Over 1/3 of my life

Well hell. I just had a realization. Back in 1999 I started a form of "employment" that would change my life forever. I listed to some advice a good friend gave me and decided to try to stand on top of a log floating in a duck-pond. From that moment on, my life would forever be changed. I began training to be a "lumberjack" when i was 17. I turn 27 next sunday. That's ten years. Ten frieking years of my life (some more involved than others) have had lumberjack events that provided stories, memories, and experiences that will be with me for the rest of my life. I've done this a number of times but I continue to remind myself how unique this stuff is, and how lucky I am to say that I got to take part in a number of different things. Lets go over some of the key things my lumberjack career has contained:

Highlight - appearing on ESPN for my 15 seconds of "fame"

Lowlight - failing on ESPN for my 15 seconds of shame

Best Memory (G-rated) - Being called a "heavyweight" when rolling with Dan. ( I can honestly say that was the beggining of the end for me. I weighed a svelt 195 lbs and was still "skinny Kevin" yet still viewed as a heavyweight. Now look at me!)

Worst Memory - Driving to Texas in a rainstorm somewhere in Kansas. The trailer and truck went into a fishtail-like swing and I haven't been able to peacfully sleep in a moving vehicle since.

Best skill gained (lumberjack variety) - being able to stay on a log in the water.. that's cool enough for me

Best skill gained (non-lumberjack variety) - I'd say either my ability to perform under pressure, because i"ve already failed on ESPN and nothing is worse than that! - or being a well versed traveller.

Favorite place that i've competed - Other than Hayward because of the History, it would have to be West Virginia. That's where Nate and I really became good friends.

Least favorite place that i've competed - Anywhere in Ohio.

The one thing I wish i could take back - throwing up in the RV during my sleep. To this day I STILL can't figure out how it happened.

Biggest thing I wish I could still do - Make as much money lumberjacking as I do with my "stupid desk job" as the true lumberjacks call it.

All this is due to the fact that I'm going to help out the Fischers once again and compete in a lumberjack show in Iowa. Nothing special for them, but for me its revisiting a life I will always remember. I mean, I've been doing it for 1/3 of my life! That's amazing! I know some people have been doing it for their ENTIRE lives, but this is me we're talking about.. its just crazy! It seems like yesterday I was bringing home a bag of lumberjack laundry (aweful stuff) to get cleaned before we headed out to our next site! What the hell happened? I am old. :-)

Oh well.. time for one more go-around this weekend. I'll be singing the Craig and Terry Lumberjack songs, wearing flannel, running with chainsaws and enjoying another fair. Looking forward to it!

HO-K Peace out!!