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The secret of love is in opening up your heart
It's okay to feel afraid
But don't let that stand in your way
'cause anyone knows that love is the only road
And since we're only here for a while
Might as well show some style
Give us a smile

Isn't it a lovely ride
Sliding down
Gliding down
Try not to try too hard
It's just a lovely ride
Sweet Baby James Taylor

Well my two days of filming came to an end yesterday and I am happy that my two days of being followed around like a lab rat have come to an end. They must have shot 12 hours of footage and I will wrap up as best I can what the whole experience was like. But first let me give a shout out to Susan Price who sent me a few lyrics and who really nailed a home run picking one of my all time favorite songs by one of my favorite artists. And not to mention even served as one of the two readings at my wedding. ( The other was from Jim Valvano, I guess you could say we went a little more secular than spiritual)

I talked a little bit about Sunday in yesterdays post but here is the whole rundown. They set up in the dining room with the mountains in the background. I was told it was a beautiful background but I never saw the screen. I was miked up with a pack on my belt and sat in a chair with two big white lights shining on me. I got some make up applied to my face, that made me feel oh so pretty, not really. The producer, a very nice, very petite, woman proceeded to ask me a dozen or so questions. They were mostly along the lines of why did I pick the Ridge, what made me think I needed help, my top weight, how much I had lost, my feelings during these periods, how I feel now, the support I have received, what my family thinks of it all, and my experiences at the Ridge.

Here's some answers I gave her. First I was told not to look at the camera look only at the producer which is hard with a camera staring right in your face. I talked about feeling like a failure at life, and the feelings I had at my heaviest. How I felt like I became a minimalist, doing the least possible moving around to get by. I talked about the things I missed out on due to fear and reluctance like games and concerts and traveling. I talked about looking for help and admitting I needed it. Telling my family and receiving their support in many ways. I talked about the feelings I had that I was disappointing my parents and my wife. I said that I realized life was a gift and much too short to waste hating yourself. I told her my message to others was that if you give it the chance the body will change for you, that you can not be afraid to ask people for help, and that it will hurt but it will get better. I said I realized that my journey was still on going, that I had made progress but I had many miles still left to travel. we talked about the triathlon I had coming up and I went out of my way to repeatedly tell her that my inspiration has always been the fellow campers at the ridge. They are my life blood. She asked if I knew that I was inspiring others. I said that I had been told that I was a inspiration by a few people and that while I was reluctant to accept that I was happy if what I was doing was beneficial to others in any small way.

We went from there into my bedroom which thankfully both I and the maids had cleaned up. They tried to do what they call B roll footage and settled on me sitting on the bed watching TV. Hopefully that part lands on the editing floor. That was it for me for Sunday. I spent the rest of the day at my friend Eric's home watching the Super Bowl and trying to food consumption to a relative minimum as the thought of puking on national TV was unappealing to say the least.

Monday morning started just like all the rest with some breakfast. The crew filmed Paige's welcome talk and I got the first taste of how ridiculously close they liked to put the camera and the boom mike. Our vans waited around 15 minutes to let the others who chose not to be filmed get a head start. My group of 30 or so campers had all agreed to be filmed, yet I still felt obligated at days end to apologize to all the first day campers for any intrusion into their normal day. Kamy, one of my favorite hiking guides and friends, was assigned to shadow me the entire way which meant she got to carry my water, a welcome relief. The headphones went on and off we went. I tried to jog some of the bottom part of the path, partly to make the trip quicker and mostly for the benefit if the camera. The crew shot us leaving, hopped in the van and appeared a half mile into the trek. I was stopped to answer some questions and gave answers in between attempting to breathe. The crew appeared another couple times on the path and also shot footage driving up the parallel road. I believe I hit the road at about an hour. The crew had gone up to the top to shoot the first arrivers and so I used the bottom portion of the road to rest for the top part. Lisa, who has been a really good friend this week, hopped out of the van after finishing in a new personal best and helped push me up the hill. They filmed the last quarter mile with me fighting the urge to assume my hands on the knees dripping sweat position.Sharon and I ran the last 50 yards in to a cheering crowd. I turned around and went back 50 yards to walk in with a first day camper, and then invited everyone assembled at the top to get in my stop sign photo. My time was 1:54 but I think they cost me atleast ten minutes with the interviews :)

Let me give thanks to the people who really helped me on todays hike. Kamy, for being my sherpa leading me up that mountain. Sharon who always picks me up when I need it most. Lisa for caring enough to jump out and inspire me, and also for taking some of the pictures you see. First dayer Denise from Massuchusettes, who got sucked into the vortex without asking for it. Both she and I could have been talked into stopping at anytime but we both got there. The happy couple that yelled Sweet Baby James at me and said they loved the blog. I have no idea who you are but you're not at the Ridge, so that was somewhat surreal for me. All the fellow campers who stayed and cheered when we got there and who I proudly stood with at the Stop Sign.

I am running a little short on time this morning so I will try to finish this later tonight for you guys. Heres the happiest sign on the hike for sure. Have a wonderful day and I am back out to the mountain. Peace and TV Love, Jim