Cabbages and Condoms

So, in my travels to the city of Bangkok, I came across a lovely little restaurant called "Cabbages & Condoms." Weird name aside, C&C serves up some excellent thai food (deep-fried fish patties with sweet chili sauce, satay chicken with peanut sauce, pad thai, tom yum goong, green curry on sticky rice, just to name a few). But that's certainly not the most memorable aspect of this restaurant.


Cabbages & Condoms operates as a local nongovernment organization. Its philanthropic mission is to advance the fight against HIV/AIDs in Thailand and to support agrarian development in rural parts of the country by providing aid to poor farmers. This unique blend of philanthropy and authentic Thai cuisine makes this restaurant a real attraction for visitors to Bangkok (They also run and operate a hotel/restaurant in neighboring Pattaya). Its menu boasts that eating at the restaurant is "guaranteed to prevent unwanted pregancies." (Don't you just hate it when you eat at a restaurant and then bear twins the next morning? God, I hate it when that happens.)

And, to top it all off, one cannot help but wonder who was put in charge of the condom-themed decorations. Here are some of my favorites:

The Condom Suit: Definitely on the list of things NOT to wear on a first date. Though I think starting a new trend in condom couture could be worth considering--perhaps they should make more of these for undersexed teenagers at their high school proms.

Stylish no? I like the condom pants.

The Condom Lamp: Perfect way to spruce up your plain old dorm room. Charming yet practical at the same time. Keep your evenings well-lit and well-protected.










Yes, apparently, condoms will solve all the world's problems of collective security. If only more countries would concentrate on stockpiling WMPs instead of WMDs.

Condom Boat: For the buckaneering condom pirate and other seafaring sea-men. Oh yes indeedy, even the sails are made of condoms!

I have no idea what this is. But, it seems like somebody's idea of a joke......a really really bad joke.


















Computer & Condoms: Need to keep your 'hardware' protected? The human firewall keeps out all manner of viruses.















Coffee & Condoms: Did you want cream and sugar with that? Your coffee, I mean.....















And, lest we forget: the Big Condom. It's the mother of all condoms - and it's lighted!












At the end of our meal, our waitress brought us a plate of condoms instead of mints. Condoms....the perfect way to keep your mouth feeling minty fresh after any meal.

Okay, that's it for now. Hope you enjoyed my little blog entry about some of the many inventive ways to use condoms.

J. Lo....out.

damn you turkish internet

merhaba, hosca kalin!

i'm alive and well in istanbul, and it just took me ten mins to find the sign in button (yendi gonduri, with oomlaut, duh) and locate the silly 'add post' (gonderme oluster, with squiggly s, of course) button on this 'blogu'. at least this is my computer and not a turkish keyboard like the one i have at work. sorry if i've been out of touch, i only have internet access at work and unlike most of my coworkers feel really awkward taking long personal email breaks at work. (i have begun to grow accustomed to frequent 'cay' - tea - breaks, however. i don't take them every half hour like most of the office, but i'm learning.)

i can't write much now but i had to share this: i am sitting in a cafe seeking internet access after a long wireless-less period, and what song comes on the radio?

"istanbul not constantinople..."

i don't know whether to cringe, laugh, or simply sit in bemusement.

oh wow, "my humps" just came on. puts things in perspective.

again, i can't write a long post now but here are some highlights of the last few weeks: going to a traditional pre-wedding henna party; going to the wedding on a boat on the bosphorus; taking a boat trip on the bosphorus to the black sea to eat delicious fresh fish, swim, and visit a castle; staying out till 3 or 4 in a terrace bar with sweeping views of the city dancing with friends to gypsy music and being joined by a ridiculously man that resembled a leprechaun in size, general demeanor and dancing style (i am an expert in leprechaun dancing, of course); finally finding permanent housing and having it be FREE and with an amazing roommate; buying delicious food SO cheaply; seeing glorious mosques and an ancient roman cistern and spice bazaar, among others; having crazy small world moments; from now on out, being free to report on whatever i want whenever i want for the turkish daily news.

