All of which confirmed my belief that I'm not the most graceful adventuress that ever existed. I'm not afraid to admit that I've faceplanted for pikas, tripped going up the stairs, and jumped at twigs snapping under squirrels. Today was just another day reminding me humility is a good thing to keep close by, perhaps (well, stored in your back pocket anyways).
And those lessons include, but are not limited to by any means:
1. Tele skis, no matter how much you want them to be, are not interchangeable with cross-country skis. Especially not without skins strapped to their glossy waxed undersoles.
2. No matter how much you convince yourself they are just slightly wider "skinny skis" (as my fellow tele-er anti-crosscountry skiing ranger so belovedly calls them), they will still NOT actually be the same thing.
3. You know you must look ridiculous trying aforementioned activity when all 3 dogs tromping around in the woods with you look genuinely concerned for your wellbeing- and you can tell from the looks in their eyes- then one of the pups INSISTS on staying right by your side as you sidestep a hill. It's as if they think you might legitimately have an issue and/or harm yourself for the slow rate at which you are moving....
3.a. Said dogs will be even more concerned about your wellbeing if you take your skis off to walk up a hill to save embarrassment, step off trail, and promptly end up in waist-deep snow.
And they will certainly cock their ears at the cacophony of sounds you emit while squirming your way out.
4. Going for a run to redeem yourself for the failed ski attempt isn't always a valid solution... especially when it's cloudy out and you are breaking trail and get a wee bit o snow-blindness... so you, for all purposes, become an ungulate (read: deer, moose, cow, etc) with no depth perception and end up tripping even more.
5. Homemade curry, a glass (or two) of wine, some pushups, and some crunches are an excellent way to redeem oneself, however (as does a phone call with a beloved one).
Funny though, isn't it, how humans can be doing something alone (or in my case, with 3 dogs) that makes oneself look a fool and still end up feeling slight embarrassment. Embarrassment and awkwardness in my book are just an excuse for a good laugh at yourself. Why do we use a word, such as embarrassment, that has typically negative connotations for moments that draw out hearty laughs? Why not instead use words like ridiculous, wild, outrageous, and comical? But it does beg the question, is it really an embarrassing moment when there's no one there to witness it?
"Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused"
....And boy did my day provide myself plenty of amusement.....
