To ring in the New Year, Micki arranged a game night to be held at our house. The usual suspects were invited and many even came... which was a bonus to be sure. Andooke had some extra drive time coming from Prescott, so we engaged the rest of our guests with the Wii. Although some were hesitant at first, everyone started to relax when they realized there was nothing to fear.
I mean... it's not like a family game system can make you look like a slightly undersexed fool, now is it?
Well... maybe just a Wii little bit.
Wii Motion from Elvota on Vimeo.
Try to guess the victor (clue: the only one who doesn't look like they are performing brain surgery):
After Brooke and Andy arrived, the games moved from electronic to old school. Such entertainment relics as the 6 sided dice, game board, player pieces and even actual subject cards were arranged in their respective positions on the table. Pictionary was the call and as easels were setup and pens found, the trash talk began. Teams were split into the "danglers" and "non-danglers" and within a few crudely scratched sketches it was obvious that the men were on track to destroy the fairer sex with authority. There was little to no response barring that of complete disbelief from the other side as time and time again illustrations displayed true mastery of the discipline.
Then, with only 6 or 7 spaces left to go... something unexplainable went horribly wrong. The women started to win. It was like they mind melded into one symbiotic being. We couldn't even read and understand the clue on the card before they had completed the puzzle. Awe inspiring and terribly humbling all at the same time. Before we knew it, they were about to overtake!
This could not be happening! Not again!
I started to flash back to the 2008 party and fell into a cold sweat. I could only stand with an awestruck and thoroughly confused gaze on my face as our artist of the moment would continually draw items that had almost no relevance to the clue in play. Was it a hippo, the United States of America, a massive block of moldy cheese? It didn't matter, as before any clarification could be reached the girls rolled their final die and were home. Seconds later proclaiming victory before we even knew what happened. Simply put and without argument... they had achieved the greatest Pictionary comeback in all of recorded human history.
I have heard tales of a similar accomplishment in the pre-mesozoic era... but most likely that was just a rumor.
At this point, a few of the revelers decided to leave the party a bit early. Possibly due to upset stomachs from such a crushing defeat, or perhaps because many of them couldn't remember the last time they stayed up past 9:00. Regardless of the reason, only a core group remained and Taboo was placed on the table.
Redemption was soon to be within "the danglers" grasp.
Clues were solid. A well oiled guessing machine was racking up the points and I could see the ladies start to fold. Quivering lips, tears welling up in their eyes and shaking hands gave away there nervousness. We had them this time... the outcome could not be changed.
Victory was ours! (and Jon knows it):
The TV was speaking "6... 5.. 4... 3..."
Crap! It was almost time. The game was abandoned and party hats adorned. Midnight struck and kisses were exchanged between consenting parties as champagne glasses clinked. Logan may or may not have left some fireworks behind, but some were found none the less. Out back a combination of male knowledge genetically handed down for generations, fuses and flame all blended together seamlessly. I am very sure this was a magnificent treat for the women to watch unfold. We were all going to get lucky tonight.
Simulated display:
Actually... reality might have been a little different. If I recall, most of the explosive devices strayed slightly from their planned targets. At least one ended up in the pool. Another was flipped out of Thad's hand by a mysterious deviant and then detonated in rapid succession below everyones feet, sending the group sprinting in all directions with great haste. A few actually took off, mostly ending up in a neighbors yard with one magnificent exception traveling for what appeared to be several city blocks, only to end it's flaming journey high up in the frawns of a dried out palm tree. Again... sending everyone scattering and applying their best "no officer, I have no idea how the fire started" faces.
Well, at least there was a strong effort.
Afterwards, we headed back indoors. A decision was made to take a group photo to document the event, but the camera we were using had a timer that was impossible to program. I mean, who designs these things any way? Speaking for myself as a very competent male in regards to instruction and manual avoidance, I could in no way figure that thing out. All hope was abandoned until it was decided we'd just take two pictures and Photoshop the missing participant during post. My failure to operate the camera redeemed through my graphic design abilities. Nice!
All right... everyone stay perfectly still.
