Here I was-excited to be invited to participate in a big time selective corporate outing event.  With executives flying in from various offices all over the country, I was intent on seizing the opportunity to make a good impression.  I was determined to make the most out of the experience.  Almost immediately, we were taken out to the field behind the meeting center.  There stood a whole series of obstacle courses, trampolines, climbing poles etc. 

My first challenge was to climb an incredibly tall pole (think four-story telephone pole). At the top of this pole, I had to hoist myself onto a narrow metal platform (8 inch x 12 inch, just enough room for my two feet) and throw my arms high in the air.  Yes, there was a safety harness to break my fall but there was nothing to hold onto at the top of that pole.