i had an interesting day today: after staying out till 4 (oops) i woke up early to attend a chaldean catholic mass nearby -- chaldeans are a tiny catholic sect that still holds masses in aramaic! and this congregration, which holds masses in a basement chapel right off of istiklal street, modern istanbul's 'main drag' (where i live), is mostly made of iraqi refugees. and what's more -- the priest leading the church only speaks french and turkish. so i have found myself in turkey -- a 99% muslim country where turkish nationality and the turkish language dominate overwhelmingly -- speaking french with the priest of a catholic church of iraqi refugees.

whoo.

this is a fascinating place. it has been so interesting to just arrive in a city knowing literally no one, nothing, no turkish and jump right into work and the center of modern istanbul. i have learned to find nothing awkward, like the fact that much of my time at work is spent with me as an english-speaking island (perhaps the princes' islands, right nearby) in a turkish language sea (sea of marmara, or black sea - take your pick, they're at both ends of the city). yay for bad metaphors.

ok - tis all for now - i'm thinking of all of you in your respective locales!

iyi akshamlar! (i'm not even going to pretend to know how to spell that...but it is a general 'good evenings' phrase. yes, plural. weird.)

katharine

Who knew lemonade was so filling?

So I don't know how many of you heard about this back when I was researching it in the spring, but I am currently finishing up with a detox diet that a few of my friends have done and I was curious about. It's called the "Master Cleanse" but a lot of people know it as "The Lemonade Diet". Basically it is a liquid fast where for 10 days you drink nothing but a special mixture of fresh-squeezed lemon juice, grade B maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and obviously water. What it's supposed to achieve is giving your body a break from putting so much time and energy into digestion, so instead it uses that excess energy to boost your immune system, and more importantly, cleanse your digestive tract of all the icky build-up of toxins from all the crap that they put in the food we eat today. It has been, among many other things, an adventure. Who knew someone could survive on such a limited diet? Deedee was there when I first discovered that my tongue was covered in a white fuzz which happens when your body begins to tap into fat cells, resulting in a high level of ketones in the body (or something like that, you guys can do the scientific research if you want). The cool thing about it was that after the first couple days, I was energized, focused, sleeping well, and actually feeling really great! To be honest, it wasn't hunger that bothered me as much as the desire to just chew something, feel different textures and taste different tastes. But now I'm in the recovery period! Tonight Deedee and I are having our Jason Bourne extravaganza, and snacking on all the things that I can eat at this point - basically everything except dairy, meat and breads. and caffeine. and high sugar stuff.....so just fruits and vegetables and nuts for now but I'm getting there!

I think that the best thing about this whole experience was just proving to myself that I actually had the self-control to succeed. It was extraordinarily empowering. If that was the only thing that I got out it, that would be enough. I'm so proud of myself! I love food so much, and have definitely felt like I didn't have the self-control to stop myself from eating. It really is like an addiction, and this experience included a lot of feelings where I felt like I had the symptoms of someone breaking a serious addiction. I'm so proud of myself! I'm not sure I would do it again, mostly because of what I'm going through now which is the uncomfortable process of introducing food back to my system, but yeah -- yay me :)

I'm freaking out about retreat by the way, I can't believe how close it is! It's really scary being here in New York and knowing that I'll only have 2 weeks to prepare 2 different houses for all of your once I get home! It will all work out though, as it always does. Love you all and miss you terribly. Here is a picture that may or may not lift your spirts - but I found it on my phone earlier today.

I think it's from the night that keiji got horribly sick hehe. More on that later.....

Media!

DOUBLE POST FROM FELLOWSHIP BLOG (NOTE: I LOVE REDHOT!!!)

So, by some unexpected miracle, I was able to upload a few video clips from when we scaled the Great Wall several weeks ago!

I filmed this first clip at the highest point we got to on the wall (which unconfirmed reports say might be the highest point the wall ever reaches). The wall was just as high up as it looks, snaking along a huge narrow ridge.



I took this video on the descent. The climb is just as steep as it looks. It was incredible, and by then it was probably only 7am or so. (Pardon my tongxuemen (classmates)--I think some language is audible.)



