pedal to the metal

Coach didn't lie when he said we were gonna go "pedal to the metal".  Today was another barnburner, 3x1500 @34, which is a tough workout by itself, but doing it two days in a row is brutal.  The switching today was between Charlie Cole of Yale and Nareg of Cal.  I think Charlie won it pretty clearly, but they were switching into bow pair of an 8, so seat racing is somewhat subjective.  Rowing with Charlie is fun because when his boat gets some momentum, he lets out war whoops barbaric  enough to frighten Magua.  I'm still just hanging-and-banging in 5 seat, waiting for the dreaded words: "bring the boats together, we're gonna switch Stafford and Morgan."  The coaches are coaching less and instead just hitting us with workouts.  I think they realize the need to select the boat as quickly as possible.  

Last night I went to see a movie, "The Visitor", with my host, Leslie, and two recent graduates who are friends of hers.  I really enjoyed the movie, and would recommend it, although it is very slow-moving.  It really captures the frustration of poor immigrants in America, and the characters were very likable.  Its the type of movie my parents would really like.  The friends of Leslie were amiable too.  Colleen graduated from Dmouth last year, and works in admissions here.  It was good to hear someone be enthusiastic about Dartmouth, given that my only dartmouth friend transferred away from Dartmouth.  The other girl, Jessica, rowed at UCLA the same year I did, though I don't think our paths ever crossed.  Small World.  I'm not sure if this was supposed to be a date, a meat-market, or just random, but it was pleasant to meet some young folks from the area.