posting from maine

So our posts lately have been lacking... rather, nonexistent, so here's a little update on Summer Retreat. The road trippers (me, Dee Dee, Keiji, Emma, Mike, David, Tommy, Kate, and Chris) left New Haven for Maine rather late on Tuesday because I (stupidly) locked my keys in the car - a classic start to a road trip, I suppose, and it was a lovely wait in the pouring rain. After that fiasco, everything went smoothly and we arrived in Hampden in no time. As it turns out, Maine is even more beautiful than we expected. Anna lives in a pretty little town, and we're loving the time out here before heading back to New Haven. Her house is situated right next to a grassy field with a couple of barns in back where the goats live and, behind that, trees and trees. A few days ago, we spent the evening at the American Folk Festival (not all folk, actually) which is held in Bangor. There were all sorts of different acts going - Irish, Gospel, Merengue... there are some good pictures of Keiji, Anna, Drew, and Chris salsa dancing. Yesterday we rehearsed in a glade behind the house and then Dee Dee, Chris, Marcelle, Anna, and I went blackberry picking (Robbie, where are you for this stuff?!) I was barefoot, which was quite painful with all the thorns - and because I stepped on a wasp on my way over. But the berries were delicious, so I guess it was worth it to climb into thorn bushes to get them. After gorging ourselves, of course, the most logical thing to do was to use the berries as warpaint. Thus, Chris ended up with a black eye, I had a giant peace sign down my face, Dee Dee was a Native American Princess, and Anna was a bunny. We spent the evening at Anna's friend Bennett's house for a cookout with his friends from Olin College (which sounds completely ridiculous, in a good way.) We had a good time hanging out and trading music - Bennett and Anna's friend Amanda played for us on their guitars (Amanda is apparently going to meet with P. Diddy's producer about recording - amazing) and we sang for them in turn. Before I write too much, I'll go back a little. We spent the first few days at Anna's cottage on Sutton Island, off the coast of Maine. I really don't know what I could say that would even approach encompassing the island. It's a tiny island, just about a mile across and blanketed in forest. It is absolutely breathtaking. We took the ferry over on Wednesday, bringing all of our food along with us. When we docked, we set out across the island on foot - the only means of transportation. The Field House (the Wood house, named after one of its previous owners, Rachel Field, author of the Newbury Honor book "The Calico Bush") is at the far end of the island, and peeks out from the woods right over the rocky shore. I think it was Marcelle who said that Sutton Island is the place she always imagined growing up, and I don't know how to say it better. It was such an escape from the world, and the time we spent there was luxuriously simple, if that makes any sense. We had no computers, no TVs, no phone service, just us and the island. We didn't rehearse there, so we spent most of the time exploring, relaxing, and enjoying the peace. We played a pretty intense game of Capture the Flag, and my team (sadly) lost; true to form, we got in a lot of Mafia time, too. As it turns out, Chris is a fantastic Mafia player and can get away with anything - blaming movement during the Mafia time on a wedgie when he was in the Mafia, or escaping death by accusing Anna of being in the Mafia after she died the first round. We gave a small concert for some of our island neighbors one night, and we met some really interesting people, and hopefully made some good contacts for future concerts :). I feel like I've presented such a tiny tiny part of the wonder that is Sutton Island, but, for now, I'll just say that it was absolutely the best way to start the year off on the right foot. Since arriving back on the mainland, we've spent a lot of time rehearsing. I'm really excited about the new direction we're taking with the music. For those of you that know Redhot's repertoire well, we're now using Randy Hostetler's ('85) revision of Just You (which can be found on Live in Concert 1983.) It incorporates some fun new rhythms. We're also bringing back the old intro to Kick, using a quartet to open Sweet B, and so on. Ah! Anyway, I've monopolized this computer for long enough, I think, so I'll sign off. There will be more from Maine coming soon. We miss our absent Redhotties desperately - here's hoping you're all having a good time wherever this may find you. love love LOVE, Brady

Jamba Juice Tip

So, I don't know if this is a strictly-Hawaii thing or if it's country-wide, but I thought I'd pass this onto you just in case:

Jamba Juice has a "secret" menu (only for those in the know, of course). Bet you didn't know that Jamba Juice serves up such interesting flavors as: white gummi bear, red gummi bear, chocolate gummi bear, pink starburst, strawberry shortcake, fruity pebbles (yes, the breakfast cereal), and skittles. Essentially, these flavors are just interesting combinations of yogurts, sorbets, juices, and fruits - there's nothing artificial about them.

