Thursday, August 30, 2012

The Walking Dead Escape

Last month during Comic Con week, I participated in a zombie-infested obstacle course. I was hesitant about registering for it because zombies freak me out.... a little. But I closed my eyes, and clicked my mouse button to hand over the virtual monies to the zombies. My nerves were still twisting my stomach and making think too much until it was time to "evacuate" at Petco Park on Thursday July 12 8:00 pm.

Right before the "escape", I went around the lot across the Hilton Bayfront to nourish myself from a long day at Comic Con. I sat on the curb with a burger when a girl dressed as Zoey from Left 4 Dead approached me and asked how I did at the course. I looked at her bewildered and she corrected herself as she assumed I was someone she just met before her "escape time". She reassured me as she revealed that she walked and that there are workers there that will help. But that it was super fun and crazy!

After I had my fill on food and info, Joel and I parted ways. He purchased a pass to spectate the frenzy in "safe" areas. I continued walking around the stadium alone to find a bunch of people gathered in separate lines and just crowding around tables with signs of huge letters. As I lined up, I grew even more anxious. People around me were wrapping flimsy paper wristbands around their ankles tightly, wounded securely around their shoelaces or just letting it hang loosely by a shoelace. I overheard that if one of the zombies caught yours, you become infected. Strategy time!

Got the wristband, checked in my heavy Comic Con backpack, walked through the gates, checked by "government" officials, got told to put on my ankle/shoelace band, meandered around a sea of people, and finally got herded into Petco Park by "government officials". After everyone in our wavetime gathered inside, the gates clanked as they rolled shut behind us, reverberating through the crowd. We shuffled deeper and deeper inside under the instructions of the stern "government officials" poised on makeshift platforms. In the center of the crowd was an official herding two zombies chained at the neck towards the opposite side of me where a dozen other zombies are fenced off.

Suddenly out of nowhere, one of the chained zombies attacked a bystander and all hell breaks loose. I remember trying to run, but a huge crowd of sweaty, costumed people were in my way at the same time I was being pushed forward by those behind me. Very reminiscent of a mosh pit at some summer outdoor concert. I got pushed into this group dressed up like some 80's hair band with their long, frizzy wigs and colorful, tight clothing. And they were sticky. As the crowd spread out into a more open area, zombies were just shuffling around, grabbing at anyone who passes by. I ran and jumped like a crazy. People seriously could've got killed back there....or just injured.

Just goes to show you that trying to survive something will make people go bat-shit!

A flight of stairs going down to a set of closed doors slowed down the frenzy. At the bottom of the stairs were 2 officials (with "FEMA" on the back of their shirts) peeking through holes of the paper-covered glass doors. By groups of 10 or so, they let people out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hRfzEys-wE&feature=youtu.be

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Bay to Breakers

Today was my second time attending Bay to Breakers but it was my first time registered, sober, and running. It was still fun in other ways. I was nervous doing this, thinking that I wouldn't be able to make it to finish line before 12 noon, which is when the course closes and medals aren't handed out. But I made it!! It took me about an hour and half to get there but I got there in one piece.
The race starts in Embarcadero where the waterfront meets the Bay , runs the breadth of San Francisco westward through skyscrapers and party-goers in the rowdy bars, quaint houses with cheering residents in costumes, garage bands and rooftop DJs, the hellish climb up Hayes Street Hill, the distinct smell of weed, the pristine surroundings of Golden Gate Park, the strong smell of eucalyptus, then finally reaching the refreshing breezes from the Pacific Ocean of the Breakers at the finish line.
It was a great experience to be part of the running group, especially earning a crazy intricate medal at the end. I think everyone should experience this race once in their lifetime. However, running it was something I could do once while partying in it I would do over and over.

Of course I crashed at the beach for awhile. Great people watching, especially drunk people.
4 years ago, I partied in it. This year I ran it. Next year, I'll go in costume!

My results

# of naked people: 33
# of nudies that were female: 3 (and they were all with their lover)
# of nudies in shape and young: maybe 10

Standout costumes:
Mario Kart group
Superhero group with Thor, Captain, Martian Manhunter, Flash, etc.
Dr. Evil with Fembots, Fuk Mi and Fuk Yu
Salmon!!!! going against the current of course

Freebies:
Coconut Water!!! that a couple of white people spat out...
Wonka ice cream
Odwalla drink sample and granola bar
Nestle Chocolate milk
Bay to Breakers wristband
baseball cap
B2B keychain bottle opener
B2B lapel pin
Body Armour drink
Glenoaks yogurt sample
packet of brown rice with a sponge

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

This past Saturday, I ran my first 5k at the EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women in Downtown LA around the Memorial Coliseum. We were greeted and cheered on by the gorgeous Halle Berry at the starting line. It was very hard to start running as we were surrounded by plenty of walkers, but the sidewalk was the best place to run. The street was a sea of pink and tutus as everyone was out there to fight for a cure in women's cancer. Seeing signs of women people were running or walking for inspired me to keep moving forward. I kept up my stride even when I felt like giving up or throwing up. The sight of people running back with a gold medal hanging on a red ribbon around their neck encouraged me to get there faster. As I approached the coliseum, my feet pounded the pavement to the rhythmic beat of the taiko drums. I ran past the drummers, faster and faster into the coliseum. Out onto the field, I saw the finish line getting closer and closer. Then I past it and I received a freakin' gold medal!