It's called ultimate. How can you not want to play?

A writer can and will write anywhere. It's not always easy to stop. You can come up with scenes while stuck in traffic, or while having your teeth scraped white by an evil dentist, or during a romantic meal with your sweetheart. It can be a problem.

The only time I can guarantee to be not thinking about writing is while I'm playing Ultimate (Frisbee). The outrageous physical exertion combined with the intellectual elements of the game is all-consuming. There's just no room in my brain for anything else. It works wonders for stress reduction and it means I can eat yummy cupcakes and drink margaritas without having to worry about out-fatting my pants.

Ultimate is also one of the most welcoming sports for absolute beginners. Especially if you're a woman. There's always a shortage of female ultimate players, so fit young men will line up to teach you to play. 

If you're a woman (doesn't matter how old or young) and this all sounds kinda fun to you, here's your chance to give it a try.

Women’s Ultimate* Clinic
Sunday April 20, 2008
10 am – 1 pm
On the beach in Santa Monica
(at the end of Ocean Park Blvd)

*Ultimate is a fast-paced, fun, non-contact team field (grass or sand) sport that is played using a disc (sometimes called a frisbee). It’s a great way to get in shape, have fun, and meet cool people.

Even if you have never thrown a disc before you can learn to play. Beginners are especially encouraged to come to the clinic, but experienced players are welcome as well. All ages.

What to wear/bring:
• 2 t-shirts (1 white, 1 dark-colored)
• comfortable athletic clothing
• sun protection (hat, shades, sunblock)
• water bottle

The clinic is free! To sign up or for more information call or email
Nicole Belle Isle at womensleague@laout.org (626) 644-8845. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required.

The following 4 Sundays there will be a women’s league – same time, same place. Registration is $15 online at www.laout.org

Fit young women will be the teachers at this particular event, but, hey, you may be into that, too. I strongly encourage you to check it out.

Artery Cloggery

My parents were just visiting. We ate every conceivable form of bad-for-you food imaginable. Chocolate covered blueberries with wine anyone? They taste as weird as they sound.