Samantha Brown

Chicago

Thu, 28 May 2009 12:05:55 -0400

Chicago is one of those cities that has it all: great food, a famous music scene, shopping and just to rub it in -- a beach. As a New Yorker I find it hard to contain my jealousy as I jog along the lakefront watching Chicagoans lay out in the sun, play beach volleyball and swim. But then I remind myself that they have only three months of nice weather ;-)

I stopped at a great neighborhood bar called the Map Room that serves over 200 types of beer that represent thirty different brewing styles. I feel at home because it's called "a travelers tavern" you could taste a world of beers without ever leaving your stool.

Moto is one of those restaurants you can't believe exists. Chef Homaru Cantu is a chef/molecular scientist/modern day Willy Wonka. Moto is one of the few places in the United States where you can experience molecular gastronomy. Which is a mad scientist approach to cooking to challenge the way we perceive and eat food. One thing is for sure this is a lot more fun than the ubiquitous male's club steak house. No offense but how much 15 dollar creamed spinach can you eat?

I get to join them in the kitchen, which is equally a lab. I help make a dessert that captures grapefruit juice in a solid sphere form that bursts in your mouth with an incredible flavor.

And I helped cook a rather large piece of meat with a blow torch.

Chef Cantu has an incredible sense of humor one of my favorite dishes is tuna tartare wrapped in seaweed to resemble a cigar that is then laid in an ashtray with salt and pepper made to look like discarded ashes.

We stayed at the uber stylish James Hotel. It's a great location right next to all the shopping but what makes me really happy is that Trader Joes is right across the street.

Next up -- Critical Mass. Critical Mass is an organization that promotes bicycles over cars. Every month nearly 2,000 cyclists come to the downtown area where the police close down the streets to automobiles.

Many cities across the US have their own critical mass -- it's a great event and the energy created feels wonderful. I am always happiest on a bicycle -- I think it just goes back to being a toddler when I got my cherry red tricycle with streamers on the handlebars.

Not everyone in critical mass is channeling her inner four year old. While shooting a man keeps driving by our cameras yelling *&@# the media!!! Our soundman James keeps yelling back "we are not the media!" But that doesn't deter our chummy anti-establishment guy from doing more laps and yelling more expletives at us.

While I am standing with my bike on the sidelines waiting for my crew to catch up with me a women goes by, points at me and yells "I hate you, your show *#@+'s!!

I yelled back "oh yeah, well your Bicycle *#@+ 's!!! (I'm kidding I really didn't say that) but I did think to myself how can you be in a bad mood on a bicycle?

I have been working with Christina (my stylist) for two years now and I just got mad and yelled at her for the first time. As we were crossing the street she was texting on her phone. I was like, "YOU CAN'T DO THAT! NO ONE IS THAT IMPORTANT! If I EVER see you do that again so help me …" I have also started scolding her for not drinking enough water and not using an earpiece for her phone.

Then it was time for me to perform improv on stage at Chicago's famous Second City. It's with their new students on their experimental stage but I really don't think I have been this nervous in a long time.

I used to do improv a lot in college and was apart of a sketch comedy group in my early years in NYC. I love it but know that being able to improv is like a muscle that you have to keep in shape. Right now I am the comedic equivalent of a couch potato.

I think I held my own, but I won't be going on Second City's professional stage anytime soon.

After we were finished my soundman James Demer confessed that he thought I was going to bomb.

We end the Chicago episode doing my favorite thing: the River architecture tour. This will make it my third time and it never gets old. That's probably because I have terrible memory retention and don't recall what I learned the last time.

samantha brown chicago bicycle critical mass james demer map room beer trader joes moto chef homaru cantu

Big Island Hawaii

Thu, 21 May 2009 15:05:06 -0400

I remember from my days of traveling here that The Hawaii National airport has outside gardens. This is perfect as I always crave breathing Real god made air, I don't care if it's muggy air, rainy, frigidly cold just as long as it hasn't been pumped thru a system, recycled for our breathing enjoyment.