And you want to know the amazing thing? They actually taste like the things they claim to be. The best one is the white gummi bear. I had one today which is why I decided to share this wonderful finding with y'all. Try ordering one next time! Again, word of caution: I'm not sure how widespread this is. In fact, I'm not even sure it's offered outside of Hawaii, but it doesn't hurt to ask. And you can get the satisfied feeling of knowing something the rest of the world doesn't. :-)

Holy moly, just had my first official RETREAT FREAK OUT MOMENT....

So I was sitting at my computer, happily creating a loose itinerary for retreat, when it hit me: I looked up at my mother and I said "Mom, they're going to arrive here, and they're going to need dinner."

She smiled at me and said "I'll make chili."

I filled out Kate's survey today, you all should do the same - it feels good :)

Respond to my e-mail, please!

Hey all,

The title actually has nothing to do with this post - just a friendly reminder. Do it if you haven't...please. :)

So sorry for my blog-related negligence... I swear, I was busy fending off all sorts of perils to posterity in the Beinecke - like map-collectors names Mr. Smiley who come with their own exacto-knives (ask me if you want the whole story) and stupid Explo kids who get stuck in the revolving doors because they don't know how to push... but overall it's been a good summer.

I work with the most awesome people who I really wouldn't have gotten to know otherwise... a girl on the women's Crew team, a literature major who loves Russian, an actor who has a self-proclaimed weakness for strange plays, and a quirky piano major in the Yale School of Music who has about 6 degrees and snorts when she laughs. We had fun... most of it involved playing in the glass tower with our walkie-talkies and taking absurdly long breaks in the Beinecke lounge while struggling with the NYTimes crossword.

Some fun stuff that I've handled this summer: THE GUTENBERG, the Audobon books (huge, by the way), a real samurai sword that's like...100 years old, every letter Langston Hughes has ever written....ever, a bunch of Japenese scrolls from the 1800s, decks of playing cards from any country imaginable, first editions of about 12 Shakespeare plays...
the list goes on. :) It's so hard not to get distracted when they sent me to find something for a patron... but then, sometimes, I'm forced to do really stupid things like photocopying, counting, and alphabetizing... which is usually when I catch up on my facebooking. Erm.

Other news... my brother arrived today from Chicago (my mom drove him out - crazy woman; she said to tell you all hi and that our house is too quiet without our "Dream" rehearsals. :)). He's staying with me at Luther House for two weeks until school starts, and then moving into L-Dub (he's in Pierson)... he's *also* working at the Beinecke with me...eesh. The real reason he's here early is because my mom was getting tired of him... he'll say he wanted to "explore the campus and everything Yale has to offer before everyone else arrives!" but don't listen to him.

I miss you all SO much! It was really great to see Keiji, Brady, and Emma this weekend... and David, Dee Dee, and Jennie earlier this summer... and John, Jill, and Darrick in New York! But living in New Haven in the summer is really very lonely compared to the rest of the year. I can't WAIT for retreat. :) I've developed an unhealthy dependence on Payne Whitney (seriously... it's closing for 10 days and I feel my world crashing around me) and the Starbucks at Chapel and High. Mmmm iced chai...

Right now I'm babysitting... the little girl is in bed - 2 years old - so cute and so LOUD when she doesn't get what she wants. But whatever. She's sleeping (they're always better that way) and I'm getting paid $8/hour to blog. Wooooot!

Another short story: I have to move ALL my furniture out of my room tomorrow night because my landlord wants to get new carpeting in there when there's nothing wrong with my carpet and I'm moving out because of retreat in a week anyway but he won't wait so I have to carry all this stuff out by myself??? I think I'll make my brother do it. Actually, that I'll make my brother at least help me is pretty much an absolute certainty. Grr.

David Leigh - you'd best be in New Haven when I get home tonight, yo.

Alright... many many hugs from a very hot and humid New Haven! I can't wait to see you guys next week!

Love Kate

Hey, Jealousy...

My dearest Redhot & Blue,



I miss you all, but more importantly, I am jealous of you all! I have been whilin' away the hours here in Aiken, SC since mid-June, reading avidly your far- and farther-flung adventures. My summer hasn't been entirely without highlights -- after Commencement, I headed to Ireland with a friend and hung out in Dublin for ten days or so. Then to London and Oxford to visit friends, and finally back to Dublin to celebrate Bloomsday (yes, the Joycean celebration of Ulysses. And yes, I know I'm a nerd.) That was all wonderful, but since then, I've been home, living the life of a retired fellow. I took tennis and sailing lessons, watch Jeopardy! many times a week with my grandmother, and play bridge every Friday night. I'm getting pretty decent at bridge, too, which is great. Christine and I have plans to have bridge and Bloody Mary engagements every Sunday in New York next year. I've also taught vacation Bible school, helped paint my church, and spent loads of time with my mother. All very sweet, though tame.



