JYA - Joel's Weblog: All Good Stories Start in the Middle

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August 29, 2006

All Good Stories Start in the Middle

In my opinion, all good stories start in the middle. Sure the classics begin at the beginning, but it’s so much more interesting when you’re dropped into the street with two quarters, some hard rain, five burnt-out streetlamps, and a hero who doesn’t know what he’s looking for yet.

The problem with starting in the middle is choosing which middle to start with. Take my story. I could start with me writing an article for a humor magazine, surrounded by stray childhood toys, tons of books, a fortune from a fortune cookie tacked into a bulletin board that claims I’m the ‘chosen one’, and everything else in my room reading over my shoulder. Or maybe I could start when I’m onstage with some of my best friends in a play, with me pretending to be drunk for the audience and spouting a monologue in Russian. Or I could make it really interesting and start when I was soaring a couple hundred feet off the ground on a zipline in the Costa Rican rainforest, outpacing a parrot flying by.

I won’t. It’s flashy, but it’s careless. It’s not what you’re here for.

This tenth of the show is about me in India. I’m not leaving for India until September 20th. Today, the day I’m writing this, is August 29th. So if I try to tell you much about India, I’ll make whatever I say here sound silly now with what I say later, (which will be much more informed and interesting). So, in terms of things to write about now, that leaves: me.

The basics: I’m Joel. I’m from Seattle, WA. I go to school at the University of Chicago, in Chicago, IL. I'm six feet tall and weigh about 160 pounds and can scarf about that much ice cream in one sitting, (more if it’s chocolate chip cookie dough). I act, write, snap photos, and do a couple dozen other things I’m not very good at but have a blast doing anyway. I was a benchwarmer on my high school basketball team and spent a lot of time helping some of my teammates and our friends with their homework. I could read before I turned three, though my dad claims I couldn’t talk until I was about eight. I don’t smoke and never will. I love kids, animals, and the outdoors, and spend as much time with all three as I can. I’m the biggest sucker for the word ‘adventure’ you’ve ever met. I’ve been to at least seven different countries on three continents.

I’m about to add India to the list. You’re coming with me.

I’ve never been to India or anywhere near it geographically or culturally. I’ve been reading things like the Ramayana, Samskara and stories by Rohinton Mistry, Mark Tully, and James Cameron. Yet the more I read and research where I’m going, the less I feel like I know. People who have been all over the world have told me India gave them the biggest culture shock of their lives, bar none. I’ve been told that the scenery is breathtaking, the poverty is everywhere, and the mosquitoes carry malaria, dengue fever and other fun-filled goodies. (Luckily you folks won’t have to worry about that last bit. Unluckily, I will).

I will be in Pune, Maharashtra, a city of over 2 million people located 110 miles SE of Mumbai (aka Bombay). I’ll spend time on the road as well so you won’t see just the one city. I’ll be there until early December. I’ll be taking classes on Indian religion, politics, history, and culture, as well as a basic Hindi language course. All of these will be through The University of Chicago and the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS).

I think that’s enough. If you have ideas, questions, comments, insults, whatever, comment here on the site. I’ll be busy working at my job in the Woodland Park Zoo, studying Devanagari script, and of course, packing, but I’ll respond the best that I can.

~Joel

PS. One last thing: yes it is true I will be capturing some of my trip on camera for the show. However there are a lot of things you can’t see or do when you’re holding a camcorder. I intend to try a few of them. The way you get to hear about those things is by reading this blog. So if you only watch the video episodes, you are going to miss out. A lot of the coolest stuff will be right here. I’m willing to bet that that will apply to all ten of us out there, so keep that in mind.

Posted by Joel at 11:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (15) | TrackBacks (0)

Comments

Hey man,
I had a buddy that spent a summer in India. He said it was awesome, he helped to teach blind Indians about American culture. The one thing he told me that you might want to keep in mind is that there isn't a lot of toilet paper over there. BRING SOME. Good Luck

Posted by: Anonymous | September 13, 2006 03:30 PM

When are you coming home?

Posted by: Anonymous | September 13, 2006 07:41 PM

hi, joel!

it's so weird reading this and actually knowing who you are!

good luck!

Posted by: Sarah | September 13, 2006 08:57 PM

I liked your bio, particularly the part where you mention protraying a drunken Russian-- which I remember very well. I'm looking forward to your photos, videos and especially your thoughts and reactions to what you see and do in India.
Dane

Posted by: Dane | September 13, 2006 10:44 PM

Ack. You're on the Internet, and you're smiling in a way that doesn't show your teeth. Anyway, good luck in India! I am very jealous of your soon-to-be-traveling exploits, and will be checking the Internet regularly for your updates. Here, there, and everywhere.

Posted by: reebchan | September 14, 2006 06:08 AM

Hey Joel~ Did you leave for India yet? Thanks for your input! We won't be that far apart when I'm in Thailand maybe we could meet up in, I don't know, somewhere in between??

Posted by: Jason | September 14, 2006 11:11 AM

That's some pretty snappy writing there, mister. I was particularly amused by the bit about the ice cream. And I could get pedantic about a few good books that begin in medias res, but, y'know... why ruin a good hook? :)

Posted by: Rigault | September 14, 2006 04:20 PM

Hey, I tried to post a comment but it turned out blank!
I didn't see anyone saying this (yet), but I think I speak for everyone when the Bathhouse says, "Break a Leg!"
Have fun dude!

Posted by: Kelley | September 14, 2006 06:48 PM

Hey Joel!

Heheh, wow, Im glad that role stuck with ya. What a blast! Im SO glad you are doing this, its going to be wonderful! And ditto to the other comments - its wierd to see you up here, but awesome. Keep us all posted! (PS: Im working on a play now where people speak Russian...again! )

Posted by: Cassie | September 15, 2006 09:08 AM

Hey, It looks great so far. I agree with Sarah; it's kind of weird, but fun and cool to know a "star." We're looking forward to seeing your adventure unfold. Have a great trip!

Your big bro'

Posted by: Eric | September 17, 2006 09:21 PM

Hey, you got a great opportunity.. I hope its going to be great~!
How's you feel now ?

Posted by: Kai | September 18, 2006 07:01 PM

have a couple of samosas for me.

Posted by: raf | September 19, 2006 01:47 PM

Okay, let's see here...

Jason- I'd love to meet up, but I don't think it's gonna happen. Class schedule is a little too tightly set right now for me to go anywhere near there. If you manage to make it all the way out here, gimme a call.

Kai- It feels... geez, I don't know how it feels. Overwhelming. There's so much to take in, it's crazy.

Anonymous #2- Depends on where you're talking about when you say "back". I'm here for the quarter, I'll be back in Seattle mid-December then in Chicago early January.

...did I miss anybody?

Posted by: Joel | September 24, 2006 05:59 PM

Hello,
I'm a Chicagoan now but i grew up in Bombay and I've visited Pune a few times.. all I can remember from my trips there is that 1) everyone in pune seems to nap between the hours of noon and 4 pm !
& 2) there's a fort abt 25 kms from pune- called sinhagad (u can google it) which had the most fabulous sunsets and it's definately a place to visit if ur into historical places high atop mountains with breathtaking views :o)
I hope ur having an adventure and enjoying it too !
- Shivangi

Posted by: Shivangi | October 5, 2006 07:58 AM

I wish I could go to India. I will have to live vicariously through you, Joel.
I like chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream too. Tho it's not as good as mint chocolate chip.

Posted by: Starla | October 5, 2006 01:22 PM

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