The Hawaii National airport is special as most of it is exposed to the outdoors. The planes are right there and you could touch them as nothing is blocking you from doing so save maybe the length of your arms. Palm trees frame the open breezeways and it's highly common to see large palms and other tropical flora frame the large plans like Air Canada (I bet that plane is really happy) although it is scheduled to leave for frosty Vancouver in an hour. Anyway the greenery surrounding the plane acts like a large lei around the fuselage and you can't help thinking that this is what airports are like in paradise.

When I make it to the Big Island door-to-door I have been traveling for 16 hours and I am beat. It's funny how not moving can just wear you out.

When I walk into my room I see that I have a balcony that is almost out over the ocean. There are lights pointing into the water and as I go to unpack, something in the water catches my eye. There's something really big in there. I go out onto my balcony and what I see makes my eyes well up with tears it's so beautiful. Five giant Manta Rays swimming around. They're doing loop d'loops and showing off their white bellies. Sometimes they'll tip to the side like a plane in an air show. Their wing span must be 6 feet and as they come up out of the water to feed I can see they have the friendliest faces. Watching them you are totally in awe of these creatures and at the same time as delighted as watching puppies play.

I spend the next morning with Danny Akaka, who I have had the pleasure of working with many times in Girl Meets Hawaii and Great Hotels so it's really wonderful that he is a part of Great Weekends as well. He is a Hawaiian treasure who makes it his mission to pass on the spirit and History of Hawaii to all who visit. He also knows all the words to "How do you solve a problem like Maria?" from Sound of Music. Falsetto voice and all.

One of the best parts of this trip is seeing Mauna Kea, considered the tallest mountian in the world. When measured from sea level. Altitude sickness is an issue since we'll be climbing 13,000 feet and will lose about 40 percent of oxygen. We'll also be going from 87 degrees with a lot of humidity to just above freezing and completely dry. We are all really excited about what feels like a good old fashioned school field trip.

We watch the sunset at the top of Mauna Kea. Absolutely beautiful! From this view we can see Maui and the top of the 10,000 ft. Volcano Haleakala.

Ever blow a Conch shell? I got to try at the Luau at Kona Village. I've never been able to do this and thought that this time was going to be no different. But for some reason my first attempt I was like Wynton Marsalis and blew a note that even made the Conch blower impressed. Even my camera crew was taken a back and we just all stood around sort of stunned. Of course when I had to do it in front of 100 people. Nada.

When I come back to my room the next night the Manta rays are not there. I wait. Then go back to wash my face. As I go to turn on the TV I glimpse down and see one of them. I literally jump up in the air and yell Yay! Like I'm 8 and have been told I get to ride a pony. I go out onto my balcony and this time I tell them hello and how nice it is to see them again.

I now think I am becoming too attached to the Manta Rays. I start to get excited to see them when I put my key card in the door. It's like they have become my pets who greet me when I get home. (Whenever I come home, I will first hear my cat Fiona jump off the bed before she runs up to me) I love it but when I don't see them the last night I think it's an Omen. And I'm right the next two days are awful with bad news all around. I miss those manta rays.

samantha brown hawaii big island manta rays mauna kea volcano haleakala conch shell

Atlanta

Thu, 14 May 2009 15:43:19 -0400

This weekend is all about doing it up in high style in Atlanta. Atlanta is a city I have been to more than any in the world and yet not really. I have connected thru it easily a hundred times but have never stepped foot in it. At the airport it was very strange leaving thru the gleaming glass doors instead of running to the B terminal.

Starting our shoot at the Georgia Aquarium. I had no idea that Atlanta has the largest aquarium in the world and holds 3,000 fish and by fish I mean sharks, manta rays and whale sharks -- four of them to be exact. This is reason alone to go to Atlanta for the weekend.

I actually get to scuba in the largest tank in the world (they don't like to call it that) we enter the room that puts you above the aquarium. Picture an entire football field of water -- the size just overwhelms! You can look down and see the massive picture windows and the people pointing and staring.

I'm looking down into the water and see this magnificent shadow moving slowly like a large cloud that will block out the sun. What in the world is that?!? I ask. "It's the Whale shark, it's 22 feet long."

