The wall.

There comes a time in every mans life, where he hits a wall. A wall which is such a challenge to climb, that it defines his entire being. Today, I hit that wall.

This, is my story. But in order for it to be successfully told, I feel the following music must be played while you are reading.

Yesterday I was practicing with my new(er) band Lost In Paradise (www.facebook.com/LostInParadiseUK) and today when we woke up we felt the best course of action would be to head to Durham for some food, having not eaten since the gargantuan McDonalds the night before. We didn't know it yet, but this was to be a huge mistake.

Think you could tackle this? Think again.

Every monday, the Slug and Lettuce in Durham city centre offers 50% off all food, so this was to be our destination. On a normal day, we would each order a steak and be happy, but today was to be no normal day. We each ordered a steak as usual, but we added two ultimate platters, which anyone familiar with the Slug and Lettuce's menu will understand to be of mammoth proportions. The food came and all was perfect, we felt confident, we felt strong, we felt legendary. If only we knew what we had gotten ourselves into.

Defeat. Painful defeat.

As you can see, there was a pretty large amount of food, however, we underestimated just how much.
It started well, we ate, we laughed, we ate some more. The first 3 quarters of the food was no challenge (for all but Joe, who is a pathetic excuse of a man) and we were almost certain we would be able to leave with our heads held high, employees and customers cheering and screaming our names, but it was not to be. We first started to doubt ourselves when we hit the 3 quarter mark, and it only got worse from there. To the left you can see the remnants of our challenge

One ring to rule them all.

In the end for me, it came down to one onion ring (right), taunting me and taunting me. No matter how much I tried to build up the courage to do so, I could not defeat it. It was proved a worthy opponent, and today, it has defeated me, and will enjoy its victory. But this is not over. Not by a long shot.

For shame.

After I left, I held on to only one slight consolation, at least I wasn't reduced to a smilar state as this broken shell of a man. Joe (left) was defeated by pretty much everything, and afterwards looked not only ill, but terminally so. Still, nothing a pint couldn't fix.

I end this tale with a lesson, though you may leave a battle bruised and tired, and in this case a fair bit heavier, never be afraid to return to a challenge. Just because something is challenging, it doesn't mean it isn't worth attempting, it just means it will feel a hell of a lot better when you finally succeed. And god help me, I will succeed.  Oh yes, I will succeed.


Until next time lads and lasses, gan canny!

(A battle scarred) Stephen

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