Mike's Corner

In the tradition of Norman Maclean, I took my first fly-fishing expedition on Wednesday. I've fished in lakes, ponds, and in the Gulf of Mexico, but this was one of the most thrilling experiences I've ever had (with a fish). The bottom picture was my first fish (a 19" Rainbow Trout), which I caught about 4 minutes after my first cast (which looked nothing like Brad Pitt's "shadow-casting", more like Dorf on Fishing). I caught the next one (24") about an hour later. It only took about 6 or 7 minutes to bring in, but it seemed like a lot longer. The water was about 40 degrees (we were in the Blue Ridge Mountains), but the waders kept us warm and dry. Admit it. They're kinda sexy. Anyway, I can't wait to get back up there. Very peaceful, relaxing, tranquil and serene. I highly recommend it.

Here's another picture of Dorf, and a picture of Gaines getting warmed up before we begin. I tried to take pictures of all of Gaines' fish, but alas... the fishing gods couldn't smile on everyone.

Shannon and I went to dinner with Jimmy, Tracy, and Savannah Monday night at La Fajita. It should have been named La Crappy Service. We attempted to order dinner from a very nice young man who apparently moved here from Mexico yesterday (his English was a little broken to say the least). "Smile and nod" was all the training he needed. Tracy had requested some shredded cheese, and 25 minutes later... she received a side of guacamole. At least I got a great pic of Jimmy and Savannah.

You can't let the kids have all the fun! With no clouds in sight, we needed something to cool us off. Savannah and her friends had a great idea. Break out Banzai Falls! Now your talking my language. I've got to get one of these things. Shannon went down the slide a couple of times, but she wouldn't let me post any of those pictures on here. (For a small fee, I can email those to you)

I saw a beautiful example of kindness in 1968 during the Special Olympics track and field meet. One participant was Kim Peek, a brain-damaged, severely handicapped boy racing in the 50-yard dash.
Kim was racing against two other athletes with cerebral palsy. They were in wheelchairs; Kim was the lone runner. As the gun sounded, Kim moved quickly ahead of the other two. Twenty yards ahead and 10 yards from the finish line, he turned to see how the others were coming. The girl had turned her wheelchair around and was stuck against the wall. The other boy was pushing his wheelchair backward with his feet. Kim stopped, went back and pushed the girl across the finish line. The boy in the wheelchair going backward won the race. The girl took second. Kim lost.
Or did he? The crowd that gave Kim a standing ovation didn't think so.


(Note from Mike - After spending some time on Google, I discovered that Kim Peek was later the inspiration for the character of Raymond Babbit in Barry Morrow's Rain Man. He has an eidetic memory, which is the ability to recall images, sounds, or objects in memory with great accuracy and in seemingly unlimited volume.)

PARIS - One last time, "The Star-Spangled Banner" rang out over the Champs-Elysees in honor of Lance Armstrong. One last time, on the podium against the backdrop of the Arc de Triomphe, the cancer survivor who became the greatest cyclist in Tour de France history slipped into the leader's yellow jersey Sunday. This time, it was the winner's jersey, for an unprecedented seventh consecutive year in the world's most grueling race.

Wedding Crashers is one of the rudest, crudest films that I have ever seen. It is vulgar, demeaning towards everything sacred about marriage, and is the funniest movie that I have seen in years. Shannon and I went to see it Sunday night after dinner at Carrabba's. Our stomach muscles hurt by the time we left the theater. I was actually in tears! My favorite line: "I'm just ready to get home and see Dr. Finklestein and let him know we have a whole new bag of problems to work out...enough about mom." Vince Vaughn just slays me. Finally, a movie worth $8.75.