Our trip to Mexico

As you all (probably) know, Ben brought me to Mexico. We vacationed on Isla Mujeres, and Daniel and Zion stayed with my parents. Although we were worried that we would have a hard time enjoying ourselves because we would miss the boys too much, I am pleased to report that, although we did miss them, it did not in any way prevent us from having a wonderful trip! It was kind of a birthday-Christmas-Valentine's Day present all wrapped up in one. I have yet to see whether it also encompassed our five-year anniversary, which is coming up in May. Ben worked very hard freelance designing a website, and that paid for our trip. Thank you, Ben!

Believe it or not, I had never been to Mexico before. Ben was pleased to give me another stamp in my passport. It's kind of embarrassing to me--I've been to Africa three times and visited six different countries on that continent, but I had never visited our neighbor Mexico (I've also never seen the Pacific Ocean--don't tell).

A summary of our trip: we almost missed our flight out of Indianapolis (after keeping us waiting over an hour at the front desk, they called ahead and we got to the gate at 1:21pm--the flight was supposed to leave at 1:20) We spent the first night in Cancún and caught the ferry over to Isla Mujeres in the morning. We spent the next five nights in Los Arcos, a little hotel in the center of the tourist-y area of Isla Mujeres. Isla Mujeres is a skinny island that is only about 5 miles long and half a mile wide. We inadvertently planned our trip for the duration of "Carnaval", the week leading up to Mardi Gras. This meant that every time we tried to go anywhere we were treated (whether we wanted it or not) to dances, mostly performed in the middle of streets by groups of ten to fifteen scantily-clad overweight and past-their-prime women. It was special, as my family would say. We arrived on the day "Carnaval" began, and left the day it ended. Oops.

We took lots of long walks. We had blisters on our feet by the time we came home. The second day we walked seven miles. We walked to a Sea Turtle Farm and back. I enjoyed it. Ben did not. We especially enjoyed walking along the east side of the island because it was always completely deserted. You can't swim on the west side of the island, so I guess that's why no one went over there.

We went snorkeling and saw all sorts of fish. Here are some pictures interspersed of the ones I remember seeing. I'll bet you'd never guess what the middle one right here is called--that's right, donkey dung. I was scared of the barracuda and the urchin. The rest were pretty cool, especially the one at the very top. The squids were pretty cool too, because we could watch them change colors to blend in to their surroundings as they swam over different surfaces.

We ate lots of delicious food--Mexican food, sea food, Cuban food. Yum. We also discovered our new favorite drink--mojitos. Thanks for the tip, Katie.

We stood on the southeastern tip of the island, which is the easternmost point in Mexico. The morning we left, we got up early and watched the sun rise on the east side of the island.

On the way home, our flight got delayed in Cancun, so we had to take a later flight out of Chicago. We didn't get home until 2am, though we should have been home by 11:30. American Airlines sucked, but the rest of the trip was great.

Tune in next time to hear how Daniel and Zion kept us busy for the next few days.

2-4-Tuesday

I don't know how many different artists have covered songs from the Beatles. What I do know is that most of them fall flat. Even when I hear one and think "hey, that's not too bad" it still never comes close to the original (think Blackbird by Sarah McLachlan or Come Together by Aerosmith). So I know I am going out on a limb with this one, but the vote is up to you:

