ALS Ice bucket challenge

I have been nominated by the lovely Lisa Marie Liserio to complete the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. I appreciate the applause worthy efforts of those who have donated to funding the research to cure and/or improve therapy for those afflicted with this debilitating disease. I recognize the significance of research funding and I will take the opportunity to encourage others to become informed with other organizations that will benefit from their donations (standup2cancer.org, cancer.org, cityofhope.org)*.

I believe the fund-raising challenge has been so successful because of the amusing and simple alternative for those who were unable to donate, which is to dump ice water on their heads. Those who know me well know that the following words are held in high esteem: ice, water, and bucket (especially when you preface the words with ‘shaved’, ‘frozen’, and ‘sand castle’, respectively).

To the disappointment of nobody, I will not add another video of the ice water dumping. I am too fond of the ALS ice water fails and can only wish that my video would make it to that compilation in another universe. I will not be capitalizing on the quality ice pellets made by the ice machine down the hall from where I type this. Rather, I will donate an appropriate amount to the cause. 

Just another quick note: I am not an ignoramus when it comes to the "boring/less fun" side of this ice bucket challenge. I am currently living in drought-plagued southern California. I grew up in the deserts of Arizona. I understand the value of water as a precious commodity not only in this country, but in other parts of the world. Mainly for this reason, I opt to not participate in the "fun". 

Google image.

Despite my lack of participation, I support any positive effect of the ALS ice bucket challenge, if only to increase awareness! I want to thank Lisa for the opportunity to compose my thoughts. There are many ways to become involved from spreading the message, to donating, and to becoming an active participant in the scientific research. Don't limit yourself in ways to be involved. 

*I may be bias in the links I have provided, but I am most familiar with these sources due to the nature of my job as a cancer researcher. 

All Star Team

I am a book nerd. An obvious statement judging by the references I make in this blog to the classics and pop culture reads. I am also a fan girl. I can’t stress this next statement enough. A ‘book nerd’ and a ‘fan girl’ are two distinct labels.  A book nerd loves reading books and more than likely has at least one pinterest board about the “joys of reading”, “libraries to visit”, “books galore”, “words”, and so on. A book nerd is something special.

 

Now a book nerd can easily transition into a fan girl. In fact, bookish girls make very powerful fan girls. Fan girls tend to be more ubiquitous than book nerds. There is a spectrum to the label fan girl. There are some fan girls who simply love a boy (e.g. beliebers), boys (e.g. onedirectioners), or man (e.g Cumbercollectives, Hiddlestoners). Another type of fan girl may seem to watch an inordinate amount of television*. The number of pinterest boards devoted to those shows will reveal her fan girl status (e.g. I am S.H.E.R.locked, Whovian, Supernatural). Then there are those fan girls who can combine the book magic with the movie magic. These tend to be your Potheads and Ringers. Sometimes they sound snobby because they love the book so much more. And since they read the book, they know so much more about the characters and the plot line.They can appreciate good narratives that did not exist in a written format like Star Trek or Avatar: The Last Airbender. These girls tend to follow many fandoms because they simply love a good story. 

Despite the different categories of fan girls, there is one thing that is quite consistent across fandoms—they are enthusiastic**, devoted***, and hilarious****. I write this short blurb about fan girls and book nerds to give context to the way my brain amuses itself every now and then, which will be evident in what follows.

I have written two posts about the song of Ice and Fire. Basically, both reveal I am besotted with the characters and their storyline. Whenever I read a captivating book, my imagination knows no bounds. I find myself bringing these characters to life in this world. I gave myself the challenge to put together an all-star team from book one (A Game of Thrones) for various competitive events.  I asked myself, who would I choose on my--

a) dodgeball team?
b) paintball squad?
c) political cabinet? 
d) wildcard competitions? 

For the wildcard draw, I wrote down the top four things that came to my head 1) trivia team 2) dance-off competitor 3) amazing race partner and 4) beauty pageant contestant, man or woman)

Here are my choices: 

a) Dodgeball team (6): Theon Greyjoy, Bronn, Khal Drogo, Syrio Forel, Sandor Clegane (aka The Hound) 

alternates: Ser Jorah Mormont, Jamie Lannister, Ser Waymar Royce

rationale: Adhering to the official USA dodgeball rules, my team must be comprised of at least six players. I have picked five characters with the notion that I get to play, thereby rounding out my team. However, if we were playing playground style, I imagine that I would need to have more players in mind because the manner in which teams are chosen is more political. Team leaders pick one after the other until their team is complete. My goal is to win with people who can get the job done. I don't have to love them as much as I do my paintball peeps (with the exception of Syrio and Khal who would fit well with the paintball group). I think these guys are natural athletes who would bring home the W.

 

b) Paintball: Robb Stark, Jon Snow, Gendry, Arya Stark, Greatjon Umber, Hodor, Ser Brynden Tully, Old Nan, Benjen Stark, Jhogo, Aggo, Rakharo (bloodriders to the Khaleesi), Lord Mormont

alternates: none because the game varies in size, if I need more than I will borrow Syrio and Drogo, my political crew, and some wildlings
   

rationale: There are five keywords to describe the duration of a paintball game-- "five minutes to a lifetime." As such, I want to stack my team with the loyal, the crazy, and the fun group of characters that make reading the first book worth it. Too much despair and treachery occurs, but these folks gave me hope. I would love to spend a 'lifetime' playing paintball with them because I trust them.

c) Political cabinet: Tyrion Lannister, Ned Stark, Daenerys, Sansa Stark, Maester Aemon, Ser Barristan Selmy, Catelyn Stark, Renly Baratheon, ...

rationale: I am the most clueless when it comes to this topic. I have not watched House of Cards, Scandal, The West Wing, or any other political drama. Ha. Luckily, that does not detract from my ability to put together a powerhouse of state figures and leaders that would provide reasonable answers and inspire trust. In truth, this group is too good to be true. They are the dream team. Plus, I don't know how satisfied Tyrion would be in such a job. Fortunately, I have other plans for him... 

d) Wildcard 

   1) trivia competition: Tyrion, Samwell Tarly, Bran Stark

   2) dance-off: "singer playing the high harp and reciting a ballad" at Winterfell (wink, wink)

   3) amazing race partner: Osha, the wildling

   4) beauty pageant contestant: Robb Stark

 

rationale: For those who have read the books, this is a no brainer. Yes, I am bias when it comes to Robb. 

I tried to limit the number of times that I used a character. As stated above, these characters make an appearance in the first book, A Game of Thrones. As I read Clash of Kings (book two) again, I will find other ways to amuse myself as I think about the characters. I have not touched upon the slime balls like Joffrey or Viserys, but I will at some point. Oh I will.

* (fan girl, type 2)

 

 ** (enthusiastic)

 

*** (devoted)

**** (hilarious!)

 

All images derived from pinterest pins comprising themetapicture.com, facebook, and 9gag.com