Got up late and managed to make it to Jon and Jackie's by 2. Lot's of fun including boating on the small lake that their house is on which even has it's own 3-4 ft alligator which came within a few feet of Reed before backing away. Reed was nice enough to do a small concert for everybody including a couple neighbors. Tried to do Downtown Disney for dinner but a combination of parking difficulties and rain put an end to our efforts and Jon, Reed, and I ended up at Olive Garden for dinner. After 10 by the time we got home.

Went to the other Universal theme park today. Not the Hollywood Studios one that we did yesterday. I just looked it up--Islands of Adventure. Reed liked the roller coasters and we both liked the Harry Potter ride. Here's a pic of Reed with a girl from The Mummy ride. The finger is mine.

OK so we did one of the Universal parks today. And in fact we did their $45 million roller coaster called the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. Wikipedia has an article on it here: Here's a pic of the start of this monster. Straight up, almost straight down, loop. 45 minutes of waiting and 97 seconds of terror. Reed's reaction was "Awesome". Mine was "That wasn't fun" Anyway, it took me a while to recover from that one. We finally went home about 6 as we were both beat and I was sick though by 6 I was starting to get my second wind.

What a bust that was! Went over to Tampa to see South Florida University. I spent a semester there 30 years ago and wondered what I'd remember about the place. I got my answer--nothing. Didn't recognize a thing. Later we went over to Jon and Jackie Strandhagen's house which is about 20 miles from our hotel. Jon and Jackie split the year between Guam and their house and Florida. Reed and I will spend Wed and Thurs night at their house. Great dinner and gave them my last CD.

Well today we got well acquainted with a word you see a lot around highway 192 where our hotel is--Buffet. First we did the Breakfast Buffet at Shoney's. All You can eat for $7.99, and delicious. Then when we were finally hungry after that we hit the Pizza Buffet at Cici's. Sommebody gave us a free buffet card so with mandatory drinks and another adult buffet we both had all we could eat for $13 total. In between we went over to the airport and talked to the Rental company as our car was showing the "check engine" light. And they gave us a new car. Friendly people. Tomorrow the plan is to go over to Tampa to see the University of South Florida which I actually attended back in 1982? And they actually have a Guamainian Goal Keeper named Dallas Jaye. We'll see if I can actually find where I used to live or remember anything about the campus, actually. Forgot--Reed and I played our first game of mini golf. 18 holes whupped his butt by 10 strokes.

Made an administrative decision to not go to Key West as it just too long a drive and not enough in it for us. So..got up late and leisurely spent the day driving to Orlando as I figured the area could keep us interested for the next few days. AND the white water company managed to email the pics to us. Now, no matter what Reed says I was not screaming here.

Went white-water rafting today. Great time but for a couple of Guam Guys that water was COLD. Even bought the pics but when I went to grab them off the cd they gave us my drive wouldn't work. I'll see if I can figure out a way to get them on my thumb drive tomorrow so I can put them here. Stay tuned folks. Actually here's a pic but it's NOT us. Update: Finally got the cd drive to work but none of the pics on my $27 cd were of us. They weren't even all of the same group. I emailed the company.

Milt got us up early to take a hike at South Mountains State Park. Actually he and I got up relatively early and first went to breakfast where I ate grits and livermush which tastes just about like it sounds except that it was fried into a hash brown like consistency. If you like liver it was very tasty. Brought breakfast to Reed and got him up for the hike--up and around a nice waterfall. Needless to say I was the slowest in the trio but Milt "kept up" with me. After the hike we showered and thanked Milt for 3 unique days and we were on our way. Hit Stone Mountain about 7. Pics:

So to catch everybody up: We slept in late and then went with Milt and family to Biscuit Head for lunch. Great biscuit cafe in Asheville. I'll post a pic below. Milt's plan was for us to all drive out to his family farm about an hour or so away and then he'd drive a pickup back as we continued on our way. Joann wouldn't go and Jillien backed out at the last minute. One the way out to the farm we stopped at Milt's old school Warren Wilson U which was having a big conference/thing on country music. We listened to this lady who was a great storyteller and the former president tried to talk Reed into going there. From there it was off to Hickory NC and a quick view of Lenoir-Rhyne U. Then on to the farm where we met Milt's mom and brother. Milt then had a surprise for Reed as he got out a .410 shotgun and let him shoot it a few times. The first time Reed had ever shot any type of firearm. He did well too as he hit the target all three times including the two times I threw it in the air. We ended the night sitting on the porch of his brother as that was the only place that we could do the Internet and then only for a few minutes as everybody in the house was asleep. Here's the pic:

