OK, so the Herald-Leader was having its seasonal blood drive this afternoon, so I decided to slip in a donation before running down to Wilmore to set up the H-L/kentucky.com Ichthus Bureau. Yes, I donated a pint of blood, then took a 30 minute drive down to Ichthus Farm to walk around in 90+ degree heat and put up two tents.
Usually, I donate a pint, come back up to my desk to type, read and make phone calls. So, I guess I had kind of forgotten that the Blood Center folks are serious when they tell you to avoid strenuous activity after donating. I 
realized that sitting on the big rock next to our abode wondering if I was about to pass out or vomit. Thank God intern Yvette Lanier was with me, and thank God for a family from north of Indianapolis that stopped and helped us finish setting up camp. If you're heading out to Ichthus this weekend, I hope you encounter people with the same generous, helpful spirit. (The mom looked at me as only a mom can -- you idiot, with warmth -- when I mentioned feeling woozy from the donation.)
Obviously, I would advise against giving blood and then going to Ichthus, though I do strongly endorse giving blood. I would also advise if you are coming out, be prepared for heat. Although our online reporter Todd Van Campen is certain the start of Ichthus means an end to our moderate drought in CKY, the weather forecast just promises temps in the 80s and 90s without much promise of relief from wind or rain. So drink the liquids, put on the sun screen, get out of the sun if you start feeling ill, and watch out for each other. There, that was the dad in me.
Ichthus is underway. Wednesday appears to be the new Thursday Ichthus week as Yvette and I passed a steady stream of traffic heading down US 68 to the farm as we whizzed back to Lexington. The music has started too, with Family Force 5's funky grooves headlining a set at the Deep End Stage with surprise guest John Reuben. We will be back out there tomorrow, blogging, photographing, and we can't wait to see y'all.
(The H-L's Charles Bertram was out taking pictures today. Up top, some fans had their Third Day loyalties on their bumper, car body and window, and just above, Jonny Gifford and Ryan McKenzie get lights ready on the main stage.)
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