That time I instadated at the symphony: Some Good Grass

24 July 2007

Two Saturdays ago, Ricky Skaggs and the Kentucky Thunder played with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra on the front lawn of the Chemical Abstracts Building. I decided to ride my bike down to figure out how they mix a bluegrass band with a symphony.

When I got there I learned that it was $22 with no student rate. What's more, they weren't going to let me stand outside the fence because I could still see and hear the music. Bump that. So I make my way down the fence and out of site of gate only to see police officer handing a pair of tickets to two girls over the fence.

As he walked away, I asked, "Man, what do I have to do to get free tickets? Just stand here and look cute?"

One of the girls held out her hand and said that I could have her's but I declined.

"No way. That's a $22 ticket. I am not taking it from you."

Just then the girls took two steps back for a girl-girl conference. Judging by head shakes and hand gestures...Girl A looks to Girl B and tells her she doesn't want to go. Girl B then, with a pleading expression (head tilt, ruffled brow, big eyes, shrugged shoulders) asks her to stay.

All of the sudden they start arguing in what I would later learn to be chinese. For about five minutes they argued as I stood idly by. Finally it stops and Girl A holds out her hand again and says, "Here, Yan would like you to take her to the concert."

What?

Girl B convinces me with a shy smile (would have cracked for less).

I still didn't know what was really going on until after we walked in but it became clear by the Graeter's stand placed next to the entrance that it was going to be an ice cream night (you know I can't keep walking with that black raspberry chip staring me down. More on that in a post to come). Yan wouldn't let me pay. I figured it was the least I could do for the free ticket and all.

Ice cream in hand, we found some good grass in the center of the field and listened to the symphony play the "Hokey Pokey," "The Chicken Dance" and some other "classical pieces." Ricky Skaggs and the Kentucky Thunder came Kentucky Thundering out on stage after a short intermission. They were amazing.

While sitting with Yan, She explained how she knew nothing about bluegrass music so I schooled her up on the pieces I know about it. We noted its similarities to celtic folk music as well as blues and jazz as we took in the melding of the two seemingly incompatable styles. If you get a chance to see a bluegrass band and and a symphony play together, TAKE IT.

Yan was a masters/PhD student at OSU and when I asked about her focus she replied, "I am studying biochemistry. Scary, huh?"

"No actually, as a zoology major and I studied organic as well as biochemistry and quite enjoyed it."

That was apparently the right thing to say because she sat a lot closer for the rest of the night.

After the show I was to meet up with Jerrod, so I walked Yan home, exchanged numbers, took a photo together and had a small kiss. She giggled and ran inside.

Still not sure whether she was my Asian conquest or I was her American conquest. Never heard from her again.

I guess I can check "impromptu date with stranger"off the list...

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That time I went to Canada Part 4: A good ride

8 July 2007

While in Canada I wanted to make sure to go mountain biking at Canada Olymic Park. My aunt Kathleen, ski instructor by winter and mountain bike camp counselor by summer at COP, didn't believe that I had ever ridden a bike, much less on dirt so we went on a test run in a local dog park. Besides being a great place to let your dog run off it's lead, it was a great place for some quick off-roading. Kathleen showed me how to use my weight going up and down the hills and when to use which brakes--things that I already sorta knew but never really paid much attention to. For example, when riding down a hill, if braking, don't ride the rear brake because you will skid and lose control. Instead, go light on both breaks and lean over your back wheel. Unless you want to go fast, then it's weight forward, no brakes.

Either way, we were riding along this pretty high ridge and the path was pretty narrow, and when we first went out on to this path my immediate thought was "Wow that would suck to fall off. You wouldn't stop."


So we are riding along, la di da, and all of the sudden I jerk the wheel a bit to the right over a tree root and as a reflex, correct it by turning to the left.

There was nowhere to go on the left. Over the edge I go.

Yaaaaaaa-hoo-hoo-hoo-hooey!!!

I kind of sideways go-go-gadget ejector seated the bike, somehow found my way to my ass after rolling and somersaulting down the hill and slide down probably ten or so meters. Finally there was a small bush that I was able to grab on to stop myself from sliding the rest of the way down the cliff.

When I finished, both sliding and cursing, I made sure to yell up to Kathleen because she probably thought she had killed me and wouldn't have been able to see me through all the brush and trees.

