Gimme the hard stuff!

With 3 days left until Rex and Katie leave we've been getting in a lot of things. Today we tackled quite possibly the hardest trail on the island...Precipice. This made Beehive look like a walk to the local 7-11. See my photoblog (link over to the right) for a map. The trail is only about a mile long, but it goes up something like 930 ft.

It started out easy enough. Kind of big boulders and rocks, but the trail would go up and down.

Then it was mostly up. Rumor has it that Jen wouldn't let Jeff and Brett go on the hike when they were out here...I think she was right. I don't know if they look at this, but here are pics of what you avoided.

This pic is pretty much straight down. There were a lot of "fun" places where you had an iron rail to hold onto and a slight ledge to stand on.

This was one of the more flimsy rails. It was strong...it just didn't feel like it. I pretty much stayed at the tail end of the group. This is what I usually do because I'm tall and can see over everyone.

Plus I can hopefully catch or support Deanna when she reaches those rocks that are hard for her to climb with her short legs...unless I'm taking pictures, then her life is in Katie's hands.

There are also ladder rungs at certain points sometimes they're severely bowed or bent due to what I assumed was falling boulders...it could have been falling people though.

Here was one of the thicker ledges where we stopped for a quick break. Apparently this trail is listed as a 90 minute hike. Katie hiked it with Jake while he was out here...or at least they started at the same time and he took off to see how fast he could do it.

I stopped to take photos as everyone got to the next level. Deanna wanted to take a picture. It wasn't as treacherous as it seems in this pic...there was a series of steps over to my right. That thin grey line behind me is, however, the road and the entrance to where we parked.

Here's a zoom shot of people who were watching us and waving from the parking lot.

Here's the not zoomed shot. They were a ways down there.

To give it a little more perspective, here's me next to the parking lot. Not far from the top at this point.

We finally made it and there was a cool pond of water at the top.






There were a couple other people at the top who took our picture. They didn't hike up Precipice...they took one of the easier routes to the top. There was a slightly overweight guy at the top when we first got there who took another route up and then headed towards taking Precipice down...THAT is insane. We told him about 5 times NOT to go that way, but he did. Deanna felt really bad, but about 3 minutes later he came back.



Here's Rex in front of Jackson Labs. He likes that place.

It took us just over an hour to reach the top, and about 90 minutes to get down. The trail we took down almost seemed harder, but it was fun.

Later on we had two shows. In the second show the crowd was drinking a lot. Jen and I started a scene for Larrance's Choice (Sing it) with the suggestion "Wizard of Oz". It was one of the lamer scene initiations I've done...the best part was that Jen was a Munchkin I named Chimchoh. Rex ended up grabbing one of the curtains off the window and coming out as the wizard...he was behind the curtain the whole time. My song was first and wasn't that great. Rex's was next. Jen's was the last song singing about how she would take the wizard down. In the pause of the first line I said "CHIMCHOH!"...then again in the second pause, and a drunk guy in the front row said it too. Then he said it again on his own. Then I pointed to him expecting him to say it...he didn't. Then I pointed to him again in the next pause and he said it...along with 2 others. Pretty soon we had the whole audience shouting "CHIMCHOH!" when I pointed at them. It was the saving grace and super fun.

Oh...great...kayaking...

Remember how exciting that prospect seemed in the last post? I do. Remember what happened when we went last year? I barely do, but here are the main things to catch you up. Deanna and I went on a sunset kayak tour where we went out in tandem kayaks to watch the sunset and then come back...about 2.5 hours. You might think "that sounds romantic"...only our group had 7 tween/teen girls and a 10 year old boy who were all related somehow...and no parent with them at all. At one point the boat with the 10 year old ran into us...I said "hey, see these other yellow things around you? They're boats with people. Watch where you're going." He started to cry and I felt no qualms whatsoever.

I remembered a few important things on our way out today: My knee that hurts fine on it's own after a Tae Kwon Do injury didn't feel to good crammed in that boat...answer, 3 advil pre trip this time. It can get cold and wet, but not as cold as people lead on: answer, wicking shirt and a wind breaker.

As we got there I remembered a few more. The aquasox they lend you suck, and they hurt your heels...where your regular shoes. And..."I think the water was calm last time."

So here is the inside of the kayak where my legs are supposed to go. Not a lot of space, and with the foot pegs as far as they would go, I couldn't straighten out my legs. All we're doing so far is inspecting the boats.

