Thursday, July 31, 2008
Drivers Ed
I little quote I found from a funny new book. Check it out.
Recent studies have revealed that most drivers, when asked to compare themselves to "average drivers," inevitably answered that they were better than that. The reason for this imbalance in perceptions of average proficiency may be the widespread condition called "metacognition," meaning we are incapable of realizing how unskilled we are.
Traffic: Why We Drive the Way we Do? by a Brooklyn journalist with a 2001 Volvo, Tom Vanderbilt
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Is That Alright? If I Give My Gun Away When it's Loaded?
For starters, I think we can all agree that there is some form of cheating going on... whether physical or just emotional. I think that the two vocals represent the cheating couple, although I think that the male is the one actually in a relationship and the female is the other woman (I'm not sold on her also cheating on a significant other).
When they talk about giving their gun away, I think that's a reference for giving away their heart when they shouldn't... hence it being a loaded gun. I think the line "if you don't shoot it, how am I supposed to hold it?" means that the cheater can't move on (and therefore progress in his affair) until he gets some kind of acknowledgment and punishment from his significant other. I see it almost as though he knows it's wrong he's cheating but he wants to continue on with the other woman, but there is still some morals left in him and he can't open up fully in his other relationship until his current significant other lets him go.
I think that at heart, he is a really good person and truly is going through a lot of pain at the fact that he's found someone else that he is emotionally drawn to, despite being in a relationship.
And thus concludes my analysis of Damien Rice's song. Press play below to check out the song for yourself.
Friday, July 25, 2008
with a clipboard and an air of confidence
Politico:Bob Novak's victim
Washington Post: Man Hit by Novak Has Hurt Shoulder but Is 'Doing Fine'
The Examiner:Novak's Victim Speaks! "Bob Novak is the one that hit me?!? ... That makes it a great story!"
Associated Press:
Man hit by columnist Robert Novak recovering
WASHINGTON (AP) - The homeless man who was struck by a car driven by syndicated columnist Robert Novak says he's surprised to hear the prominent journalist was the driver who hit him.
Don Clifford Liljenquist asked a reporter from WMAL Radio repeatedly whether Novak was the person who hit him. The 86-year-old seemed amused. He said, "Well I think that makes it a great story!"
Liljenquist says his shoulder was dislocated when he was struck Wednesday. He says doctors reset his shoulder and he's "doing fine."
Witnesses say Novak was driving a Chevrolet Corvette near K Street when he hit a pedestrian who rolled up onto the hood of the car. Novak kept driving until a bicyclist stopped him.
Novak has said he didn't know he hit anyone. He was given a $50 traffic citation.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Heroes Live Among Us (Kind Of)
4 Celebrities Who Just Might be Superhero Alter-Egos
by Daniel O'BrienReal people are getting into costumes to protect this planet, ladies and gentlemen, and I’m happy to say that it’s my job (for some reason) to find out their secret identities.
For my methods, I’ve tirelessly researched the histories behind 4 popular heroes and crosschecked some facts of their secret identities with well-known facts about public figures to come up with the likely candidates. Brace yourselves, sports fans, because I’m about to blow some of the most successful cover-ups in history wide open.
Captain America is one of the most respected heroes in the Marvel Universe. The result of a military program designed to build an army of Super Soldiers, Captain America isn’t so much a superhero as much as he is the strongest, fastest and most powerful human being around operating on levels just slightly higher than those of above average athletes. Fighting bravely in World War II, Steve Rogers’s triumphant success against foreign oppression established him as a beloved American icon.
The Lowdown:
The Real Captain America is a confident and powerful symbol of American Superiority with a remarkably strong chin…
Lance Armstrong
Named “Greatest Fucking Athlete” by every magazine that ranks athletes, Armstrong possesses both the physical strength and the ability to kick ass in foreign countries that Marvel’s Captain America practically bleeds. No, Lance Armstrong isn’t bitchslapping a bunch of Nazis, but he is making a whole lot of French people look stupid year after year after year, (they fucking love biking), which is just as good if not better.
