I’m 5 days into the Everest Challenge. Not bad. I’m not the top of the heap – but I’m almost to Base camp 1. I’ve had some good days this week (I think I’m excited) and the weather’s been mixed. (I was soaked to the skin on Day 2).
This is the start of the day and I’m above average but still not to basecamp. The red line is me, the orange is “average” and that blue guy… I don’t know who he is but he’s averaging 25,000 steps (15 miles) a day?!? Must be a Marathon Runner.
Starting this week, the place that I work is holding a challenge which offered up an interesting opportunity. The idea is that as a participant, you walk 10,000 steps per day for 40 days. Over the course of the next 40 days, as you progress with your walking, you figuratively “climb” everest. It’s 280,000 steps to the Top.
We’re keeping track of the steps we take with pedometers, and there’s not only a “solo” mission, but we can also make teams of 6 to participate as well. The average steps of the top 3 performers on each team are then compared – and competing head to head with other “teams” at the company – from all groups across Europe and Asia.
Not only is the health benefit of getting more exercise a great one, but there’s also $15,000 up for grabs per location to send to charity. That means there’s an extra incentive for me to get my butt moving – and see if I can make it to the figurative top of “Everest” in 40 days. My first day is today, and I’ve done 11,477 steps – just over 5 miles (10,000 steps is about 5 miles).
Earlier this week, while I was at St. Stephen’s Green shopping center in Dublin having lunch, I found out that there was a free exhibition going on. It’s called the Instrumental Art Exhibit, and the donations / artwork support the Musical Youth Foundation. There are over 100 pieces all created out of old broken instruments by local artists – all for charity. They have everything from violins, mandolins, to acoustic and electric guitars, and various types of drums.
Some of the art was incredibly detailed and took tons of time like the Mandolin (above) and the Guitar God (front and back done in pointilism) below:
It’s a pretty cool exhibition, and because it’s free admission (and all proceeds go to charity) that makes it that much more awesome in my book!
The Details:
May 25th – June 24th
Exhibition Space, Top Floor, Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre
Opening Times
Mon-Sat 11am-7pm.Thurs 11am-9pm. Sun 11am-6pm
FREE ADMISSION (donations appreciated)
You can also check out the Musical Youth Foundation website at:
Musical Youth Foundation