We then get in so we can practice attaching the skirt to the kayak.

Our guide, Sean, seems pretty cool, and we're the only people with him on the tour, so that is nice.
Finally we get out on the water. I couldn't WAIT to get out on the water! (remember this part for later)

Here's Deanna and I out in the water ready to rock!

The water today? Choppy. As soon as we headed out Deanna's foot cable came loose. The person in the back has rudder control with their feet...I'm too tall to do it. So Sean comes to us and finds out the left pedal is loose and fixes it. Mere seconds later the right one comes loose. He fixes it. I'm getting irritated 'cause I want to get out there and paddle! (remember this one too)

We finally get all set and head out. Sean is all jokes. This and the water and the paddling is good for about 10 minutes. The choppiness of the water and the fact that my foot is asleep starte to irritate me...then everything starts to irritate me. The best thing for me to do in this situation is say nothing until I can bore through some of the paddling and throw out a funny (and not biting) comment to put people at ease. 30 minutes into it I was done with the water, I was done with the paddling, I was done with Sean's jokes. It was three hours.

I was hoping for a tour that was longer, but had a break on land in between so I could take pictures. I'm glad I didn't do that.

Unless there is a kayak called "The Daddy Longlegs" or something bigger, I've done my last kayak adventure for a long while. Deanna really wanted to do this, and she's feeling the same way. We did see a bald eagle in a tree, and I took a picture, but it was too far away.

After the trip we got pizza and went to the show. Great house tonight and a fun show. Deanna and I had a great scene where we were spouses on X-mas...I got her socks and she got me an HDTV tuner.

Tomorrow is my day off. Not sure yet what I'll do.

KAYAKING!!! (will be postponed)

Last night we had the idea that we would go Kayaking. This idea based only on knowing that there was kayaking on the island, and not knowing any of the details about times. Once the morning came we found out we wouldn't have time to do it before our 5:00pm call time. So, Deanna, Katie and I went on a hike.
The name of the trail we were heading for is BEEHIVE. There is a hard climb on the island called Precipice. Beehive is supposedly a mini version of it. The beginning was easy. A rocky trail, but at a slight slope. But dangerous! A butterfly attacked Deanna's ankle! Feasting on her hiking flesh!


As we got further along it got steeper. To the point of rungs being added to the trail for safety. It was at one of these sets of rungs that Deanna and I discovered the edge of the earth square.


We kept climbing. I helped Katie out of some hard spots by capturing her image so as to remember her better if she should fall.


Once we got to a less scary part of the climb we took a breather and drank some water from bottles.





Then is was back to climbing. It still didn't feel like that big of a climb. I'm ready for Precipice. Remember the picture below, it will be used as a reference to a picture even further below.


Deanna got scared. You'll see to the right a metal grate. This is all that was between life and death!...and the top of BEEHIVE!


The view from all of the sides of BEEHIVE was better than from the actual top, thus, no picture of the top. We hiked down to a pond called the bowl from BEEHIVE.


And made our way back to the car. It was on this walk that we passed an excellent view of the hive we just climbed. It looks a lot scarier from the bottom, but there it is. See that mostly bare part at the top?


And see these people on that part? That's where we were in that picture I told you to remember earlier.


As we finished walking to the car, a dragonfly hitched a ride in Katie's armpit...just for a little bit.


We then headed to Jordan Pond house. Famous for their popovers, more famous to me for their lemonade. The lemonade is homemade and they don't add sugar. Instead, they bring out a little cup of sugar water and you can add the amount you like. I always add it all.


From there we went to the top of Cadillac Mountain. The highest point on the island. Just for a quick glimpse.


Tomorrow we attempt kayaking for real. We have a battle plan and should be going 3-6:30.

FOUR! (Emphasis on the "R")

Yesterday was my mom's birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!)...please feel free to leave her birthday wishes in the comments section.

To celebrate, we all went to Pirate's Cove to play some mini golf.

It was a grand affair. This is easily the best mini golf place ever (that we pass on the the trip from the house to the island)! We traded in our land names for pirate names. Deanna became Clamilla. Katie became Eye Patch. Rex became Peg (pronounced pedge...soft 'g'). I became Sabre Pete. Deanna put out the challenge that the loser had to buy treats for everyone...or the winner had to...then it was decided that the winner AND loser had to. I agreed because Katie was talkin' smack saying she would win so I figured I wouldn't win, and I knew I wouldn't lose.