In other news, this week's not going too shabbily! Last night I and the other DSIC Yalies ate at a great duck restaurant with JE's Dean Kyle Farley and two instructors I hadn't met before, Peisong Xu and Paize Keulemans. We were at two tables and each had a whole duck! (Apologies to any vegetarians who might be reading this blog.) I really like the way we eat duck, wrapped up in a tortilla-type thing with a dark sauce and cucumbers--simple, dependable, and delicious! The meal lasted about 3 hours, but fortunately the night's lesson was quite short and today's classes went well.

Well, I mainly was just really excited that I was finally able to upload some video, so I'm going to go do my homework and post again sometime soon!

Peace,
Jon

2 World Wonders Down

Hi Redhot! I'm not sure if you all have seen the new world wonders (or if you care), but I listed them below. I bring it up because I visited my second one of them today! They are:

-The Great Wall (Jon went there recently; we're so cultured...)
-Petra (maybe Katharine would've gone there if she had been less American/murderable)
-Christ Redeemer statue in Brazil (stupid choice. should've been ankgor wat)
-The Colosseum in Rome (i would've chosen angkor over it, too)
-The Taj Mahal
-Machu Picchu (i went there last summer!)
-Chichén Itzá (i went there today! though i would've chosen teotihuacán for a mexican site)

I'm sure I'll get some more out of the way on world tour with the Whiffs next year; at least the Taj Mahal, Great Wall, and Christ Redeemer statue.

Mexico has treated me well so far. I'm going to have a pretty decent tan for the first time since my freshman year (I spent the previous summer at home in the garden and swimming). I got my worst sunburn since Hawai'i, though, which is just a part of it I guess. I've peeled and now my epidermis is happy.

Hope all is well in the States, China, Britain, Japan, Western New York, France, Turkey, and wherever else Redhotties might be. We should make a map of the places we've traveled this summer-- I volunteer (though it'll have to wait until I get back home).

I want to hear more about the lives of my beloved redhotties! Though I have constant insight into the minds of Justin and Brady, the rest of you are slacking to some degree.

Who heard "Foggy Day" last week while eating dinner in a random Japanese port city called Otaru? Oh yeah...me.

*Scowl*

So, my parents have reserved a copy of Harry Potter for my sister, and they're going to take it to her next week at camp, and I'm going home tomorrow, so I'll get it then, and read it in a week, and that's all fine and good, but EVERYONE AROUND ME is reading it AT THIS VERY MOMENT. As in:

Anonymous Harry Potter Reader/Emma's Friend: *stifled giggle*
Emma: What? What now? What is it?
AHP/EF: Well, you see...*another stifled giggle* NO! I can't tell you.

...5 minutes later...

AHP/EF: *GASP!!!*
Emma: Dammit, WHAT?!
AHP/EF: OK, so there was this....*remembers* OH WAIT. Nope, sorry.

It is agony. It is torture. I'm kind of freaking out.

In other news, I baked cookies today.


much much much affection,
E.

It's been a while...plus my job is unbearably boring today

Hello all,
It's been a while since I've posted, but honestly there isn't much new info coming from me...summer has been pretty consistent...
Let's see...what's new...well, I've seen all the good summer movies to be seen so far and have plans to see Hairspray and the last Bourne movie with Anna soon - we decided to have a Bourne marathon and watch the other two first because we're that cool. And I've been re-reading the 5th and 6th Harry Potter books in anticipation of the last one. I really don't remember them that well, and clearly I need to be prepared for the madness that is the final book. FINAL book. I can't believe the saga is over...so sad.
I just found out a couple of weeks ago that both of my parents want to take me and the bro away for a week each in August, which leads right into Summer Retreat, so I'm essentially not home at all for the last month of vacation. Which means that I have to pack for school and get all my rush stuff together in the next two weeks - crazy! It wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but it should be all good. Not quite sure where I'll be yet, but it sounds like my dad wants to go to the Northwest - Oregon, Washington, etc. - which should be cool.
Anywaysssss that's about it. See, really not much.
Love you all and miss you intensely,
Deeds

:)

So I was just thinking about the day we had the Pacific Union Club concert in San Francisco. Remember how afterwards Katharine's dad took us on a tour of the club? He brought us to that really beautiful room in the basement where we sang by the pool and the music just filled up the room. We all danced around (and, judging by the jam videos, I probably looked like a fool) and it was one of those things I'll never forget. I was telling my friend about Redhot today and that came to my mind, and it occurred to me how happy I was - it was a moment where everything just seems perfect.

