Boise Winter Olympics of 2013

   Welcome to the Boise Winter Games of 2013!
Whether you know it or not, you are an automatic contestant. That was easy, right? The only qualifications to compete?

Live in Boise.

Simple, huh?

 Events include, but are not limited to:

• Extreme snow/ice shoveling
• Speed shuffling
• Creative Driving ( i.e.-if you make it to your intended destination in one piece, you automatically win)
• Car pushing
• Ice Dancing

Let's take a moment to re-cap a few highlights of the competition thus far.

~ In the Creative Driving category we have witnessed multiple slide-offs, as well as numerous and highly impressive tire spinning methods as the competitors have pushed on to the finish line.

~ There was some tough competition in the Car Pushing segment as three members of the neighborhood raced to be the first to help push a car out of the gutter before the driver could exhaust herself by trying to merely reverse out.

~ In the Speed Shuffling events, it's neck and neck as we go through town witnessing pedestrians trying to cross icy streets, or even simply walk down the sidewalk.

 Some participants were more prepared than others and had the where-with-all to bring along heavy duty walking sticks to give themselves an advantage over those who thought they could rough it without any aid. 

~ One of the most popular of the Games this season has been that of Ice Dancing. It is obvious that even something as simple as walking from the front door of a house, to the car can prove detrimental to one's spine.

Because of its popularity, we will now review a few of the best moments of this category:

*One contestant (which may or may not have been me.....) nearly performed a perfect set of "the splits" while trying to cross the ice-encrusted front lawn on their way to the car.

* A personal favorite was witnessed while in the park yesterday afternoon. The park was mostly empty, just me taking pictures, and a random guy walking his dog. As I was over on the lawn, I heard a noise behind me that caused me to look over my shoulder. 

While apparently trying to land a "Triple Sow Cow" this particular male contestant must have lost his footing on the sheet of ice that was the greenbelt.

As soon as I heard the unfortunate landing, I looked back to find the failed contestant lying on the greenbelt in a "would-be casual position" and grinning at me sheepishly. 

I turned back around as it was obvious that nothing was damaged, except maybe his ego, and once he recovered himself enough to walk away, I was thrown into a fit of laughter that came back to me randomly through out the day. 

I gave it a 10!

* And in our preliminary tryouts, we were able to enjoy a returning champion by the name of Ron Farnsworth. His ticket into the games this year was earned as he went sprawling into the lawns of a local apartment, being schooled by a patch of ice on the sidewalk.....again.

Contestants will remember that they were warned early on, that this competition would not be an easy one. In case you don't believe me, let me now bring to your attention that as I was Speed Shuffling into a local elementary school during a recent morning shift, the speakers came on loud and clear, carrying this message:

"Attention teachers and students, we will be having recess inside today because it is too dangerous to be outside. Thank you." 

I could attest to that as I nearly performed my own Ice Dancing routine on the way inside the school.

Remember that disqualifications will be applied to those who compete by abusing the help of outside aid.
Such things may include:

1. Taking extended ventures to warm, and remote locations.
2. Dressing in more than 7 layers of "cold proof" clothing.
3. Consuming more than 5 cups of hot chocolate in one day. 

Thank you for checking in on the current standings of the competition.
Please continue to play safely during the remainder of these, the Winter Games of Boise 2013!