Last year when we came to the Pirate's Cove we only had time for 18 holes. Well...not this time. We had time for all 36. On hole 6 of the first 18 all of us got a hole in one!!! (except Peg)

After all was said and done, I was the winner and Deanna was the furthest away from winning. As we headed into town for our 5:00pm call and stopped for food, I picked up candy as my treat. Someone had brought up "What's your favorite candy?" at some point, so I knew. Deanna's treats were a little more touristy. I can't remember what she got for Katie, but she got me a lobster claw harmonica...well, you can blow on it and it makes sounds that are almost musical notes. She got Rex a lobster paddle ball and told him it would probably only last for 5 minutes...it lasted for about 3.

The season is in the middle of a swtichover right now. The people with kids aren't vacationing because school has started. The adults will start vacationing soon to see the changing of the leaves colors. Locals refer to these adults as "The Newly-wed or Nearly-dead." So crowds are a little light. We were supposed to have a 6:00 and 8:00 show last night but didn't have enough people at the 6:00. The people who DID show came back for the 8:00. Since we had time to kill I made Katie and Rex go down to the water for photos.

In Chicago improv land, Second City announced they're doing auditions in October. Luckily we're going to be back by then.

Stupidity Fading

I'm slowly getting closer to running at full capacity photo-wise. If you're one of those people I don't know about who reads this or checks my photo blog site, recheck over the next few days. I'll be adding photos to posts and they'll be chronologically correct.

Today I took my day off from theater. I've done three days of shows and I'm taking a day off already. It is more because I had to get things done.

I've been on a quest to find a cord that goes from my external harddrive to my laptop. I brought the firewire cord and thought I needed a firewire to USB cord. None of the places around here had it...because it doesn't exist. I actually needed a USB-a to USB-b cord and picked that up at RadioShack today.

At 1:00pm we all left to go into town. Tim Chidester and Rachael Mason among others were in town. They're doing Second City shows on a cruise ship that just stopped into Bar Harbor briefly. We at lunch at the thirsty whale. It was good to see Tim, and he seemed thrilled to see us. He's been on the boat since May and will be ending soon.

As lunch ended I caught a shuttle back to town so everyone else would have the car.

Back at the computer with my harddrive connected I decided to download images off of my compact flash cards. I brought two card readers so I thought I was safe...wrong. Neither of them were working...back to RadioShack. I paid $40 for a card reader and only hoped it would work. Thankfully it did. Now I'm on the last step...get the software to read RAW files.

I have it at home. I'm not home.

Once I get the files up though...check back chronologically.

Pics from my small camera are up because they're jpgs and on a smaller flash card.

BREAKERS!!!

This morning Rex, Katie, Deanna and I got up early and went Whale Watching. This is something that Deanna and I didn't do last year. She said she had gone before, and I was impartial. Why? Well, one of the games we did almost every night was "The Dream."

The Dream consists of interviewing an audience member about their day and then acting out their dream as affected by the things that happened during the day. Just about everyone who said they went whale watching also said they saw people puking.



We're in prime season for getting into things for free out here. Island workers get discounts everywhere. We got to go for free because they had plenty of space available. As we headed down to the boat a guy with a camera asked us to stop by a life preserver and pose. I only wish I bought our picture, or at least took pictures of some of the other pictures. There were a few pictures of older couples walking by the life preserver as if the photographer didn't care or the people were rushing to get on board.



Once we got on, we scored seats in the very front. It was easy to keep an eye on the horizon (a major key in NOT puking). At one point Deanna went in to use the restroom and said there were two little girls puking in there, and a guy who looked grey waiting to use the restroom. We all lucked out.



As we headed out we barely saw three finback whales, and then we crossed paths with "Breakers" the humpback whale. The underside of a whale's tale is like a finger print and "Breakers" tale print looks like breaking waves.



Over all, it was good. I think I got some good photos with my big camera, but I'm still in the process of getting that sorted out.

Mainely Maine

Well, I forgot a couple key elements for taking pictures. I use an external harddrive to store everything on...I forgot the correct cord for that. I also shoot in RAW and forgot to put the Canon software on the laptop. I'm working on correcting both of these problems.

The first night we got here was pretty fun. Rich & Rebecca Sohn, and Jake Schneider were performing in their last two shows. Right before the 10:00pm show a bat got into the theater. Katie and Rich grabbed boxes, I grabbed a blanket, and we tried to catch it. Jen was holding the door open and in an attempt by Rich to catch it with the box the bat dodge at the perfect angle to make it outside.