So I know this is a cheesy reminiscent post and I kind of make myself want to gag, but I was thinking about it and I missed you guys a lot so I'm writing about it anyway. Thirty six days and counting.

Haha, I should also let you know that as I was posting this the recording that Liz, Emma, Kate, and Katharine made of You Go To My Head entirely on the syllable "boop" came on. Perfect. David, when are we going to get the recordings of Sunny on alternating Katharine-me syllables and the fast God Bless? Seriously now.

Just another day in Chelan...

Hello all!

So I feel like a big slacker for not posting on this blog sooner. But my summer has been pretty uneventful, especially compared to the summers of those adventuring in exotic places around the world. As most of you already know, I'm working at a real estate office here in town (it's actually my 5th summer working there). Today was especially exciting, as I spent nearly the entire day collating and stapling. But even though it sounds like it would suck, I really don't mind taking a break from thinking every once in a while.

Other than working, I've pretty much been at home hanging out with my family and reading. And since I don't have much else to say regarding my activities over the last few months, I went for a walk around town with my brother Chris and took pictures to give you an idea of what Chelan is like this time of year (and perhaps to incite you to jump on a plane and come visit me). It was hot and sweaty due to the temps that have been reaching up above 100 degrees, but I managed. Here goes:





This is part of the Chelan Butte, and a lot of people call it the "sleeping elephant" (this picture pretty much just shows the head). I, personally, think it looks more like a water buffalo, but whatever.









At right is a view across the Chelan River (a part of the lake closest to the dam, right before the Chelan Gorge). You can see on the hillside where some of the orchards have been torn out, which is one of the sad parts about getting more and more people wanting to live in the area.

This picture just shows how darn clear the lake is...people uplake have pumps that suck their drinking water directly from the lake (a few hundred feet down to avoid too many fish and all the driftwood and pollen that sometimes covers the surface). I've heard that someone once sent a sample of the lake water to a lab to be tested, and it was just about as good as bottled water. Not bad...

Here's looking uplake...and straight into the setting sun.









This is Lakeview Drive-In, which has been around since 1957. I worked there for a few summers before I switched to the real estate office, and Chris works there now. I think a few of my uncles even worked there at some point years ago. I'll have to get a limited edition 50th anniversary t-shirt before I leave...









The Riverwalk Pavilion (the little white building) where they had live music and a barbeque when we walked by...sometimes people just sit on their boats and listen if there's a concert.

And, finally, the Starbucks that went in this spring. I haven't been there yet, but I think it fits into the landscape pretty nicely. And it helps the people who come over from Seattle and can't live without their coffee fix.

Anyway, that's about all I've got for now. I hope everyone continues to have a great summer, and I can't wait to see everyone again for summer retreat!!!

No shoes, no shirt, no problems

Though I realize few members of Redhot will get the Kenny Chesney reference, I decided to try it anyway. He's is native to my land, if you will (another reference sure to be lost on most), so I feel compelled to listen to his music. It's country, for those unfamiliar folks. The song popped into my head as I realized the title.

So I sympathize completely with Emma re extreme heat, cold showers, and lack of air conditioning. I'm in Cancun right now, and few buildings even have windows and totally enclosed interiors, much less air conditioning. It's in the 90s during the day and mid to upper 70s at night, meaning one always feels sticky and gross. On the plus side, my hostel is a little under $10 per night. Cheap=good. I wish I could upload some pictures, but I need a usb cable that I didn't bring. I'll get around to it eventually.

For the past two days, I have spent the majority of my time lounging on the beach. People are right about its beauty, though I wouldn't say it is as nice a beach overall as Waikiki or Panama City Beach (mentioned in my previous post). It's not well upkept, and has some trash and vegetation in the sand, which itself is composed of larger grains than I prefer. Once in the water, the bottom is really uneven and there are rocks that you can be swept into (as I was, making my knee even more pitiful than it already was). The shades of blue truly are mesmerizing, though.

