totes ramotes, what the crap man, white turtle salute – camp oh nine

I’m home!

(photo – Marc Altman)

As usual I forgot to pack so much stuff, including, uhh, a camera (ironic). So I don’t have much visual reference, which is a bummer because one month is kind of a long time to document with just your plain ol’ human memory. I shall summarize..

When I got dropped off I was so overwhelmed. Not because I was nervous or anything (it’s my third year there), more because I felt like there was so much stuff to take care of at home and that camp just snuck up on me. I actually played a show the day before I left and then this magazine stuff happened and whatever and I had to leave it all behind.

Speaking of magazine stuff.. A new Spin came out this month, with [a somewhat strange picture of] my dad on the cover! It’s not that weird.. he’s just manically smiling and, hey, some people think it’s cute. The main article is Wilco, Frankly and I strongly recommend checking it out. They have a snippet of it (just the beginning part) online, in which I blatantly state “God is my homey.” I kind of didn’t remember saying that but when I saw it in print I was embarrassed (I don’t like to look like a snot-nosed pretentious cocky whatever kid) and proud because, in context, it was very fitting, I think.

There’s also a little video on their site where me, Sam, and my dad jam in my room. The writer and photographer and everyone were really, really nice. We (Wilco) even took pictures at SUPERDAWG.

Anyway, one of the trips at camp is going to the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee. It was my second time being there and it never fails to amuse/slightly depress me. Never have I seen so many mullets in one place – I’ll say that much. Except for maybe at a music festival somewhere.. But basically it’s a huge thing where you can get just about anything edible (and then some) deep fried, on a stick, and – of course, it’s Wisconsin – tons of dairy. There’s also a bunch of finely crafted items crap you can buy, like inflatable Dora’s and bubble machines. Some of the stuff is actually pretty cool, like the handmade booths and the porch swing stores (because your legs really do get tired walking around all day). I also went on a climbing trip to, coincidentally, the same place my school went last spring. It was fun and weird being there again, but with a completely different group of people.

Besides mullet-spotting and running away from raccoons, I also went sailing and wakeboarded and met Israelis and, you know, the likes. I’d say in comparison to other years it wasn’t the greatest, but it was still fun. I was really sad to come home because, not only are you missing the structure and awesome things to do at camp, but literally hundreds of people that you’ve spent the past month with. I’ve adjusted, however, and school’s starting soon, soo life goes on.

In other news, um, dudes? I got a shofar. My zaid’s best friend’s brother gave me an awesome Israeli shofar (big animal horn, for those un-in-touch with their “holy stuff” terms) for a late Bar Mitzvah prize. I’m not quite sure how to activate its magical powers yet but I’m learning.

[p.s. hi Aliya and Sophie. there!]

I just realized that I never fully went over the tour at the beginning of summer.. It might be a little too far back to do but I think I’ll still post some pictures. More later!

May the shofar be with you. Lates!