I'm a human blob right now so mired in conflicting emotions. I am scared, really scared of going in the water -- especially since my view gives me a good look at the Hammer head shark that's cruising around. But this is an opportunity of a lifetime. People who scuba their entire lives never enter waters this teaming with sea life.

If the hammer head wants my job, he is definitely in a position to do something about it. The Aquarium is aware of my fear and they send two other divers to make sure I remain alive to fulfill my Travel Channel contract.

What a feeling!!!! Once in, I felt very calm. At one point my guide points behind me and motions me to turn around to see what's coming behind. I shake my head vigorously no! then begin a mild panic attack that sends me up to the surface of the water.

Just then one of those 22 feet whale sharks pass under me, they swim at the surface so I literally had to grab my knees so I wouldn't be standing on him.

There are four of these Escalade sized mammals so they come by as frequently as a city bus. Now I'm not nervous any more just thrilled.

You don't hear them approaching underwater all of sudden they are a few feet below you and eclipse your view. I was so close that I would have to suck in my stomach to avoid its dorsal fin.

I thought I was totally in the zone and completely passed my anxiety until two 5 inch snappers zipped right up to my face and I screamed. I looked towards the big exhibition window and everyone was looking at me! The other divers told me it was the loudest scream they had ever heard.

Dinner scene is at one of Atlanta's favorite restaurants Rathbun's. Keith Rathbun is an intimidating large man who beat Bobby Flay on Iron Chef. He's also a total sweetheart who is excited to have some fun. We stage our own Iron Chef completion and use the patrons as judges. Watch the show to see if I win!

Next door is Keith's other establishment Krog Bar. What a gem! Incredible wine list and tapas menu and the atmosphere made me feel like I was back in Sevilla, or Valencia. A don't miss spot for sure and a real surprise in the city of Atlanta.

Then I spend the day with the Altanta Braves getting a pitching lesson from John Smoltz (who later went on to the Red Sox).

Its a little nerve racking when we do things like this -- meeting big time sports celebrities while having to learn to pitch which is considered one of the most difficult actions in all of sports -- or is that hitting a baseball? Yeah, I think I have that wrong. Hitting a baseball is more difficult than pitching ... tell that to my right arm.

John Smoltz turns out to be a gentle giant and because of the camps he runs himself for kids he's able to teach me pretty quickly.

I got a little over zealous with my throwing and nearly took out my camera man, Rory. He ducked at the very last moment. I like to keep my crew on their toes by showing 'em who is boss once in awhile.

I find out that some of the other Braves want to know what my marital status is. Apparently they want to set me up with John who is now newly single. With both our travel schedules it would never work. That and I am married. I found this to be very flattering though. John is not just a pitcher, he's a catch;-) Bad joke, I know.

I have done a lot of challenging activities while on this show but what I am about to do next is causing me more fear than when I competed in the rodeo.

I have to be in a fashion show and walk the catwalk. Ah geez.

The Fashion show is a part of Fashion Week in Atlanta, it's called HauteLanta. Very clever. I am to be modeling a dress made specifically for me by the wonderful designer Maria Harper. We sent my measurements to Maria and in one day she made me a GORGEOUS black party dress, devastatingly flirty and I feel like Audrey Hepburn in it. I LOVE IT. And most importantly I get to keep it.

Back stage at the Hautelanta -- CHAOS! It's a tornado of fabrics, make-up, hairspray and models with legs for days (then there's me -- stubby) all over the floor are those boob enhancers that look like raw chicken breasts. What we women do to impress.

Thank goodness there is nothing but pandemonium backstage, there was no time for me to get nervous for walking the catwalk. One second, I'm being sprayed with hairspray like I'm a weedy lawn and the next I'm in wings listening for my cue -- Billy Jean by Michael Jackson.

I got a very robust round of applause -- that gave me a lot of confidence. Now I have to rock out gold lame Daisy Duke short shorts. Again, I think I would rather be competing in a Rodeo right now.

