Wildcard Week Of The YPEL

Well it has all come down to this. Seventeen weeks of prognosticating and here we are. Now it will be noted that Sweet Chlorine, Mama Pigs and Golden Trailer Trash have all taken the cowards way out. Oh I have nothing to play for so I'm not participating. Let's just say there are fines, sanctions, penalties, wet willies and noogies heading their way.

As for the rest of us, this past week went something like this.

The Higlanders went 2-2, and the Ambush and All Ahead Full both went 1-3.

So the totals are:

The Ambush in first with 176-84;
The Highlanders in second at 174-86;
All Ahead Full in third with 171-89.

The PA Farm Show

Yesterday I went with a group of friends (and countless strangers) to the Farm Show. After a little misdirections we arrived at PSECU. After parking and taking a brisk walk (the brisk was for the temperature) over to the arena we stepped inside. Wow, I love going to the Farm Show. Now as is commonplace on my blog I will give you the highlights as I saw them. We started looking around and almost immediately Linda had grabbed someones udders. Luckily they were on a fake cow and they wanted you to touch them. Then Linda almost tackled a guy in a cow costume, is anyone else seeing a pattern? Our next stop was Cory's farmer photo op. Then after looking around we made it to the food court. Oh my, more on the food later. We then headed to where the animals were being kept. We saw alpacas, goats, sheep, cows, bulls, newly hatched chickens, older KFC ready chickens, roosters, ducks, dogs and one huge buffalo. No pigs though, stupid swine flu! One of the bulls we saw was gigantic. He was 7 years old, weighed around 2,000 lbs and from tip to tip of his horns was 91 inches (that's 7 ft 7 in)! We said some ohhs and ahhs and then were off. We then saw some curious sheep. I think they were curious as to why after growing a nice warm coat they would be shaved clean and then made to wear what looked like a speedo. There were many kinds from store bought to home-made. From some of big brother's hand me downs to some that were either capes or monks outfits. Well we headed on our way. The next room had all sorts of things for sale. From kitchen utensils to pig key chains that lit up and oinked, from make your own dip to dill pickle T-shirts. Later we found the butter statue and wondered if there was going to be an attempt at the world's largest slice of toast later. We also stopped at the Air National Guard stand. Why you ask? Well on their tent was in big letters 1-800-TOGOANG. Now in our group in Angela, who goes by Ang. So when you call ask for Ang I'm sure they will think it is hilarious. But remember to dial "800" not "900" because the "900" number is something completely different. Well it was getting late so we started to make our way out. We stopped in to the arena and saw Margie "I still have unread emails from 2002" Tupper. She was there with her Mom and and a friend. When she checks her e-mail she is going to feel silly. When we got back to the food court we grabbed a quick bite. Among the things we ate; the vegetable soup, the broccoli cheese soup, the chocolate milkshake, fruit smoothies, fried cheese cubes, a large hot dog thing, a tilapia sandwich and various free samples all day. But as much walking as we did I think we broke even. I did see some guy passed out on the floor and decided not to have the pork sandwich. As we left we stopped for a couple pics me on the tire of a John Deere tractor and Kim doing her best Vanna White impression. We got out and headed for home, all in all a great day.

An Ode To A Pair Of Boots

Recently I bought a new pair of boots. Normally this wouldn't be cause for celebration or a posting on my blog, however this is different. The boots I was replacing have become almost like good friends. They are comfortable and well broken in. They are weathered and tough. And I have had them since I was in high school. For those doing the math that is 19 years. I should get some freebies or something from Wolverine. I mean what a selling point. Picture the commercial. A barren wasteland is shown, then a picture of a mountain top, then a snowy tundra and finally a city street. And as this happens the voice over guy (I'm thinking James Earl Jones) says when everything else in your life crumbles and fades away, you can count on your Wolverine boots. Cut, print and send it to the commercial awards show. I like my new boots but appreciate all my old boots have done. They have seen graduations, national parks, vacations, oppressive heat, bone chilling cold, amusement parks, long drives and short walks (and vice versa). They have carried me through many states, living in 6 of them, ready at a moments notice to do their duty. Good times and bad they were always the same. I will still wear them occasionally, however the crack in the sole means no rain or snow, but if the weather is right I may still take a walk with some old friends (oh that could be another commercial).

Week Seventeen Of The YPEL

What a week in the YPEL. Last week of the regular season and things got shaken up a bit.

