And The Groundhog Said...

this is me (far left) earlier this month at the groundhog festival up in punxsutawney, pennsylvania--home of groundhog's day for those of you that don't know (which seems to be most). Trying to get a picture of that lovable, squirrely vermin, but all i could get was trees and masonic top hats so i won't post those pictures here. bill murray's groundhog's day is actually much different from the real deal. the movie wasn't even filmed in pennsylvania, but in fact, in new york. no lovely park or quaint town square. just trees and mud and sad, indifferent conversations about when this groundhog's going to kill over. the moment the men in the funny top hats, the "inner circle" (which i believe the masons figured, "that title sounds friendly and inviting and in no way creepy. don't you?"), announced to the crowds from a scroll carrying a pre-determined forecast--and no, the groundhog did not write it, that we'll be seeing winter for another six weeks, everyone BOO'd and literally ran in unison towards the busses at the enterance to leave. from where i was standing in the picture below you could probably see my terror. like a tidal wave of enraged chipmunk enthusiasts hurdling towards me! i nearly let out an ear piercing squeal and shot into the air and ran with the crowd! It was like that scene from the lion king when mufasa was running through the antelope--and nearly had the same ending for me. ...eh, i might've dramatized the situation a bit, but you get the idea. so that's the real groundhog's day festival.

ps, the groundhog was wrong as usual.