Ok let's see where do I begin.  After an early morning email with Joanne Milt came over to the motel at about 8.   Said he and Joanne were booked all morning but he'd be back at 1:00.  Showed us around Asheville and told us about a possible activity in the evening called Contra Dancing.  Had some places to go so we just hung with him for a awhile and then dropped us back at the motel with us going over to their house for dinner at 6.  Reed wanted to go back to one of the stores he showed us here-an old record store so he and I did that.  At 6 we went over to eat and meet Jillian their 15 year old daughter.  After dinner it was off to contra dancing, which can best be described as a combination of square dancing and line dancing with some swing thrown in.  The first activity was to teach anybody how to contra dance.  We all took that lesson, including Reed who said he had never danced and would never dance.  When the real dancing started, who's on the floor?  Reed and having a great time with Jillian.  Reed spent, in fact, most of the night on the floor with various partners and declared contra dancing "awesome".YouTube had some great clips of contra dancing at this dance hall The Grey Eagle.



The dance quit about !0:30 and we headed back to the motel with Milt full of ideas about tomorrow. We'll see what develops.

A day of bad timing.

 Didn't hear from Tony by the time we were supposed to leave the motel so I made an administrative decision to head to Asheville instead of Wilmington.  Always wanted to see the town and there was another school close that we could see--Southern Wesleyan.  Besides Milt Crotts and his wife Joann live there.  Tried to call them and got a school switchboard so I thought they might be living on the school campus of Joann's school.  When we finally found the place that turned out to be true but they weren't home.  Got a room in a interesting looking motel.  The front of the place is all stone.  Of course there was a email from Tony telling us how to get to his place in Wilmington but that will have to wait till next time.  Checked the Crotts'  a couple more times but it's getting late so we'll wait till tomorrow.  May head to Stone Mountain near Atlanta tomorrow.  The Rushmore of the Confederacy.

Stayed here

Left Ry's kinda late as Reed was a bit late getting up but Ry and I were having a  good time so it didn't much matter.  What did matter was traffic on the way south through VA as it was 30 mph for much of the time.  Finally quit about 7:30 in Rocky Mount NC where there's obviously a few too many motels and the prices were the best so far on the trip - $45 total for a nice room.  Reed just said he's down for Arby's for dinner so we'll see you later.

OK spoke too soon.  Arby's turned out to be about 10 miles away and on the way back we........well let's just say we took the scenic route.  After a while on the scenic route we had to stop and ask some guys which scenic route would take us back to the motel in an area of which we did not know the name.  They finally figured out where we should go which was hindered by a certain amount of alcohol and 20 miles of so later I'm typing this. Wew.

Not much to report today.  Both Reed and I woke up tired.  Reed at 12:30.  So we decided to take the day off and just lounge around Ry's place.  Ry then took us over to Arlington VA for dinner.  Really cool town.

Ok  So we won't deal with yesterday as yesterday Reed and I had a little "falling out".  BUT today was back to normal and we did the Holocaust Museum and the Museum of American History.  Have to say that cousin Ry has been great putting up with us too.  Reed took some pictures maybe he can send me one and I'll put it up.

Toured Washington all day today and then Ry's daughter Stephanie was the tour guide tonight.  Finally home about 11.  More touring tomorrow.   Here's a pic from the FDR Memorial.  And Reed thinks I embarrass HIM.

Got out with Muni about 9:30 am.  Took his kids with 2 cars down to the NY Aquarium.  Got us in for free and got our car parked for free besides.  Saw a great show with the sea lions and exhibits that hadn't been damaged by Typhoon Sandy.  That's what Muni is doing as he is one of the architects involved with fixing and redesigning the damage done to the aquarium.  After the aquarium went to coney island and to Nathan's though neither Reed nor I thought the hot dogs were all they're cracked up to be.

After Coney Island we got in the car and headed to Washington and cousin Ry.  Been having a great time with him since we got here about 7.

Left Herb's about 10.  An hour to Boston and we toured the campus at Eastern Nazarene College.  Very small compact campus but I liked it.   The coach here already said that he's recruited someone else but I wanted to see the campus anyway as I'd thought about it so much.  From there on to Muni Abdullah's and family in New Rochelle NY just north of NYC.  They invited us to stay so I twisted Reed's arm again to do a concert.  They have a daughter who's 17 and a babe so it didn't take too much twisting.

Hung out with brother Herb and lovely partner Mae.  Mae was feeling much better today and I apologized for our rude entrance in to her life.  Decided to stay around another day as Eric was going to go busking (a term meaning playing music/entertaining on the street) in possibly Portland ME and Reed wanted to see that and hang out with Eric some more.  We all went up to Portsmouth ME, had dinner and walked around the tourist part of town and as that was on the way to Portland.  Lively place.  The busking never came together and we headed back to Danville.