At Varsity, a hot dog and hamburger joint that's been around since 1928! It's a Drive in as well, just park your car and the Car Hops will come out and take your order. Some still sing the menu like they used to when Nipsy Russell was a Curb man. You may want to avoid after a Georgia Tech game. With a parking lot that fits 600 cars and a restaurant that fits 800 people, you can imagine it gets pretty crowded.

I end the night by clubbing at Opera. It's a great space that used to be a beautiful theater with balconies overlooking a proscenium stage. We are really excited as a crew because this is a wrap of the episode. Tomorrow we just have to pack up and go home.

After everyone had a glass of champagne we all looked at each other and said - let's get out of here. My whole crew and I are like an old married couple. We all know we are tired and just want to go to bed. The boys have hours still to pack up their gear.

samantha brown atlanta whale shark georgia aquarium rathbunâs krog bar altanta braves john smoltz hautelanta daisy duke varsity opera

Charleston

Wed, 13 May 2009 15:47:00 -0400

The theme of my Charleston weekend is to face my fears. One biggie is getting on a horse. I'm only scared to get on a horse when I am on camera. Unfortunately that seems to be the only time I get on a horse. Horses don't understand "takes," they can become very jumpy when a camera is angled towards them and they definitely don't like any fast and sudden movements which is exactly how a shooting crew has to move in order to capture the horses. So there's a lot of conflict of interest.

We are at Middleton Place Hounds to shoot a Drag Hunt which is exactly like a fox hunt but no killing of a fox. I would absolutely refuse to do something like that. Drag refers to the fact that a scent is dragged thru the countryside and the hounds simply chase the scent. Much better.

Before I even get on a horse I am introduced to a nice young lady who immediately asks me to sign an insurance release. Now I am a bit fearful. As soon as I get on the horse, who was picked because it's "a total sweetheart" (I have found all horse owners are like parents who think their children are the most well behaved), Dave on sound picks up the boom mic abruptly which sends the horse up on its hind legs ... with me on it. Right now I am in the saddle of my fears.

I have never taken a drink on camera for my nerves but when I saw they were passing around Sherry, I downed it like it was a shot of tequila. A very nice gentleman sees how I am holding my reigns and tells me that if perchance I should fall off the horse (say when it rears up after having seen a boom mic) that my hands would become tangled and I would be dragged along side the charging horse. Is there any more sherry?

The drag hunt is over and it was a lot of fun but now I am dripping in sweat and my hair having been under a helmet would make medusa turn to stone. Its 6:20 and I have to be showered, made-up, hair redone and at a dance class learning the Charleston by 7pm. Uh oh.

Early in the morning I am training with the cadets at The Citadel. Just set my alarm for 3:15am. Ouch. I am still on Santa Barbara time. Double ouch. The U.S. Army on Jet Lag, should be fun.

Just trained with the army can barely pick up my blackberry and too tired to type. I am proud of myself because I pretty much kept up with the grueling calisthenics. It was the 2.5-mile run at 5:30 that really did me in. I kept thinking this work out would be so much easier with my Dance hits of the 80's mix.

The crew had a great breakfast at a place called Diane's where the specialty is poached eggs over crab cakes and fried green tomatoes on top of English muffins. I just go for scrambled eggs knowing full well that if I ordered that I would be out like Rip Van Winkle.

samantha brown charleston middleton place hound the citadel

Savannah

Tue, 12 May 2009 15:44:00 -0400

The Jinx bar here in Savannah puts on a Rock and Roll Bingo night. The crowd is tattooed and pierced and I love it. I think it's great that we are showing a side of Savannah that's not on the horse drawn carriage tour. Anyone ever been there?

Met a very talented tattoo artist, Chris Parry, who practices his art at a shop called Pain and Wonder tattoo. I ask his opinion on what should be my first tattoo and where he would put it. He told me it would be a small globe and he would put it on my ankle. Nice.

Gil is the MC of the evening. He's a local legend, foul-mouthed sweetheart who insists we do a shot together, I try to refuse but he will have none of it. The second time he insists the barman, (AKA my angel) can tell I am obviously no hard drinker and asks if he wants me to pour a doctored one -- a fake. So my second shot is a coke. The third time I am not so fortunate as I am standing on stage reading the Bingo numbers as an Irish Whisky shot is placed in my hands. Its 11pm, our day began at 7am. We didn't have time for dinner and so I know after I have this shot I am done for. Tomorrow my day begins with the Girl Scouts. What a strange job I have.

