Sunday, August 5, 2012

If only ironing were actually ironic.

As if laundry weren't already the worst of all the chores (Sorting, washing, drying, hanging, folding, putting away...oh my God im practically falling asleep just typing about it) 


I have recently been informed that as a newly declared grown-up, i am legally required to add ironing to my list of laundry-related chores.


Ironing is super awful for a lot of reasons...
But you know what? 


It does us absolutely no good to focus on the negatives all the time.


Life can be so full of negativity.


So...
For this just once...


Let us (try to) focus on the positives... of ironing.






For starters, you can catch up on your TV whilst you iron (multitasking is always a bonus in my book)
[Especially a good idea if you're really into shows like: Dexter, Breaking Bad, or Game of Thrones where it really isnt that important to pay attention to what's going on.]






Next, ironing does in fact make your clothes look more professional
e.g. 



[Oh hipsters, thank you so much for being excellent examples of what not to do in so many situations.]

Third, ironing is the sincerest form of flattery...oh, no, that's not right.



Well, last, but you know its not least 
(because otherwise how else would i have earned the award for the "world's second most long winded individual?")

Ironing...can apparently be extremely fun 
(extreme being the operative word here).


'Oh no,' you're thinking to yourself, this post has just taken a serious turn for the sarcastic.


No little friends - it has not.


Let me introduce to you, probably by the same people who invented Yarn Bombing, (look for more on that later in "things you didn't know where things") ...




EXTREME IRONING!


im being totally serious.











In the words of Anastasia Steele, "Oh my..."


With a quickness, i scrambled to learn more, because, now what with not having to study on the weekends & all, I've got insane amounts of free time for ridiculous recreational activities!


And can you think of a better way to improve such a mundane task as ironing?


No. You can not.


Good gravy there's a Wikipedia about it.






(Also known as EI !!!!!!!!!!!!)


Legend has it, that a man by the name of Phil Shaw, now affectionately known as "Steam," (!!!) wanted to climb a mountain, but also was burdened with the task (probably by his wife) of ironing his pants.


Well, like any good creationist before him, "Steam" decided to combine the two activities...& ta-DAH!


Bravo Mr. Shaw.


Fast forward to ... yep you guessed it... GERMANY! Where the first Extreme Ironing WORLD Championships were held in 2002.


5 categories including:


Spoiler alert:


Great Britain's 2 teams take 1st & 2nd place.






Figures.


All that being said, i would like to finish up with a few of the most wonderful EI examples out there...& urge you (with caution of course) to give it a go!


What's the worst that can happen?


You wind up with some neatly pressed pants for your spelunking adventure?

Ok...extreme enough. i guess

...And then what happened?
His arm got stuck between two boulders?

Nicely done sir.

This looks like it could escalate into an ironing emergency very quickly

Wrong. Totally wrong.

Good work.

Lovely use of anchoring here.
(I have no idea what I'm talking about)

Nice hat.

Team mean steam clean.

This might actually be illegal.
I'm not really sure.

Weak. 

Perfect form. 10.0 (or 16.4 or whatever) 

Buddy system.

Sweet Jesus who is going to pull your chute? 

But, really, how effective is this? 

Oh you know I always save the best for last.

As quickly as possible, somebody please petition for this to be added to the Olympic Games...

There is clearly WAY more skill involved with EI than curling.

Isn't it ironic?

Its over.