Monday, September 9, 2013

Extraordinary

Extraordinary

Been thinking about that word a lot recently.


Did you happen to see Sarah Horn get invited on stage at the Hollywood Bowl to sing a duet with Kristin Chenowith and sing "For Good" from the musical "Wicked"?
Here's the link for the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S8Cn2FmqxQ
Turns out there were about 5 minutes of "Extraordinary" there.


Did you hear about Lindsay Vollmer, a track and field athlete from the University of Kansas? Her event is the women's pentathlon, 7 events over 2 days. She won the NCAA championship in her event this last spring. Noteworthy, even by itself, that she won, but, to me, what was remarkable was how she did it. She recorded a personal best in 6 out of the 7 events. http://www.runnerspace.com/video.php?video_id=91381-Lindsay-Vollmer-1st-Women-039-s-Hep-Final-NCAA-DI-Outdoor-Championships-2013
Unreal! I'd call that "Extraordinary"!


How about Dr Sandy Billinger? She and her son walked, yes walked, across the entire state of Kansas this year. Why? To raise funds to buy equipment to do research on strokes. Why? Because she thought it was important. Real important. 23 days and 570 miles worth of important.
http://ptrs.kumc.edu/walk-across-kansas/#.UiZXoCco6M8
The passion she has is extraordinary, don't you think?


Then there's Bob Leong.(aka BobSkoot) He's a motorcyclist and a  blogger from Vancouver BC that I'm acquainted with. He just recently and safely completed a motorcycle trip across the continent and back this summer. It was a longtime dream of his. Almost a bucket list sort of  thing for him. He's in his 60's, but that didn't stop him, or even remotely slow him down. Decidedly Extraordinary.


And just a few years ago, another blogger that I am acquainted with, Gary France, from England also did a motorcycle odyssey across America. Something he also had always wanted to do. He made it happen! Here's a link to the book he wrote about it. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/6163210824/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1372218291&sr=8-2&pi=SL75


All, Very, Very Extraordinary!


How fun it would be to do something extraordinary. Makes me want to do something. I've thought about many possibilities.

What do you consider to be extraordinary?

Running a marathon?
Bike Across Kansas (the pedaled kind of bike)
A long scooter or motorcycle trip?
A long hike? What about the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage in France and Spain.
Something physical? Maybe, maybe not.
Something with the family? Or by myself?


Then again, I know some extraordinary things have already happened in my own life.
In 1974, at the Kansas Relays, i narrowly missed clearing 14 feet in the high school pole vault. (Okay, that was a really long time ago, and probably not extraordinary, but certainly different)
I survived a type of cardiac arrest with only a 5% survival rate. (Not wanting to repeat this)
I used to own a VW Bus. (Okay, maybe that doesn't qualify as extraordinary)

but.....
I married someone absolutely extraordinary.
& I've got 2 extraordinary children.

The point is, I think that perhaps we are all surrounded by "extraordinary" and just don't always notice it.


Maybe it is time to open up those eyes and really look around.


What do you see?

Ride On and Carpe Diem, my friends!

11 comments:

  1. Funny you should bring up strokes. My long time girlfriend is a stroke survivor (as well as a cancer survivor). I find her drive and determination amazing just to do things we consider "every day" activities. She has made extraordinary progress. I am a biologist by training (how I ended up in engineering is extraordinary in itself), so I know something about the human brain. All the processing it does even as I sit here and type this is a miracle in and of itself.

    Everything is extraordinary. You just have to look.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In an era where states and other governmental agencies seem to think we need to cut back and quit doing something, or funding something, here's a person who decided to go out "on her own" so to speak and didn't take no for an answer. I think the world needs more people like her!

      Delete
  2. That duet was an extraordinary video. Thank you for making my morning!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Richard, I've watched that video, and the other version, I don't know how many times. Such an impromptu moment that turned out to be so fabulous.

      Delete
  3. Jimbo:

    I am not so sure that I should be lumped in with those who physically completed a long challenge like walking across Kansas or those who excel at sporting events. It was my engine whom transported me across this great land and all I had to do was to sit there, hang on and watch the scenery roll by. And of course I am grateful for all those whom I met and those whom I have yet to meet.

    This trip was more of a test for myself as a prelude to a much longer future trip. I don't find it that easy to ride solo for so many miles but now that I am back home, it is hard to believe that I actually when where I went. It is all a dream and I am still pinching myself

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, Bobskoot. You're for real! I mean really. You decided you wanted to do something and you friggin' went out and made it happen! Not many people have the "balls" for that. It's nothing short of remarkable! My hat is off to you, Dude!

      Delete
  4. Amazing videos thanks. I have to agree Bobskoot is pretty extraordinary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dar, I really enjoyed the videos, too. But we can't tell Bobskoot anything directly, because it might go to his head. Agreed?

      Delete
  5. That is very nice of you to include my motorcycle ride in your list Jim. I hope you are well and that your 5% record is now well and truly behind you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gary, thanks for being such a great friend. You know very well what I think of your ride. It is just so great to see someone enjoy every possible aspect of their lives. You decided that you wanted to do something, you decided on it, planned it out and executed the plan. I'd say "Extrtaordinary", in anybody's book.
      Take Care!

      Delete