On Sunday Deanna and I had our first show back. We're performing with Katie Hammond and Rex Graff...as well as Jen who owns the theater, but she was sick, so we were on our own. Jen was with us last night.

It's a little weird getting used to being out here. It is somewhere inbetween iO and CSz.

Yesterday I went for a run. 15 minutes. I'm trying to build up to at least 45. And then four of us went for a hike up Parkman Mt. It was a good hike, but I think I'll hold off on the hikes on days that I run.

Cross Marketing and Arrival

We made it! First off, I want to say there are pictures available on my photo blog that match the posts below. You can find a link to the photoblog off to the right there...see?

Second, we made it! We're in Maine in the house as I speak...type. We said we'd arrive at 5:00 and we got here about 4:50pm or so. Everyone was already gone for the theater. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

After spending our second night in Peabody, MA, we headed out a grueling 3 miles to Salem to see the witch stuff. I used the handy Microsoft Streets & Trips to find the only remaining Witch House (house from the 1692 era), a witch dungeon, and something else that we didn't go to. We got to the Witch House first after passing a hilariously titled store i'll mention later. The house was fairly large, and very dark. It was $8 for a tour, or free for Deanna to ask what the best witch place was. They said the Witch Dungeon (on our list) was the most historically accurate, and the Witch Museum...which was more popular. I was indifferent and just wanted to learn stuff. Deanna picked the Witch Dungeon, complete with historically accurate theatrical representation. $6 got us into the show. They said the next show was at 11:00am...25 minutes out. We waited in the gift shop while the two ladies at the counter continued talking about what sweater they were going to buy for their dog who was apparently adorable.

The gift shop had tons of witch stuff. A bunch of tarot cards. A list of things that made you considered a witch...one of which was if you made someone go into fits. Another, if you had a bite (flea bite) it could have been that the devil bit you whilest consorting. Crazy stuff. Are we really that much smarter today? Barely, I say. The tell us we can go into the theater. By "us" I mean just Deanna and I were there. By "theater" I mean it looked like an old church (for effect) with a curtain. Out in the front lobby...I forgot to mention...8 or 10 headshots. Two of the headshots looked decent. So I'm thinking, 10 people? Maybe this will be decent. The entry way had huge posters with quotes like "Salem's best show!".

So we're in the theater. I'm reading these 17 plaques on the walls of the theater with info about the hunts. Then it begins...right as a family of four walks in. The stage has a fake judge, jury, and baliff from the time period. By fake I mean paper mache-ish manequins. A girl comes out to explain the setting. She was nervously rocking back and forth and was looking around the whole theater as if she was addressing more than just the 6 people in there. her explanation went on FOREVER before the fake trial began. An accused witch took the stand, and a girl we all saw walk from the employee door to the benches with us started accusing. This scene went on about 4 minutes and then the curtains closed, the two girls walked out from the middle of the curtains and bow. The 'hostess' came back in clapping, saying "Christina and Lisa everyone" and began explaining that we were about to go into the dungeon. It was a replica, but there was an original beam from one of the dungeons. I saw it when we first got there, touched it and said "Look, Deanna!" Then the guide mentioned that it was good luck for the women to touch the beam, and bad luck for guys. Oh well.

She then went on to explain more and more. The mother and the youngest son from the family of four left because the boy was scared. The father and the barely older son (maybe 9) stayed. During the talk as I was thinking "How long is this going to go on?" the boy summed up my thoughts nicely by giving a huge audible sigh.

That place was that good kind of terrible. And almost worth every penny.

We ate at a place with thick accents and hit the road. The GPS software had one route planned for us, but we had to go back the way we came to get a picture of the wrongest store name ever..."Bunghole Liquors". Pics on the photoblog for proof. 241 miles later, boom...we're here.

Almost there...

Day 3: We took off from Newark and struggled through the arduous (I can only assume that is the correct spelling) 40 trek to Philadelphia. We didn't have a lot of plans for what we wanted to see. Liberty Bell, Independence Hall...that's about it. We ended up also seeing Ben Franklin's grave. I think there were some other famous people buried there, but I won't remember until I see the pictures again.

I've always been fascinated with graves. Especially after taking an Anthropology/Archaeology class in College and learning about how grave art could be used to determine the age of the stone. I went to a lot of old graveyards in Maine last year...the one in Philadelphia was the oldest yet. There were a lot of markers that were unrecognizeable due to weather and wear.

