Saturday evening was the [“first annual”] gymnastics banquet. Catered at the faculty club on campus. Surprisingly, after peeling a layer of cheese off the vegetarian option, it was vegan. =)
All the gymnasts got this silly little stuffed bear with an associated “title” (cal’s mascot being a bear & all, white fur for females, light brown fur for males). Hell, one of the gymnasts brought his boyfriend, and the boyfriend got a bear, sans title. I sat next to Brandon (cute little redhead gymnast), and we had an enjoyable chat throughout dinner. He ended up getting “best advice giver”. I got “most up and coming gymnast”. Other titles included “most explosive tumbler” and “biggest ripper” (the recipient had accidentally ripped a yard long gash in the tumble track). That was all kinda cool.
Afterwards, the homos congregated and went to the white horse. I got a smirnov ice. And rapidly grew disenchanted with the topics of conversation such as tv, trashing people, and people I don’t really know. It was frustrating that people I enjoy talking to one-on-one became far less appealing in large groups.
I was tired from a three-bears bike ride that morning, which was ’bout 30(?) miles, and pretty hilly. Shortly after people hit the dancefloor, I just asked Brandon to let me get my bag out of his car, and I walked home. I was still a little buzzed after a 40 minute walk, pretty steep at the end. Did I mention lightweight?
Anyway, the past two days I’ve gone to gymnastics, first time in awhile, and one of very few times overall that I’ve gone two days in a row. The pain was pronounced. =) But I also made some definite progress. It’s pretty clear that I do my best stuff on the trampoline. Figured a couple of things out, like how to continually bounce on my back. Started hitting my ball unders more consistently. I almost have a flat back drop where I spin it into a front drop. And a back drop where I rotate in midair into an opposite-facing backdrop. Note that the only terminology I’m sure I’m using correctly is “ball under” and I’m not sure if it has the space. =)
Bobby was asking me for pointers on the trampoline stuff I’d just figured out the other day. Bit of an ego boost. He’s been doing this for quite a bit longer. He’s another one who started this as an adult, like a year and a half ago. He’s more tumbling focused than I. But I’m holding my handstands for longer fractions of a second, so I’m improving on multiple fronts. 😉 Did my first fairly successful roundoffs last night. Hurting my wrist in the process. Didn’t have time for gymnastics for the rest of the week anyway. =)
Gymnastics: Yay!