A look at Armstrong’s physical attributes reads like the back of a Captain America Marvel Card, (if Captain America dated Sheryl Crow once). While the average human’s maximal oxygen consumption is between 40 and 50, Armstrong’s is 83.8 and his heart is about 30% larger than the average heart. He also has what Dr. Wikipedia describes as an unusually low lactate level. During intense training in racers, lactic acid builds up and slows a normal human down, but Armstrong’s body for some reason (magic?) doesn’t produce as much lactic acid as your average human. Without getting any more sciencey on anyone’s ass, Armstrong is, long story short, in better physical condition than you could ever dream of being. You might say, he’s performing at levels remarkably higher than those of the above average human. (Or you could skip the subtle innuendo and just say Lance Armstrong is Captain America. Lance Armstrong is Captain America.) And if you think Captain America wouldn’t approve of Lance Armstrong dominating the puny, harmless French well, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, allow me to present Exhibit Go Fuck Yourself:
The defense rests. Bitches.
Other Possibilities:
Arnold Schwarzenegger (Terrific shape, but disqualified for obvious reasons.)
The man under the Iron Man mask is the brilliant and mustachioed Tony Stark, a well-educated weapons designer with a fortune that Forbes puts somewhere in the “metric buttloads.” Stark uses his considerable wealth and highly-developed brain to constantly work on his iron suit, adapting it to fit any situation. While Iron Man is known for his support of justice and his hatred for communism and corporate crimes, Tony Stark is known for his support of drinking and touching hella boobies and his hatred for things that get in the way of either one.
The Lowdown:
The Real Iron Man has to be a brilliant and rich womanizer with a successful empire and an impeccable moustache…
Dov Charney
For those who don’t know, Dov Charney is the super rich, incredibly eccentric founder and CEO of American Apparel. (Granted, he designs clothing instead of missiles, but Marvel was most likely acutely aware of the fact that a comic about a witty, playboy polo-shirt-salesmen just wouldn’t sell.) When you ignore the difference between Stark’s weapons and Charney’s clothing, you’ll see just how staggering the similarities are. Both men are fast-paced entrepreneurs who built their empires from scratch and are notorious for their suave business savvy. Further, while Tony Stark took heat and received praise for refusing to sell weapons to terrorists, Charney received a similarly mixed reaction when he decided to pay his workers fair wages and by refusing to outsource. Two men, two successful businesses despite nontraditional practices, two facial-hair-champions.
Also, the womanizing. Iron Man comics are loaded with evidence of Stark’s shameless, near-constant boning of any woman who crosses his path, and Charney has had five sexual harassment lawsuits launched against him and once masturbated in front of an interviewer for Jane Magazine. It’s safe to assume that if masturbating in front of interviewers was permitted in Marvel Comics, Tony Stark would be the one guilty of it.
Other Possibilities:
Tom Selleck.
Bruce Wayne is a martial arts expert, and, while the exact amount of Wayne’s empire is rarely stated in either comics, movies or shows, a 2002 Forbes article estimates his net worth at $6.3 Billion. What also can’t be ignored is Batman’s trademark lunacy. Sure, he’s got pretty serious toys, but he’s also pretty seriously deranged so we’re looking for someone damaged.
The Lowdown:
The Real Batman has to be tough, wealthy and slightly crazy…
Christian Bale
Okay, I know what you’re thinking. No, it’s not just because Bale plays Batman on screen, and it’s not just because I happen to have a Texas-sized man-crush on him, (though, if you’re reading this Bale, I think you and I would make excellent friends and we should hang out or whatever). He actually almost didn’t make this list. Sure, he had a lot of the important qualities down- his status as a successful movie star provides him the wealth, he can kick some serious ass, and his well-documented activism is nothing if not reminiscent of Bruce Wayne’s celebrated philanthropy and generosity- but Bale just didn’t seem crazy enough to be Batman.
