Defending our title

Last summer Give Back Cincinnati sponsored a scavenger hunt around downtown. It was all on foot and it was almost as much about stamina as it was about getting the stuff. We had a marathoner on our team, though, and he helped keep us motivated. We ended up winning by five points and going home $200 richer (divided five ways). If you want to see some photos from our exploits there's a gallery at the bottom of this web page.

This Saturday we're taking it back to the streets. This year's hunt is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. It's not just downtown and it's not just on foot so we'll be a little out of our element. Also there are only three of us going (but we'll still have the marathoner). I'm sure it will be fun no matter what happens but it would be nice to win. We could become some sort of Cincinnati scavenger hunt dynasty and people will tell tales of our exploits for years to come!

And some people think it's weird that Tippy has an email address

Stripey Francoise has his very own blog! Tippy considered doing one, but he's really not that into writing. It hurts his paws.

The picture I promised

Here's the photo of Jeff, Kelly and Carrie at King's Island that I told you about the other day. It's toward the end of day of adventure and they look young and perfect. What else can I say?

Mr. September

I was poking around the internet today when I discovered the greatest thing ever. My new favorite band, The National, will be playing at the Southgate House next month! They're playing on a Wednesday night so I was forced to make a tough decision. Was this one of those bands who I want to see so badly that it's worth taking a day off work for? When you work a night shift, these are the kind of difficult questions you must ask yourself.

The answer is yes! It doesn't hurt that I'm already off for the MidPoint Music Festival the next day. My three day weekend of music can easily turn into a four day one. I can't believe how excited I am about a little concert in the middle of the week. These are the kinds of things that make my insignificant life worth living.

Speaking of the MidPoint Music Festival, they sent out an email the other day saying they still need volunteers. This is a super fun thing to do and you get all kinds of free stuff. I'm not going to tell you again, people, go to www.mpmf.com and sign up!

If only he were really my friend

Josh just posted a link to a new article by Malcolm Gladwell in the New Yorker. As always, it's a good read and it's full of economic jargon that Melissa will love. So much of our population already qualifies for some level of federal health care that we might as well go all the way. Oh Trevor, regale us with tales of your Canadian healthcare heaven!

When you've read that, or if you don't feel like delving into the daunting task of fixing healthcare right away, you should also check out this old Gladwell article about the magic that is ketchup. He even quotes someone who calls it, "the Esperanto of cuisine." I'm a huge fan of the red stuff so it's one of my favorite articles of all time. Plus, it's educational!

Favorite Song of the Week:
"Big River" by Johnny Cash - I was reading about the new Cash biopic that Joaquin Phoenix has been working on, then I heard this song at King's Island. It's been stuck in my head ever since. I just wish I knew more of the lyrics than just, "I taught the weeping willow how to cry."

Who's the king now, huh?

I've been very lazy today and I'm not about to start being energetic now. Let's just say that King's Island rocked and after spending 12 hours there, we feel like we rocked it even harder. We rode all the cool coasters and managed to sneak in a few extra things as well.


My favorite ride had to be SpongeBob SquarePants in 3D. You go into this theater and buckle yourself into the seat. They give you 3D glasses and then you follow SpongeBob around as he looks for the pickle slice he lost. This is a plot I can really get into. As he rides his bike, your seat bounces and swerves along with him. The 3D part was really fun, too. We kept ducking to avoid things that weren't really there. It was great fun and more than I expected from a ride geared toward kids. The only problem I had with it is the unfortunate absence of Gary. I would have loved to see him in 3D.

I have a really nice photo of us waiting to ride Son of Beast that I'll post later (actually I'm not in it, because I took it). I know you're all dying to see that. For now I need to get back to discovering the mysterious bruises that pop up all over your body from a day of riding roller coasters.

It's good to be king

I'm very excited.

On Saturday, Jeff and Carrie and I are going to King's Island! We're gonna ride roller coasters and show up early so we can get a spot for the new Italian Job ride. I'm hoping the ride is based on the movie because it actually sounds more like something you'd find at the Hustler store down the road. Anyway, the day promises to be full of fun and excitement regardless.

I haven't been to King's Island since sometime around 1988. Back then it wasn't owned by Paramount so all the rides didn't have cute little movie tie-ins. The first roller coaster I ever rode was the Racer. It's a small wooden coaster that doesn't look too intimidating and it marked the beginning of a long love affair with thrill rides. So Saturday's visit will also be a trip down memory lane. I just hope it doesn't give me motion sickness.

Everything explained

Elvis Costello posted an open letter on his web site that I just discovered tonight. Go here and read it. He explains (in almost overwhelming detail) why he has been having throat problems and what exactly was in that little spray bottle he kept using (you'll never guess!).

It goes on for much longer, however. The end turns into a rant against the Bush administration and the war. While I am unlikely to disagree with his views, it all just seems like a bit of a ramble. You should sift through it, though, it's pretty enjoyable.

Curses!

I know it's in Japanese and all but you should go play this game I found. It's addicting and sure way to waste several minutes of your valuable day.

Go home, Mick

I am so tired of the Rolling Stones. I've never been a fan (sure I like a few classics but that's about it) and the older they get, the more they make my stomach churn. How long can Mick Jagger keep prancing around like that? You know that episode of South Park where they wheel out Rod Stewart and he croaks uncomprehendingly into a microphone? That's gonna be The Stones soon.

But I guess as long as they don't need wheelchairs, they can charge hundreds of dollars for a ticket to their show. Do old baby boomers have nothing better to do? Is there some sort of deeply programmed genetic pull that requires everyone born between 1946 and 1964 to go to a Stones show? Is their very own March of the Penguins?

Oh and the hype. All the hype! I am tired of it. It's like newscasters can understand the Rolling Stones (not like those crazy Coldplay bands) so they just keep going on and on about them. Liking the Rolling Stones does not make you cool! At least not anymore. Mick Jagger scares me so I'd prefer to not see him on t.v. every five minutes.

Whew, o.k. I'm done. I just had to get that off my chest. The good news is I managed to get out of bed at 10:30 this morning. The mid-morning is once again mine!