Arriving early I couldn’t help but notice a touch of fall in the air as a light mist occasionally dampened my face. A perfect day to be a part of the gloom. The pax began to arrive and I was quickly reminded that the sport of all sports, aka football, was in full swing. Mumble chatter revolved around a Gamecock victory over Vandy to Schrute’s delight, and Stang’s strain as he kept clenched cheeks during the entire game…which ended with a Vol’s overtime win against perennial powerhouse App State. I checked in with Stang making sure he had not pulled a hamstring, gave him a little fist bump as a fellow longtime fan of Big Orange football, and savored the ugly victory.

COP

10 Abe Vigoda Windmill, 10 count stretch-right ankle, left ankle, and middle stretch. Kung Fu stretch left leg back then right leg back for a 10 count. Lot’s of mumble chatter here as the pax did not realize their legs would contort to this degree. 10 Imperial Walkers, 10 Hillbilly Walkers, and 10 MNC.

Sticking to the the slow burn theme I quickly had the pax give a 1,2 count and formed two lines for a slow burn shuffle going behind the Big Lot’s property around the front of Big Lots, stopping at the side of the building for what the pax thought would be a little People’s Chair action. But No!…I pulled the old switch-a-roo, and I had them mosey up to the dock rail where we performed the following in single count cadence, 25 Clave Raises, 10 Irkins (forehead touch bottom rail without drawing blood), followed by 10 Derkins.

Of course we could not pass the wall so I sent the pax back to the wall where we performed the People’s Chair in conjunction with 25 single count cadence air shoulder presses. The single count cadence lingo stirred up a lot of mumble chatter from a few pax (Apache) who felt I might have been too liberal with the term cadence and my failure to follow the traditional 1,2,3 ONE cadence. To honor my brother I threw in one traditional in cadence count for an extra air press…followed by 10 single count cadence Merkins and 10 single Carolina Dry Docks. Rinse and repeat the rail and the wall to emphasize slow burn, single count, all form, you against you theme.

I took a little time to read the first 8 lines from Amazing Grace and shared a little of my testimony. I continue to be amazed that His grace was provided to a “wretch like me”. As I shared some of my story I am still in awe of Sky Q’s ability to use our vulnerability to reach others. With no shame I share who I used to be and bask in His ability to make all things new!

Form pax back into their 1 and 2 slow burn shuffle lines and head back to the front of the Tawba Bingo lot, passing Wendy’s and Bojangles when I heard a little mumble chatter regarding Wendy’s from The Riddler. Assuming the pax was getting hungry I pulled into Popeye’s for a little take out order action. Line 1 and 2 faced each other. The man across from you is now your partner and each partnership was tasked with running around the take out window to pick up an order to go for the pax. While partners ran the pax performed LBC’s until the first set of partners arrived with the new take out pain order. 11 different partners called out 11 different pain events from Prison Cell Burpee to Box Cutters. Rinse and repeat, and I don’t think a duplicate pain event was called out for a total of 22. Again the theme was you against you…do as many as you can using the correct form.

Form the pax back into their 1 and 2 slow burn shuffle lines and head to the wall near Popeye’s where I had the pax assume the Balls to the Wall position while one bear crawled down the line. To say that the devil “Qdrenaline” had a hold of me was an understatement as many of the pax, including YHC modified to People’s Chair. For those of you that stayed committed to the Balls to the Wall…kudo’s to your strength and your character!

With time wrapping up the slow burn shuffle headed to the AO and the COT. (Note to self…always set up sweepers to check on the 6) Announcements were made, prayer request made, and prayers lifted up to all. Always an honor to lead and be led by this group of men.