What I Did On My 48 Hour Vacation

This past weekend I decided to return to my old stomping grounds and visit some of my old college friends. Late Friday afternoon I began the first leg of what was to be a whirlwind trip to Iowa. The plan was to watch the Iowa State (my Alma mater) football team play Missouri. It was the last home game of a very poor Cyclone season that left much to the imagination; however (as a fan that can’t admit their team actually sucks right now) the team is young and has a lot of potential.

Being at the stadium and in that environment brought back a lot of really great memories. It was a bitterly cold day and the nasty weather continued into the evening for kickoff. The wind was blowing strong through the stadium driving the temperatures into the mid 20’s so it was just as I remembered. An interesting aspect of the day that really reemphasized the fact that I was in the middle of Iowa was the sheer volume of people at the game dressed in Carhartt coveralls. It brought a smile to my face and made me forget the hectic schedule I’ve been keeping lately with my “real life.”

Though I was gone for just under 48 total hours, a lot happened including a few unexpected surprises making the weekend that much more interesting. I saw some old friends that I made a point to get together with and saw some people I never expected would be around (but still enjoyed seeing). None the less, it was really fantastic to be around some of the people I shared time with in the Midwestern town where I spent some important years growing up (but I didn’t really grow up).

In the end, Iowa State got shellacked 52 to 20. I had a feeling we would be on the business end of a good old fashioned trip to the woodshed, so it wasn’t unexpected. What really mattered though (and made the trip completely worthwhile) was being able to relive a few memories with good friends and remember what it was like to be that young college kid without any worries.

The Post That Wasn't

I had a great idea (or so I thought) for a post this week. I was going to write a witty dissertation on the use of the comma in everyday numbers. For example, when we write out the year, there’s no comma. Similarly, house numbers are written without a comma. Why is that?

I had it all planned out. It was going to be some of my best work. Then, however, I made the mistake of telling my friend Scott about my proposed post. Scott is considerably smarter than I am (although I’m better looking, ZING). After I told him about the idea for my post he threw out some explanation of integers, logarithms, and other things I didn’t understand. It was at that moment I realized I would not be writing about the comma, so Scott, thanks for making this week’s post a lot easier for me.

Instead, I’ll tell you all about what I did this past weekend. I did something that was long overdue and needed in my life. I did nothing. I didn’t spend time with anyone (until my conversation with the aforementioned destroyer of great ideas). Friday and Saturday I stayed at home and did nothing. The weather was decent enough so there wasn’t a reason for me to stay in other than I just felt like it.

Lately I’ve been busy with work and extra curriculars in my life. I don’t see that slowing down anytime soon. This was one of the few chances I was going to have to sit back, relax, and do as little as possible so I decided to take full advantage. I had a few things to take care of on Sunday (one of which was NOT my plan crushing conversation with Scott but I guess some things are unavoidable) so that was kind of a wash, but before that I spent some quality time doing nothing. It was a great decision.

The Power of One

While it’s not really winter yet, it is late in the fall and camping is not necessarily on the top of my “to do” list. However, once in a while the conditions are ideal including brisk fall temperatures, an idyllic location, and great people (that’s right, I’m talking about you Scott, Betty, Kota, and Cathy). The site in this case is simply referred to as Lone Pine. I’m not sure who gave it this moniker or when, but the name fits. In the middle of a deciduous forest stands one solitary pine tree. It takes several miles to hike in, but once there, it’s definitely worth the while.

At this time of year, most of the trees have forfeited their leaves and therefore that one evergreen tree stands alone in all its splendor and grandeur. It’s almost like the oaks, maples, and birch trees have stepped aside and this pine is finally allowed to be the center of attention instead of another giant stick lost in the mix. Regardless, this majestic tree is secluded in a valley and provides a spectacular location for camping. The ground is littered with pine needles providing soft bedding for anyone wishing to spend the night sheltered under the tree’s intact canopy.

The evening was absolutely perfect. I didn’t sleep well, but that’s of no consequence. The night provided a calm that is usually only found indoors and the temperatures dipped into the thirties making for ideal conditions to have a few drinks and stay warm by the fire before slipping into a sleeping bag. While we were only out for one night, it was a night that I won’t soon forget. I’m just glad I’m still able to be outside enjoying what the changing seasons offer.

Consider it Done

Well, this post officially marks the end of the “post every day for a week” week. It was easier than I thought, however some of the material I ended up using wasn’t the most riveting stuff in the world (but then again, neither is this). Either way, I’m happy and I hope I was able to adequately waste some of your time, Cathy.