The Girl Scouts were of course adorable. I was a Brownie but not a Scout. I am a little crest fallen to see that they are not wearing sashes but vests as a way to display their badges. Apparently the Girls have a choice. When I ask why they went with the vest one girl said, "It's more professional," Did I say they were adorable?

Of course we don't leave until we get cookies. Thin Mints, Samoas and my personal fave Tagalongs (the Peanut Butter Patty). This is the first time I have demanded something in return for my autograph. When asked by one of the leaders, I answered back, "Only if I get cookies." I know when to play hardball.

Night ends with a little Murder Mystery Dinner theater. The restaurant is laid out in 7 tables of 8 and each table becomes a team that must watch the play and determine who the killer is. Is it the sexy ingénue? The beatnik poet? The Mafioso guy? The restaurant is completely surprised when the detective reveals the killer to be ... oh, you'll have to watch the show!

The very talented man playing the detective has never seen me on the Travel Channel and so when he announces my role in the whodunit he says that I am a talk show host. I, of course, turn the gun on him first and correct him.

samantha brown savannah jinx bar tattoo bingo murder mystery dinner theater girl scouts

Minnesota

Thu, 07 May 2009 16:44:35 -0400

Christina, James Demer (sound) and I all land together in the town of Duluth where we then have to drive two and 1/2 hours to the town of Ely (Ellie) self proclaimed Dog sledding capital of the United States. We stop for lunch at a local diner with a down home feel. We know we are in the right place when a board has listed over 15 types of pie.

We all love our mini road trip thru this new place and get even more excited when we see a Target because I need energy bars. We walked through the sliding doors and see a Starbucks. Perfect, our very last cappuccino! Our producer Ginny is wondering where we are and so we tell her we are having little field trips of capitalism before we hear the call of the wild.

When we went out for a dog sledding 101 run I just about froze my tuckus off. I think I have the right gear for this cold but clearly its not enough. We have those heating pads that you put in your boots and gloves. I am thinking about sewing them together to create a pair of heated bloomers.

Our camp is in a beautiful area tucked in the side of a lake. Guides went before to set up the fire for lunch and the big tent with the small wood stove that warms it up to a beautiful 70 degrees. (angels chorus).

My excitement for this new adventure has begun to mellow. For lunch its instant tomato soup, string cheese and pepperoni sticks. The latter two being hardened and tough to eat from the zero degree temp. The instant soup is a surprise instant hit. But it's now hitting me that I am sleeping here tonight.

We now have to start to make camp, that is make "winter camp" which is explained to me as being a lot like summer camping but just colder. I really dislike putting up the tent since the chilled metal poles have begun to freeze dry my hands but I love making an ice hole in the lake with a pick. I ladle in lake water into a bucket that will be boiled for soup.

We just made a bed for our team of dogs. We shovel snow and break off pine tree branches that the dogs will arrange with their own paws to create their comfy place to sleep. I love doing this, taking care of the dogs, tucking them in for the night has calmed my nerves and helped mentally prepare me for my own night on the ice as well. Animals just make everything better.

Tonight it will reach ten below zero and I am sleeping on a bed of ice. I run around to get my heart rate up and body temperature so I will insulate my sleeping bag and remain warm for the rest of the night. But I don't close my sleeping bag properly and almost all my warmth escapes.

Don the guide zippers me in correctly and things are getting better but now I can't sleep. I mean I am wide awake. My feet get cold and I was told by the guides that the best thing to do is to switch your sox while in your sleeping bag which is so tough to do you actually get hot. But here's the thing -- if I do that it draws attention to the fact that I'm in this tight sleeping bag and I start to have a claustrophobic panic attack. So I just lie there, but that's not helping me get warm, so I remember Don told me another trick: do sit-ups until you fall asleep. So that's what I did and it worked until…

The scariest sound I have ever heard. The lake just bellowed a sound it makes when its freezing, like a death charge emitted far away that gradually gets nearer, the ice begins to rumble and the sound goes right under you.