Until recently, that is. Yesterday, July 22nd, Christian Bale was taken into police custody on allegations that he attacked his sister and 61 year old mother. Now, what kind of man Is crazy enough to attack his own, aging mother? The same kind of man who’s crazy enough to put on little bat ears and beat the piss out of clowns, that’s what kind.
Other Possibilities:
Christian Bale.
The most popular hero in the Marvel catalogue, your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man can be seen swinging from building to building all throughout New York, (the rest of the world is not under his jurisdiction, which is really handy, because all of the world’s greatest villains focus 100% of their efforts on NYC). He’s short, agile and quick-witted, but he’s still generally hated by the people of New York.
Out of costume, Peter Parker is a whiny, shy, self-deprecating science nerd who generally just wants to be liked. He is, for the most part, awkward around girls but has remarkable luck with one insanely hot redhead, Mary Jane.
The Lowdown:
The Real Spider-Man has to be short, awkward and nerdy, but must also have an impossibly impressive track record for redheads way out of his league…
Dennis Kucinich
Former presidential hopeful Kucinich’s short stature and his elf-like agility make him the perfect fit for the webbed wall-crawler. Also, have you ever noticed that no one has ever seen Spider-Man and Kucinich in the same room? Beyond that, no one actually knows what Kucinich does or where he goes at night, (though, to be fair, he’s so damn creepy-looking that no one really wants to ask).
Above: A young Kucinich with Bugle employee Robbie Robertson.
His political career featured a strong focus on environmental renewal and clean energy, two causes that any self-respecting man of science would fight for. Further, his inability to carry a single state in the 2004 primary as well as the depressing failure that was his 2008 campaign, (MSNBC disinvited Kucinich from a presidential debate), prove that Kucinich is just as universally disliked as Spider-Man.
Also, there is absolutely no reason for the super fox that is Mrs. Kucinich to marry him apart from super powers. That’s just common sense.
Other Possibilities:
Daniel O’Brien.
There you have it, folks. I am hereby demanding that Lance Armstrong, Christian Bale, Dov Charney and Dennis Kucinich come out and formally admit their status as costumed superheroes.
America’s waiting, gentlemen.
Monday, July 21, 2008
A High Fashion Movie Tribute...
We’re Off to See the Ruby Slippers
GIVEN the opportunity, the exuberant designer Betsey Johnson would be wearing ruby slippers just about anywhere.
That “The Wizard of Oz” is probably her favorite movie for fashion inspiration goes without saying. She once designed a collection that included the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and Dorothy (played by her daughter, Lulu) leading a rented Toto for the occasion.
“And those little Munchkins, I mean, really!” said Ms. Johnson, who is among a group of 20 designers now recreating Dorothy’s glittering ruby slips to commemorate the 70th anniversary of “The Wizard of Oz” next year. The consumer products division of Warner Brothers and Swarovski, the crystal company, came up with the promotion to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, with an auction planned in the fall of 2009.
Until then, the shoes will cover more ground than a Kansan in a tornado, with appearances at Saks Fifth Avenue and in Bryant Park in New York during the September fashion shows, at Art Basel Miami Beach in December and elsewhere next year.
Two pairs of each shoe, by designers like Oscar de la Renta, Diane Von Furstenberg and Manolo Blahnik, will be produced for the auction, said Brad Globe, the president of the Warner Brothers consumer products division, which has increasingly reached out to fashion designers to update the look of its stable of characters. (Ms. Von Furstenberg, for example, is working on a collection inspired by Wonder Woman.)
Ms. Johnson’s design was a slipper made into a high heel, “as high as I could go, as sparkly as I could go and as fun and full of polka dots and a tulle bow as I could make them,” she said. A sketch for a Jimmy Choo shoe is far more sedate, showing a red snakeskin pump with a caged toe.
Amy Smilovic, the designer of the contemporary fashion line Tibi, said she chose to add a spat to a pump, creating a sort of low boot with a cutout at the heel.
“We did ours in red crocodile so it would have a luxury feel,” Ms. Smilovic said. “And we added a flower for a more feminine look. We made Dorothy look tough and feminine at the same time, because she was pretty tough-looking in that gingham dress.”
