You may have noticed that I’ve tweaked the banner on my blog. It now reads “Just Typikel.” I changed it up to reflect my 2014 intention to embrace all the aspects of my quirky, eventful life.
Last night, while scrolling through some of the most recent Instagram pictures I came across a New Year’s celebration photo posted by my sister. Amidst the many flattering comments a friend had insightfully advised
“Live it up. Life is not a dress rehearsal.”
Brilliant perspective for a new focus and a new year, no? Right, let’s launch this puppy.
In an effort for you to get to know me – the just typikel Kelly – I’ve ruthlessly stolen a concept * decided to host a clever game. Do play! Who knows there might even be a prize for the winner!
It’s called: Five Facts about Kelly.
To participate all you have to do is read the five facts and then have a little think about which four are true. One of the five facts is false.
All in? Good. In the spirit of the approaching 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games
“Let the games begin!”
Remember: Your goal is to determine which one of the five facts is false.
1. I have climbed to the top of Uluru (Ayers Rock) at the hottest time of the day without water. By myself.
When I climbed this ancient Australian monolith back in the early ’80’s it was still politically correct to do so. I ignored the strong advice to put the climb off until the evening or the next morning. Armed with only a map and a small can of Pepsi I struck out at the only time I had available. Noon. The most difficult part was the beginning – it was relentlessly steep. I hauled myself up, reluctantly tugging on the fiercely hot chain link rope. Because of the time of day, I was the only person on the rock. Once I reached the summit, I celebrated with the Pepsi. I poured it all over my head in an effort to cool down.
Remember – Life is not a dress rehearsal.
2. I have completed four marathons. All of them in the same city.
My first marathon run – a distance of 26.2 miles – was in 1986. For each of the four marathons I trained with other runners at the local YMCA from September to May. The program consisted of a long run on Sunday and three shorter runs during the week. Even though the training was the same my four marathon experiences were very different. That first year I had to walk a good portion of the last six miles because of an excruciatingly tight iliotibial band. The other three were better but I never reached my goal of running it in under 4 hours.
Remember – Life is not a dress rehearsal.
3. I was a contestant on Monty Hall’s tv game show “Let’s Make a Deal.” I won.
Filming of this game show took place in BC in the early 80’s. Knowing the costumed contestants – “traders” – were chosen from the “holding pen” lineup outside the studio, my sister and I played our roles to the hilt. She was a gum chewing, ball tossing baseball player and I was a picture snapping, brochure spewing obnoxious tourist. They picked us both. Monty zoomed in on me and two others for the first trade of the day. I traded a wall of Turtle wax for whatever was behind curtain Number Three. Lucky me! I won a pair of donkeys. Yes. Donkeys.
Remember – Life is not a dress rehearsal.
4. I rolled our family’s Volkswagen Beetle when I was 16 and learning to drive. My teacher was my dad.
My dad always taught his kids to drive; it was never an option in our family. Well into my series of lessons, he suggested I go up a steep hill and then turn a sharp right onto the street at the top. Turning a wee bit too close to the sandy shoulder I began to spin out. I hit gas instead of brake. We shot over an embankment and came to a rest on someone’s grassy, carefully manicured front lawn. Mercifully both of us were fine and we rolled “up” the windows and climbed out. The car was fixed by a marvelous fellow who drove me to my wedding years later.
Remember – Life is not a dress rehearsal.
5. I soared above the Ontario farmlands in a hot air balloon. Drinking champagne.
To celebrate my impending nuptials my best friend secretly booked a flight in a hot air balloon. We’d always talked about it. Instead of pulling into the local gym to play a game of squash, she kept driving. We pulled off the busy highway, onto a country road and finally up a long dusty driveway. I emerged from the car into the world of Oz. The basket was much bigger than I’d imagined and the noise of the release of the propane was incredible. My memory of the ride is of barking dogs running beneath us and the sparkle of the champagne. Heaven.
Remember – Life is not a dress rehearsal.
There – all five done and dusted.
Ok – which one of the five facts above doesn’t ring true to you as typikel behaviour? Got a strong feeling or are you completely at sea?
I would love it if you’d leave a comment about your choice – which one and why you chose it. I’ll enter your name into the pot and announce the winner in an upcoming post!
***
* It would be simply remiss of me to not give credit where credit is due. I stole this Five Fun Facts idea from the wonder that is Aussa at HACKER. NINJA. HOOKER. SPY
Thanks my dear. Would you prefer your champagne to be French or Domestic?
Jane says
Ok, I am going to go with number 3, competing on the Monty Hall Show. However, I have only known you for a few years, so it may have been in your previous life ! You are full of adventure and not afraid to embrace anything that life throws at you ! Great story !
Kelly says
Interesting guess Jane. I shall put you down in the “behind curtain number 3” column. Let you know soon if you’re right!
Sue says
Kelly- what a great post, I had such fun reading each of the facts and even though I don’t know you I was trying to guess which could be false. So my guess is #1. Why, I don’t really know, ha! Australia is just such a long way away perhaps you weren’t even there.
Looking forward to hear the rest of the story.
Kelly says
I like your reasoning Sue. Australia is indeed very far away and perhaps I’ve never been … Will let you know if you are right!
Lynda says
I think number 5 is somewhat tame for you
Kelly says
Hahaha! Hmmm… perhaps you are right. That picture of the basket tipping over isn’t too alarming… Wonder if you’re right? I’ll let you know soon.
