Wednesday, March 6, 2013

ON-ON!

I Love Hashing. This may not mean what you think it means.


Rebel a'hashin' on St. Kitts!

Hashing is an outdoor event that takes place world-wide which involves walking/running, finding trails, and socializing. Drinking and general debauchery will usually ensue. There are close to 2000 "kennels" worldwide, and most meet weekly to monthly. "Drinkers with a running problem" is their motto.

Hashing was started in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia  and based is off the British"paper chase." The "hare" or "hares" set a trail that usually begins where it ends. The trail periodically has a "checkpoint" where the hare might have set false trails, dead ends, back checks,or splits. The "harriers" (named for a beagle type of dog) must work together to find where it begins again. When the correct trail is found, the person yells "ON-ON!" and everyone heads in that direction. Everyone works together and there are no "winners" in a hash. After it's done, the "grandmaster" will conduct a ceremony, which involves naming members, stating upcoming events, and whimsically "punishing" people for misbehaving on the trail, as well as recognizing the hares and other people important that day. These all usually include "down-downs" in which the selected people must drink an entire bottle of something, usually beer, while the rest of the group sings a song. Whatever is not finished by the time the song is over gets poured on the person's head. They sometimes have special events such a the "Red Dress Run," which New Orleans brags to have the largest! Hashes tend to raise money for good causes. To find out more, you can visit this Wikipedia page.




I started hashing when I lived on St. Kitts Island. It was a great way to explore the island and meet wonderful people at the same time! This is where I was given my hash name MOUTH ORGAN. Those guys are still at it; if you ever make it to St. Kitts you should totally hash with them! I have so much good stuff to say, and they inspired me to start a kennel in Lafayette.




The Kennel I Co-Started!! Come hash with us!

SO I've been yearning to hash again ever since I left St. Kitts. I was settled in Lafayette for a few years hoping to get a kennel started, and finally the opportunity came about! Yours Truly, "Just Heidi  & "Just Mike" (now Multiple Oceans & Ready To Blow respectively,) along with Tidy Bowl Man from Voodoo Hash House Harriers in New Orleans, started the CoonASS Hash House Harriers with tons of support from the other local hashes, including The New Orleans H3.


First Run of CASSH3, the Hares! We started the kennel! From left to right:
Just Mike (now Ready To Blow,) Tidy Bowl Man, Mouth Organ, and Just Heidi (now Multiple Oceans) Of note: Born Like This is in this pic too! But she was not a founder ;)




WE ROCK. If you're ever in Lafayette, come hashing! Here's our Facebook Page. These guys raised a ton of money for me when I was in the hospital, I owe them so much. On top of that, hashers just tend to be great people! ON-ON!

1 comment:

  1. Mouth Organ,

    Wow!and a very nice article,I say. You owe us nothing, but, if you feel compelled, just come out sometime... when you can. You are truly an inspiration and "We got ya back,Sister Hasher!" On On to the next adventure, and you are still My Hero!

    TidyBMan/VDH3/CSH3/NOH3/GCH3... (these are/were my home kennels... through time, and sometimes.)

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