WuTube

Last week my office shot a fifth spot in a series of commercials featuring Wu rubbing elbows with people out in the local community. I developed the concept last year as an attempt to draw attention to the huge impact Wichita State alums have in south-central Kansas. The basic idea is: everywhere you go, there we are—with Wu serving as a kind of a visual metaphor for all of the Shockers living and working in the area. Anyway, we've already produced spots that focused on the business community, public education, health care and research—so this time we directed our attention to the local media.

I was afraid this was going to turn into a nightmare. First of all, the shoot extended over three days (usually these are shot in one day). Secondly, it required the coordination of a lot of local celebrities (and their egos).

However, much to my surprise, it went extremely well. Maybe it was due to the fact that the campaign has been pretty well received in the community, but it's been shocking (pun intended) just how accommodating people have been. For this particular spot, we got the run of the Wichita Eagle newsroom to shoot a scene with fashion columnist Bonnie Bing; share a studio with Wichita's #1 morning DJ, Brett Harris; and belly up to the anchor desk with Anita Cochran, Dave Freeman, Jeff Herndon and Susan Peters (all of whom were extremely nice and unassuming—it probably helped that a lot of them were WSU alums or huge supporters).

Anyway, the spot is not edited yet, but here's a photo of Wu with Susan Peters and Jeff Herndon at KAKE.

Lost: Dignity, iPod

Well, I guess the good news is I was able to run the half marathon this morning … and I finished. The bad news is I finished in pain, and to add insult to injury, I lost my iPod.

As far as weeks go, this wasn't one of my best. Despite the pain in both my groin and my knee, I'm not real happy with my performance today, I really feel like I should have done better. I guess I'm not as mentally tough as I'd like to be—I could use a good does of Gene Smithson's MTXE (not to be mistaken with MTXE2—that I can do without).

I guess the bottom line is I didn't quit. After all, "pain is temporary, but quitting is forever." I'm just going to have to keep that in mind as I decide what I do from here.

OK, pity aside, I'd like to congratulate Shannon on completing her first ever half marathon and Eric for what I'm sure was a great time. Way to go guys.

What happens behind the cloth curtain, stays behind the cloth curtain.

After I posted on Wednesday, I was able to get in over lunch to see my physical therapist—a guy I've gotten to know way too much over the past couple of years and a guy, who after Wednesday's appointment, is now way too familiar with me. After checking to make sure I hadn't fractured my pelvis, my "treatment" involved a slathering of gel followed by a long, emotionally uncomfortable ultrasound massage. Once that was over, I had electrodes placed on the injured area that were weighted down by an enormous bag of ice. All around, it was a good time. I should have just had him go ahead and check me for a hernia while he was at it.

I have seen some improvement though, so hopefully it's all worth it. Or maybe I'm just psyching myself up for today's follow-up appointment.

Cursed.

Last night I started my taper runs for this weekend's Wichita Half Marathon and, true to form, I got hurt. Everything started out great, I was feeling better than I ever have before—this two days after running 12 hilly miles in KC in a 30 mph headwind. I was sure I was going to set a personal record, the only question was, by how much. Then it happened, just as I was preparing to head home I got a sudden, shooting pain in my groin (sorry to give you that mental image) and was unable to run another step, forcing me to walk the entire way home drenched in pity.

I spent the whole night icing and elevating (difficult given the location) and this morning it's still sore. Hopefully, I'll be able to get in soon to see the miracle worker who got me back in the race last time.

Running Gods be damned!

Ike blows.

A couple of weeks ago when we were down in Houston, my brother made us watch the Weather Channel's Gustav coverage around the clock, not to keep track of the storm's course or monitor its current conditions, but to make fun of all of the reporters trying to stand up in 100 mph winds.

Apparently we were watching the wrong channel.

Since Curt probably missed this little ditty due to his own evacuation I'll post it for his later enjoyment.

Feel free to enjoy it yourself.

(You can pretty much stop watching about :40 seconds in, unfortunately Mother Nature only nails Geraldo once).

Perspective.

And for proof that when you have a mic you can say anything, read this.

Labor Day Meet 'n Greet

Originally, Carrie and I planned on spending our Labor Day weekend touching up paint around the house, however with the birth of our niece Hagen, we hung up our smocks and headed south. (We greatly appreciate Hagen's timing both for getting us out of home repairs and for coordinating her arrival around a three-day weekend). We had a great time and were happy to discover that the reports of Hagen's adorability were not exaggerated. In between monitoring Gustav on the Weather Channel, we got to witness (and film) the placing of Hagen's hand and footprints in her baby book along with her second bath (she was getting a bit gamey).

Anyway, without further ado. here is the photographic proof.




And, finally … throwing up the peace sign.