11 PAX gathered around the flag in the gloom for the one year anniversary of Conjunction Junction. This site came about following a conversation post-Vortex. Nightshift, Dean Wormer and myself wanted an AO on Wednesday closer to Chapel Hill High. F3 rewards self-organization and so the Junction was born. They grow up so fast …

The Junction also has a change in site Q. YHC will be moving to downtown Raleigh (minivan load at a time) and both Malware and TriCurious agreed to step up and be the new Qs. I know they will do a great job.

Warm up:
Led by TriCurious. We did: SSH x 20, WMH x 10, Slow Merkins x 10

The thang:

For – Presents rationale 
We shall partner up and do 60 burpees, ten each then swap to squats, for we are the crew at the Junction

And – Non-contrasting  
We shall carry and be carried. Partner carry, 10 burpees, carry, 20 tuck jumps, carry, 30 merkins, carry, 40 WW2s

Nor – Non-contrasting negative idea       
We do not walk, nor do we run – crab walk, bear crawl

But – Contrast or exception         
We have worked hard so far but can be fast as well – suicide drills, four corners x 2

Or – alternative idea       
You are doing squats or you are doing burpees – 60 total, 10 each, or squats

Yet – Contrast or exception         
We move forward, yet we must stay low when needed – Run, then plank, then 20 merkins each, four corners

So – Consequence          
We have done well, so we shall finish with some Crowd Pleasers – groiner then merkin pyramid 1:1 up to 5:5

Mary:
Led by Malware. We did: Flutter Kicks x 30, Russian Hammers x 20, Flutter Kicks x 20

Moleskin:
It was at around my F3 first year anniversary that the idea for Conjunction Junction came about. I remember Dean Wormer and myself doing recon around all three of the schools – Seawell, Smith and Chapel Hill High. The winner that day turned out to be Seawell elementary, with the “happy” discovery of all the playground equipment. The soft launch followed shortly afterwards. Standing in a circle at the end of that and the mumble chatter started around the name. Through the discussion, Foghorn Leghorn was the one who came up with Conjunction Junction.

I’ve come to know the site as just “The Junction” these days. It’s usually one of the smaller AOs with a reliable cadre of 8 or so. There’s a strong bond between these PAX, all ready to step up and lead. We’ve had a few FNGs show up who have decided to stay around and that’s been pretty cool to see.

The Junction has it’s own characteristics. We have become used to the garbage truck somewhere in the 5:30 – 5:45am timeline, and if I’m honest I’m disappointed somewhat if we’re somewhere else on the site and don’t see / hear / smell it. Different parts of the AO have their own names – we have the Arena and the Pit now. Name a thing, give it a label and it takes on meaning. The small track around the back of the elementary school has been used in many different ways. On one memorable day we learned about Fidel Castro’s passion and drive. We’ve celebrated the World Cup, bear crawled with a Ricky Bobby theme and made good use of the wall. Dips and derkins all over the AO. And there’s still more to explore.

I leave the Junction in more than capable hands. Both TriCurious and Malware have shown a passion and dedication to F3 that is exemplified in many. Both are leaders, and both do it with grace.

I am in the process of moving to Raleigh and I don’t know how often I will be back. It’s bittersweet. I’m excited about my next very positive steps that I’ve been fortunate enough to unlock, and greateful for the F3 Churham PAX I’ve met in the gloom in this region. My gratitude for the welcome and for the always reliable positive feelings goes out to all. Like Nickelback says, come for the fitness, stay for the fellowship. That was unexpected from that first time I showed up at Animal House.

Side note, do not pick your first AO based on driving distance.

Best to all,
Fish and Chips