All I was going to do was to try a pull, a simple one, nothing fancy, just me and an eyebolt in the wall and I was going to watch the suspensions that were being filmed for the BME movie. I ended up pulling my piercer's car across a parking lot in broad daylight, with cars driving by and a few people walking past on the sidewalk.
At A Glance Author guineapig Contact guineapig@bme.anon IAM guineapig When A month ago Artist Badur,Jonny, Jody Location Vancouver, BC Oh, it all started innocently enough, Badur and Jonny were going to be in town as part of their tour to do some filming for the BME movie. Everyone that would be at the BBQ or pulling/suspending would have to be willing to be filmed, this was about as public as it could get. I do not like having my face on the net, so I wasn't planning to do anything, on the other hand, I had never done a pull before, and this was a chance for something new. I don't normally turn these opportunities down, but it would be filmed, what to do, what to do. I thought about it, maybe I would just do my thing in a corner somewhere, away from the suspension area and I wouldn't be noticeable. It didn't quite work out that way.
Some one mentioned in a forum that she was going to pull a car, I replied up the cliff? At this time the BBQ itself was going to be at a beach, she replied that it would be in a parking lot, later she asked if I would mind lending a back, so to speak, no problem with me I said. Wait a minute, what did I just say? Pull a car with hooks in my back? Even with someone else sharing the load, well maybe, but probably not that far. I was doubtful but I'd give it a go, nothing ventured nothing gained; besides it might be fun!
The BBQ was on a Friday, we're short staffed at work on Friday's, it took a lot of effort on my part to wrangle that day off, but I managed. Being Vancouver, with an outside activity planned, with weeks of no rain behind us, it was cold and wet the day of the BBQ, the gathering was held at an alternate location. As usual, the new IAM people I met there were good people and I had an enjoyable evening. I had started getting stoked about the pull since the thought of pulling a car had been mentioned to me.
Saturday was the day, though I had had my doubts when this all started I had convinced myself that this could be done. I hadn't told many people about this and now it was time to get hooked, most of the people had done their suspensions and there was a break in the action. Jonny did a great job getting the hooks in, the pain didn't come till the needles were off the hooks, glad there were only two this time, I hate the piercing part. After letting the hooks settle, it was time, boy was I ready, I had manhandled one-ton crew cabs around gas stations before, the car would be in neutral with the brakes off, I could do this. The car was in position, it was time for me to walk down the sidewalk with hooks sticking out of my back, there was traffic and I wonder what they were thinking if they noticed them.
The rigging was surprisingly simple; I thought there would be more to it. Jody tied me to the car, there was fresh film in the camera, people were watching, and the e-brake was off and I was ready to go. Jonny got me lined up, I balanced the pain between the hooks and leaned forward, nothing happened. Through some coaching from Jonny I leaned over further, closing on a 45 degree angle, I bent my legs and leaned forward again, I straightened my legs, I tried taking small steps but nothing happened. This went on for a few minutes, but time had no meaning for me, I could hear people cheering me on, I absorbed their energy along with the pain, I rocked the car but could not get it to roll, I was giving it everything I had physically and channeled my emotions and the energy into willing the car to move, I was getting upset. Something wasn't right, Jonny told me to take a break, he called to someone to make sure the wheels were straight, they were. Yes, the brakes were off, but the transmission was in Park!
It wasn't me, it was NOT me, anyone who thinks that emotions cannot do a complete turnaround in a split second did not see my face as the anger and frustration turned to pure joy as I heard that. Now this sucker was going to move, if I could make that stupid thing rock in park I was surely going to get it moving, no if's, and's, or but's about it. The way I was feeling at that time it could have been a monster truck, I didn't care, it was going to move! I settled myself into the pain again, absorbed more energy from the crowd, I was very aware they were there. I bent my legs, I leaned forward, I straightened a leg, I took a step, the car moved, YES! Another step, keep it going, keep it going, another short step, they were getting easier, a longer step, another, another. I was almost taking normal strides, the car was following me along like a horse wanting a carrot, I thought I could run! What a sensation, what a place for the mind to be, the rush, the power, it was gl orious, I hoped it wouldn't end. Then came the fence, that miserable fence, covered in morning glory, I was going to end the pull at the fence, didn't want to but there was no choice, as it was the brakes were tapped and the pull was over, just the pull, the rush was still there. The offer was there to pull the car back, but I was exhausted now that I had stopped, the struggle of trying to pull the car while in park had taken a lot from me and I am nowhere close to being an athlete.
I had done it though, there was no doubt, this middle aged, out of shape office worker had pulled a Chevy Cavalier a good distance. I felt great, there is no feeling quite like it, totally different from the suspension that I did last year that was strictly a mental challenge, this was more physical. I was also able to handle the pain much better this time. During the suspension I was fighting the pain, looking back that may another reason why I had such a battle getting off the ground. During the pull the pain was just as real but it seemed more comforting somehow, I let it flow around me, I was able to absorb it along with the energy from those watching, it was awesome, it was amazing. I want to pull a bigger car next time, new challenges have been presented, new limits need to be explored.
I have, as souvenirs, the hook and the parachute cord that was used, one hook and part of the cord will be used as a necklace. It should be interesting to see the reaction of people if I was to walk down Granville in Vancouver in slacks and a button up shirt with the other hook through my septum, maybe I'll do that one day.
If one day you have the opportunity to try a pull like this safely, give it a shot, you never know what you can do till you try it, I sure didn't!