I've gotta get outdoors while the weather's still here.

I spent most of this weekend outside. It was GLORIOUS. I couldn't even stand to be inside for most of my meals. I could have slept outside. Almost did. And guess what. guess what guess what guess what. Yes. You guessed it. I did it. I played ULTIMATE on sunday. Without cleats. after only a week of running. (the world's slowest mile, lemme tell you) But it was beyond amazing. I even got complimented on my playing by a total stranger which was awesome. Needless to say, I'm still a bit giddy. what with all the hiking, running and playing frisbee. (: Recipe for Xtine happiness right there. The only thing I was lacking was my fantastic friends. (i'm looking at you, kids. except you chrisp. cause i got to see you). AND I get to go see my fabulous Taaaaaaaally and the Trav for a super concert this thursday. Now I just need to get paid on time and some cleats. Yeeeeea. So in honor of the delicious warm weather and my super happy mood, you get a list. Of things I LOVE about ultimate. This may give you an idea (as if you didn't already know) of how much I'm addicted. Suckas.
1. The feeling of excitement I get standing on the line, just before the pull.
2. Being part of a really sweet dump swing play.
3. Chasing the disc down. For a score or just a really sweet throw.
4. Lining up against a gender mismatch, and being told I should take the guy.
5. Owning said guy.
6. Ultimate camraderie. Ultimate folk are just more friendly. It should be a slogan.
7. Marking a thrower, with everyone downfield shutting down their cuts and myself shutting down their dump. STALL.
8. Cgold's sweet ass strike cuts.
9. Running down the field on a gorgeous day.
10. A really, really good huck.
11. A perfect pass.
12. A ridiculous catch that did even seem catchable.
13. LAYOUT. layoutlayoutlayout.
14. Sweet ass bids.
15. Watching someone grow from barely being able to throw to being completely confident in his/her throws and cuts.
16. Tourneys.
17. Throwing before a game.
18. Throwing after a game.
19. The apples drill. (yes, I love it. Shut up. I also love the dump drill)
20. The phrase 100% throws ALL THE TIME.
21. Owning and I mean OWNING a zone defense. Swinging the disc back and forth watching those poor girls get more and more tired. Gotcha!
22. Killing another team with a solid zone defense. Playing cup and getting a d. Playing wing and getting a d.
23. Watching a really good game.
24. How every game seems to have some joking around in it, no matter how intense the game gets. (I'm just saying, there's a lot of willy nilly picking going on!)
25. Spirit of the game.
26. Summer league. Evening games, hot weather, bugs everywhere, the smell of warm fresh cut grass, crickets and cicadas singing and up calls echoing.

I'll stop there. I LOVE IT.