We then went to eat at a place called "Benny's"...the sign had what looked like an older lesbian woman with a chef's hat...it was actually Ben Franklin in a chef's hat...thus, 'Benny's'.

We then left to make 340 miles to Boston...more specifically, Peabody. We were cruising along nicely until we got to New York. With just 7 miles to go on I-95 until we switched to another freeway, there was a delay crossing the George Washington Bridge...the sign said 1 hour. This is where I'd like to give another shout out to Microsoft Streets & Trips. A map program for our laptop that came with a GPS tracker. Using this software I found a short cut that trimmed about 5 miles and 50 minutes off the delay. I proclaimed myself "Hero of the Day."

We made it through the ritzy Connecticut SR-15 where all on ramps had stop signs. and there was even a strange looking tree...that was actually a cell signal tower painted brown with fake pine branches attached to disguise it.

Day 4: We made it to Peabody, MA last night and had an Italian meal next to the hotel. Today we headed into the city (Boston) and toured it up. We walked the 2.5 mile "Freedom Trail" (google it) and learned a lot. Saw more famous graves, and even older ones...including the ones of Samuel Adams, Mother Goose, Paul Revere (who never yelled "The British are coming!" but "The regulars are [something I forget]!" There was a guy walking down the street shouting at people...a little crazy. Things I remember him yelling: "Look at you and your beautiful families!" and "I bet you think I can't read your minds!"

The trail ended past Bunker Hill by the USS Constitution and we hopped on a trolley that took us to see a lot more.

We at the Green Dragon pub. One of the oldest pubs in Boston (since 1643 or something...the Bell in Hand is older). Then walked to Little Italy and saw my buddy Michael in an Improv Asylum show. He was great...as was Sara Maher (who I don't know well and probably butchered her name) who just moved here.

Right now we're watching "The Devil Wears Prada." I made fun of Deanna for ordering it in the room, but I'm getting distracted.

Tomorrow we go to a witch house, then to Maine!

On the road again

Deanna and I are on the road again. We left yesterday at 9:20am. Destination: Maine. Last time we pretty much busted butt and got to Maine in 3 days. This time we're making a trip of it.

Day 1: All we needed to do was make 500 miles towards Washington DC. We made 472, so it wasn't that bad. A lot of driving led us to a Days Inn somewhere in Pennsylvania. I thought the bed was very comfortable, but Deanna couldn't sleep on it at all...too soft for her. She tried sleeping on the floor and even in the tub, but nothing really worked.

Day 2: We were off aroun 9:00am and headed to DC. It was about 200 miles away. The driving all this far had been very smooth...even once we got to DC it wasn't that bad. We got there around 2:00pm. and lucked out in finding a 2 hour parking spot. The meter didn't work and had a number to call. Good news: I called before we left and got a confirmation number for the call...just incase we came back and got a ticket.

Deanna and I hopped on our bikes and rode around to the Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, Washington Monument, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Memorial...and rode all the way to the other end...Capital Hill. We made it back to the car before 4:00 because the spot was "No Parking" after 4:00. We found we had a ticket. Bad News: I put the confirmation number in my phone and for some reason it didn't save.

$25.

Ah well. Luckily we left DC to head north...and we left in the heat of rush hour.

We landed in Newark, DE. Tomorrow we're off to Philadelphia, ending in Boston where we'll stay all the next day.

Well...

I got Shanghai'd. I'm on a pirate ship being used as forced labor now...but they have WiFi.

I took the potion, but all it really did was taste bad. Not so bad that I couldn't drink a cup of it, but bad enough that I don't feel the need to drink or brew more of it. Oh well.

Who needs Chinese Potions when you have Snakes on a Plane! A bunch of us went to see this movie last night at a special pre-screening. I was apprehensive. I didn't care much. Last time a group of us got together to see a movie it was Redeye. Everyone was saying "this will be so fun!" and "we can do bits!". Well that movie sucked and everyone was silent...no bits. I walked out of Redeye about 15-20 minutes into it. It was terrible because they tried to play it too real for a semi-horror genre. I earned a reputation that day. No one could believe I walked out. I've sat through crappy movies before (read, Eyes Wide Shut) and wished I would have gotten up. So, in Redeye I did, and I felt great.

I was getting that vibe in the planning of the Snakes on a Plane event. I didn't even say I'd go. But Deanna said she was going and wanted to know why I wasn't going. I had ComedySportz last night as well, and the movie started at 10:00...CSz gets over around 9:30-9:45. Rich and I drove like we were in Tokyo Drift to get there. We only missed about 10 minutes and they had saved seats for us.

