The exact opposite of STOKE

[wicked_sick]

Everyone loves to be stoked for something. It started for me when I was young enough to grasp the general concept behind a heathen Christmas. Snow would fall just before or on halloween, and I knew Christmas was coming but it was still so far away. Christmas was all I could think about for the next couple months. I knew Santa would never let me down. He ALWAYS came down our chimney.

Now that I'm older I get stoked for snow, skiing and the opening day of the local hill. For the past few months, that opening day was set at Nov. 24. AKA infinintely distant. A few weeks ago it was bumped up to the 19th. (life is good) Just recently the date was moved to the 16th. THAT's TOMORROW. Since this past weekend I've been daydreaming at work, falling asleep and dreaming for real at school, and going to bed early just so I could dream some more. Of hitting the slopes.

I woke up this morning, and while I was eating my breakfast I noticed that there was snow on the ground, and more in the sky. REAL SNOW. Pair that up with the fact that the hill opens up in one more sleep, AND my new skis are all mounted up and you've got the recipe for stoke.

Earlier this afternoon, I stopped by the ski shop to pick up my freshly mounted and waxed new skis. I came straight home to get all my gear in order, try it on and walk around for a bit. I'd just got my goggles on when I received a phone call. It was my ride to the hill and partner in crime. It went something like this:

Me: Hello
Him: Hey man, I've got some bad news
M: Oh yeah?
H: Yes. My fuel pump died on the way home yesterday
M: Huh. Did you get the parts? I'll come over and help you fix it!
H: No. No parts anywhere.
M: Duct tape?
H: I wish.

Maybe Santa isn't coming this year. No that never happens... I could borrow my roommate's truck.

Or so I thought. He has to haul a load of lumber to some one horse town tomorrow.

So I called his girlfriend and asked to use her car. She consented, but it's got summer tires and she's got no chains.

My options have run out, and the stoke has died. I feel ill. Looks like it's class after all.

I'm sure all of us have experienced a totally stoke killing event. And I'm sure it'll be worse than mine.

What was yours?

[Buster Highmen]

Death of my best friend after a long bout with cancer which looked for a while like we were going to win. On the winter solstice, 2000.

Miscarriage. Truely lost and nasty.