Shoelace Jump Rope

I slid down the desk chair's mesh back and jogged out of the bedroom into the hallway. Near the entrance mat, a long blue shoelace trailed from a sneaker onto the floorboards. Naturally, a challenge presented itself. I grabbed the plastic aglet with my curved hand, whipped the soft woven cord overhead, and tried to jump rope. Thump! My rigid boots launched together, barely clearing the string. The fourth swing snagged my shins and sent me skidding across the braided rug. No problem—I popped right back up, shook off the dust, and whipped the lace again. Five clean hops! Not bad for plastic knees.