Sports, Speed and Stuff...

People who know me, know I'm not much of a sports person... not even close. They also know, I have a pretty good reason for not being one. It's simple, I don't enjoy doing something if I'm not naturally good at it. And my history with sports hasn't been an encouraging one, not in the least.

Flashback...

My dissappointment with sports began at an early age... Whenever friends got together for a game of cricket I was the first one to bat, but only because everyone knew I would get out within the first couple of balls. So they'd let me go on first, cause after I got out they could go on with the game without any hitches. And I was rarely,
if ever, given a chance to bowl. They told me I threw like a girl... Big Wow!

My first attempts with football were pretty dismal too. I was just a kid when I first tried my hand at football or rather tried my foot at it. I remember the incident like it happened yesterday, they say you never forget the truly embarrassing moments of your life easily.

Couple of guys in my locality had gotten together for a game and the girls decided to join 'em. Now a crush of mine was also in the game and he decided to guide me through my terrible lack of knowledge of the game... so the whole gang aside... and the both of us at one side. Sounds perfect doesn't it? It was, until they decided to start a
trial game. He was the goal-keeper... so I was keen to take a shot. I took a cool run up and struck the ball... and when I saw something fly up towards the goal I made the mistake of assuming it was the football. It wasn't until a couple of seconds later when I looked down and saw the ball exactly where it was, which was also when the
other terrible reality struck me, I was missing a shoe. You know how this is going to end right? For those who haven't already guessed I have to say... he didn't know what hit him.

Anyways, after that it was just a downhill road for me and sports, and everything sport associated. Like they say if you're scarred during childhood the trauma will stay with you, all your life.

I took up Basketball in higher secondary and just as I was getting good at it... they made annoucements for the elections of the school team. I panicked, obviously, and stayed away from the try-outs. And then the regression of practice and my growing impatience saw me quitting that too. This was followed by other sports, Badminton, Carrom even table tennis and it was the same old story of growing lack of interest. The only thing I enjoyed was 'watching' sports. Mostly adventure sports...
My macho friend calls it the "pretty girl equals good cheer-leader" syndrome. I would have been terribly offended with this statement, had I been able to prove him otherwise.

Anyways, my whole point is that the only thing I came close to, was watching and enjoying these adventure sports. That does not mean though I'm any more knowledgeable of them, than I am of other sports.

Back to present day...

Some guy friends of mine were off to watch the bike and car Rally/Festival/Races that were being held out here. I naturally asked them whether I could go... not to my surprise they instantly shot me down saying it wasn't a girl thing, plus I was the only chic out of the group who had actually volunteered to go. Well, after a lot of convincing... and pouting, I convinced to get rides for me and another girlfriend of mine. I dunno why I was so keen on going, but it was probably cause, like I said, I have a thing for watching these sports. Plus, I had never been to one of these races before so I wanted to know what the experience was like. So we got up early in the morning to catch the races. Frankly, people at my house were surprised cause I'm not a rise and shine kinda person, but my conviction on being there was strong.

So, we rode out to Vashi, which was an hour long drive... but I enjoyed it like hell. Riding with Seven bikers... was really, well, CooL. When we got there though, it wasn't like I had imagined it... Cause my imagination itself was a fantasised version. I figured there would be dirt roads, blonde standing in the middle and dropping the handkerchief as the hells angels tore off to race each other for a huge sum 'o cash.

But they were like any other races, really, simple and fun. I enjoyed most part of it and it would've been a perfect event had it not been for the ghastly, bitch of an afternoon sun. I was hallucinating by the time the last of the cars had done racing. And no, the guys were not poking fun at us for being weak... cause they were equally close to getting heat strokes. We wandered around a bit checking out the tons of different bikes and cars that were lined up for racing... and the boys just could not stop drooling. I have to admit some of those machines were mean and excellent. But I suppose me and mah girlfriend's interest sparked only till the "o0h... shiny" phase.

Just as I was beggining to wonder whether coming there was a mistake though... this guy pulled off this amazing 'wheelie' on his bike and I swear my eyes just popped out of their sockets. He was followed by a couple of other guys who did some crazy stuff as we cheered on hysterically.

And I knew... Coming there was every bit worth of it. Cause riding on the bike, the adrenaline rush when it caught up speed, and every stunt that was performed had justified my excitement to go there. And if that wasn't enough the number of cute guys there was sufficeint enough reason for me to make sure I catch this rally the next year too.

I'm pretty sure this incident is not going to alter my opinion about sports or anything but it has reaffirmed my belief in the thrill of watching them from the background.