I Didn't See The Moon, But I Heard Some Howling

This story starts on Wednesday. Me and my girlfriend were hanging out and relaxing and I said there was a Penguins playoff game on Thursday night. I then asked what she wanted to do on Friday. She said she wanted to go out but didn't know where. I said I would come up with something. Well I had 4 options in mind, but after thinking about it 2 were eliminated. So I gave her the choice option 1 or option 2. She said she didn't care, so I picked. I called and asked if she could be ready at 5:30 and she said yes. I picked her up and off we went. I didn't tell her where we were going or what we were going to do. We stopped at Cracker Barrel for dinner and then off to Baltimore. We got there and after being lost for a little while we got to Howl at the Moon (www.howlatthemoon.com). Howl at the Moon is a dueling piano bar. It was fantastic. It was music, comedy, drama, and so much more. There were also these dry erase boards that for an amount of money you could have them write what ever you want on them. Cases in point there were 2 messages that stood out above the rest.

1. Melissa needs a boyfriend, 443-6832-5018, She is Hot!
2. Rita is gorgeous and needs a hunk of burning love, 410-218-0822

Wow, it was apparent that neither of these women were in the bar and that their friends may not be their friends tomorrow. The highlight of the evening for me though was the "NFL fight song medley", they were going to play the Eagles fight song but someone outbid them to play the Steelers fight song. Then it took off, it was Eagles by 2, Steelers by 1, Redskins by 3, Colts by 4, Eagles by 3, Steelers by 2, Packers by 5... This went on for about 10 min. I wish I had kept track of the money being spent cause it was ridiculous.

So if you are in the Baltimore area check it out. I know we will be going back sometime hopefully with a big group. I leave you now with the alternate lyrics to Do-Re-Mi.

• Do, the stuff to buy some beer
• Re, the guy who chugged my beer
• Mi, the guy who needs some beer
• Far, a long way to the john
• Sew, I think I'll have a beer
• La, Lots and lots of beer
• Tea, No thanks I'll have some beer
• And that brings us back to do, do, do, do
  

Reading Is A Nice Place To Celebrate A Fire

Last Saturday I went to Reading to celebrate a Birthday. My girlfriend's friend Val was turning an undisclosed number of years old. We headed up and met her at her house. I decided to use the bathroom and when I came out I was told we were leaving immediately. OK, off we went. When I got outside Val was already down the road. When I asked what was going on I was told Val's Mom's house was on fire. Well we rushed over and found the house standing and a little black smoke coming from the chimney. I felt the doors and they were cold so I wasn't sure what was wrong. Well the fire department (I think the WHOLE fire department) showed up and checked things out. It turns out it was a oil burning heater that was running a little rich. Whew! Although one fire fighter, who looked about 12 and sprinted 3 blocks to get there, looked disappointed. As the fire fighters were leaving one of them seemed aggravated that his card game was interrupted. Maybe he had just yelled "Uno" or something. So we headed back to Val's met up with Ron and Meghan. We then headed to GNA for dinner. There we met up with John and Emily. The restaurant had some dishes that were "museum" quality, but we went with some fresher options. There was much pasta and a few chocolate martinis. Also we discussed the fan base, dance moves and you tube videos of Lady Gaga. Very entertaining?! We then headed off to somewhere that I forget the name of. It was a nice place though at one point the bathroom was a little crowded for my taste. We were ready to leave when a table opened up and we able to sit and relax with some conversation and tasty beverages.

Highlights include but are not limited to:

• John doesn't get quick service when he goes to the bar.
• Meghan wishes the world was like a musical and people burst into choreographed song and dance routines at the spur of the moment.
• I learned that Brian Boucher (goalie for the Flyers) has a brother Bobby who played on the Mud Dogs Bourbon Bowl winning team.
• Emily had to explain to John what "rivalry" means.
• There was a phantom smell that we all detected but didn't say anything about.
• "Sound of Music" is either the best movie, the worst movie or a movie Val hasn't seen.
• Ang plans to have Val watch it while they crack open a little wine.
• A little (read, A LOT) of wine is what I would need to watch it.

Well we finished up and headed home. Thanks to all. And remember to change the batteries in you smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

How To Sell A Harley

There is a Harley dealer off of 501 heading toward Lititz that has an interesting advertising campaign. FREE STUFF. Every so often their sign changes to let you know what free goodies you will get if you purchase a Harley.

In February it was a free dozen roses. I can just picture the guy coming home flowers in hand. He says to his wife "I got these for you.". She giggles with delight and asks "What's the occasion?". He gets close lowers his voice and says "Three years of motorcycle payments baby.". Of course he then spend the next 2 days picking out thorns from his head, face and neck.

Later it was a free shovel. Quite appropriate considering we had just gotten 6 feet of snow. Though you probably would have needed the shovel to get out of the house to go buy a Harley, but still nice idea.

Then there is their current sign. Free Speedo. OK if that is what fires you up to get out on the road on a brand new Harley, then great. Just one request from the rest of us. DON'T WEAR IT WHEN YOU ARE OUT RIDING! The sight of some guy in a Speedo on his Harley...well let's just say it wouldn't be pleasant.

I Am Not Eating There

So I was driving around the other day up near Ephrata, PA. I saw a restaurant. There was a sign out front that was very appropriate for any restaurant. It said "New lunch menu". Now why did they change the lunch menu? I don't know. Maybe they hired a new chef. Maybe new owners took over. Maybe Gordon Ramsey was there with "Kitchen Nightmares", well probably not that one. But I think a clue was provided in the next line on their sign. It said "We have worms". Now I don't know if they are serving worms or if the cooking staff has some deadly parasite. Either way I think I'll pass. One thing this has taught me. Always carry your digital camera, you never know what you may come across.