The Beatles - I Will

Alison Krauss & Tony Furtado

Vote

poll by twiigs.com

Two Trick Dogs

(Author's Note: Words in bold are words for Jesse to look up the meaning.)
As there is no video footage to verify the validity of claims that I was a trick dog I see it as my duty to come forward with a first-hand account of the events from my past, offering up my memories and matching those memories against the performance of a modern day trick dog (and real live dog) Chipper.
As many Trickers (industry term) know, the human attempt at dog tricks, in itself, is a feat that requires the utmost level of practice, skill, and God-given ability. To even attempt such tricks, it should be noted, requires the nerves or Lassie and the courage of Benji (The Hunted). Tapping into the dog psyche (syke) is the first and most important step.
Obviously safety should be at the forefront of all tricks. But in my day we spit in the face of safety. No nets were used, no safety harnesses, no ambulance was waiting to whisk me away should injury befall. I was at the mercy of the elements, risking life and limb for the entertainment of a few—who I liken to the raucous and blood-crazed crowds of the Circus and the Coliseum.
When I would take the floor, a whisper could be heard. The ringmaster would have the crowd in his palm, time stood still.
“Speak” was shouted and from my being would come the perfect bark… “Arrf, arrf.” Many have fallen into the snare with such a simple command, trembling at such a demand. “AARRRF, AARRRRF,” I would repeat, the crowd shuttering at the sound of my alpha-male dominance.
Again silence.
“Roll over.”
As tricks come this one is to stare death in the face. The crowd would again be on the edge of the sofa. “Can it be done?” they would wonder. Mom would look away for fear of seeing the hand of the reaper take her beloved son/dog.
Huzzah! He’s done it. A perfect roll, executed with the stealth of a ninja, and the wisdom of a thousand monks.
A second roll, a third. This is true greatness.
The performance would go on for several minutes, leaping off of furniture, more roles and twists and moves that would make a contortionist tie up like a pretzel, a recitation of the birth of Christ from the gospel of Luke, and tricks that would make Helen Keller sing like Celine Dion. To see me as a trick dog was to experience Nirvana.
Modern day.
As sports so often do, they mutate into a technical form that bares little resemblance to the “golden days.” Such is the case with Trick Dogs. Having unionized, the sport feels empty and gray. Certain tricks have been labeled as “too risky.” Others have simply faded into the past as adventures and whimsy.
But don’t you think for one second that a master of the craft would neglect to pass on such ancient tricks to his own beloved canine.
Chipper is released in a blur from the macabre of his cage. With speed unseen before on earth, or elsewhere in this universe, he navigates the narrow passages and perilous terrain of the arena. And in an instant he is as still as a statue. He hangs on my command. He lives for the words that I speak. His soul yearns and the anticipation is almost too much—his stub of a tail as it wags, the only motion he makes.
“AARRRFFF.” He speaks before the command is even off my lips. Dog and handler are of one mind, a connection that cannot be broken. Muffled at first, the bark becomes louder and louder with each command. Chipper has taken skill to the next level. He is in his own doggy Matrix where the realm of reality can be altered to his wishes.
“Shake,” I say.
“Which paw,” he replies.
“The left one.”
“You mean this left one,” he laughs as he holds up his right paw.
“No, your other left,” I rebut.
And in a puff of purple haze he plants his left paw perfectly in my palm, sealed with a lick of his tongue to taste the success that is his due.
He’s up, he’s down, he’s almost in a roll. This fur-ball of fantastic is a sight to see. Helen Keller would stand and applaud at his performance.
And as soon as he has arrived, he is gone. Only in the distance can you hear the sound of a rawhide bone.
To see Chipper is to see true artistry and grace, poetry in motion. Comparisons cannot be made to two Trickers such as these. One was before his time, a one-of-a-kind find. The other is a throwback to days of old in a time when tricks had but all been forgotten. One might even say that the majesty in which I performed somehow was years later breathed into the body of a young pup, a pup we all know as Chipper.

Shaded Shark

Here is a shark I drew, colored, and shaded on Paint.

Here is the same image, but with a flashlight shining on his face.
Which one do you like better?

p.s. Even though Mom posted this, these are William's drawings.

p.p.s. Click on the images to see the details of the shading.

Posts I would read...

In every promotional video for Avatar (with Wolves) there was a clip of James Cameron saying "now, that's a film (Avatar) I would want to see".

So, here are some ideas (hint, hint) for posts I would like to read. I know I have tried this before with little success, but here goes:

1. A fictional/non-fictional creative story written by Jude.

2. A new series from Mom called When They Were Two about her children's tumultuous passage through the "Terrible Twos"

3. Music reviews from Stephen and Jill (what are you listening to, and why? Also, do you know how to write? --- let me know what your email address is and I can send you an invite to be a writer on this blog. This goes for Pop [who may still hate blogs], Jess, Emily, William, Jude and anyone else who doesn't already have an account on the Crum Family Blog)

4. A new serial story from Jon. I would give you a topic (and will if you need one), but I think you can come up with something.

5. New pictures from William. Will, do you still mostly do pencil or ink or have you branched into other medias?

6. A video from Matt of him and Chipper having a "Trick Dog Battle" --- kind of like playing H.O.R.S.E. but with... dog tricks... or something.