Soon, though, I will be off on the ultimate adventure: real life. I move to NYC in ten days and move into my Tribeca apartment. I'm driving up with my dad, so I'm busy collecting furniture, decor, and &c. If any of you are there around the 24th (perhaps between retreat and school?), come visit me!

I really can't say how much I miss Redhot -- I haven't even been away a whole summer yet, and already I am pining for Singing Dessert and other excuses to visit New Haven. Enjoy the rest of your summers, and see a few extra wonders of the world for me!

nineteen days! AH!

Hi all,

So I haven't written a substantial post in a little while, and I know you're all just dying to hear about all the exciting happenings of my life.

I found out a couple weeks ago that my family's trip to Russia had to be postponed until after I leave for Yale. So that means that I won't meet my newly adopted brother until Parent's Weekend. It's still a little odd to think of Kyrill as part of my family, but I've become a lot more comfortable with the idea. It will be an adventure, that's for sure.

So since I had requested this week off for the Russia trip, I scrambled to arrange some different trips. I went to Chicago last weekend to see my brother Matt and my friend Connor. We spent most of the time just catching up and walking around the city - hanging out by the water, passing an afternoon in the Art Institute of Chicago. I passed Millennium Park on my wanderings and, though crowded, it looked awfully lonely without Redhot. I also played my first game of Whirlyball with Matt and his friends - it's this semi-ridiculous game kind of like basketball, but played with scoops and in bumper cars. Very odd. True to form, I spent most of the time crashing into people and avoiding the ball, but I managed to get some pretty gorgeous bruises anyway… mostly from the seatbelt.

Now I'm back in Hamburg and enjoying my week off. My family is busy shearing sheep for the county fair, which is coming up, and though I generally stay away from the sheep, they've had me out collecting wool a lot lately. I went on a creekside hike with a few of my friends today. It was quite scenic and peaceful, and we were having a grand old time until we came upon some random man who yelled at us for being on private property. Oops.

I'm heading to Kansas City to visit my dad tomorrow, which will be relaxing. Then it's not too long before Mike arrives in Hamburg and we head out to Maine. I'M SO EXCITED.

Hope you're all doing well in your respective locations!

love you all,
Brady

Less than 2 weeks?!

DOUBLE POST--ALSO, 3 WEEKS 'TIL THE INVASION OF THE WOODS'! (GOT A NICE RING TO IT, HUH?)--JUSTIN, I'M SORRY THIS POST IS SO LAME COMPARED TO YOURS...

It is pretty shocking that this whole adventure is so close to concluding. On top of that, this week has been going by pretty quickly itself! I'll be home (probably eating a burrito) in 2 weeks...

But until then, my days continue to be very full! Classes are still pretty demanding but are as a whole getting easier and easier as I'm more and more accustomed to the idea of learning 30+ words with 40+ characters in one night. In other news, although the program is drawing to a close, I finally have a new roommate. I haven't said anything about that whole issue on this blog before, but I've had major trouble with my roommate this entire trip--actually my only complaint this whole time. He was inconsiderate, arrogant, and severely passive aggressive in everything. Almost every time anyone found out who my roommate was, they would literally say "Oh... I'm sorry". Anyway, I've been trying to roll with it for the past six weeks, but we finally had a major direct confrontation Sunday night, and after that there was no question what needed to be done, so I have a new roommate who's so far been totally great and I think will make these last few days all the more pleasant!

Today I had a fantastic talk with my language partner: Today's lesson discussed lingual differences between China and Taiwan, so we started off talking about that and eventually went on to the much juicier topic of China-Taiwan politics. It was really a thrill how much we were able to discuss with very few English words thrown in there! She talked about differing opinions in Taiwan between old and young people, and I was able to point out that whether China recognizes Taiwan as independent, it's independent de facto. I was able to express why I thought a one-party unelected government was bad and I was able to understand the advantages she pointed out in reply. The conversation went on for about an hour beyond the official meeting time, and it was genuinely intellectually stimulating as if I'd had the conversation in English! It was fascinating to hear her take on everything, and I've got to say she defended the communist party pretty well, which is precisely why I need to keep improving my Chinese :-D

Otherwise, life continues pretty normally (aside from some pretty intense lightning storms we've had the last couple of nights), and it's starting to hit me that though this program's almost over, I'll be back at Yale starting the new year in less than a month! Life is crazy.

努力学习，
Jon (高俊!)