We made it. The difference between Redeye and Snakes on a Plane...the latter new it was cheesy and pushed that angle. There were so many stereotypical characters and scenarios...it was great. And that was before the snakes even came out.

I guess it helped that everyone there was psyched about the movie, and shouting out jokes was welcomed well.

See this movie.

Secret Potions!

Remember when I got acupuncture and they gave me stuff for a potion? I'm just now start....holy crap! A plane just flew by low and fast. I think they're practicing for the air and water show.

Anyhow. I'm just now making the potion. It takes about 2 hours. More on how it tastes when I get finished.

And the winner is...

Last night was the Chicago ComedySportz banquet. We have this once a year to basically hang out as an ensemble, eat a nice meal, dress fancy, watch bits, and have "Howie Awards".

The Howie awards are just a fun way to recognize people. There are many different categories. The ones I can remember are Best Ref, Best 5 Things Player, MVP, Best Sound, Best Music, Best Mime, Rookie of the Year, Best Captain, Most Supportive Player. There might be a couple I'm forgetting.

Some people hate awards...and that 'some people' is Katie Nahnsen. But she's not in CSz, so it's ok. I think these awards are great because CSz is a pretty tight family, and very supportive. Usually when someone wins, there are no hard feelings even if you were nominated for a category.

This year has been my big year of reffing. I just started reffing shortly before the last banquet. I've really been comfortable reffing and throwing out bits to the captains and driving the energy of the audience when they need it. Well, I was awarded for that. Best Referee. Thanks to everyone who voted...I am honored.

I also won the award for Best 5 Things. If you don't know what 5 Things is, come see a CSz show like Sammy Tamimi recently did. It's a game I love. It's a game we play in every show. I just play it hard, fast, and most of all...fresh. It is mime and gibberish based where you give clues to a person who has no idea what the things are. Sometimes you get suggestions so many times that a shorthand version of miming happens. I try to keep it fresh and give new versions of clues to people.

The coolest thing about the trophy for Best 5 Things is that the engraver was doing a rush job and my award says "THINGS". I have a trophy for THINGS!

Thanks CSz. I love you guys.

Broken Summer

I was going to title this "Now is the Summer of our discontent" but I searched that title on the web to see if there was more to it that I could use...I found out a ton of people used that quote, and mostly for blogs.

Summer. This summer has been interesting to phrase it kindly. I can think of seven couples off-hand that have broken up since April. Now, that may seem like a small amount, but at least half of these were long term relationships. Some are for good. Some are for "we'll find out after we take a breather". It has also been the start of some relationships...relationships that make me go "huh?" or "really?" like Michael Bluth would say in Arrested Development.

To the people in these new relationships I say, look at the person you're with. Really look at them. And look at the things they've done. I know you may be in an "I just broke up after a long relationship" situation. I know you may be in an "I haven't had anyone in so long" situation. But, really? I love you guys...and I don't get it. It makes me crazy that I don't get it, and crazier that you don't get it. But if you're happy, great. Happy now may mean more hurt soon thereafter. For all I know you may not be seeing that person anymore. It makes me want to fight.

To the people broken up. Stay strong. Do something by yourself until the summer is over. I had a bad break up once and ended up with a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. I can break boards like nobody's business. Don't look for someone. 'Cause when you don't, you'll find them.

Most importantly, to the people on the edge. Hang tight, brothers and sisters. This summer is testing everyone. I defy you to tell me I'm wrong. About a month ago when I was becoming aware of all the break ups, Deanna and I had a fight. It was about something not stupid, but it could have been handled in a non-fight manner. Luckily we realized this. It's this summer. It's a ball-buster.

Every now and then we can feel it pulling at us again. We figure if we can make it to September 22nd (Fall) we'll be safe...for a while at least. We're in our 6th year together, so the 7 year itch is coming up.

Hopefully we'll have stocked up on some sort of medicated relationship Tucks pad.

Pins and Needles!

Today I went in to be a lab rat...kinda. My friend Katie works at a school that is right across the street. They teach Chinese Medicine stuff there. I was to be an acupuncture patient. I didn't have anything to do, and it was free so I figured what the heck.

So, I was basically the best acupuncture patient in the world. I had the main dude and a lady in a labcoat there...then 6 ladies with nametag stickers (three had 'J' names, three did not). It was a "Students shadowing the teacher" situation.