You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling...Again?
Get ready Jen...twenty-two years after the hit action film was released, Tom Cruise has reportedly been asked to reprise his role as cocky fighter-pilot Maverick for a follow-up. I wonder if Iceman will be back too?
In honor of this possible sequel, here are some memorable quotes from the original:
That's right! Ice... man. I am dangerous.
It's classified. I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.
That's a negative Ghost rider, the pattern is full.
Take me to bed or lose me forever.
Communicating. Keeping up foriegn relations. You know, giving him the bird!
This is the song that never ends....yes it goes on and on.........
Sunday, July 20, 2008
For Jen: Doctor's Advice
Advice Given by the Witch Doctor
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
I'll get you, my pretty and your little dog too!
Smash-hit Broadway musical Wicked is set to become the latest stageshow to be turned into a major movie.
Hot on the heels of Chicago, Hairspray and Mamma Mia!, the Wizard of Oz-related musical is to be turned a new Universal film, with producers Marc Platt and Stephen Schwartz.
But Universal boss Donna Langley insists fans will have to wait some time to see the film - because Platt and Schwarz are determined to take their time to ensure the movie repeats the success of the New York show that inspired the project.
Langley tells Variety magazine, "Our goal now is absolutely to make the Wicked film, but... Marc and Stephen Schwartz are very mindful of the right timing. But we're dying to do it."
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
High Five
According to Wikipedia: "Many claim the inventors, or at least the popularizers, of the "high five" were Wiley Brown and Derek Smith, who played on the University of Louisville's 1980 National Championship basketball team. Smith and Brown began high fiving during practice, and as Louisville made it's run in the tournament the entire team began to do it in games. The story was recently recounted on ESPN's Sportscenter on July 11th, 2008 during it's "Titletown" segment featuring Louisville."
Anywho... several are well deserved with news like this:
NEWS/TALK 630 WMAL NOMINATED FOR 2 NATIONAL RADIO AWARDS!
The Washington, DC region’s major News/Talk station, 630 WMAL, was again honored today to receive two prestigious National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Radio Awards nominations. For the second year in a row, The Grandy & Andy Morning Show is a finalist in the category of “Major Market Personality of the Year.” And 630 WMAL is the only AM station in the country to be nominated in the category of “Major Market Station of the Year.”
Monday, July 14, 2008
Me, Myself and I
Wikipedia on iMac: “Apple declared the "i" in iMac to stand for "Internet". Attention was given to the out-of-box experience: the user needed to go through only two steps to set up and connect to the Internet. "There's no step 3!" was the catch-phrase in a popular iMac commercial narrated by actor Jeff Goldblum. Another commercial, dubbed "Simplicity Shootout", pitted seven-year-old Johann Thomas and his border collie Brodie, with an iMac, against Adam Taggart, a Stanford University MBA student, with a Hewlett-Packard Pavilion 8250, in a race to set up their computers. Johann and Brodie finished in 8 minutes and 15 seconds,[3] whereas Adam was still working on it by the end of the commercial. Apple later adopted the "i" prefix across its consumer hardware and software lines, such as the iPod, iBook, iLife (iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iTunes, iWeb), iWork, iSight, and iSync. The prefix has caught on for non-Apple Computer products as well”
Chez Copa 3.0
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The Day the Spokesman Died...
Former White House spokesman Tony Snow dies
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former White House press secretary Tony Snow -- who once told reporters "I'm a very lucky guy" -- died at the age of 53 early Saturday after a second battle with cancer.
Snow, who had been undergoing chemotherapy treatments for a recurrence of the disease, left his White House job September 14, 2007, and joined CNN in April as a conservative commentator.
President Bush said Saturday that he and first lady Laura Bush were "deeply saddened" by Snow's death.
"The Snow family has lost a beloved husband and father. And America has lost a devoted public servant and a man of character," the president said in a statement.
"It was a joy to watch Tony at the podium each day."
