UPDATE: Now with pictures!!

What an unexpected way to spend my weekend. This task entered my life sometime between Tuesday and Wednesday and made itself real on Saturday when Calyx and Myrna Minx arrived at my apartment and Steve Rules was already there. It was sunny and overcast at the same time as we made our way into Chicago.

We parked our car next to Wicker Park after seeing a quite interesting collection of scavengers gathered around the fountain. Sign up, get your ribbon, read the rules... Dax speaks on his device and we're out. Steve Richey, Calyx and I formed a team as Myrna Minx had departed to work the second stop.

I had no intentions of finishing or collecting any prize but after being separated between 2 and 3.. with Calyx and I sprinting into a parking garage, my ending up hiding under a crane.. and Steve Richey outrunning the chaser.. we all ended up separated and upon reunion at the Billy Goat I was very determined.

Calyx ended up splitting from the team as he felt the need to do and we didn't reunite with him until stop 4. Befitting the galactic rules of karma, Calyx had become a chaser. HE informed us that he had a plan and this caused uneasiness but I couldn't say it lasted. On our way to stop 5 we encountered many chasers, most of which we successfully avoided. Technique became interesting with reds teaming up with blues and many people trying to tag in safe zones.

My lungs were in stitches and my legs were on fire. Our only method of safety was going at least 2-4 blocks out of the way in any direction to avoid chasers between checkpoints. The miles we walked seemed at the time to be endless and I felt as if my legs would crack into two pieces each and splinter each other. Stumbling through Grant Park my breath was heavy and Steve Rules and I had eyes wide open and hesitant steps.

The sidewalk of Lakeshore Drive felt like heaven and i collapsed there fully stretched, head on the pavement.. looking at the sky and not caring about the way I must've looked. This was a trophy in itself, this rest.. this stop.. this safety point. We kept going.. although someone tried to tag us right off lakeshore. We were in the safezone and weren't to be misinformed. We're not company for misery or the like.

At the end.. a group, a joyous group.. the lights dimly lit around the aquarium, reflections upon the water that looked like fire.. and a very happy, very unique collection of people, adventurous and triumphant people laughing and smiling and relaxing on blankets and grass.

We got medals.. and although we were much too exhausted to stay for the after party.. the time was insanely enjoyable. One cab back to the el and then in the car to home.


How about you??