Time Capsule 2, Charlie and Matt 0

I know these updates have been slow in coming, but I've been pretty busy since I got back. I better catch up with my vacation summary so that I can start writing about more recent events. Here is the next episode:

So it turns out that burying that time capsule in 6th grade was just a figment of my imagination. Either that or Steve already found it and hit it from us. Matt and I dug up the whole area where it should have been (again). I think our last failed attempt was way back in 2003. You would think we'd have learned that we need a metal detector. Then again, there's a chance that we buried it so deep that a metal detector wouldn't help anyway. Take a look at the damage:

This picture of Matt can't quite give a fair impression of the area we dug up. You see, in our sixth grade wisdom we buried the capsule exactly three steps from the tree. The problem is that we can't remember the direction or the size of the steps. Did we take large paces or normal sixth grade steps? Or maybe we took toe-to-toe steps...

At the end of the day, the time capsule escaped us again. I guess we'll have to wait until next year to hear that sing along recording we made to "Walking in Memphis."

The rest of my Traverse City visit was nice and relaxing. I had the chance to spend some time at the cottage and visit with Mom, Dad, and Leah. Then before I knew it the time came to help Leah pack up and move to the Bend. More on that next time.

-chc

Back to the Almost Real World

So I'm finally back in action and ready to post some pictures and stories from my vacation. This will probably take several episodes, so bare with me.

First there was Chicago. I love that city. My first day there I stayed at Ben's place with Matt and Ren. It was great time, and the weather was perfect. Too bad Scott, Chris, Dave, and Tyson couldn't make it. Punks. How are we supposed to hold a reunion without you guys? "I have a wedding. I live too far away. The Israeli government won't let me go." Excuses, excuses.

Here's a picture of me telling Tyson that he better get back to the US ASAP.

Of course, my persuasion worked and Tyson was in Chicago with us the next day. What can I say? We made him an offer he couldn't refuse: free wifi. See, I have the proof right here:

What? You think that photo looks a little funny? All I can say is that we just couldn't get Tyson to take his winter jacket off. He said it was just too cold and that he is used to Middle Eastern weather. Strange I know, but there you have it.

Okay, so I guess I can't tell a lie for more than two seconds. As you can tell, I cut out Tyson's picture and pasted it in there. I'm not a Photoshop artist, but I sometimes play one at work. I didn't have time to blend the layers and make it really convincing.

The next day I had the chance to hang out with Steve and Tom for the afternoon, which was great. Then it was time to pick up the rental car and head north.

Tune in next time for adventures in Traverse City. Will Charlie smooch the moose for the hundredth time? And more importantly, did he manage to dig up the time capsule that has remained mysteriously hidden for fifteen years? Only time will tell.

-chc

A quick stop in Burbank

I've been back in Burbank for a few days before the next leg of my vacation. I was in Brownsville last weekend, which was great. I spent Saturday through Monday on the Island (with a brief stop in B-ville to visit Ed Matthews), then went back to visit SJA on Tuesday. It's amazing how much things are the same there despite the physical changes to the campus. Of course all of my old students are now getting way too old, but I guess I'll have to learn to deal with that. In the end it was a great visit despite being so short.

I'm taking off first thing tomorrow for Chicago. I'll be meeting with Ben, Matt, and my brother Steve for some real deep-dish Pizza, then it's off to TC. Depending on how busy I am I might post more along the way. I guess you'll just have to keep checking back...

-CHC

Vacation Time!

This weekend marks to first of two vacations for me. First I'll be taking off on Saturday to spend the long weekend back in Brownsville, Texas. It's been almost two years since I've been down there, so it'll be nice to see everyone again. I'm guessing things have changed quite a lot at St. Joe's--I probably won't even recognize the place. I will post some pictures when I get back.

Then I'll be back in LA for three days before departing again, this time for Chicago. I'll have a little reunion there with Matt, Ben, and anyone else who shows up (Tyson, you're a punk--Don't try to blame this one on the Isreali Military!). Steve will also be there, and I'll get a chance to check out his new digs. Of course my cousins Tom, Kyle, and Corey are there as well, which could make for a busy weekend. After that it'll be up to TC for a couple of days (and hopefully Cathead), then back down to South Bend for the Film Department reunion (and of course the ND vs. MSU game!). Wow, good times ahead.

I'm glad I have so much to look forward to, because today was crazy. It all started off wrong when I woke earlier than normal so that I could try to get to work ahead of schedule. Unfortunately that didn't really happen because we had a, (how should I put this?), rather major plumbing problem. Every drain in the apartment started bubbling and backing up with water. Needless to say, it took some time to clean up the mess before I could finally get out the door. At least the plumbers were able to come and fix everything while I was at work.

Work was okay, but just really busy. It's going pretty well in general though. And there was one major highlight of the day! I was eating lunch with one of my coworkers at the commissary when I looked up to see someone I vaguely recognized. She walked up to me and said, "I know you! I'm a huge fan of your web page! I read it all the time!" It took me a couple of seconds to realize that it was Keira Knightley!

What? You don't believe me? Okay, so I made that part up about talking to her, but I did catch her eye as she walked by me during lunch. The story just didn't seem as good that way. Then I found five dollars...

Have a good weekend everyone! I'll be back with pictures from the island!

-chc