A Dirty Tribute

Note: Quality Control tells me that next Sunday is actually the 13th and not the 12th. The event is on the 13th (I don't know why I'm bothering to post this since the only people who are coming are sleeping under the same roof as me right now). This probably ruins the rest of this particular blog. Oh well. Bon appetit.



As you are no doubt keenly aware, July 12 is a day fraught with historical importance for the Dirty Ten. As such, we are commemoratng the hallowed date with

The 1st Annual D10 DAYMAN Challenge




As part of the Dayman Challenge, the Chicago-based members of the D10 will spend an entire day, Hebrew style (sun up to sun down) confined entirely to the back deck of the D10 dojo.

Of the D10ers competing in this particular challenge (Hollywood, Boots himself, Jimmy "Nums", and Dirty V), the day holds a particular special sentiment for each of them. For Hollywood, it is because July 12, 1862 was the occasion that Congress established the Medal of Honor as the highest decoration in the land (and this heroic Dayman Challenge is probably his last, best chance at adding that particular bit of hardware to his trophy case). For Boots himself, July 12 is the anniversary of the "Treaty of Offensive and Defensive Alliance" According to Wikipedia, this treaty "had no effect in the Portuguese colonies (Brazil and Angola) that were under Dutch rule since it wasn't respected by both parties." This is a particularly poignant point for Mr. Himself because the concept of the Dayman Challenge (setting aside an entire day to do nothing of any tangible productivity) actually means little to nothing to someone who's been unemployed for 10 months.

For Dirty V, this midsummer juncture comes during a year that is a milestone anniversary in the history of Slip N' Slides. No, this year is not a grand commemoration of the introduction of the lubricated lawn luge, which first splashed onto the scene 47 years ago. What 2008 is, however, is the 10th year since the summer when Kenton and his sister were 13 and 12, respectively. (ED note: actially it's the 11th year since that time, but when we informed Dirty V of this, he insisted the disparity was immaterial, contending that "[S]he'll never be able to tell the difference.)

And, of course, for Jimmy "Nums," June 12th is the 326th anniversary of the death of French astronomer Jean Picard, for whom one of Mr. Nums' all-time favorite captains of the USS Enterprise is named.





D10 supporters, the road ahead will not be easy (nor will it be a road, so much as it will be a deck). Sunrise on the 12th is set for 5:28 a.m. Sunset for 8:37 p.m. (20:37). That is 15 hours and 9 minutes. We're probably going to be drinking this entire time. We're certainly going to run out of things to talk about. If one of us gets a case of the shits, it will probably mean the end for us (read: likely imprisionment and almost certain eviction). We will take on this challenge though to prove we are but one thing in the image of the Dayman:

Champions of the Sun