Wacky News

Did anyone else hear about the man that was living in an attic in Wilkes-Barre? Not so shocking till you find out he was living there without the consent or knowledge of the homeowners. Apparently he was wearing their clothes, eating their food and I would imagine using their bathroom. They noticed things were missing and called the police. When the police showed up with dogs and he heard them he gave himself up. Well while it was odd, maybe they could have worked something out if he would do some light housekeeping or other chores.

YPEL Week 17 Results

Dave 8-8 this week; 154-85; 0.644 % (in the lead)
Susan 11-5 this week; 151-88; 0.632 % (-0.012)
Bruce 11-5 this week; 159-96; 0.624 % (-0.020)
Kevin 11-5 this week; 156-99; 0.612 % (-0.032)
Cassie 7-9 this week; 129-126; 0.506 % (-0.138)
Fill 9-7 this week; 125-130; 0.490 % (-0.154)

Get ready for the playoffs!

YPEL Week 16 Results

Dave (is it time to play monopoly yet division) 146-77; 0.655 %
Susan (70 degrees by the pool division) 140-83; 0.628 %
Bruce (we actually have seasons division) 148-91; 0.619 %
Kevin (yeah what he said division) 145-94; 0.607 %
Cassie (is that the doorbell or the TV division) 122-117; 0.510 %
Fill-Up (is that Mama's food I smell division) 116-123; 0.485 %

Woody's Movie Review 2

Well its movie time again...

Christmas Day has always been a movie(s) day for us, either rentals or ones we now own.

Let's start with the animated film "WALL E". I give this one 3 penguins. It was good and I did get some laughs, however it was a little slow in the beginning. But as good as the movie was the two animated shorts in the special features were better 5 penguins without any problem, especially the one about the magician.

We also watched "Christmas with the Kranks" starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis. The Kranks decide to skip Christmas because their daughter isn't going to be home. They encounter the problems associated with that due to their neighbors zeal for the holiday. It was good but not great I give it 3 penguins.

I saw "Death Race" recently. I would have to give it 4 penguins due to the fact that it has what every movie needs...car chases, explosions and beautiful women. It stars Jason Statham and Tyrese Gibson. Jason is a convict forced to participate in the Death Race (clever huh) well once he agrees the body count starts to climb and they go through more cars than a Dukes of Hazard reunion show. Well maybe not that many. Not recommended for the little ones but good for us adults.

On a side note they could really spruce up some movies with those three things. My Mom's favorite movie is ugh "The Sound of Music". I would certainly be willing to watch it with her if there was a good long shootout/car chase. The kids fleeing from the Nazis in a supped up Nomad station wagon, maybe they all make it, but it will be exciting finding out. Oh and when the Von Trapps are singing how about some sweet pyrotechnics going off behind them. "Doe a deer a female deer, BOOM KABOOM BAM POW!!!" Now you're talking a movie I could watch.

And lastly if you haven't seen "Unknown" with James Caviezel and Greg Kinnear I highly recommend it, a 5 penguin movie if there ever was one. 5 guys (3 kidnappers and 2 hostages) with a bad case of amnesia trying to figure out who is who. The movie tag line says it best: "Trust no one. Fear everyone."

Christmas 2008

Well Christmas day has come and gone. But if I may be sappy, the memories live on forever. There was no melted coffee mug or decapitated angel this year but it was still a wonderful day. My Dad made us breakfast that included, according to my Mom, "The best bacon ever". We then opened our stocking presents with "The Ruth Numbers System" (patent pending). We called my sister and her husband in Tampa, Fl so we could open their presents and they could open theirs. Once that was done, we opened our presents to each other. And let me just say at the end of the day, THANK YOU EVERYBODY! I heard yesterday on the radio a DJ ask people to call in with the worst gift that they received this year. For me that is an easy question to answer. My worst gift was not being able to see my sister and brother-in-law's reactions to their presents as they opened them. Oh well maybe next year we will step up from a cell phone set to speaker to a web cam. Well my Christmas Day was filled with great surprises, my parents reactions and getting some things I asked for. So to all of you...Mom, Dad, Susan, Dave, David, all our extended family and my friends everywhere from Lancaster and Lititz to North Dakota and Wyoming,

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hail The Conquering Plumber

At a recent church service the pastor was talking about Hernando Cortes and he said that Cortes was a conqueror. He then said that in those times being a conqueror was a common thing. It was about like being a banker or PLUMBER today. WOW, can you imagine there is a knock at your door. You answer it and there in the doorway is your Conqueror. With a plunger for a sword, a drain snake as a whip and an old washer door as a shield he is ready to take over your bathroom (or laundry room) laying waste to all who stand in his way. Kinda gives you chills don't it.

