crowds.

during these last few workless days, we've been packing, cleaning, and visiting our favorite spots one last time before we take off. this landed us at the twins game last night, where we were pleased to witness a win against the white sox because of some surprisingly successful at-bats by the usually mediocre gomez and casilla. though i love baseball games (and especially twins games), the most entertaining part of the evening was overhearing a conversation taking place in the row behind us.

i should preface this with an explanatory and apologetic note. one of the more positive side effects of deciding to take on such a long hike is that we will be able to take a break from people, and especially crowds, for a while. you may already be aware of my crowd phobia, as evidenced in my loathing of the mall of america on saturday afternoons and my skillful ducking through throngs of people to find breathable air at the expense of others who may be traveling with me. bryan and i have noticed in ourselves a budding disdain for others that we don't think is healthy, especially for two people planning to pursue "helping" professions. let's hope that the fresh air of the southern alps and some reflective solitude brings us back with greater patience, understanding, and love.

back to the chattering in row 20. if you are unfamiliar with the fantastic comedian brian regan, especially his "dinner party" sketch, you should stop reading right now and watch this video instead. during the early innings, we caught the introductions of the two families involved in the conversation. one of them was from a town that i've never heard of, but apparently near enough to the twin cities to consider themselves local, and the other family had moved from minnesota to california and was in town visiting family (also something about a lake house?). the discussion showed signs of one-upmanship from the very beginning ("the company that built the metrodome is owned by a family friend"), but it was the mother of the california family, a classic "me-monster", who made the exchange so enjoyably uncomfortable. these are all actual quotes.

"have you heard of kirsten dunst? she went to school with my oldest daughter."
"have you heard of gary sinise? his daughter goes to school with my kids. they're great friends."
"have you heard of shia labeouf? he's from our neighborhood."
"do you remember lucy from seventh heaven? she's our neighbor. she comes over to play with the kids all the time."
"have you heard of steve martin? he's good friends with our neighbor so we see him regularly."

there were more, but i did try to watch the game from time to time. i echo bryan's sentiment that the saddest part is that the other family will now be claiming these stories as their own, i.e. "our friends know steve martin".

i should go - i need to swing by nordstroms rack for another smartwool t-shirt and then head back home to help my hard-working husband finish cleaning. my next update will most likely be from nebraska, where we'll be hanging out with bryan's family until august 6th. au revoir!

-rachel