I’ve had a few Ghost Q’s in my day but none have been this close to Halloween. I think this time of year is so cool. In the days leading up to this holiday, it’s a chance for people become someone or something else, if only for a short while. The music, the movies, the costumes…I dig it all. I decided to pull out all the stops for this Q. What’s more, Friday night we went to the Grimm Trails at Tom Sawyer so I was feeling extra inspired. Prep was way more involved than what’s necessary for an hour long beatdown but my boys deserve an experience, right? Tossed and turned Friday night with excitement and nervousness. Pulled myself out of the fart sack, loaded up the Pilot and headed to The O to leave plenty of time for setup. I brought a couple of speakers, some lights and modest creepy decorations to adorn the tennis courts.
0645 and I knew the ruckers were soon to return. Set up the JBL flip on a bench, played ‘Every Last One’ from Texas Chainsaw Massacre on loop and hid out behind a tree like Bacon in a park (minus the trench coat and ski mask and minus waiting to expose myself to would be passers by.) One by one PAX would roll in and as 0700 hit, I came from the dark and out into the ambient light donning a plastic skull mask and joined the circle already corralled. I guess what I do must be pretty obvious as a few of the PAX said, “hey Bird!” Anyway, I would stay in character for now and with a wave of my hand signaled the PAX to follow me. We would do a warm up mosey all the way around the park and would gather together in the open field behind the restrooms. Since Sump caused the jig to be up I figured I would expose myself (face only) and carry on as your Bird. Did a count off and prepared for COP.
The PAX: Vincent (R), Harry Caray (R), Sump Pump (R), Section 8, Finkle, Cosplay, Billy Goat, YNot, Pigeon, Naptime, Flo Jo, Motor Boat, Masse’, Anchovy Pizza, Brisket, Tammy Faye Baker, Goosebumps, BigBird (Q)
COP: A lot of the usual stuff but more of it and in higher than normal intensity, Brisket screaming out cadence giving me the Q juice needed to lay down 45 mo minutes of a hellacious beatdown.
Thang 1: Bear Crawl about 40 yards, mosey back. Sprint for the same 40 yards, mosey back. Lunge walk, mosey, sprint, mosey, broad jump (or bunny hop, right Masse’?) mosey, sprint, mosey. Recover, grab all of my effects and head to the tennis court for…
Thriller Tabata: 20 seconds on, 10 seconds off of Hand Release Merkins & Groiners. A few 10 counts from Goosebumps & Brisket’s bada$$ 2.0s to recover before…
The next Thang: 4 corners of Merkins, Jump Squats, Burpees & Jump Lunges. 10 first, then 15, then 20. Mumble chatter was in high force and Dee-dee dropping the tennis ball in front of anyone that would be willing to give a quick toss (she is relentless!). I was pumped to witness a moment where Goosebumps heard the song “Goosebumps” by Travis Scott and he exclaimed, “this should be my song!” (even though he’s not too keen on that type of music)
Still had some time so we partnered up for a few rounds of running, merkining, big boyee-ing and other such nonsense.
Recovered, got to our “6,” YNot turning down the tunes and finished off with some Mary.
Time was called and we circled up around the flags. COR, NOR and COT. Harry Caray was the “6” so he shared with us how long he’s been coming out, how he got his name and who brought him out. He shared some extry personal testimony on what F3 has meant to him. We all likely can relate and even though our stories are different, our takeaways are the same. Sump Pump gave us a good reminder to get to know those to your right and left. Everyone‘s got a story and we should take the time to get to know one another.
There was some pretty profound intentions that needed to be lifted up and I know with the strength of our 18, the Sky Q was listening.
I’ve got almost 140 Q’s to my name since 2018 and have loved every one! The PAX that were there, the suck we get to experience together the bonds built is what it’s all about! This day was no different. Such a special group and honored to be out with you men today!
Until next time…
BigBird
F3 Louisville 