When you use lake water there are small remnants of the woods that still persist to be there even after the boiling. Bits of twig, pine needles etc. it's all harmless but I am not used to my coffee being on the chunky side. I drink using my teeth as a barrier so that only the liquid coffee gets filtered through.

Just got back from Dog sledding in the woods. Got a little hairy on the trails there, one time we even catch some air as we go over a big log. I felt less like I was on a dog sled and more like I was riding on the General Lee. It's the Dukes of Hazard up north. But I realized that falling off the sled was about as much fun as riding it.

Paul just went down, we were shooting a ski scene on the ice and his ankle snapped. He was yelling in pain and just dropped like a sack of potatoes. We think he tore a tendon. We are all really worried about Paul because he is our rock. When he was carried away on the snowmobile we all feel a little empty.

The show must go on and thankfully on this trip instead of having an assistant producer we have another shooter, Josh Otte operating a smaller video camera. Josh is here to help get coverage but he has just been promoted to first camera.

Man I am beat. Two hours of sleep, the biting cold and getting knocked off a dogsled a handful of times have really begun to take its toll. But we have packed up the camp and are heading back to the lodge. We shoot one more dog sledding sequence and it's the coldest yet. The wind across the lake is so brutally frigid and I have still one more scene to shoot: A sauna, then the jump in the lake through the hole cut into the ice. The thought that I am actually going to be colder than how I feel now is simply terrifying.

We get word back from Paul at the emergency room. His foot is broken in two places and he has a torn tendon. The news is worse than we thought.

I did the cold lake plunge-and it was awesome. If you ever have the chance to do this go for it! We end the night with a fantastic dinner by Chef Bernard of Turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and brussel sprouts. It's a Thanksgiving dinner and it's perfect for how I feel about this incredible experience, my job and my wonderful crew. Overwhelmingly thankful.

Side note: once the dinner was through the rest of my crew: Ginny, James, Josh and even Christina went to the Sauna and to jump into the lake. Paul, the poor guy, was stuck in the lodge with his newly broken foot.

samantha brown minnesota dog sledding ski chef bernard of turkey sauna

Philly

Tue, 05 May 2009 22:24:00 -0400

We are in Philadelphia this weekend to shoot an episode. I think this city has to be one of the most underrated cities in the States. It's historical, hip, romantic and fun. Can't beat that!

We are spending the day going to some of the best places for a beer in Philly. I would be much happier about this if I didn't have a mean sore throat and was starting to feel sick. Why can't we go around tasting the best places for chicken soup?

The Monks café made this wine lover a beer-drinking girl. Tom Peters who owns this famous establishment makes his Bible of beers less intimidating by his passionate yet laid-back demeanor. He opened up a beer aged in Pinot Noir casks that was lovely. I have to watch myself on Belgian beers, as the alcohol content can sometimes be double what it is here. Tom went down as "the best man in history" by my on-camera friends and crew as he treated us all to what many consider to be the best beer in the world, the Trappist Westvleteren. It's certainly one of the most exclusive beers in the world. Only way to get it is to go to the Monastery in Belgium itself. Once you pay for it they give you a receipt that says NOT FOR RESALE. The monks are adamant that their Brewery remains a not for profit. The Monks only brew what they need to financially support their lives as Monks. I don't know a lot about beers but I can tell you it was a revelation. After the first sip works its way down your throat you think -- I could live on this alone. It's the most perfect beer I have ever tasted. I didn't get to eat at the Monks Café but the food looked absolutely amazing. I was told the mussels are a specialty. Actually I did get to sample some incredible french fries with a garlicky mayonnaise dipping sauce. That will sop up the beer.

The South Philly Tap Room, is a laid-back neighborhood establishment. This is definitely a place I would go to meet friends and enjoy a beer but I feel terrible so when the scene is done and we break for dinner I go to the crew van and sleep.