Snow's successor, White House press secretary Dana Perino, said, "The White House is so deeply saddened by this loss. He was a great friend and colleague and a fantastic press secretary. And his dear family is in our thoughts and prayers."
In 2007, Chief of Staff Josh Bolten had told senior White House staffers that unless they could commit to staying until Bush leaves office in January 2009, they should leave by Labor Day 2007, so Snow resigned.
In parting comments to reporters at his final White House news conference, Snow said, "I feel great."
He also called the job "the most fun I've ever had."
Snow said he was leaving the White House position to make more money for his family. His White House salary was $168,000.
Snow was first diagnosed with colon cancer in February 2005. His colon was removed, and after six months of treatment, doctors said the cancer was in remission.
A recurrence of the illness was diagnosed 11 months after he began the White House media job, and he underwent five weeks of treatment before resuming his daily briefings to the press corps. He was greeted with applause upon his return.
"Not everybody will survive cancer," Snow told the reporters, "but on the other hand, you have got to realize you've got the gift of life, so make the most of it. That is my view, and I'm going to make the most of my time with you."
Perino announced March 27, 2007, that Snow's cancer had recurred, and said doctors had removed a growth from his abdomen the day before.
Bush tapped Snow to replace Scott McClellan in April 2006.
Snow had been an anchor for "Fox News Sunday" and a political analyst for Fox News Channel, which he joined in 1996. He also hosted "The Tony Snow Show" on Fox News Radio.
Snow took a significant pay cut to take the job of press secretary and talked publicly about the financial sacrifices he made. He explained he felt he needed to make more money to help his family, which included children readying for college.
Snow was known for his candor.
In a November 11, 2005, column, Snow wrote that Bush's "wavering conservatism has become an active concern among Republicans, who wish he would stop cowering under the bed and start fighting back against the likes of Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and Joe Wilson."
"The newly passive George Bush has become something of an embarrassment," Snow's column said.
"I asked him about those comments," joked the president at the time of Snow's appointment. "And he said, 'You should have heard what I said about the other guy.'"
Bush said Snow's long career as a journalist helped him understand "the importance of the relationship between government and those whose job it is to cover the government."
Robert Anthony Snow was born June 1, 1955, in Berea, Kentucky, and was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. When he was 17, his mother died of colon cancer. She was 38.
After receiving a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Davidson College near Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1977, Snow pursued graduate work in philosophy and economics at the University of Chicago.
He worked as an editorial writer and editor at several newspapers, including The Washington Times and the Detroit News. He wrote a column in Detroit, and later wrote a syndicated column.
Snow joined the administration of Bush's father, George H.W. Bush, in 1991, first as chief speech writer and later as deputy assistant to the president for media affairs.
Snow became a television personality when he launched his news shows on Fox in 1993.
When he returned to work April 30, 2007, after the second cancer diagnosis, a usually articulate and loquacious Snow stumbled to find words.
"You never anticipate this stuff," he said. "It just happens."
"I want to thank you all. It really meant the world to me. Anybody who does not not believe that thoughts and prayers make a difference, they're just wrong."
He then prefaced a discussion of his health by saying, "I'm a very lucky guy."
Outside of work, Snow played the guitar, saxophone and flute, and was in a band called Beats Workin' with other Washington professionals.
Snow is survived by his wife, Jill Walker, and three children.Thursday, July 10, 2008
Good to the Last Drop
On the way to the emergency room (the second time) for my foot, my mom made sure we stopped to try the new calorie free mango madness flavor, which I have to admit, is quite yummy.
When mentioning it to Goose she made a joke about it tasting so good because it was free. "Calorie free," mom emphasized.
"oh well that's not so tasty anymore," Goose retorts.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Happy Days
It's uncertain if his character will remain part of the series, he said.
"The coin's in the air for me," Tata told The Associated Press. "I guess it comes under the heading of magic test: Let's see if the audience still remembers me."
The drama about two high schoolers from the Midwest who move to California and enroll in West Beverly Hills High School debuts Sept. 2.