My Birthday 2008

This year was great. On the Friday before my birthday I met my parents and we drove down to Arlington, VA. When we got up on my birthday we got dressed and ventured out into the cold. Our destination, Arlington National Cemetery. We arrived and had to wait a little while in the cold but at the appointed time a representative from the cemetery went to the podium to discuss the days event. We were there to help place over 10,000 wreaths on the tombstones of our fallen heroes. The fact that it was my birthday was just an awesome coincidence. Several people spoke before we got started, including the man who DONATES these wreaths each year (this was the 17th). He said that this year there were 2 tractor trailers full and next year there will be 3! That's over 16,000 wreaths. There were probably 3 or 4 thousand volunteers who braved the cold that morning. Our task went smoothly and quickly. But to stand back and see all those wreaths was awesome. We also put wreaths at the tombstones of my Mom's great-aunt and great-uncle. Then it was back to the hotel where I received my gifts. The new 2008 Hess Truck, a Rick and Bubba book, a gift certificate to Apple Tree restaurant and dinner that night. We also went to the Smithsonian Institute of American History. All in all one GREAT birthday. This was our second year helping place those wreaths and we are probably going back next year. If you are able I would recommend taking the time to go and volunteer. A small price to pay to show our fallen the kindness they deserve. However for those not into traveling I think they also have some wreath ceremonies here locally.

Woody's Movie Review

I watched "The Strangers" last night and it was good 4 penguins out of 5 (stars are boring anybody can use stars) (same goes for thumbs). It stars Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman as a couple terrorized by a group of people in masks. Not too much bad language that I recall. It was very suspenseful in that "Don't Go In There!" way. Some blood but not too much.

I also recently saw "Get Smart" with Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway. I am always suspicious of movie execs dragging out old 70's shows to make movies as they are usually not very good. However this one was great. I laughed out loud at several different parts and even had to rewind a couple just to see it again. No language and appropriate for all. I give it 5 Penguins (a perfect score).

And lastly to prove I don't hand out penguins like candy I give "You don't mess with the Zohan" starring Adam Sandler a very low 1/2 penguin. I would say you don't rent the Zohan. It was crude and in my humble opinion "Stupid". Don't bother with this one, you'll thank me.

Life Group Secret Santa Party

Well we had our life group secret Santa party last night. Kudos to Linda for the delicious lasagna (2 kinds). We all had fun talking throughout dinner, and then came time to exchange gifts. In a weird twist the first two people directly exchanged with one another, then the second two people as well. Since there are seven in our life group the last three of us exchanged amongst ourselves. I believe everyone enjoyed not only receiving their gifts but moreover giving their gifts. And isn't that what it's all about. I myself received a copy of Memento (if you haven't seen this one go out and rent it now) on DVD and a DVD of Jeff Dunham (the ventriloquist with the purple gorilla), thanks to my secret Santa; Corey. We then played Mexican train dominoes, I think my life group is hooked. So thanks to my life group for a wonderful time. Merry Christmas to Linda, Kim, Margie, Ang, Konrad, Corey and who could forget Snickers. And to all a good night.

The Week That I Almost Gave Up Plumbing.

Let's see, this past week was to put it mildly a catastrophe!

I had a toilet tank break and a piece slice my hand.
There was the dishwasher that tried to electrocute me.
Then there was Wednesday. First I woke up late (a good start), then I cut into a live water main that I was told was dead (as in no water). It was the hot water main for a retirement community. When I cut it I had to run and get a trash can to catch the water. Then I had to get a Styrofoam bowl to shield my hand from the scalding water. Fortunately my co-workers showed up to help but even with their efforts we couldn't turn the water off. Finally we used a tool to hold back the water while I soldered a valve on the line. I was drenched. Of course during all of this my supervisor payed a visit, NICE. Later I went onto my next project and while soldering set off a smoke alarm that was hidden away from my view. Luckily the retirees did not have to evacuate. Well I thought I was done and turned on the water only to discover a leak that I couldn't get soldered. While I tried to fix it a huge glob of hot solder and flux dropped on my hand, giving me two nice blisters, ouch. The foreman came over and helped me out. I left work and went to a friends house for a "quick" side job. All I had to do was replace the works in a toilet tank. I told my friend it would be a good idea to replace the bolts that hold the tank to the bowl, because they were coroded and would cause problems later. Well they were so coroded that I couldn't get them loose with my wrench and had to cut them off with a saw. Add to that the size of this bathroom was about what you would use for a small closet and the electric baseboard heater digging into my back, well it was not fun. After I got them cut I repalced the parts in the tank and put it back together. Well par for the course on this day meant that it leaked at a couple different places. Off and on 2 more times and I finally got it fixed. 2 hours for a "quick" job. I went home got a hot shower, a nice meal and wondered if I should check the want-ads.

YPEL Week 15 Results

Dave (loyal to the NY Giants) 137-70; 0.662 %
Susan (loyal to the Chicago Bears) 134-73; 0.647 %
Bruce (loyal to the Philadelphia Eagles) 139-84; 0.623 %
Kevin (loyal to the Cincinnati Bengals) 136-87; 0.610 %
Cassie (loyal to the Green Bay Packers) 115-108; 0.516 %
Fillup (loyal to the Carolina Panthers) 108-115; 0.484 %