In which Daisy inherits Violet Beauregarde's appendages

I got my slackline today! I've been wanting one for a very long time, ever since some nice guy let me try his out for an hour on a beautiful day on the main green last spring. I sucked, obviously, as everyone does at first, but I got to the point of standing still on the line for a few seconds, and have been itching to get on one again on every sunny day since. Other gear took precedence once I started getting a salary though: things like a backpack, a sleeping bag, and a small tent. Luckily, I'm a pretty intense pinch-penny, as it makes this wandering lifestyle much easier. Unluckily, it means I don't get every cool thing I want when I decide I want it. (That, clearly, is not the part that relates to Violet Beauregarde.) But I saved up, and now I have it!

So, obviously, the first thing I did after work today was find two workable trees and wrestle the thing up. Somehow, I have enough old towels in my possession to act as tree sling padding, which is weird because I usually don't keep stuff I don't need. I guess old towels can be universally useful.

Once I had a line, a full Brown Outing Club nalgene, and Readyville booming from the porch (can music without bass be boomed?), I hopped on that thing! And fell off. A lot. Hopping and falling once every ten seconds for forty minutes is a lot more tiring than it looks (ok, I took breaks). And, then, after time, I hopped up, stayed up, and took three steps! And then I fell off and landed with my toes curled under. A broken big toe put an end that slacking session.

I rolled around on the ground for fifteen seconds, then got up and hobbled inside to "walk it off". After some ice, some David Bowie, and a plate of Amy's chana masala with rice, I was pretty sure the pain would be gone soon and it was no big deal. And then, slowly, over the next hour, my toe swelled and turned a fetching shade of deep purple. It's a good thing I don't chew gum, experimental Wonka's or otherwise, or I would be worrying for the eventual safety of the rest of my limbs.

I hobbled over to Hudsonia House later because I saw a puppy, and found out it was the last day for the Veg crew seasonals, Jess and Andrew, (that's Vegetation Specialists) and everyone was going to a bonfire on the beach, so I tried my foot at driving. Thankfully, I'm ok to drive stick, even with a blueberry for a left big toe, because I'm supposed to drive all the way up to New Hampshire for BOLT base camp the day after tomorrow. I'm still a little worried about my hiking abilities, though.

The fire was awesome, although watching biologists light a fire with a gallon of lighter fluid is pretty hilarious to start with, and the puppy added exponentially to the experience. He was a tiny black lab with huge soft puppy paws and a tendency to flop over and nap against anything. Kurt, Katie, and I talked superheroes and sword fighting, graphic novels and ren fairs. I can remember how I used to wish that sword fighting was still the way of the world when I was young: combat based on skill, rather than on money and fatal explosions. Apparently I wasn't the only one; Kurt still practices weekly with his custom-made long sword. I live with the most eclectic people, everywhere I go. I love that.

Anyway, work should be interesting tomorrow. I am supposed to lead two kayak trips with Chris, and I'm not even sure I can walk. I guess I don't need to be able to walk, I just need to be able to paddle and sweet talk someone into carrying the boats for me. Then I get to spend four hours on the water, and I love the water!

And Violet? You can have your toe back.