show was incredible!  You gotta love those video screens.  Didn't meet Mr. Jovi...but the dream continues...

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Running for Haiti

I am two weeks away from attempting the most physically demanding dream on my Dare2Dream list.

Dream #9: Run a Marathon

On July 18th I will be participating in the Massey Friendly Marathon in…Massey.

“Where is Massey”, you ask? It is about six hours north of Toronto.

“Why Massey?" Because it’s friendly and I don’t think it’s high on the list for Kenyan runners...so my chances of winning are much better.

Actually, I have absolutely NO chance of winning…short of wearing my roller skates (which I have considered). In fact, at this point…I’m not even convinced that I’ll be able to finish the entire 42km distance.

But, believe me, if I don't it won't be for lack of trying.  I have been training and have run more often (and farther) in the last 5 months then I have in my entire life. As a result, I’ve learned so much about myself, my physical limits and my ability (and willingness) to push through “walls”. It has already been an amazing journey, but I can’t stop here. I have to go to Massey.

My brother-in-law, Dan, has been training as my running partner. This will be his first marathon as well, but he’s definitely more ready for it than I am. So, if I do end up falling flat on my face at any point during the race, he’s been ordered to save himself and finish on his own.

Now, I’ve been asked over 1,257 times (if my memory serves me correctly) how I would feel if I couldn’t finish the race. My answer is always the same. I’d be disappointed. However, I’d probably be even more disappointed if I never tried.

So, I determined long ago that I would rather end up lying in a pool of sweat, with a number pinned to my back, at the 30 km mark on some street in Massey, Ontario then not go at all.

Let’s see what happens.



However, as satisfying as it would be to make this just another exercise in personal growth, I’d really love to partner this dream with another one on the list.

Dream #11: Raise $10,000 for Stillerstrong

To date I have raised $550 for Stillerstrong (who has partnered with Architecture for Humanity) to help build schools in Haiti. I am obviously still a long way off from reaching my goal, but I’m pressing forward trying to find creative ways to pull it off.

Here’s the plan:

I’m looking for individuals who would come along side me and make a donation amount based on how many kilometres I complete.

If I can find 240 generous dreamers who would be willing to pledge $1 per finished kilometre and I actually finish the entire 42km, then I will have fulfilled two dreams and made many children in Haiti very, very happy!

Of course
ANY sponsoring amount would be much appreciated!

Would YOU consider helping the ongoing rebuild in Haiti by sponsoring my first marathon attempt? If so...Here’s how:

1) MAKE A PLEDGE (Set Figure or Per Kilometer):

     a. If donating after the race, contact me with your pledge amount via
               i. Comment on this blog post or,
               ii. Email HERE or,
               iii. Facebook at “I’m Daring to Dream with Timmy
  
2) DONATE:

     a. Give via your preferred payment method              
               i. Pay Pal via "Donate" Button









               ii. Cash (in person) or,
               iii. Cheque (in person or by mail) –
                        *Make cheque payable to Tim Boyle

Here’s to a great run! See you at the finish line (figuratively...unless you plan on attending the race).

*RACE UPDATE:  I FINISHED IT!  $1775 has been raised so far.  Story and Pics to come soon!


Dare2Dream,
Timmy