Picture number one:
Picture number two:
Hmmm... there was some slight shifting here and there. The result was that my lower body was obstructed by Micki's left arm. This plan might be doomed to fail.
Then it struck me, the epic-ly perfect solution!!
Darth-Vota! HELL YES:
Now that, my friends, is a frickin' bad-ass solution to a photo manipulation problem!!
As a side note of what I am pretty sure would be limited interest to the readers of The Sticki Chronicles, Brooke managed to set the self timer on the camera in about 3 seconds. So... what ever.
Shortly after photos the group disbanded to prep for tomorrows ride. A casual jaunt around the McDowell's. Start time was to be 10:30.
Friday 01.01.10
Meeting at the 104th street and Bell parking lot, we all pedaled out around 11:00. Pretty good for such a late night before. Jessi was happily pitter pattering along as the rest of the group tried to get in the groove. Entering Paradise trail I started to have a good time picking my way through the utter randomness of the boulder fields. Entering and exiting washes, dodging trees, avoiding those dead stop pedal strikes we have all felt before. Through the tunnel and on to Lost Dog Wash, the weather was looking perfect and extra layers started to be shed.
Now climbing up to the Taliesen lookout I could feel Stephan right behind me. That hill is not my favorite and as my pace slowed it was pretty obvious his was not. I knew Sunrise was lost again. These rides are always casual. A good pace with little to no competition. That said, I have been working on my climbing lately and was hoping to be able to hold my own on some of the longer ascents, Sunrise in particular. Every time I took others on loops including this pass I always got served. First it was Stan who walked away from me and then Thad crushed it right before my very eyes. I began to wonder how much farther I needed to improve my current climbing abilities to start keeping up with these guys.
I mean, WTF, the "Gnardruple" hadn't seemed to help for poop.
The trail was full of hikers starting their New Years off in Resolution fulfillment mode. This meant slow progress with lots of stops. A shame, as the section before Sunrise has a great flow with a lot of good speed and momentum when empty. The first big climb of the day could now be seen working it's way up the mountain to it's first false summit. At the bottom, we did a final regroup at the fork and I encouraged Stephan to take point. Without even a millisecond of hesitation he accepted... and was off. This was a very bad sign in regards to me hoping to keep pace and before I knew it he was gone. I could have sworn once or twice that he must have gone the wrong way entirely, but eventually I'd see him farther and farther away cresting yet another switchback. His rate of ascent was unbelievable and I assumed he had some sort of anti-gravity running through his veins.
It's a bullshit climb anyway.
Who was I kidding. I wished I had such strength, endurance and technique. I could only wonder how he was doing it so effortlessly, which helped me miss the fact that I was struggling by my own right. Eventually the top was found and Stephan greeted me looking as fresh as a 29'r daisy. The others all followed and soon enough the group was whole again. Choosing to refuel before the descent we were off. Crowded trails kept the speed way down and brakes running hot. Was still a fun carving trail so no complaints. At the bottom little Jessi's feet were starting to show signs of wear and tear. It was decided that Andooke would peel off and get Jessi back to the start point via police assistance... but I'll leave that story for them to tell.
Back on the trail everyone's legs were getting weary. The exception of course was Stephan. Well, maybe even he was starting to feel the miles just a wee bit. We found and rode the Sonoran trail which now completes the loop back to Dixie Mine. A great addition to the network with lot's of switchbacks, some reasonable tech and a long sweeping descent at the end. The group pace was starting to fade now and with the stops coming a bit more frequently, we eventually started the climb up and over Bell Pass. One final rocky but screaming descent and we were back at the car.
I failed to take many pics of the ride... but we have a ton of the McDowell area on this BLOG taken over the past few months. Only image I have is the one generated by Karen's GPS.
The Double Bypass:
The Stats:
Riders: Brooke, Andy, Sarah, Thad, Karen, Stephan, Micki, Steve and Jessi
Distance: 23 miles
Time: around 5 hours
With the party and "epic" ride the following day, I don't think Sticki could think of a better way to ring in the New Year. If the rest of 2010 is this good we are in for a great next 365.
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