Today is Halloween. According to the rules, I’ll be at home later tonight waiting for people dressed in costumes to show up at my house looking for stuff (in this case it’s candy). When you think about this, it seems like an odd way to get things from your neighbors. Imagine if this was practiced all year long. What if people had to dress in costume to get stuff from those living nearby? “Honey, can you go next door and ask the Taylor’s for an egg? I need one more for this cake I’m baking. Oh and there’s a gorilla suit in the closet you can wear.” That’s just silly.

When I was a kid, there was a house in my neighborhood where a magician lived. I learned early on not to go to his house looking for candy. The first time my friends and I went to his house it was like any other on the block. We walked up to the door, rang the bell, and waited for him to answer. When he did, we gave the obligatory “Trick or Treat!” He proceeded to pull rabbit out of a hat and close the door. I was not amused. Later that night, we treated his front stoop to feast of smashed pumpkins.

The moral to this story: Irony is lost on kids looking for a sugar fix.

Happy Halloween!

It's Called a What?

You may not know this, but when animals get together, they transform. Physically they are still the same, however the way they are referred to changes. For example, when a group of rowdy people get together they can become a mob. If they are at a soccer game (football to my non-American readers) and are rowdy they become hooligans. Well, animals take on a similar transition. I was quite amazed to find this occurs for numerous groups of animals.

Now granted, some animal group names are common like a herd or a school or a flock. Some however are kind of interesting and almost provide a degree of foreshadowing to what might happen when these animals get together. This includes an ambush of tigers, a pandemonium of parrots, and even a cackle of hyenas. In reality however, I imagine a single tiger would be just as good at an ambush as a group.

Finally, there are some group names that I think are just downright cool. This includes an obstinancy of buffalo, a bloat of hippos, and a prickle of porcupines. My favorite one however, may have to be a parliament of owls. Sorry George Clinton, but these guys bring some serious eff-you-en-kay.

For a list of other animal group names and additional learning, check out this site.

She's Out There Somewhere, Right?

Recently I was talking with a friend of mine who has been married for a few years now. He and his wife are a fantastically amazing couple that I really enjoy spending time with (even though I haven’t seen them in well over a year). An interesting fact about this couple is they met through a personal ad placed in their local shopping rag in Burlington, Vermont. This was done at a time when dating sites on the interweb didn’t really exist. I’ve often thought about what kind of personal ad I would write for myself if I ever went that route. It would probably go something like this:

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Single guy looking for a betty with an adventurous side. Must be interested in slaying the pow and riding through rock gardens. Lying on the beach is a serious plus (I didn’t say walking on it, I said lying on it, as in not moving because I’ve had too many margaritas. The name Margarita is also a plus). Must enjoy bad jokes and be able to contribute in said regard. Ability to tune snowboards, bikes, and guitars is highly desirable. Ability to be creative in the kitchen is also highly desirable, but doesn’t necessarily require food preparation (but truthfully it really does). Must not wear too much make-up as clowns scare the hell out of me (professional clowns or circus folk in general need not apply. Actually, if the majority of your day is spent under a tent with a capacity of more than four and is moved to a different city every few days by a crew and a flatbed truck, you’re also out. Acrobats may be considered in certain circumstances). Must be old enough to have used an encyclopedia but not so old that you could have contributed to an encyclopedia (heiresses to the Britannica fortune are okay).
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I think that covers the basics. After all, a little mystery is a good thing, isn’t it? While my requirements might seem a bit absurd, I don’t think I’m asking too much. On the other hand, I am still single and one day I might find myself placing such an ad. Maybe I should be a little more flexible. Besides, how many women are really named Margarita?

An Encore from the Little River Band

As November approaches in the SC a grand phenomenon is beginning to unfold. As evidenced in previous posts the fall here has been spectacular so far. Now, however, we begin to transition into what I like to call the true fall-drums (read: weather that is too shitty to do anything remotely fun outside). Today, for example is cold, rainy, and windy. The sky is a soft purply-grey and has a dense cloud cover so there isn’t a single glint of sunshine anywhere. We haven’t had many days like this yet, but I know there will be more. It’s just an inevitability of Central Pennsylvania.

In order to keep me sane during these grey days, I spend most of my time reminiscing about the year that has gone by. A lot has already happened this year and I’m confident there is more to come. It’s been a wild ride so far and included everything from destroying my shoulder when I took a digger on my snowboard to watching a game in Yankee Stadium to having probably the best bar-b-cue sandwich of my life. Sometimes, I have to really think about what went on over the course of this year as it’s been going by so fast. I often feel like I’m forgetting some of the most important parts because it’s hard to remember what actually occurred in this calendar year.

Fortunately, I have pictures to help remind me of what happened. Here are just a few from the past seasons of this year. While these are not the best pictures in the world, the memories I have from the situations surrounding the photos are what’s important. That’s what will keep me going through these pseudo winter days until I can scrape the summer wax off my snowboard, stomp the high gnar, and be outside for another season.