Left Ray and Sandee's  and headed for Vermont.  Checked out Castleton SC, then St Joseph's and later Kean State.  Afterwards found my brother Herb in the metropolis of Danville NH.  Cute story though not so cute for Herb's girlfriend.  We're fine and staying up with Herb and his son, Reed's cousin, Eric.  Big good looking kid at 6'5" 230#.  More later.


So we come in to this tiny town called Danville NH.  As we're going by some houses we see one that says Wellness Yoga and looks real funky.  I turn around the car and Reed says "You're going back there?"  I said Yeah that's either Herb's house or they'll know where Herb lives.  We go back.   A big red pickup in the front.  Kind of a combination barn/house.  but nobody there.  Reed finds a card on the door and sure enough, it's Herb's house.  Things are open but nobody answers.  After ten minutes or so we leave and go down the road to see if anybody in town knows anything as the town is so small everybody has to know everybody else.  Find a guy who know's Herb but he couldn't understand my accent for a few moments.  Says that's Herb's truck and he should be around, maybe back in the woods.  We go back.  Herb is still not around but now we're getting more inquisitive and looking in windows etc.  I'm just about to go in the house to see if he's hurt or something and he comes home in another car.  Seems his girlfriend is really sick.  She's been texting him about two guys who are looking all around the house.  He's not sure of course what or who he's going to find.  Everything worked out but will be a great story that certainly will get embellished in coming years.

Easy day with a concert

Not much going on today as we just hung out with Ray and Sandee.  Volunteered Reed to do a concert for dinner so Sandee called another couple to come over and the concert was held.  A good time was had by all.  Tomorrow we look at colleges in Vermont and New Hampshire.  We'll also see if we can find my brother Herb if we get that far into NH.

First off Belta called about 2:30 in the morning.  Seems Reed is getting some offers.  Talked to her for a bit about the offers, and told her about our plans etc.  She called back an hour later and we agreed that the plan would be to finish the trip, go back to Guam, and then possibly make plans to relocate to LA if attractive enough.

Then took off early and got on I-90.  Did stop and see Genesee Community College in Batavia NY.   Nice place but Reed said not for him.  Made Sandee and Ray Greene's house  (friends from college) about 6pm.

For some reason couldn't load the blog post yesterday although there wasn't much.  We pretty much drove all day fro Osseo Wisconsin to Ft Wayne Indiana.  Met some friends from Guam in the early days--Frank Baughman and then we stayed at exwife Sally's house.

Today we drove to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and got there in the later afternoon.  Reed told me that his sinuses were bothering him and the day before he had a bunch of green stuff sneezed up so I took him to a clinic.  It took a while but we got some antibiotics and OTC medicine for him.

So then the plan was to get as close as we could to the colleges we wanted to visit--Genosse Community College, SUNY Brockport, and SUNY  Cortland.  These are all big PE schools.  Outside of Cleveland though the rain was bad, Reed wasn't feeling all that well and it was getting late so found a Motel 6 and we called it a day.

IPOP Summary

Although I was busy this week, I left iPop with a real strong feeling of accomplishment.  Starting with Wednesday, they kept us working with auditions, rehearsals, and showcases.  I got 20 call backs from different modeling, singing, and acting agencies and ended up getting 4 trophies for the following:

I Sing - 3rd runner-up

I act - 2nd runner-up TV Commercial

i act - 3rd runner-up Monologue

i act- FIRST RUNNER UP- ACTOR OF THE YEAR

Plus 8 honorary awards medallions for modeling divisions.

I also made the showcase as a character named Marcus. 

Had such a great time in LA, maybe I'll be there again, but until then, back to the road trip! 

From Belta---Reed just left for airport. as scheduled 

We all  had  breakfast together.. I will follow-up

on  call backs that I sent you earlier and any other

matters.  We already miss him as I am sure you have.

I have all his trophies and will be seeing you soon.

