a cog in Andrea Cambern's wheel

Okay, the short version of this story is that we were on Channel 10 news yesterday evening. I don't know what time; I don't watch *N*othing *E*ducational *W*orth *S*eeing. (Thank you, Gavin De Becker.) However, we received a few phone calls today from friends letting us know, and Donna even recorded it with her DVD-R (?) through her cable. (Is that like TIVO?).

WHY were we on? Now for the long version of the story. We have been going to the "[Commit to Be Fit](http://www.wbns10tv.com/Global/category.asp?C=51876&nav=LUERQjXH) hikes sponsored by Channel 10, Donatos and the Metroparks. I found out about then through the Metroparks guide and suggested to the 'Savang that he take the kids for homeschool for the Girl. (They offered a badge for completing 6 of the 10 hikes, and badges are a big motivator for her right now.) At the time, I was still working Sundays at the group home, so I couldn't take them, but since I'm done, I've been on 4 thus far. (They finished their 6 on Sunday.)

Lots of people have been attending, but there aren't many people with kids our age, esp. the Boy's age. And we wear lots of tie-dye, so we stand out. Andrea participates, giving an opening speech and greeting everyone who comes. She recognizes us, and asked if we would consent to be interviewed. The 'Savant was reluctant at first, but me and my saviour complex wanted to help her out, so I persuaded him. I was fine until her questions revealed her deeper machinations. "How do you feel after the hikes? Do they energize you? Has this started something that you'll continue after the series is ended?" The 'Savant was quite gracious and friendly, talking about his office job being so sedentary, and I, like a good comedian's feed, gave her the 'right' answers. But meanwhile I'm thinking "Okay, you pick two fatties for your Everyman(person), but how dare you assume that this is some kind of beginning fitness thing for us! How many times a day do you run from basement to the second story carrying a laundry basket? And can you do the mile-a-second dash to prevent the kid from spilling on the newly mopped floor? Granted, I could do a lot more, but sitting on the couch eating potato chips and watching TV is not part of my daily routine! So, when she asked me why we started coming, I told her: we homeschool and this is part of our fitness education for our daughter. Of course, this removed any chance of using our interview for her segment---not Everyperson enough. But the cameraop did get some footage of us as we started on the hike. The Girl was shying away from the camera; later she told me that she didn't want to be on TV because she didn't want to have to sign autographs. But the Boy was quite fascinated by it, esp. when the op held it down at his level; said Boy walked right up to the lens. That part of the footage I'll be interested to see.

A note: I'm not bitching about the hikes; they've been quite fun, and Highbanks was beautiful Sunday. Just venting my sizist issues, and being pissy, probably due to PMS, a disappointing result of my being at conference during peak fertility time.

But hey, here's the badge.

The 'Savant and the kids got theirs, and I have two more hikes to go before I get mine. And did I mention the irony? The other reward for completing 6 hikes is a coupon for a Donato's pizza. IT"S ALL A BIG CONSPIRACY, I TELL YOU! THE WEIGHT LOSS INDUSTRY IS INVOLVED IN THIS SOMEHOW! Well, we can see through their little plan---we're donating our coupons to the Clintonville Resource Center. Take that, you corporate no-goodniks! I have to go eat some cookies now...

And in a totally unrelated note, here is the picture that the Boy's teacher took at the SYC family lunch last week, and then at his request during school.