I mostly talked about my knee problems (less than Todd talks about his) and how I can't sleep well at night. They asked a bunch of questions. Then I got up on the table and they wanted to take my pulse. Not for numbers...but to feel it. Pulse on the right side relates to something like the lungs and stomach, pulse on the left side relates to liver and heart. Details are vague. Apparently there are 28 different pulse types, but the variations in between are infinite. Everyone took turns taking my pulse. After the first rotation of people I said "you guys gotta try this! This pulse is awesome!"

Then they wanted to look at my tongue. This is where I cracked. Lying down, sticking out your tongue, and then having 8 people lean in all at once to look at it is a funny experience.

They then asked me to take off my shirt and left. When they came back, the main guy swabbed some key points: the "in" side of both ankles, near each big toe, on the shin muscle near the knee, two spots in a line between my belly button and sternum, each wrist. He then said "this may feel a little tooth achy...like a dull pain or heavy. One. Two. Three." As he stuck me in the ankle. I didn't feel a thing. The other ankle...nothing. Right big toe, barely anything at all. Left big toe, hmmm, that feels odd...I got the tingly-heavy feeling. "Good. That's what we like." Right shin muscle, "This one might feel a little tooth achy too." BAM! Yes...yes it did. It felt like my shin muscle was cramping up. I could feel it in my toes. Wrist, fine. Wrist, fine. Stomach, stomach. Fine, fine. My stomach off to the right side where no needle was felt odd, and there was no needle there. I told him. "See (to the class)? This was one of the areas we were going to do, but didn't, and that is where the feeling ended up manifesting!"

I lay there for awhile. He comes back to check up. "We'd like to make you an herbal concoction to help with your sleep and digestion problems, is that ok?" Sure. I'm expecting him to come in with a cup of tea for me to drink. He leaves, then comes back and takes the needles out.

"We just did a general session today. We didn't want to focus on the knee since it was your first time in. Chinese medicine is actually really great for dealing with knee problems. It's a simple joint. Thanks for coming in. You can wait up from and we'll get you your herbs."

I wait up front for my cup of tea. As I'm waiting, the guy goes to the office and asks for something. He gets a jar of some herb that apparently needs to be kept in the office away from the other herbs. My cup of tea ends up being 3 bags of herbs...enough for 3 cups a day for 6 days. I feel like an Asian version of Harry Potter.

RUN FORREST RUN

I'm not a runner. I never really have been. I have dreams where I run fast and free without ever needing to catch my breath...those dreams are the best.

I'm currently in the process of trying to build up my cardio. I've always wanted to be able to jog/run at least 5 miles. Yes, that is how much of a not-runner I am. I think the most I've ever jogged straight through for was 20 minutes. And that was when I was taking Tae Kwon Do pretty hardcore. I had to build up to that. 2 miles in 20 minutes. That is as far as I've gone. I know people who run 5 miles as a warmup or just "on their off days".

My plan is to jog every other day while I'm in Maine and get up to the point of being able to go for 30 minutes comfortably...and 60 minutes without dying. I'll figure out how far that is later.

I went today for 10 minutes. Thanks to my iPod I put two 5 minute songs right after a 3 minute song. I walked for the first song. Jogged for the second. Turned around at the third, and walked once that song ended. I say "thanks" because I searched my entire music library by 'time' to find songs of the right length. Normally when I jog I'm a vicious clock watcher and my spirit breaks. Today, the jog wasn't that bad.

I can remember my dad going for jogs starting in the summer, and ending in the summer. He was in the Army Reserves. They had summer camp and he would jog to get in shape for them. This is when I was a kid. I remember going with him once and stopping way before him.

To give you an idea of how I wasn't built for running...

In grade school during the Reagan administration we had to do these 6-lap runs (1.5 miles I believe) once a year. They never really prepped us for them, they just happened. Not once did I ever do all 6 laps. Always 5 (maybe 4 once). With all of those kids out there at the same time it was hard for the Gym teacher (Mr. G) to keep track. He'd ask us which lap we were on each time around. I was clever enough to know that after lap three, came five, and then six. It made sense because I was finishing up my fifth lap about the same time the entire world was done with their sixth.

I am built for speed walking though. In college we did a mile walk one day, and a mile jog the next. We could speed walk, the teacher made it clear we couldn't jog on the first day, but speed walking was fine. So I did. I walked the mile in 8 minutes 55 seconds. The teacher let two guys jog until they caught up to me.