Other alumni of the first "90210" appearing on the CW show are Jennie Garth, whose character of Kelly Taylor has become a high school guidance counselor, and Tori Spelling as Donna Martin.
Garth ("Dancing with the Stars") will be in several episodes, while Spelling is set for one episode so far, the CW said.
Shannen Doherty reportedly is in talks to return as Brenda Walsh. The network declined to comment on Doherty.
Tata, 71, said he jumped at the chance to bring back Nat, whose diner was the hangout of choice for the "90210" crowd.
Nat Bussichio was "a good guy, always there to help out," Tata said. The actor is still greeted by fans of the drama, sometimes unexpected ones.
"Cops and firefighters say to me, `I used to watch the show - I mean, my wife did, or girlfriend.' But they knew more about the show than I did," Tata said, laughing.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
One Grand Adventure
So to kick of the adventure, I race into work at o'dark hundred. I am packed not only for the trip but I have painstakingly organized specialized packs for each day so as to maximize organization and minimize time-loss on our adventure through the grand canyon. Setting aside a pack for the morning hike in, and the Tuesday hike back out, my little tote was up to OCD par.
Blazing out of work like the building was on fire, I make my way to the airport for my flight to Las Vegas. With my track record for missing a few flights, I was quite impressed with my arrival time, so much so I had time to enjoy a cup of coffee.
All was set. Famous last words.
With the family coursing their 5 hour drive to Las Vegas, I arrive and make my way to the baggage carousel. Still donning my work suit complete with stilettos I await my perfectly packed suitcase.
It never comes.
This is the first in a series of mishaps to the well oiled planning machine that is the Benson (Richer) family.
So after trying to explain to the extremely courteous and genuinely helpful baggage team at US Airways that I have not been sucked into the glitz and glam of the Las Vegas strip and will be trudging out another five hours by car (two of which are past any civilization and cell phone range). Although my duffel may be on the next flight, not even FedEx can unite me with my bag. The nearest village to our destination still receives their post by mule train. Ergo a bag is clearly out of the question.
So off the Benson (Richer) Fleet goes to Walmart. (Again still donning heels, pearls, and a pencil skirt. What a site)
After a quick stop at the Del Taco (see previous post on obsessive Taco disorder) we head for the rim!
Now sleeping on the south rim essentially involves a sleeping bag in a parking lot. A high note after my brother's digestive system gets ahold of the super del taco combo we had earlier that night.
After arriving and winking in about 2 hours of sleep we were rudely awoken by a small group of hiking infidels determined to wake my dear snoring aunt up. I have never been more compelled to slash tires than that moment, but since we were up at 3 I figured to let the day one hike begin.
The day one hike from the south rim to the campsite is a race against the sun. As soon as the rays hit those Indian red walls of the canyon you are hiking in blistering 110 degrees. In the shade and with water the 8 mile hike to the Supai village is manageable. Our fam has an edge on the competition though, I'm a speed Nazi trained by the Washington DC walkers (comparable to our brethren in New York) and the delightful snack packs Aunt KB packs for us. (Ziplocs filled with all the good stuff you look at in Target but never buy for fear of premature cardiac arrest: beef jerky, all flavors, cheese crackers, rice crispy treats, granola bars, and mike and ikes!)
Hitting the first sign of the stream at mile 7 we are not far from the village. Fun little story here is about 6 years ago, Ben lost his swimming trunks to the current. He will never let that story die. Bringing his GF Krista down, we of course had to share the tale with her(better than baby pictures)
At about 9:30 we finally hit the village, checked in, and met up with Aunt KB who flew in on the village helicopter. The stigma in our family about users of the village helicopter(and pack horses) is unless you are seriously injured (as my aunt is), you are a weenie and should not be allowed to enjoy the falls that we all work so hard to hike to. We let these weenies know they are not welcome by glaring. (What can I say, were not vigilantes, just smug.)
But the work is worth it, we trudge on for the final 4 miles of our day to the campsite. Although camp is only two miles, by the time you finish setting up camp you've pushed it the final two. But oh when you see Havasupi falls on your way in, the sunburn and sore thighs are worth it.