Today I was sunburned just enough to make me want to be in shade. This is as opposed to the greatest degree of sunburnedness, which I experienced in Honolulu after laying for hours (was it four? five?) on Waikiki during the first day. That is the ¨whole sheets of skin peel off¨ degree, and I don't care to repeat it.

Since people have been mentioning food, I figured I'd tell of my culinary experience so far. The most remarkable food I have had was chicken tacos with beans and rice. I got two coronas for about $3 (score!) and really great nachos with it. The tacos were rolled and fried, and looked more like what I would think to be a burrito. I certainly wouldn't question the locals on such matters.

Though I've said it before, I reiterate that I miss you all hyperbolic amounts. Also, I'm going to be in New Haven on the 23rd of August to be measured for my Whiff tails, but we don't leave for the ski lodge in Vermont until the next day. Anyone have a free couch?

-me

p.s. I fully expect people to repeat some of my tags in future posts. Who knows when someone will want to browse only entries containing mention of sweaty grossness?

Go and see the new Harry Potter movie

Reasons why you should see it:

1. Cho Chang makes out with Harry
2. Umbridge is a grotsky biatch
3. Voldemort gets his ass kicked by Dumbledore

Other movies you should see: Ratatouille and Transformers.

That was a really random post. I apologize.

it is hot in New Haven.

Like, really hot. I haven't taken a shower that wasn't freezing cold in the past week and a half. My apartment gets great light, and the downside of that is that we get great HEAT. It's like a little toaster. Miserable.

Otherwise, things are wonderful here -- I dropped one of my classes for second session of summer school and so have very little work to do other than read interesting books and watch several interesting if depressing movies -- Boys Don't Cry, Schindler's List, American History X, etc. My American Studies seminar has three people, one of whom is like 8 feet tall and talks really really loudly, another of whom is about 4 feet tall and barely speaks at all, and myself. Hm. Happy medium? Or something. But the professor seems entertaining at least...though she used the phrase "super-interesting" 13 times in a two hour period. AFter the first four I started a tally. Let's hope she kicks THAT little habit.

My roommate, Zan, is going to Israel for a week and a half tomorrow morning -- so I'm going to have the apartment to myself. I'm not sure what to think about it. It's going to be *empty*. But I suppose the quiet will be nice -- the only things truly on my agenda for the next few weeks are watching Top Chef like it's my job and catching up on X-Files episodes. I am on Season 2 (I'm rewatching all 9 seasons frmo the beginning) and it is truly joyous. Like, spectacular. I have a million novels lying around that I've been waiting to get a chance to read so hopefully I'll be able to do that too.

I, by the way, am missing Redhot like crazy. I got so sad the other day that I started singing 42nd Street. Why? Why would I do something like that? It got THAT bad. I always take Redhot for granted towards the end of the year, because I spend so much time with them it just feels so normal -- then we're all scattered for the summer and I never know what to do with myself.

OH! Just this weekend I went up to upstate NY to see my sister perform at her musical theater camp. She was Ariel -- the lead in Footloose -- so basically she strutted around stage wearing little denim short-shorts and a lot of makeup, dancing ridiculously and singing some of the worst/best music ever. I have Let's Hear It For The Boy stuck in my head -- and, not gonna lie, it's basically the best thing I could imagine. But really it was so good to go see her. I am so proud, I don't even know how to express it -- it's what she loves to do best, and it makes me so happy to see HER so happy. It's always a little bittersweet, though -- reminds me of how much I love musical theater, and how much I miss it. I always get so nostalgic, and make all these plans to jump back into it. This year. This year. Truly. It'll happen. OH and the other day my roommate and I used our borrowed tortilla press for the first time. Seriously delicious. Justin, I thought of you. Like, really.

More soon -- I've been ridiculously busy considering it's July. Hmph. I should have much more time -- that is, much more time to count down days till retreat. Hours? Seconds? I'm considering it.

also I kind of just wrote a lot and about very little. Oops.