The next class? I jogged the mile in 13 minutes.

Remember Blogs?

Have they become the discarded Cabbage Patch dolls for my friends? I think people might not think that other people read their blogs and stop writing. I know the ones I read have dwindled. I only know that my parents and Declan read this. Deanna doesn't even read it. But I keep going. So here's a message to the people that have blogs I check.

Tara - FINALLY she updated it. And, as a bonus, she checked my photo blog site and noticed the cand-blot pic. Keep at it. Your blog always = best.

Bill - You don't need to worry about anything. Not only is your blog pretty frequent, but it goes back over four years! I got to recently find the entry of when a young Rance joined your iO team.

RoNo - Well played. You update when there is something just important enough to write about. I like yours...even though Coke sucks.

Molly - MORE! I like hearing about the little details of your world. Something about the way you write it is great. I know you've gone on a Sonic adventure since the Revue Review.

Brian and Emily - you guys should be writing everyday...twice. Your stuff is hilarious, and you don't even really need to try to be funny. GET ON IT!

Zach - Zach updates well and responds to comments. Zach = good.

Tim - Buddy...we get it...you're leaving in May. Remember that? Brendan kept an awesome blog when he was on the boats. You'll be cut...CUT I SAY!

Rico - Remember how long ago May was when Tim left? Try April 20th. C'mon...there has to be SOMETHING going on you can comment on. You tell it like it is!

Eric - finally! I was wondering if you were going to ever come back...and you DID! And with FLYING COLORS! I totally agree with you about the evites, but you haven't responded to my awesome comment/quote. Let's hop to that!

TR PICS - keep rollin'. You're one of the few regular posters.

Deanna - 12/05?

So for anyone I didn't mention. I don't know about your blog or you've BEEN CUT!

Thanks for reading.

Culture...Diversity...and Cafeterias

"I can't see white or black people. I only see Americans." — Stephen Colbert

I've been curious about society's apparent "need" to have an underdog to pick on. Deanna and I have be watching a PBS DVD series about Chicago. Back in the 1800s it sucked to be Irish. No Irish allowed...no Irish need apply. All that stuff. Germans had it slightly better, because they weren't Irish. After the civil war, African-Americans went from VERY bad (slaves) to slightly better (viewed as 'slaves' by racists).

I mention all of this because there is a major separation in Chicago. Northside, where I live, is predominately white. Southside, where I was today, is predominately black. We went to a show for a church's summer camp...almost all African-American with one or two Hispanic children. It was great! A blast! After the show, Mary took us to what she said was the first cafeteria. The first!

This place was great...and the people we saw in the neighborhood were mostly African-American. When we were sitting down, an older gentleman came up and asked us where we were from. I said "Wrigleyville". He said, "Oh! I thought you were foreigners!"

Earlier in the year...and I may have posted about this...I was on a gig where I had 3 hours to kill, and I was on the southside. I ate at an Applebees and then went to a mall. I was the only white guy in the mall. I got looks from a few people...not mean looks or anything, just looks like "huh?"

We're all people. Sometimes we're just stupid about each other...LIKE THOSE FRENCH!...stupid French.

(I don't feel that way about the French...they just seem to be the ones that are ok to make fun of nowadays)

Alternate Blog

http://rancephoto.blogspot.com/

I've started a photoblog. Daily Photo. Pretty original name, eh?

I've started it to give me a place to post a photo every day. I'm sure there will be days I miss, but I'll do my best. See you there?

Arrested Development

Anyone seen this show? It is cancelled now, but it is hilarious and the characters are great.

I'm a big fan. This is only important because I made a strange realization that I don't know if anyone else has made.

Yesterday I watched "The Village" (Starring Joquin Phoenix and Bryce Dallas Howard (Ron Howard's daughter) among some other greats) for the first time. I had heard bad reviews when it first came out. Now that M. Knight S. has another movie coming out I decided to netflix The Village. I actually liked it a lot. Bryce Dallas Howard plays Ivy Walker. A blind girl. The girl who plays her sister looked really familiar to me. Then I got it...she played "Kitty", the secretary for the Bluths on Arrested Development.

Oddly enough...her name in The Village? Kitty. It's hard to say if they did that on purpose. "Kitty" works with Bryce Dallas Howard on The Village...Ron Howard is a producer for Arrested Development. Hmmmm.

Just nice to stumble onto what I hope is a little secret thing.