Kathy G says
I’ve only been reading your blog for a couple of months. I have NO idea which story is false. Hope you eventually reveal the answer 🙂
(And taking a hot air balloon ride is still on my bucket list)
Kelly says
Bless you for commenting Kathy – love that you’re so honest about not having a clue. Yes, I shall reveal the correct LIE very soon.
Donna says
Hmm….I would guess that story 3 is false also, though the detail about winning donkeys has me wondering… But I love all of these, Kelly. Whichever is the “lie,” you’ve definitely been living life to the fullest!
Kelly says
Let’s make a deal that I reveal the true false answer very soon Donna. Ha! Life has been fun, yes. Right now it is quite special – someone here has either food poisoning or a stomach bug. Last 2 hours has been interesting to say the least. Off to buy gingerale and bananas.
Hope all healthy at your house.
Michele says
Wow…these are all amazing and it’s hard to choose. The hot air balloon would be my choice as well…
Kelly says
Interesting choice Michele? Am I full of hot air? I’ll let you know soon enough …
Anne-Marie says
Hmmm… Can’t imagine you climbing Urulu without water and just a can of Pepsi. Then I don’t remember the story about winning the donkeys. I could phone Gaga and find out! I’ll play along and say climbing Urulu without water.
Kelly says
Good reasoning Anne-Marie. Just so you know – Mom is on code of silence orders.
Linda Watson says
Well, I’m saying number 3, but on the other hand, it’s so different that you just may have done it. Nope. I’m sticking with door, er, adventure #3,
Kelly says
Ah Let’s make a deal Linda. I’ll tell you very soon if you are right or not.
Mo says
What fun! I must say that your attention to detail in each of the stories is quite impressive. Whichever one turns out to be the lie was certainly embellished with the same level of thoroughness that the truths contained! I have no idea which is the lie but, just to be different, I’m going to chose the Marathon Woman one – but certainly not because I don’t think you could do it. I’m pretty sure you can do anything you put your mind to!
Kelly says
In the vein of comments in Love Actually – “26.2 miles is an awful lot of miles David.”
Chelsea says
Fun. My guess is number three. I’m guessing you were a contestant but didn’t win any donkeys! The rest is true.
Kelly says
What? You haven’t seen Bessie who hangs out in our front yard? She must be on tour every time you come over.
Aussa Lorens says
I’ll take any kind of champagne! Is that the prize? 😉
And without cheating and reading above comments (in case they have extra insight into you) I’m going with #1! The hike and the pepsi. Because if you did that…. you’re nuts! And also because I want all of the others to be true….
Great first post for the New Year!
Kelly says
Clever girl. Not to read anybody’s else’s comments I mean. It would be crazy to climb Uluru with just a can of Pepsi… am I that crazy? Hmmmm…
Janice says
Well Kelly you are a woman of great adventure and I put none of the five options beyond the realm of possibility. However, if I must choose I will put my best guess on #1. My reasoning would be that while you are never afraid to try anything you are a logical person and this seems like something you would not take on lightheartedly nor on your own.
Looking forward to the big reveal !!!!
Cheers!! Janice
On a personal not hopefully all are well at your house and the “bug” was indeed only shared by one.
Kelly says
Why, thank you for the flattering reasoning Janice! I’ll put you down for #1.
Harmony Harrison says
I’ll say that number three is untrue. You have only completed THREE marathons, haven’t you? And BTW, I’d love to win a pair of donkeys… 🙂
Kelly says
Interesting comment Harmony. You think it’s about the numbers,’eh? I’ll let you know very soon!
Lisa Forever Five Blog says
Please tell me you did not climb Mount Uluru. I am praying that is what you did not do because that would stress me out just to THINK about you doing that. With nothing but Pepsi is a whole other issue that I am going to stress about if you actually did do it. Regardless of which incident is false, I am really hoping you won the Monty Python show. That would be my favorite thing to think about you doing:).
Kelly says
Monty Python?!? This is the best answer yet. Gold star Lisa.
Lisa Forever Five Blog says
Oh God. I meant Monty Hall. Is it too late to edit…..?
*hiding head in a hole*
Kelly says
Never too late to edit … thanks for the smile.
Kristi Campbell says
I’m going to guess #1 is false only because I can’t imagine you pouring the pepsi on your head instead of drinking it. Am I right???
Kelly says
Big reveal is tomorrow … Pepsi or no Pepsi? Hmmmmmm.
Dana says
Ooh, I’ll play! First I must say that even to have done one of those things is pretty awesome (except for the car one, maybe). I’ll guessing the marathons – just because I really want you to have done all the other things. Let’s Make A Deal? Superbly awesome. Can’t wait to find out the answer!
Kelly says
Ok – let’s make a deal that I tomorrow I reveal …
Karen Main says
This is so much fun and I agree with Mo the details are very impressive. I am going with number one purely because you I cannot recall you mentioning visiting my gorgeous country before.
Kelly says
Smart reasoning Karen. Am almost ready to reveal. Stand by.
Beth Teliho says
*clapping and grinning* I’m SO excited you did one of these posts!!! So fun! I came to your blog and realized your latest post was revealing the answer so I rushed to this one to see the choices and play along. I did not cheat, promise!! Okay, I’m going to guess the game show one. #3 I think. Or is it the marathons? UGH. Wait, you didn’t tip your car! DANG IT, KELLY. (btw, love your new banner!) okay, My FINAL ANSWER: I choose the game show. #3.
Kelly says
Love the reasoning here Beth!