--E.

living easy

Hi all -

A few things before my life-update: I started my morning off by making my mom listen to the midi of Keiji's "Hit the Road, Jack" twice (at which point she said something about feeding the sheep and retreated), then I caught myself singing the alto line of Haven't We Met as I walked down the hall of my school, of course looking like a complete fool, and finished the day by saying something about "when I go home" to my friend in conversation, referring to retreat and seeing you all. I think these are signs of something. Maybe that retreat needs to hurry up and get here.



I passed Fourth of July with my grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles at my cottage in Traverse City, MI. I drove up with my grandparents, which was perilous to say the least, with my 87 year old nearly blind and deaf grandfather behind the wheel until my intervention. After that, it was great fun. I spent a lot of time reading, playing with my little cousins, swimming, rolling down the massive Sleeping Bear sand dunes (see picture to the left), and, true to form, consuming lots and lots of fudge and cherries (both FANTASTIC in Traverse). I also discovered that I am even better at sailing than I remember. Really, if anyone is in need of some entertainment, I invite you to watch me man a sailboat. It's good for a laugh.


What now? Lots of work, of course. Then I head to Russia to pick up my newly adopted brother Kyrill, which is exciting but scary. My mom went over to Russia while I was in Traverse last week to finalize the adoption, and, after some difficulties, everything is set... aside from my passport, which is expired of course, but we're trying to pull some strings. Hopefully that works. I'll keep you all updated. After that, only two weeks until RETREAT. Yay!

all the best,
Brady

Summer Retreat is coming!!!

...and you all have no idea how FREAKING EXCITED I AM!!!!! It must come into my mind at least 5 times per day. I was just reading Robbie's post and read the words "maine for summer retreat" and my stomach actually did a backflip. To be honest, I'm also a little bit nervous. Ok, a lot bit nervous - just because you're all going to be in MY HOUSE! And, well, my house isn't the most put-together place, more like organized chaos if you know what I mean :) Ohhh but we're going to be on the island as well, and even though y'all might THINK you know what you're in for, I think (hope) that you will be blown away by the spectacular beauty and peace of the place. I've been having such a blast planning out the few things that we'll be able to do! Although I was so sad to find out that the rope swing that I've gone to out on Black Stream had finally broken! We could still go there though and jump off the bridge or the old train tracks (for the mighty of heart only). Also, the National Folk Festival is coming to Bangor that weekend, which is always a blast - they have the greatest music: Blues, folk, gospel, jazz, and always a marching band from New Orleans! Also, we could go to Fort Knox and explore (it's dark and wet and slimey and GREAT) and get some ice cream from the other side of the river. Don't worry, there will be plenty of time to regroup and sing and do some serious Redhot and Blue bonding before we go back to Yale.

On a completely different note, I've currently found my new favorite song: Keiji's "Hit the Road Jack". If any of you haven't listened to it, or at least looked at the music yet you are seriously missing out. Also, it was 85 degrees in New York today. At 7:45 in the morning. Luckily I work in a freezing cold building all day due to extreme air-conditioning (great for the environment). Now I'm off to torture some poor young children and separate them from their mother who just might be going insane right now since I'm not there to save her. Glad to see you're all doing so well and are so happy with your summers! I miss and love you all like WHOA

こんにちは。　　ローゼンタルだ。　　日本語が上手になりたいから、　今、　日本の北海道の函館にいる。　　楽しいけど、　レッドホットがいなくて、　さびしい。

In other words, hey all. It's me. I want to become johzu in Japanese (in other words, I want Japanese SKILLS), so I'm now in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan. I'm having a blast here, but Redhot isn't here, so I miss you guys. Hakodate is possibly the most boring city I've spent much time in (vying for the title with New Haven), but the other students are great, and my host family is off the wall--last night, the six of us (mom and dad, three girls ranging from 7 to 13, and me) had some quality bonding time watching Child's Play 2. WTF?

I'm keeping an occasional blog for the Light Foundation, so I'm counting on you to read it: parallelnosekai.blogspot.com. While you're there, check out the title--you might appreciate it.

Oh yeah--Keiji, what does the name Accardo mean to you?

