Dedicated to Jonesy

Mrs. Rauch requested a new post several days ago, while we were in Omaha. We have all been saying that the next one is going to be dedicated to her, Jonesy. I'm coming through on it right here. right now.

11am here and my fellow road trippers are all sound asleep in their beds. We had a late night last night exploring Denver's nightlife (which comes to an abrupt end at 2am) followed by chatting into the wee hours of the morn in our chic little home here.

For those who know what these means, there are potential Lizz's Gang members all over. Last night Mike and I split off from Kim and Sean so we could better evaluate the scene. We wound up in the back of one of those bike-taxis. $10 and the kind bicyclist dropped off right in front of a great area. As we dismounted our ride, I befriended a man who we at first thought was homeless, but then invited him around with us and reffered to all night as Felipe after he told a bad joke from a Cheer's episode about Woody and Felipe and stealing Mike's girlfriend (me). We also called him Barac and Tiger for he spoke much like Mr. Obama and had the face of Mr. Woods.

Yesterday Sean and I shot cans and water bottles (with his new BB gun) off a makeshift wall made of wood and paint cans.

The past two nights we've made each other surprise dinners in teams of 2. Not eating at crappy diners everyday where fruit salads consist of either mooshy fruit or fruit cocktail from a can has been nice. Night 1 kim and mike made a stir fry filled with veggie and chicken and mashed potatoes on the side. Last night sean and I made steak, some over-the-top salad, and roasted potatoes. So far, tonights menu consists of burgers and corn on othe cob.

In Omaha, at MAMF (Mid Atlantic Music Festival, where kim played her big set), we all got paper wristbands to grant us full access to all the venues. The next morning, we decided to create a challenge with them: Ehoever still has their wristband on when we get to Collingswood wins whatever is left in the Kitty. (The Kitty must at all times have at least $40).
Sean's band has quickly become severely discolored, Mike is just about ready to cut his off and kim and I are going strong.

Talking about games, we've all decided to have new names when we go out. Mike is Kyle, Sean is Rudy, Kim is going with Kimberly, and I'm Birdie.

Though it's died down slightly since our delerium has lessened, we've come to give everything a nickname. Here is an abridged version:
SRSB - Steven Rauch Senior Bag (where the computer and all wires are)
NYUB - Mike's NYU blanket
PSB - Purple Satin Bag (our main lifeline for supplies in the car)
James - the radio ipod thinger
Motha' - The ginormous box of goldfish (soon to be replaced by Mother II)
Lumos - this is used in many ways, but originated as, most obviously, a flashlight.
HW - Hand Woven. As in the hand woven basket of Mrs. T's that we have and are continually careful of.
SRSC - Steven Rauch Senior


we've also all adopted a thick long island accent that has yet to get old.

At 1am on our way into Denver (where the only radio station was playing music box music), it took an eternal amount of time and many virtually-abandoned towns to find a Denny's (or anything that hadn't been abandoned for ten years) to enjoy the french fries and pancakey goodness it offered.There was a serious Madonna induced dance party in the parking lot afterwards. A leftover pancake was much appreciated as a weapon during said dance party. Three days later, said pancake is still a grand weapon, now hard as a rock and still smelling of denny's.

11:36 and with a groggy "hhello," Michael is the next awake.

Day 10 and the only thing on the agenda is a bike ride tonight with some sort of themed bike team. Tonight is mustaches and ugly sweaters. Later this week is a roller derby, meeting up with relatives, balloon festivals, natural amphitheatres, and WHATEVER WE WANT!

11:46 and now everyone is awake and (not) rarin' to go.