September was a big month for crossing things off the ol’ 30 before 30 list. In addition to visiting another NEW country (Croatia!!!!) and getting one month closer to my goal of skiing 30 consecutive months (to be completed, barring injury or a weather catastrophe [*knock on wood*] in April 2014), I also achieved the goal of “Stepping Completely Out of My Comfort Zone”.

But Kristina, you are crazy adventurous! How do you even HAVE a comfort zone???

Well my friends, I do have one, and apparently you can find it by putting me on the auction block.

When my friend Matty (you remember Matty from my trip to Chicago) first asked me to be involved in the BEAN Bachelor & Bachelorette Auction, I thought, “sure, that sounds like fun, there’s definitely worse ways to meet people when you are single.” Then we got into the nitty-gritty. Not only did I have to figure out what to do for my date, but I had to get it donated (or pay out of pocket), write a tantalizing tantalizing description of by myself AND my date, and then advertise the hell out of all of it.

The Trouble Makers

You’d think this would be easy for me. I like writing, I certainly do enough of it here. I seemingly have no issue talking about myself. But for some reason this was different. The writing they requested was just a little…..over-the-top-self-indulgent for me. Here’s a taste:

Kristina is adventurous, fun, and full of spunk….She’s quick witted, intelligent, and incredibly caring and devoted to those close to her. A backcountry skier, mountaineer, climber, runner, and LIFE enthusiast, Kristina will quell your insatiable thirst for adventure while challenging you to the limit….With stunning green eyes and an infectious laugh, Kristina sure to give you memories to last a lifetime.

But I powered through the discomfort and the auction arrived before I knew it. Fueled by wine and with a balloon on my wrist and sash on my shoulder, I sashayed (she what I did there?) around the room hitting up handsome men to bid on me.

When my time came to take the stage I definitely made a memorable appearance. Okay, I *might* have yelled at the audience a little…. What? The sound system unfortunately was not up-to-snuff and you could hardly hear the auctioneers/auctionees! So….I may have told people to be quiet. FOR THE CHILDREN! (BEAN raises money for college scholarships for under-privileged high-school students). 

Ladieeeeeeeeeees
And then I proceeded to raise a buttload of money. Yes, that is a real amount. In my case a buttload equals a cool grand. The lucky winner got me, PLUS a trip to the Adventura high-ropes course, beers at delicious Red Hook (because: beers), and dinner at a Tom Douglas restaurant. Who was the lucky winner? Why my friend Matt of course! But not Matty, Matt. I know, this is confusing. But you remember Matt.
Go Sounders!
And for the record, I raised the second most amount of money. The winner of the most-money prize went to a gal who had SIDELINE tickets for the Seahwaks/49rs game. And she only went for $1099 (sounds more like she came off the discount rack than a date auction….). So, I feel pretty good about it. I feel even better about being able to cross “Get Ridiculously Out of Your Comfort Zone” off the 30 Before 30 list.

Thanks to all of my amazing friends who came – including Theresa and Hexar!