So day one a success, no injuries.
Day two, while waiting for my cousin Dani and Uncle Jeff to make their trip from the rim after squeezing an extra work day into the week, the Benson's descended on Havasupi Falls. Waba-Waba!
What a playground, between clamoring behind the falls, jumping off every rock possible, and squeezing through the toilet bowl, you would think bodily injury would ensue. Just a scraped knee from Krista on that score card. But we did notice a few changes from the last trip, the falls were more intense this year. The jump is a little hairier now, with the addition of a ladder and more moss frosting the rocks. But the upstpay is so fierce you can't really see how far up you are.
We finished out the day by the river swing and leaping from cave walls, all R and R for Sunday....Beaver Falls.
Beaver is awesome, with 3 sets of falls to jump from ranging from 10-25 feet, for our family, its what separates the men from the boys. Its a 4 mile hike from camp and requires scaling Mooney Falls, a 300 ft wall using a chain and well placed footholds. We call it the Elvis Shakes because the legs of the fearful shake so badly. Legend has it, it was named Mooney Falls after the guy who fell to his death propelling with only half the rope needed to safely come to earth from the summit.
It would be appropriate for me to fall here and retain some respect.
Ha not so.... so we continue the hike crossing the river and through the wild grapevines, snapping shots off where we could. And a mere 500 ft from our final destination ... beaver....it happens. The trail narrows while a stream runs parallel to the trail about a foot below. My foot starts to slide on the clay-like mud and I hear the pops of my right foot; like rice krispies on steroids.
Pulling my feet out of the stream it is clear, I am not walking on it any time soon. As my foot swells and my tummy churns I am convinced its broken.
The irony of Dani's encouragement, walk it off, fell on deaf ears. In the Benson Clan, tears equal injury, and I wasn't crying.
The challenge: how do we get out. Dani and Grant take off to Mooney as we seem to remember a gurney on a single bike wheel secured next to the trail. After an hour of shock, Jeff, Ben and I start the piggy back tour of the canyon. By riding on their exhausted backs and crawling on my hands and bum over the rocky trail or the river crossing we made solid ground.
Dani and Grant had the foresight to replenish the water supply before bringing the gurney but that required an additional 4 miles rt up to camp and back, including a trip up Mooney. Whew!
You would have thought it was Christmas the way I shrieked at their sight with the basket. I was so relieved!
So Team Benson muscled me through the flat spots on the see-saw gurney, lifted me over the rocks, and I managed the crab walk through the river crossings.
We were met along the way by concerned hikers and villagers. Unbeknown to us, by the time we made it back to the Goliath - Mooney falls, the entire campground heard about the mishap and when the chopper scaled the cliff to retrieve me, the Supai village was standby.
The three miles from the accident glided beneath us from the helicopter while my foot continued to swell. It was quite an impressive feat!
Rather than make the full trip back to Kingman hospital, I opted to get dropped back off in the village, where I was greeted by the doctor in his Gator golf cart with off road tires.
The Rx: ace wraps, ice, and crutches. They had quite a selection of the latter: 5'3 or 6'0. Standing 5'8 I opted for the shorter of the two. I now had another 4 hours to kill while I waited for my family to return to camp and one of them to hike up to the village with a tent. Grant drew the shortest straw.
Arriving the the village, my guardian angel started to set up the tent. After 15 miles on his tires, he was clearly exhausted. As we realized we put the stakes in the wrong holes, on our tent being pitched right in the town square, we were approached by a couple informing us of the allegedly rampant tribe drug and crime incidents. They invited us to stay with them for the night. So Grant, myself and my 5'3 crutches eagerly accepted. They set us up in the village church!
I was almost as excited to see the air mattress on the cement floor as I was to see the tipsy-turvy gurney!
The next morning the family hiked out and took my second helicopter ride.
Clearly I wasn't flying back out of Vegas so it was off to mommas I went for some R & R. So much for shedding the princess title in the Benson Family!