7. One of those famous and amusing letters that Edwardo used to send to Peter about his comical trip to Patagonia.

8. Something 'artsy-fartsy' from Nate. You know, like art stuff. Maybe a post-modernistic portrait of the Avett Brothers (acrylic on sand paper using only white and black and red paints).

9. Jesse, a list of words that you would like Matt to teach you how to say.

10. Something sarcastic from Jess...

These are just a few ideas. If someone can get Thomas or David to post, that would be amazing. Actually, if anyone can get anyone to post, that would be amazing...

As an incentive, each post you make gets you 10 points and each comment* on your post earns you an additional 1 point. The winner will be announced on June 1st. Any other ideas, let's see 'um!

*Self-comments will not be counted.

Thursday Double Take

So I guess Ben is out of the country or something, not sure when he's coming back, maybe never. So I'll go ahead and post a poll this week. The first time I heard this song it was in a "Gears of War" commercial. I thought it was very fitting for the game and later found out that that version in the commercial was also featured in the movie "Donnie Darko." The original version was written and performed by Tears for Fears. Who's version is better? Vote now.

Mad World - Tears For Fears

Mad World - Michael Andrews

poll by twiigs.com

Thursday Thoughts

This is an open post, directed toward Ben for consideration with regards to future match-ups for Two for Tuesday. I've always been a fan of the cover song. I love when bands, especially on an awards show or at a big event, cover someone else's song. I will say that doesn't mean it's always done well. When Beyonce covered an Alanis Morrissette song at the Grammy Awards, I shuttered.
I've enjoyed the selections so far for Two for Tuesday and have a few suggestions for future pairings. Some you've probably heard, others may be new to you and you may be totally unaware of the original or the cover. In any case, use as you see fit.
(In no particular order)
"It's My Life" Talk Talk vs. No Doubt
"Mad World" Tears for Fears vs. Michael Andrews
"Hallelujah" Leonard Cohen vs. Jeff Beck vs. Rufus Wainwright
"Nothing Compares 2 U" Prince vs. Sinead O'Connor
"The Man Who Sold the World" David Bowie vs. Nirvana
"Lake of Fire" Meat Puppets vs. Nirvana
"Heroes" David Bowie vs. The Wallflowers
"Into the Mystic" Van Morrison vs. The Wallflowers
"I Wish We'd All Been Ready" Larry Norman vs. DC Talk

Thank you. That's it for now.

2-4-Tuesday

I was thinking about what I wanted to post today on my weekly two-fer, I thought about pitting the Carpenters against last weeks looser, Sonic Youth, with their respective versions of Superstar; then I remembered that was a conversation from Juno and, not wanting anyone to think I had been influenced by that movie (I actually didn't know the Carpenters had recorded that song until years after I had listened to the Sonic Youth version) decided to go in a different direction.

Which brings us to today's match-up. The past couple of weeks I have felt confident that I could predict which song would take the win (though, I was surprised that Vampire Weekend didn't win last week). This week, I'm not so sure; the song, Feeling Good:

Nina Simone

Muse

Vote

poll by twiigs.com

Snow and Art and History

So, I promise I will get to my "2-4-Tuesday" later today, but I wanted to say this about the art world: some people have odd ideas that end up looking really awful, some people have odd ideas that end up looking really cool.

Whatever your take on the modern movement in art is, there are two things that I think will stand out to you in these painting from Nick Gentry: First, he seems to be a pretty good painter. He has a good grasp on composition and though he uses color more as a highlight than a component, it does work. I don't know if I would call any of his works "beautiful", but they are intriguing. And that is my second point. His paintings would be just "okay" if it weren't for his choice of medium. It's like buying a bottle of wine because of the label... it doesn't make the wine any better, but, even if the wine isn't that great, at least you got a cool bottle.

What do you think?

Lots and lots of snow

We have lots and lots of snow. I know that those of you who have to shovel may not love it

(ie--may intensely dislike it), but I think it's beautiful, so here are some pictures.

2-4-Tuesday

Usually when something hits me in French, I hit it right back again and it starts to cry. Not in this case, Ca Plane Pour Moi. I seem to recall Matt saying that this is his favorite Vampire Weekend song... so lets see how it stacks up against the original (and the in-your-face version from Sonic Youth). That's right, a 3-4-Tuesday. Take that Punxsutawney Phil!

Vampire Weekend

Sonic Youth

Plastic Bertrand

Vote

poll by twiigs.com