It’s here!!

Today at 12:00 Noon, the puck drops on the 2007-2008 season of the National Hockey League.

Note to Flyers: Git er done!


Of course, in the grand scheme of things, I got bigger things on the agenda until then. I am currently haunting the computer until 10:00 until the Hannah Montana tickets go on sale. My daughter turned 15 Thursday (and no you don't get pictures) and that is what she wants. So here is hoping that I can get in there by 10:03 before they sell out. (Oddly enough the Cure hasn't sold out. . .go figure).

The discussion (and by discussion, I mean argument) of the morning was whether the girls should be allowed to go to the concert with supervision. On the one hand, I was doing all kinds of stuff by myself when I was 15 (not to myself . . . ), but I', not sure that it's a good idea in this day and age (so close to the Apocalypse and all).

For all you people lucky not to be educated in the ways. . . . .Hannah Montana is a show on the Disney Channel. Hannah Montana is Billy Ray Cyrus's daughter (and he's her Dad in the show too). Personally, I've never seen it, but it's very popular. I wonder if she'll sing Acky Breaky Heart.

Looking Ice, Baby!

Less than 36 hours. . . . . . .

Yes, tonight I have to make the long trek to Philadelphia to my supplier and pick up my tickets for the Flyers this year. Of the tickets to be picked up, is the preseason game for tomorrow night against the Washington Capitals.

This year has been a bit odd for me concerning the Flyers tickets. For the last . . . . . . forever. . . . .I have purchased 18 games and gone with my Father. We’ve been doing this since they were still playing at the Spectrum. Last year, my Dad was on the fence about getting the tickets. He eventually got them (because my Mom treated him to his tickets). After the fiasco of last season, he was not as easily cajoled. Thus, I had to get the tickets and find a partner (actually partners) to go.

Tomorrow, my friend and handicapped quota, Gimp (hey! He picked the nickname, not me) are heading up to start the season. I also have tickets with my friend Lee, a girl a used to work with at the Navy (my wife is thrilled about that), my Dad got a few games and I’m taking the kids to a few . . . . and my wife is going to one.

Unfortunately, I made the mistake of letting my wife plan a trip to the Poconos with my friend Lori. They scheduled it for the same weekend that I had (note HAD) tickets for the Flyers Home Opener. So, now my Dad is taking Badger’s son. Nice!

Although the season doesn’t really kick off until a week from tomorrow, officially the season starts Saturday with back to back games between the Los Angeles Kings the Stanley Cup Champion (no, not the FHL Team Pinchy) Anaheim Ducks who are playing the first two game of the season in Europe. SWEET!!

TONIGHT! HEROES!!

Just in time! Thanks for Netflix, Mrs. Deathlok and I are finally ready for the season premiere of HEROES. What a great show.

To be honest (about being dishonest), we fell short by one episode with Netflix. Therefore, Bearshare came to the rescue last night and now we are in!

After Heroes is the new show Journeyman. I have no idea what it’s about except that it has something to do with time travel and Kevin McKidd from ROME is in it. This means that I will give it a go.

With HOUSE starting tomorrow, I and very glad that 24, the SHEILD, LOST and BATTLESTAR GALACTICA are not on yet.

PAGAN Repent - Updated

Sometimes when doing religious stewardship, I start to feel like a combination of Simon (the guy who carried Christ's cross. . and tell me this guy wasn't thinking "SHIT, I should have stay in the field with the goats") and that guy in the medieval torture press.

Every year that I teach these kids their Catholic education, it makes me dislike humanity a little more.

CLASS - FIRST DAY - Of my 8 or 9 students, 4 show up. Well, actually 5 showed up because one of the girls that wasn't there text messaged one of the girls actually IN the class. I pointed out that this did not count as attendance.

Starting off good.

On student transferred sight unseen, which left me with ONE BOY. I cannot deal with 7 uninterested 13/14 girls. I have a hard time dealing with the 15 that I have at home.

So there we are. . . me, the boy and three girls. I want to try and get the discussion started and let them run the class. (It's there last year).

Me: "So, who actually goes to Church."
Boy: "We go on Easter and Christmas"
Me: "That's it? Do your parents go to Church?"
(sound of crickets)
Me: "Why are they sending you here? I sounds like you parents wasted 8 years of your life!'
Tess (a girl that I taught in 5 grade CCD): " Don't you, like, need Confirmation to get married in the Church?"
Me: "Uhh, yeah! You also need to be an active member of the Church."
LOOKS OF ASTONISHMENT
Girl A: Do you have to married in the Church? Where else would you get married?"
Me: "On the beach. At sea by the Captain of the boat. Jumping out of an air plane."

So the conversation continued. . . .

The kicker:

So after we discuss how these kids have been sent to religious education by parents who don't practice their faith, I decide to try something new.

