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.