For some reason last week, I was compelled to review this list that I’m supposed to avoid in the future. Although I’ve read these activities before, this time around “rodeo” struck a cord with me. Maybe it’s because I’m from a rural town where it isn’t uncommon for folks to drive big rigs and sport giant belt buckles, but somewhere deep inside of me I’ve always wanted to try my hand at riding a mechanical bull. I know bull riding in a cowboy bar isn’t quite on the same
level as competing in a rodeo, but I thought I should give it a shot before this upcoming surgery in November.So I called up my friend Christie, figuring she had to have done this mechanical bull riding thing before. It turns out my Montanan friend has never ridden a mechanical bull, but she has roped steer and also happens to know every word to Urban Cowboy and that was good enough for me.
So on Saturday night Christie and I put on our tightest 501s and drove ourselves all the way out to the east side of town to the only cowboy bar I could find that had a working bull – Duke’s. We had to sit back and take in the local crowd for a good hour before we could muster up the courage to take a ride. In the meantime we observed some fine line dancing (and by the way, Christie knew ALL the song lyrics). We stood for the national anthem straight up at 9:00 p.m. in the direction of the largest American flag I have ever seen hanging on a bar wall in my life. We could have left so many times, but I knew I wasn’t about to leave that place without giving it a try.
Finally when the cigarette smoke had become fully entrenched in our clothes, we decided it was time. We moseyed ourselves to the back corner where the bull was waiting. The bull operator made us each sign a waiver releasing them from any liabilities (what am I doing here?) and I walked onto the inflatable floor to mount up. The bull operator gave me a down and dirty bull riding 101 lesson and it was go time. He started me off nice and easy and to be honest I have no clue how long I was on the bull. I know I had a great view of the dose-do a few feet away and I know I had a great time on that bull – I completely understand that adrenaline rush that comes with this bar hobby, it was great fun. Christie and I had a pact going into this adventure that no matter what, when we started to slip off the bull, we would instantly let go. We refused to be that stupid girl on the bull hanging on even though it was obvious she was done for. I’d love to say I made a graceful landing, but I’m pretty sure that wasn’t the case. I did get one injury from my ride, my wedding ring cut up my pinkie finger pretty badly and I bled for a couple of hours that night. All in all, not so bad overall.
Christie was up next and I have to say she was made for rodeo. She made it look effortless and I was wishing she would have brought along her 10-gallon hat to go along with her swanky Italian leather cowboy boots. She looked good up there.
I’ve got to say this kidney donation is really making me evaluate what’s important in my life, and more importantly it’s helping me step out of my comfort zone. This is good. I’ve always wanted to ride a mechanical bull, but I never would have done it if I didn’t have this deadline in my head. Now I’m not saying I’m going to go off and skydive before November 9th or anything risky like that. I mean really, riding a mechanical bull in a country bar isn’t quite on the same danger level as most life ambitions. Still, I’m glad I did it. Next time I’m taking Anna with me. I think she would own that bull.
1. Check out that flag!
2. Getting my instructions from the bull master
3.Still hanging on
4. Christie signing her life away
1 comments:
If you want to put riding a motorcycle on your list of 'to do's' just let me know, I've got a spare helmet in the office.
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