Have you ever tried to impress friends (or yourself) by creating an event out of the disposal of a waste product? Because I have. Holding the cellophane, the plastic, the apple core, I'm thinking, "What are the chances I could throw this into that garbage can?". I calculate the distance from my seat to the other side of the room. Possible. Lifting my arm, I accidentally grab someone else's attention. Noticing my target, they say, "Hey, I bet you couldn't get it in from here." A challenge. The stakes are now at maximum height. I have to land that three- pointer from my desk, from my chair. I'm a competitive person. I focus on the garbage can, breathe in once, then let the non-recyclable product soar through the air. The moment of tension is the worst part of this event, with both you and your challenger watching the waste cut through the air. Finally, impact. Two things could happen at this moment. I could miss, granted, the more realistic outcome, or I could be the slam dunk-er of the day. The apple core hits the side of the can once, bounces up in a small arch, and to my youthful glee and relief, lands in the garbage. This is the moment. This is the highlight of the day. My regular cloud of anxiety fades as I relish the sweet sensation of landing a basket. Awesome. | "Michael Jordan is a former American basketball player who led the Bulls to six national championships and earned the NBA Most Valuable Player Award five times." Read more of Jordan's biography here. |