"Okay, so you guys don't go to church, maybe that will change later. Does everyone believe in God and all this stuff you have been learning?"
3 out of 4 nods.

it turns out that I have 3 students that kinda believe this whole Catholic thing, but only on a non interference basis and 1 student who believes that when you die, you go into the ground and that's it. I have no idea where to even begin. I may just play Death Metal for an hour and a half each week.

Finally, the bright moment of the evening was when I told them that starting in January, they AND THEIR PARENTS were required to attend the 9:00AM Sunday Mass through April. Expressions = PRICELESS

The Recipe

This is the recipe for the best Mai Tais ever. The recipe is from former bartender extraordinaire, Lou the Lock (a friend of Wyatt).

This not only gives out the joy to the masses, it backs me up when I forget the recipe that I am supposed to bring to Mrs Grims party tomorrow night. Now I can log on and get it.

Enjoy:

1 ½ cups of Rum (I usually go ¾ of light and dark each)
1 cup of triple sec
1 cup of Almond liquor (crème de noyeaux)
½ cup of Grenadine
1 ½ cups of Sour Mix
2 Cups of OJ
3 Cups of Pineapple Juice

I usually add quartered oranges and some maraschino cherries to the cooler and let em float. Good for sucking up the juices.

REPENT Pagans!!

Tonight is the return to Deathlok - Religious Education Teacher.

I am going into another year of teaching 8th grade Catholic children and preparing them for Confirmation. If you don't know what that is, your soul is probably already damned. Just move on!

I usually start the year off pretty tenative because the 8th graders are tough. They have had just about enough of this imposition and for the most part, their parents are horrible and hypocritical.

This year, however, is different. I received a phone call last night from one of my students from last year. He asked if he could be my Aide. He was a student aide for 1st grade last year (actually in my son's room) and they all loved him. He enjoyed my class so much and thought that he could do more than mind 1st graders. TO give you a brief overview. This kid is a great kid. He is VERY personable and a little bit of trouble. He is the BMOC a class clown all rolled into one. This is why I am exited. Having him help teach students that are 1 year younger gives them a little more of a practical feel for their religion (instead of "I wish this old guy would shut up!") It also shows them (hopefully) that you can be really into your religion and be a regular fun-loving cool kid in school.

Considering that one of my other students tried to commit suicide over the summer, that balances out. Seriously, for someone who questions whether I make a difference doing this, it's nice to get a little Celestial pat on the head.

Penultimate Fiscal Push!

Well, today and tomorrow are that last two days of the fiscal year for us. This means that work is busy busy busy. Of course, with the contract that I have, as work gets rerouted, it gets rerouted to my desk. In other words, shit flows downhill and I'm the french drain. I had three meetings this morning and thanks to my wonderful work ethic (read: I'm stupid), I receieved three calls on my cell phone during them for work related emergencies (Note to Self: Do Not Give Out Your Personal Phone Number To People At Work).

I now have a list of people who are pissed off at me. I entitled that list : PEOPLE WHO DON'T DO THERE JOB CORRECTLY AND NEED A SCAPEGOAT! I told my wife that I may come in tomorrow (Friday), if they need me. I found out at one of the meetings that my presence is mandatory. So, God help any living thing (including friendlies) at the D&D table tomorrow night.

On a good note (and a secret note). I got called into the office on Friday. My boss wanted to inform me that (although unannounced yet) they had selected someone for the position here at work and that I did not get the promotion. The reason being was that my name was pulled from contention because they promoted my current position based on the work that I have been doing. I'm pleased. I have a gag order, but since nobody that I work with reads this, I can tell everyone here. I was also asked to be the "Emergency Contracting POC". This means that if there is an emergency of any type, I get a call and he to come in. If terrorists attach by plane again, I'm gonna be really pissed.

Books? I Read Books!

I find it funny reading Skywriter's inspirational writing about the list of books that she has a deep affect on how she viewed history, life and herself (a very well written and thought provoking post) while at the same time I am listening The Godfather’s “Birth School Work Death” on Radio Hidebound. That being said, today’s word would be Juxtaposition.

In a previous post from Skywriter, she listed other books that she holds dear or has read more than once. Well, I just bought this great new pop-up book. . . . . . . .

Actually, what books make me happy? Well, unlike, Skywriter, I usually read to get away. My sister did have me read the Seat of the Soul. It was very inspirational and all, but it didn’t tell me anything that I didn’t know and I found it fluffed up and a bit repetitive in parts. I think most of the inspirational, or self-help books, tend to be this way. . . . or maybe I took too many Philosophy and Psychology courses in college.

So . . . . . . . .Books! I was thinking of posting about books yesterday and then I read the aforementioned book post. And now I can write it and it will appear completely unoriginal.