South Street in South Philly is a great street mixture of old nostalgic Philly and its funky art present. We are here for the Magic Gardens, a work of art almost 40 years in the making. Isaiah Zagar is the man behind this enigmatic world of mosaics that engulfs you to the point where you feel like you are almost submerged. And its only three bucks to get in.

Philly has the greatest concentration of murals than any other city! Did you know that? Over 2,800. The mural project was started in 1984 as a way to bridge the huge racial divide polarizing neighborhoods at that time. Now other cities all over the world come to the Mural project to see how they can achieve the same harmony thru the arts.

If you log on to muralfarms.org you can get a list of the public works and create your own tour. Best thing it's totally free.

I liked Philly a lot last time I was here was before we shot Passport to Europe so now that I am back there are parts and aspects of this city that to me feel very European. I realize with the world-class museum this could be a nice "European weekend" that's accessible to everybody.

Next up: The Eastern State Penitentiary -- definitely not to be missed when in this city. Just fascinating how the compound was designed so that criminals could give penitence to their crimes. I never realized the connection between those two words.

Sean Kelly is the curator who is giving me the tour but his passion and heartfelt love for this place makes him more like a Steward. At the end of every tour you are taken to the top of the guard tower for one of the best views of the city. Usually, in the winter you get a cup of hot chocolate but instead my producer Michael thought Champagne would be more festive. It's night, all the lights of the city are sparkling and both Sean and I feel a little awkward at the romantic implications. I mean the poor guy actually had to say "would you like a glass of champagne" and make it sound like it's something he always does. Sean also got a chance to work with the Ghost Adventures Crew so I told him it could have been worse: he could have had to ask Aaron, Nick and Zak if they wanted a glass of bubbly.

Then I got to play a little ice hockey with some of the players on The Phantoms, the minor league team that supports the Flyers. I've always regretted not playing a sport in school and if I did this would be it. It's a lot of fun out there on the ice and I was getting the hang of it pretty quickly. Unfortunately the only women's ice hockey teams are -- where else -- in Canada.

My favorite part of learning some moves was the Checking part. I learned how to and how not to show someone who is the boss and I think this could really come in handy as I navigate thru airports and such. I think just holding a hockey stick people would take me a lot more seriously.

At the very end I turned too fast in my skates, was skating backwards, lost my balance and fell right on my tuckus, my head snapped back and I wacked it on the ice … cut.

Next up: Learning how to box like the pros at Tenth Round in Philadelphia. My sparing partner happens to be a woman named Sacred the 6-time National Champ. I am not only nervous but absolutely full of fear and apprehension. Whenever I get really nervous about something I start to snap at my crew (sorry bout that guys) I really just want it to be over.

I love sports but I am not a fighter. Let me correct that -- if pushed too far I will tell someone off in an instant but actually hit someone. I don't think I can do it. My trainers, Liana and Pedro, tell me that I'll get over that really fast once I feel the fist of another fighter against my head, my very well protected head, that is.

Like I said I am to be sparing with a lovely woman named Sacred. She knows that I know nothing and to go reeeaaaal easy but when the bell is rung I see in her eyes she means business. She has that psychological psyche out the competition thing down. We begin with just light tapping of our boxing gloves but as we both bore of that, we branch out. Meanwhile trainers are yelling what types of punches and moves we should do as well as progress reports. Not surprisingly I am not doing well and all the screaming is actually unnerving. I am a wimp, I don't care, that's just what I am. At one point Sacred is faking a punch but at the same time I duck a little to get in a lower jab. My movement helps land her gloved fist squarely on my nose. It's a light but strong enough touch to startle the heck out of me. As I am dancing around the ring, wishing I was back in Great Hotels eating turn down chocolate, I start thinking how highly choreographed stage combat is. Am I nuts to be in this ring? No doubt that Sacred and I are both trying to improvise this as best as we can and I know she has no intention of doing any damage but then I feel the hit on my nose again. This time I realize how stupid this whole thing is and stop the fight mid -round. So just so you know, I didn't even go two rounds.

samantha brown philadelphia philly boxing monk's cafe tap room ghost adventures crew eastern state penitentiary phantoms hockey