I recently learned about an initiative called the Three Day Challenge. The general idea falls on the TNT principle, which is a shorter and more explosive way of saying \Today Not Tomorrow."" During the course of the challenge, you test yourself, try things you've never tried before, live the life you see in your dreams. The only stipulation is that you can't do anything illegal, or detrimental to your health and welfare. Sounds simple enough, doesn't it?
I've been doing the Three Day Challenge now for five days; well, I should say I've tried to do the Three Day Challenge for five days. I've started over every day this week.
Day One: I started the challenge last Tuesday evening. I had to go to Vilas for an obligation and I was so tired I planned on calling in and rescheduling. However, the bold letters TNT were emblazoned in my brain. I couldn't lose the challenge in 25 minutes; it would just be embarrassing. So I went to Vilas Hall, and got my work done. You may be wondering, ""Erin how did you lose on Tuesday then?"" Well, I wanted to walk the five blocks from Vilas to my apartment, but like I said, I was tired, so I waited for the bus. Day One was a total bust.
Day Two: The next day, I was in it to win it. I had to crisscross campus to turn in some paperwork. When I crossed Library Mall I saw bigots with sandwich boards spouting off to a crowd of about 100. Their words turned my stomach, but what really irked me were the children with them. Small, blond, and smiling, like brainwashed Dick and Jane cartoons. They were holding their own signs and helping pass out leaflets. I wanted to stop.I wanted to grab the children, put them in my backpack and run them to a place where they could think for themselves-and be in school on a weekday afternoon.
But I didn't. Like a lot of people who wanted to do the same thing, I just watched, shook my head and walked by. To add insult to injury, I forgot the paperwork at my apartment and had to walk all the way home, passing the spectacle once more. Day Two was worse than Day One.
Day Three: My third start fell on a very busy day; despite this, I found myself at dinner with some co-workers. I poured over the menu, deciding that best way to top off my first full day of the challenge was to order something exotic off of the menu. I looked around for shark fin soup, alligator alfredo or genuine elephant ears, but to no avail. I settled for ostrich burger and decided to go for it. But when the waitress asked me what I wanted, I blurted out, ""Original Hamburger, just ketchup.""
I didn't even get lettuce and tomato. Day Three was the low point. I came home for dinner and drowned my sorrows in handfuls of Turtle Chex Mix.
Days Four and Five followed a similar track. So, like a three-year old playing cards, I have changed the rules of the game. You compete everyday, and even if the day is considered a wash because you didn't push yourself, you still get credit for playing that day. I'm calling my game LifePlus (since I guess Life was taken). It's more of a play-till-you-win type of thing. Start your round today.
Erin wants you to know she is special. E-mail her at erincanty8285@hotmail.com.
