Meet a Playah: Brenda Lo-Griffin

Meet a Playah:  Brenda Lo-Griffin

 

Superhero name: tbd.   I'm sticking with "B-lo" until she makes up her mind!  "B" for short.

2. Age : A freshly-minted 43.  She's still getting used to how that sounds. 

3. Occupation – Brenda is an actress.  Trust me, I get lots of mileage out of having a friend who is an actress.  I manage to insert her into just about every conversation…, "Oh, my friend Brenda, the actress, has a shirt almost that color."  However, if you want to see her mean face, slip up when you're introducing her to someone and call her a model.  Or even better, a "hand model".  Trust me, it's worth it.  "When I'm not acting I'm a personal assistant to a Diva (Solomon) and Drama Queen (Sam). "   And that would be full-time, thank you.

4. What you wish you did instead of your "job"? – Brenda's one of those annoying people who is perfectly happy with the bag she is holding.  Sure, she has aspirations of a sweet acting gig, "Maybe be in the cast of Rent or Stomp.  Or …the role of a secret agent or spy...Possibly a stunt-woman."  I have to admit, whenever I'm waiting in line at the bank, I pass the time by imagining Brenda rappelling down from the shattered sunlight and belly-crawling across the carpet to the theme song of Mission Impossible.   It's her dream job…and I share that dream.  Now you can, too.

 

5. What do you crave when you PMS?  Are you approachable to train together during this time? Brenda is your go-to guy for top shelf Kettle Corn and advanced chocolate.  She thinks she's approachable, especially if you aren't unnerved by the obsessive nesting.   If you are lucky enough to train with Brenda on one of these special days, I'd suggest leading with the chocolate cake.

 

6. When was the last time you were active?  What did you do?  Did you pull any muscles?  Brenda goes yoga-ing fairly often.  She hasn't pulled anything yet.  (I'll just point out that people who are flexible like Gumby don't tend to pull stuff.  Just sayin'.)  (Can't say as much for the friends Brenda tricks into taking these hellish classes with her.)  (More on her Jedi mind tricks later.) Brenda has recently started trail running with her adorable husband and dear friend Maggie Moo (profiled earlier) but don't be fooled:  Brenda is in prime condition, and will have people paying money (actual USD) to see her in a bathing suit in just a matter OF DAYS.  

7. Stretch Factor.

On a scale of 1-10, how much of a stretch is this event for you? (1: I do stuff like this all the time and it's no big deal--don't step on my cape.....10.)    "I'm going to say a 6.  Never done all of them back-to-back.  But it could be a 10 depending on who's hating and cursing me the day of the race."  Oh, Brenda.  Brenda, Brenda.  If you were the kind of person who could be hated and cursed, you wouldn't be you, and we would have all laughed at your face when you suggested the triathlon.  Instead, inspired by your confidence in us, by your sense of adventure and joie d' vie, we promptly signed up and paid the money.  Your Buddha-vibes are infectious, and we are so deeply grateful that you make us all better women.  Fly like the wind, and we will ride your draft to the glorious end. * 

8. Besides yourself, who are you doing this for or in honor/memory of?  "Besides myself, I'm doing this for all the other people that I talked into doing it -- kinda feeling like I can't drop out now."  Well, let's take a closer look at this, now.  Really, how did Brenda manage to talk such a large group of women, with such a large RANGE of ability and interest, into participating in a TRIATHLON, for Pete's sake?!   If I hadn't seen that particular episode of Star Wars, I would be in the dark.  However, just so you know, I am onto her Jedi mind tricks and that is why I wear an aluminum foil hat when I know she is up to no good.  

9. What specifically do you hope you can get out of this experience?  "To step outside of my comfort zone!  I think you should do something at least once a year that steps outside of your CZ and thrills and/or scares you."  And anyone that knows Brenda knows that she walks the talk.  Snowboarding, mountain biking, extreme yoga, machine sewing.  Uncomfortable underwater acting scenes with murderous, incestuous sketchy dads.  I'd love to get a look at her Bucket List, right?

10. What do you think will be your biggest challenge? "Someone pass me a kickboard if you're all finished swimming and I'm hanging on a rope mid-lane somewhere."  Yeah, that is so likely.

11. What do you look forward to the most about preparing for the triathlon?  "Getting in some semblance of fitness and hoping that maybe it encourages some of us to continue doing stuff similar to this."     (again with the*)

12. As you train/compete, what music will be featured on your playlist?  "Oh, love me some Black Eyed Peas."

13. What will your "choice words" be when you're struggling the most? "Fuckin' A.  Grab your goggles if you want to see it because it more than likely will be said underwater." Wow!  Brenda's choice words are SO CLOSE to mine, "Fuckin' B!"   How cool.

 

14. What will be the first thing you do when you cross the finish line?  "Lie down and take a nap.  It will be like, 9am, right?"  Oh, no, it's time to party!  Everybody get a babysitter for the night of the 11^th, and we'll get together for an informal awards ceremony for those who don't place in the actual race.  (tee hee)  We are all winners and we plan to take home some pretty impressive "participant" ribbons!

 

OK, everybody, here's to Brenda-- our common denominator, the instigator and inspiration for this mass insanity!  We love you, man!  Seriously!  Cheers and have fun!!!

 

 

*ROTF LMAO    (SHHH, DON'T TELL BRENDA:   MEET ME AT FINISH LINE WITH DUCT TAPE AND TASERS!  HIGHJINCKS TO ENSUE.)