the Sleeping Bag Challenge

I used to challenge my friends to the Sleeping Bag Challenge. The object was to enter the sleeping bag headfirst, then, when you reach the bottom, to turn around inside and make it back out headfirst. First one to fresh air was the winner. I remember thrashing around at the bottom of the sack, claustrophobic as hell, the air and skin becoming hot and moist with the creeping fear of getting stuck, which, as I grew older became a real threat*.

We've been in the middle of a two-week-long heat wave, or, in Austin, "May." It's 95 degrees outside (but it feels like 97). Last night, a sulfuric smell drifted down our street. I thought at first a sewer line had burst, but it was a bit too "eggy" and it didn't smell inside of the house. The night was breezy and the stink kept drifting in from the east. The cause is yet unsolved.

*The Sleeping Bag Challenge is not intended for mummy-style bags.

Note to Consumers!

Watch out for OFF! brand "Smooth & Dry Feels Comfortable Powder Dry Formula" bug repellent! Upon application, this stuff creates a dense sphere of extra-potent rubbing alcohol vapor. You might as well keep an open canister of tear gas in your breast pocket.


It smells pretty good when it dries, though.