I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay

So today I cut down a tree with a chainsaw, partially while I was standing in it! Okay, so I only cut the branches above my head while I was actually in the tree, but it was fun nonetheless. The part I cut was to my right in the picture, and stretched twenty feet or so above my head, forking into two big branches. Though it probably could have fallen on my head and knocked me to my death/the ground (20 feet below or so), it didn't. I proceeded to split it into functional firewood. We haven't used a wood-burning stove since I was probably ten, and I only did a little bit of wood splitting back then, so it was cool to try it again.

Two posts in a row! I'm just trying to get in my licks while I'm in the country.

In other news, I went running up the road and saw a bunch of berries that needed pickin'. So much to do before I leave...

Berries and Dolphins

Hi All, I'm writing from Hinkle and have just returned from Panama City Beach, Florida. They have some of the best beaches I've ever seen, plus a bunch of relatives live there. My cousin and her husband took us out into the gulf on their boat, and we saw some dolphins! One came up flipper-style begging for food (though feeding them is illegal so we didn't have any). It had nasty fish breath, but was really cool anyway. Later in the day, we were swimming a bit closer to shore and I got stung by jellyfish a few times. Though that sucked, another dolphin swam up to me and hung out for a few minutes- it was awesome.

Otherwise, Robbie's life has been that of a typical creek-dweller. I've spent a few nights sleeping up in my family's cabin in the Daniel Boone National Forest, about two miles from my house. Though my house is technically in the DBNF, the cabin has no phone line/cell access, nor does it have internet access of any kind. Nice and isolated, really peaceful, gorgeous, etc. I love spending time in the cabin- I want to take Redhot there someday. Maybe a reunion or something.

The week before going to Florida, I fought off the rattlesnakes and picked over a gallon of raspberries and blackberries- really great stuff. My mom made raspberry dumplings and blackberry cobbler, and I probably gained about twenty pounds. Eh, well, I'll lose it soon. Which brings me to...

Mexico! I'm leaving on Wednesday for Cancun, and will come back a little over a month after via Mexico City. How will I get from Cancun to Mexico City? I'll figure something out. During the month, I'll visit Belize and possibly Guatemala (though I went there last summer), looking for all sorts of awesome archaeological sites that I can photograph and ponder to help me better understand the art and architecture of the region. My senior project will benefit greatly from it, too.

Somewhat distressingly, retreat starts a week after I return (so I must pack everything I want to take to Yale in that week). Even more distressingly, I won't be in Maine with Redhot. Sad. On the upside, I'm sure Whiffenpoof retreat will be a lot of fun.

Hope all is well in the various corners of the globe in which Redhotties have settled for the summer!

Briefly...

REDHOT! I MISS YOU!

I'm in England now and it's wonderful. For those of you who don't know, I'm here rehearsing for Sweeney Todd, which goes up in August. Kind of crazy how busy that keeps me. I've really never experienced anything remotely like this. The cast is SO talented, and so, so nice. Of course, all this means is that I compare them all to Redhotties constantly. That guy with the whistle-range up to a Soprano high C is like Jonah, but not as cool. The amazing dancer over there is like Keiji, but not as funny, so what's the point. Etc., etc. Anyway, life here is great.

I didn't have internet until yesterday, so I couldn't biz, and instead spent my free time reading over old Redhot schtick. I miss you guys so, so much. You have no idea. Also the eurotour ones made me SO pumped!

Anyway, I'm late for rehearsal. I love you all!

Just another day at work...

Anna here, reporting in: So for my research this summer I have to interview random people from across the country about their experience with social networking sites. Last week I had the pleasure of chatting with 19 year old who referred to this time period as "the 30th century". Later when asked what he wanted people to think when they viewed his MySpace profile, he responded, "that I like to thrash, and skate, and hang out with chicks, and get drunk". Brilliantly stated, really. My all-time favorite quote however was a 17 year old who stated, “I downloaded the SuperPoke application one day because I thought it was funny, and then I spanked this girl who didn’t want to be spanked. At first I think it was a little upsetting to her but I think she got over it pretty fast. And then she proceeded to pinch me after the spank.” I also talked to a girl who described her meticulous selection of "a sexy profile pic so that people would notice and tell me that I'm hot".

There are some sad, scary people out there. But at least I'm entertained.