This is an attempt at a new way of annotating my photos. If you would rather just look at the photos, you can [view the set directly](http://www.flickr.com/photos/remydwd/sets/541846/).
Today, the three of us – Katie, our good friend Thom, and I – trekked out from Astoria at an hour far too early for anyone’s good towards Coney Island, to observe the Nathan’s 2005 Hot Dog Eating Competition.
The sites! The sound! The spectacle! The sweet sweet buns!
> On July 4, 2005, the eyes of the world will focus on Coney Island, NY, for what is believed to be the 90th installment of the [Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest](http://www.ifoce.com/contests.php?action=detail&eventID=28). Four-time world champion Takeru Kobayashi of Japan will look to make history as he defends his title against top eaters from around the globe.
We are leaving shortly to hone in on Coney Island. The event is being [televised LIVE on ESPN](http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tvlistings/index?date=20050704&time=1200&B1=Go) at noon EST. If you’re really dying to see me on TV while small asian people pound down hotdogs, this is your best opportunity.
EDIT: We’re here. We are on the right side of the stage, on Surf Av, behing the espn commentators booth. I am standing next to a large black guy in a black hat – Katie is in front of us on the fence. Shouldn’t be hard to see.
Major congratulations to close friends Neil & Rachel on their just-announced engagement. I know the two of you have been pondering this for a while, and it’s great to see you two making the leap.
Now comes the real fun: wedding planning! For those of you who have never been through it and want to experience similar fun, merely acquire a pair of tweezers. Then, simply attempt to pull each and every hair out of your head one at a time.
At this rate, we will have had three Cornell weddings in three years – this is a scary trend.