After the Eagles, Giants and Bengals all got embarrassed and Chicago won (seriously though it was Detroit) I calculated the scores and here are the results.

The Ambush went 13-3; The Highlanders and Sweet Chlorine matched up at 12-4; the Mama Pigs were 11-5; the GTT had 10-6 and falling from grace was All Ahead Full at 9-7.

As far as the season goes:

In first is the Ambush at 175-81,
In second is the Highlanders at 172-84,
In third is All Ahead Full at 170-86,
In fourth is Sweet Chlorine at 164-92,
In fifth is the Mama Pigs at 138-118,
In LAST is the GTT at 115-141.

Bring on the playoffs.

2009 A Year In Review

Well 2009 is gone and it is time as many do to take a reflective look back at the year that was. The year started out not surprisingly in January. Things were good but the clouds of trouble were gathering on the horizon. In February I lost my job, well I know where it is I just can't go anymore. I have been laid off before so the news wasn't so bad. The fact that I am still unemployed is definitely bad news. The hardest part for me right now is trust. Trust that things will work out for the best. Now things got better in June after my Penguins beat the Flyers, Capitals and Hurricanes to put them back in the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight year. They would again face the Red Wings and it would be a tough 7 games. In the end after a diving save the Penguins raised the cup and were the Champions of the NHL. I yelled till I was hoarse. It was awesome! In other sports news the Phillies made it back to the World Series. They fell to the Yankees (Man I hate those guys!). Penn State had another good season and won a muddy 19-17 Capital One Bowl game. The Cincinnati Bengals are headed to the playoffs after sweeping their division. They play with heavy hearts after the loss of Chris Henry. A great player getting his life on track gone to soon.

I have started helping out with 56 at LCBC. 56 is the ministry that helps 5th and 6th graders. I have been getting to know some cool 5th graders and some adult volunteers as well. Insert your own "Now you are with people your own age joke" here.

My Dad is still working for Lancaster labs and my Mom is enjoying year one of retirement. My Sister and her Husband live in Florida and are happy there with their two Boston Terriers. My Brother lives in Seattle and we pray for him daily. I myself am still living in and enjoying my house. I have found part time work at Autopart International as a delivery driver. And appreciate the extra money and getting out of the house a couple days a week.

Now of course there are things I would like to have, like an endless supply of spray cheese or maybe a pet Giraffe named Juan. But I think when you have your family, good friends, the occasional Yuengling and some wet bottom Shoe Fly Pie; well then life is pretty darn good. I would be remiss if I didn't try to make myself better this year some here are my resolutions for 2010. 1)Watch less reality TV, 2) Stop stalking Jennifer Aniston and 3) Cut down on my Lima Bean intake. These are going to be tough but after going 3 for 3 last year I think I have the motivation to succeed.

So thanks to all my family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances and annoyances in my life. You know what category you belong in.

New Year's Eve 2009

After a few discussions we decided to spend New Year's Eve indoors. Avoid the crazies and the crowds and spend time with friends. We met at my friend Ang's house and prepared for the evening. I started by firing up the grill. Yes, I was out in the rain grilling chicken. And I only lost one eyebrow, and that is a win in my book. Anyway we started by playing Pictionary and discovered we are not good artists by any means. Though apparently the way you DRAW rhymes with is by saying out loud, "How do you draw rhymes with?". We then learned many new definitions by playing Balderdash though we didn't use the board. After that we watched Greg and Kylene preform an architecture demonstration. Then played how to stump your friends and influence people. Somewhere in there the new year clicked in and we toasted 2009, hoped for 2010 and felt bad for Dick Clark. Then it was time for the main event. In this corner various sheets of blank paper and several pens and in the other corner 8 tired, inebriated, non-medicated, creative friends. We were going to play Giraffes don't make good pets. To say that we all had fun is true. To say we were all confused is true. To say we warned people to go to the bathroom before we started is true, why they didn't listen I don't know. At one point we were able to see by the light of Greg's face. I was a little concerned that he may pass out. The highlight for me was when "I have a headache" became "Men pay money to see women cook". Get out your ones fellas and stuff them in her apron. Well after that we cleaned up and some drove home, some stayed over and some stumbled home (I think). Anyway thanks to everybody for being there and not getting salmonella. See you next year, wait I mean this year no...hold on. Let's see carry the three, divide by... Oh forget it I'll let you know.