Writer's explosive bullriding debut
NOW here's something to write about.
Alex Harmon's day job is as a writer for TNT Magazine but it seems her weekend profession may well be as a bullrider.
Originally from Sydney, Ms Harmon was last month visiting Rockhampton for some R&R and decided that while in Rocky, do as the locals do.
Ms Harmon made the snap decision to ride a bull, but as with all things adventurous the initial idea was far easier than the reality of following it through.
She said the seriousness of the situation hit her when she was sitting in the stalls waiting to climb aboard her bull.
"I was sitting with the clowns; they were giving me a bit of a pep talk. My heart was pounding," she said.
But not one to lose face, Ms Harmon said she felt it was already too late to back out.
"I realised what I had got myself into, but I'd told everyone I'd do it," she said.
The ride itself lasted about four seconds, but in Ms Harmon's mind it was over much quicker than that.
"It's all a bit of a blur to be honest ... It all happened pretty fast, I don't actually remember falling off.
"I just remember getting up really quickly and bolting," she said.
This was Ms Harmon's first bullride, and after two weeks of pain and lost sleep from a bruise on her hip, she said it would probably be her last.
"You know what, I probably wouldn't (do it again). Once was enough for me," she said.
Ms Harmon said her one night as a Rocky cowgirl had made for a great yarn at city parties and earned her bragging rights which not many other people could lay claim to.
But the burning question for Ms Harmon is: was jumping on a half-tonne bull brave or just plain poor judgment? She said she still hadn't worked that one out.
"I'm a little bit of both, I feel lucky to be alive," she said.
