BEHIND INSANITY IS REASON

Editorial note:I bumped something else that was supposed to appear here this time around because I just had to let you know about this psychopath.I consider the man a friend so, that was said with all due love and respect.

Just recieved an e-mail from Webism cofounder,Dr.Rodney'Pygoya'Chang.He'd informed me of his intentions to go run in the Kilauea Volcano Wilderness Marathon.A marathon around Kilauea,an active volcano with lava flowing regularly into the ocean that has recently been extremely active.Why am I telling you this??

HE WANTS TO GO RUNNING AROUND A FUCKING VOLCANO!!

that's why....

Here's some pictures that he sent of it.It's not a welcoming place.It's not a place for a man or woman of any age to be running,unless of course you consider running away from flowing lava to save your ass a worthy leisure time pursuit.....and this man is 61!!

So,what's all this got to do with art you say??Well,if you live your life right it IS art.The Dadaists and the Surrealists had it right with the whole idea of gestalt.And Dr.Chang is living that reality.Running,for him,is an art.When I wrote to him after seeing the above pics I had only one question for him."What the hell is wrong with you,you fucking madman?!".And here was his reply.

Hi Jim,
BEHIND INSANITY IS REASON, so i write -

1. 61, if I'm going to try I'm not getting any younger
2. change from red to yellow eruption alert 2 days ago
3. less miniquakes from a week ago
4. got 4 of 5 Hawaii marathons completed
5. average of 5 over 60s ran it during past 4 years
6. never lost a runner
7. active eruption threatening lst time in decade so maybe special sign?
8. lst of 20 marathons whereby knees don't hurt, why????
9. newfound run-walk-run - (walk) strategy from Kona; run in SEGMENTS
10. new motivation for weights and do hills-make training different from ordinary long flat miles
11. philosophical - flee motivation during Nam war days, now take the offensive and show bravery
12. philosophical - my "Mt Everest" to conquer in life
13. if eruption or get hurt, lost, etc. - experience and material for another novel?
14. marathoncoursephotos.com - promises to be the best photos ever
15. if i don't make it, try to make it to an aid station and head back with help
16. run the toughest marathon in the world and brag about it or say "I tried'
17. role model for extended family and own family
18. think, act, stay, younger than real age
19. challenge of mind power over body limitations
20. adrenaline rush
21. back to the Big Island - my favorite island; look at properties at Volcano again with realtor JJ
22.get no. 21
23. if don't make it, still lots of great photos
24.,male , husband thing - mom: NO, you're not going, too old, too dangerous; You're so stubborn!
25. test the knees on hills of a volcano when ok after flat Kona
26. run mostly in solitude over lava fields when field spreads out, maybe see something special like UFO, god, Pele?
27. maybe photo of real lava?
28. Kona's over, don't feel like retiring from running, so now what?
29. Fear Factor to conquer
30. always took the least risky choices of physical safety, want to do something opposite just once
31.be part of an elite runner group; fellow runner fellowship
32. don't act my age
33. do it for the seniors
34. get digital photos for an art digital show
35. experience renting in a Volcano bed & breakfast 1912 house
36. try for the coveted Finisher's Medal
37. possibly helicopter or Ranger on horseback rescue
38. beat the odds and not get stuck in the epicenter of a major earthquake like one that hit couple months back
39. nice photo of self running in lava fields for web site, for Webists site
40. be able to tell my grandchildren "I did Volcano" and when it was threatening to erupt.
41. return to the rain forest where I had a half acre lot
42. make friends with runners at lounge
43. finally find myself on the run, after trying to decide to attempt the mountain since turning 59 and discovering it at marathonguide.com
44. prepare differently from usual marathon - gloves, cellphone, laser, gas mask or surgical mask, water canteen
45. answer the question once and for all: is it hot to run it in July or cold yet because of the elevation ("don't usear shades because they fog and you stumble, you're running in the clouds")
46. find out, once and for all, just how hard this run is.. hyped or the real deal killer run
47. get another economic marathon under my belt
48. get another marathon this year (Phoenix, Kona), this age
49. something to think about, worry about, when I'm IN Roswell, alien city
50. listen to great music on my iPod as I run alone in the silent mystical lava fields

I will be featuring some of this psychotic run against incineration in a future issue as well as some of Pygoya's digital artistry so stay tuned.You can always go to his website to see if he made it out with his skin intact!!