As I mentioned here before, I will be joining about a dozen fellow media types tomorrow for the Chattanooga Prostate Cancer Walk at Raccoon Mountain. It's not too late for you to get involved by going to chattanoogaprostatewalk.org and either registering to do the 4- or 2-mile walk, or by becoming a sponsor. Team Zaxby's, as we are calling ourselves since they are providing lunch, will be doing an 8-mile walk.

The event is designed to make people aware of the need to be tested. Fellows, I had the colonoscopy test done just this week, and I can honestly say I've had haircuts that were more traumatic. Of course, there is the little matter of drinking some chemical designed to rid your body of everything you've ever eaten, including the pureed carrots you had as a toddler, but even that wasn't that bad. More inconvenient than anything.

Seriously, the most uncomfortable part of the whole ordeal was when the nurse ripped the tape off my hand while removing the IV. My wife will attest that I am a big baby when it comes to illnesses or doctor visits, and I of course imagined all kinds of reasons for not doing it.

My main goal was to not be the guy the nurses laugh about over drinks after. None of my nightmare scenarios -- pain, embarrassment, awkward moments -- happened.

If I can do it, you can too, and it might save your life.

While on the subject, some of you sharp-eyed readers may have noticed in the earlier column about tomorrow's walk that I inadvertently put an extra "r" in Prostate. That reminds me of a joke about a popular pope who died and went to heaven. Told by St. Peter himself that he was being given free reign of heaven, the pope said he wanted only to be shown the library.

A week or so later, a loud scream thundered out from the library, shaking the heavens.

The angels ran to the library and found the pope standing over a book, shouting. "I knew it. There is an 'r' in there. The word is "celebrate."

* Today begins the voting phase of the FYI Music Awards. You can go to fyiawards to cast your vote online or by text message. Next week, we will publish a ballot also. The awards show is scheduled for Nov. 13 at Rhythm & Brews.

We've been very pleased with the number of people who took the time to nominate their favorite acts and hope even more will vote.

E-mail Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com