After collecting myself, I had to climb all the way back up splintered ass and all. I couldn't just walk it either, I had to grab on to bushes and tree roots and climb my way, hanging on for dear life. When I finally got to my bike I had to lift it over my head to get it up to the ledge we were riding. With the bike frame high as I could reach and a not so strong footing, I almost fell backwards down the hill again. Luckily, Kathleen was able to grab the bike and I was able to get back up to the ledge. Deciding that I was good to go, we rode back (standing up) so I could ice my ass.

All in all a good ride.
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That time I went to Canada Part 3: The Chucks

7 July 2007

If you have not been to a Chuck Wagon race, or worse, never heard of a Chuck Wagon race, drop what you are doing, drive to Canada and find one.

A chuckwagon is the wagon that carried food and supplies across the prairies in the US and Canada to feed settlers and cowboys. The "Chuck", generally consisting of beans, salted meat, potatoes and biscuits, was easy to prepare for large groups of people and generally did not go bad on the way. As a celebration of the Chuckwagons, the Calgary Stampede's main event every night is the Chuckwagon Races.


In a chuckwagon race, a chuckwagon, pulled by four horses, is loaded with the tent posts and stove that is set outside the wagon. Once loaded by the outriders, the wagon must race around barrels making a figure 8, then once around the track to the finish all without losing the tent posts or stove. The outriders that load the wagon must mount their horses and finish the race as a team with the wagon.

The Calgary Stampede is kind like the Super Bowl of the chuckwagon racing circuit. The big show. And we had a front row spot right along the rail. My favorite part about outdoor live music is when you can feel the bass drum in your chest. In the same way I liked being able to feel the beat of the thundering hooves. Dale, Kathleen and I bet would bet a loonie or a toonie on each race. Dale ended up winning it all, but the jokes on him. It was his money.

I enjoy horse racing of all sorts, but this may be my favorite. I think it is the team aspect of it, the four horses and the driver and the outriders as well as having to finish the race together. It makes for a lot more to watch than most other types of horse racing that may have to rely on a back story to build excitement.

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That time I went to Canada Part 2: Stampedin'

6 July 2007

Did I mention that this week is the week of the Calgary Stampede. It's basically like a Canadian Carnival but instead of masks and religion, there are cowboy hats and chuck wagon races. The whole town shuts down for ten days of drinking and cattle driving, minus the cattle driving. News anchors even wear their western attire on air as they deliver updates on the rodeo and chuck wagon races. Every day there are many live bands, parties and a huge rodeo. More importantly, if you can find yourself in a corporate function, you will find all of the free beer and brisket you could ever want.

(side note: Did you know that Canadian beer has a higher percent alcohol than its American Counterparts?)


Last night, I went to the Stampede's sneak-a-peak night. I fit right in with my black boots, hat, new Wrangler shirt and big belt buckle. The first party of the night was a Conoco Philips party. Stuffed with beef and beans and not quite in a talkative mood, I stood by the bar to make sure everyone, myself included, got enough to drink.

The next party was hosted by Dale's company. It was in a historical town set in the 1800's. It had a steam locomotive that went around the park and a lake with lots of sails boats. Again, open bar, delicious brisket, and live music. The first band was a fiddle band. There were probably 20 fiddlers on stage playing as quick as lightning.

Then came a guy named George Canyon. He was on that Nashville American Idol show and something of a big deal in Canada. After one song I could see why. He had the entire tent two-steppin' and hollerin' for the rest of the night.

I must have looked pretty believable in my cowboy gear because a man I was talking to asked if I was from Conoco which is based in Houston. I kind of nodded and we had a good talk about the oil business and Connie and his kids as well as the bachelor life; the life he apparently wished he was living. As soon as my drink was empty, I excused myself to go get another. He handed me a business card and asked me for mine. I told him that I had forgot to grab more before leaving the hotel, but gave him a number and told him to call me the next time he was in Houston on business. Maybe we could catch an Astro's game and grab a few cold ones... Read more!

That time I went to Canada Part 1: Seattle to Canmore

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5 July 2007

Yesterday after watching Joey "Jaws" Chestnut bring the Mustard Yellow belt back home, Uncle Dale and I set out from Seattle to Canmore, Alberta by way of the Idaho pan handle and Kootenay National Park. With nothing but mountains and lakes to look at for most of the trip, it was the prettiest drives of my life. We arrived around 10pm MST and the sun was still out, so, Bacardi and Coke in hand we sat with the Three Sisters to greet the night. Read more!