 

Together with 20 callbacks from major casting direcrtors,

talent managers and agentS, from NY & LA, your son represented our island

and Guam JRP SUPERBLY

 

On behalf of my supporting staff, colleague , Maria Little and

yours truly, congratulations. and well wishes for his continuing

success. God bless,

 

Love to the family,

Ms. Belta

 

 

Last Day at IPOP

OK just got this email from Reed--

So... evidently Belta wants me to stay another day or two. I keep telling her that I have a flight tomorrow morning and she keeps saying that she'll take care of it.  Anyways, I got 20 call backs today and the singing agents loved me. A couple of them really are interested.  Some acting agencies as well. I got two trophies so far. Respond ASAP

More---I WON 4 TROPHIES!! I can't wait to show you them :)

Day 3 Finally

From Belta

Hi folks,

Reed received 20 call backs with major  newtowrk agencies,

casting directors, and talent  wi.  Each one interviewed

him, gave constructive help and  ended with very strong interest

Currently he is rehearsing for  the night's performance  in the

California  Ballroom.  Also,   the final awards will be tonight

where we will see how he does with singer/actor or model of the 

year..  so until  tonight, hang on to your hats!

Nothing from Reed.  

As for me -- Changed the oil in the car,  went to a historical meeting with the Minor Family, and hung around here with Rick and the inlaws.    

Day 2 of IPOP

From Reed--- I just finished my loooooong day.  I finished the singing, and acting today!  Modeling went nowhere.  I should be getting another call back for the acting. There are so many talented actors here!  Singing went well to!  The crowd really enjoyed it. I hope the judges did too! I also made the talent showcase!  Exciting stuff!

From Belta---Reed made the acting and singing showcase, He is required to rehearse down at the ballroom for a couple of days.

Rehearsals  late into the night.

everything is going well........two more days........then we will know the  final results. He is enjoying the hectic schedule and making new friends.

From Me---Saw old friends including Jan and Don Goldhorn.  Fireworks last night.

Update:  Reed later sent this that could change our plans considerably---Oh and Gaffer really wants me to come back earlier... the tournament changed to a 18U so I guess I can play now.

First Day at IPOP

From Reed---I got two call backs! One for acting and the other to host the showcase! So we'll see how it goes.  The singing went well!  Nothing too bad.  The judges and agents that I have seen seemed to like me. I even got a guys card! Haha

And as for me---I sat down to look through all the old albums and find pics of the Club--Club 20 and also maybe find some pictures of the Club's precursor Ralph's Resort.  What a treat.  Had a marvelous time looking though all the old stuff.  Found some good things that Christy, the museum curator, would be interested in, I thought.  Later took the pics down to the museum and met Christy.  Great lady and we talked for over an hour.  Liked the pics that I brought and wanted to know what I remembered about the lake area during the 50's and 60's.  Great time.  Later went back over to Murph's as Mike was home for the 4th and the weekend.


Update:  Any cute girls???
Dude.... TOO MANY cute girls!  Hahaha I never thought Id say it!

Update 2:  From Belta 

Layla, and RA

Your son is incredible.

He did  his first competitions today with flying colors.

He received  two call backs for auditions tomorrow in the

Fame Showcase. Hope he makes it.  Tomorrow he

will  again compete in his next . categories. Of the 2,000

delegates, 500 are contestants. They love him here.

Will  keep you posted.  Best Always. Belta

Reed's in LA

From Reed---Got to LA safely!  Time to SLEEP. When I got to the carousel, Belta and Marie were right there, conveniently! 

And got another report from him this evening---Today was really slow.  Everything starts tomorrow!

So a somewhat laconic report from my son.  Let's hope that he'll be a bit more eloquent when the competition starts.

As for me I spent most of the day with my brother and his family.  Did go visit an old classmate tonight.  One interesting thing was the local community museum curator is doing a presentation on Codington County lakes and the resorts and recreational facilities around them of which my father's Club 20 was one.  She wanted some pictures or anything else we might have.  I went to see her but she had gone to Del Rapids SD on museum business so I'll check in tomorrow.  I had put a video on YouTube years ago of some film footage that my aunt had taken of the old Ralph's Resort and of the Club when it was just built.  We'll see if she can use it.  Here it is.  I think my father is about 32 and watching the Friday Night Fights in the video.

All of a sudden I have to fill in this field???

Yeah it wouldn't publish until I gave it a title.  Oh well!!

Stayed with Georgia and husband Jim last night. Got to bed kinda late as we were having a good time. Up this morning and tried to find Reed a haircut but the barbershop was closed on Mondays. He'll have to get something in LA. After Lunch at Georgia's restaurant we headed to the Mall of America to pass time till Reed leaves for LA. I'll take off for Watertown after I drop him off.

Dropped Reed  at the airport and I have to admit it was a little hard.  First time he was ever getting on an airplane without me.  Kinda felt like a mom who's taking her kid to kindergarten for the first time.  Reed promised he'd keep me posted on how the contests are going so stay tuned.

And here I am in Watertown.  Got here about 9.  Brother Rick is taking good care of the family homestead.  Welcomed home and I'm off to bed.