About a year ago, I lent my Brother-In-Law a book. Thus, I had to buy it again. Yesterday in the mail, I received my new . . . . newish. . . .copy of Piers Anthony’s “On A Pale Horse”. It’s the first book in a series. However, it can be read as a stand alone book. It’s about a guy who in a suicide attempt accidentally kills Death when he comes to claim him. Thus, he must become Death. The five book (which turned into a seven book) series is great, but Pale Horse is by far the best of the series.

It’s one of the few books that I have read twice. The others are:

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien – Everyone knows about the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. They may not have read it, but they have heard about it. Although I haven’t found the time to reread the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit is a quick read so I did get to squeeze that in between other things. LOTR and the Hobbit are two books that I actually went out and repurchased in a leather bound edition.

Ringworld by Larry Niven – This is the book that started it all for me. It’s the first book that I ever read for pleasure that wasn’t a comicbook. It was worth a second read. Although I read it forever ago, it still holds up. It’s on my list to read yet again. I can’t wait.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams – In my opinion the only thing funnier that this book is the 70s radio show that it was based on. Although I have read the book twice (and added to the leather bound collection), I have listened to the radio show about 100 times. Douglas Adams was hysterical. He wrote for a short time for Monty Python and his humor is without peer. If you enjoy British Humor and haven’t read this book, give it a try. Or better yet, seek out the radio show, which is different in many aspects and much funnier.
Other books in the library. . . .Mrs Deathlok and I turned our dining room into a library. . . .are the complete PREY series by John Sanford and the majority of Jeffrey Deaver’s work including all the Lincoln Rhyme books. A big chunk of Isaac Asimov’s work (because nobody can own ALL of Asimov’s work), including my autographed copy of Prelude To Foundation. The DUNE series by Frank Herbert (and his son in the later years).

The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling - This started out as a family read for my daughter and turned into a series that I developed a large self interest in. Unlike the Lemony Snicket books which I felt fizzled after the third book, the Potter series captivated me from start to finish.

Like Skywriter, I do own a copy of THE PRINCE and I was inspired by it. I helped a friend through a rough patch years ago and she bought that book for me as a thank you. I treasure that book.

Still on the Shelf:

I have a few books that are waiting for me. They are starting to pile up to the point; I’m starting to loose track of them. Currently, I am reading the latest Deaver book THE SLEEPING DOLL. Trying to get current with the show HEROES has slowed the progress of that. The new DUNE book is jumping off the shelf waiting for the DOLL to get finished. A Deaver book of short stories MORE TWISTED TALES is on the shelf, but short stories can wait. Someone talked me into buying a few Roger Zelazny books to replace the lose of Asimov. And speaking of Asimov, I was informed that a trio of writers put out a trilogy based on Asimov’s Foundation. I have the first two on the pile as well.

All that and tomorrow is comic book day.

SkyWriting & Plagiarism

As I have nothing to report, other than many thanks for multiple Caption Contest Wins, I received permission to post an email that I got from Skywriter. It is about her recent move to Indiaaaaaana and it made me laugh. Here is a brief excerpt:

. . . . .There's also a used bookstore in Brownsburg which I haven't checked out yet. Though I can imagine their bargain book titles:

The 432,678 Habits of Highly Successful Obsessive-Compulsives

The Gospel According to Thundercats

Oh, the Places You Can’t Go since the Accident

It’s Not Slander if He Actually Is Retarded: 101 Legal Tricks for the Self-Taught Lawyer

Portuguese People You Might Know

Can We Communicate with the Dead? No.

Harry Potter Meets the Groovy Ghoulies

The History of the Allen Wrench from the Ikea Bookshelf to the Ikea TV Swivel Stand

Winning Her over through Tears

“I Could Pee on That” and other Poems by Dogs

The Peter Max Code

You're not going to be famous, you're not going to be rich. You'll never have that threesome with supermodels. A man's guide to facing facts.

Losing Weight through Sensible Eating and Regular Exercise

Things Are Going to Get a Lot Worse before They Sort of Plateau

Financial Freedom through Bar Bets

The Over-50 Person’s Guide to Tying Up Loose Ends

Wicca: Your Last, Desperate Attempt in Believing that Some Greater Force Is Somehow
Responsible for How Your Life Has Turned Out

So now you're a parent. Big Whoop.

Additional Nod to Sky because I actually used the "It's Not Slander If He's Really Retarded" line to much mirth.

Flyers and Phantoms Unveil New Jerseys

On Friday, September 14 at 10:45 a.m. at the Virtua Center Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, New Jersey, the Flyers and Phantoms unveiled their new Reebok home (black) and road (white) jerseys for the 2007-08 season.


So. . . .What are the MEN wearing?

Damn That Gnome!!

You are 93% Scorpio

How Scorpio Are You?

The Radio Gnome got 100% Scorpio. I'd like to know where my other 7% went. I'll get revenge, I swear.

Draft Night!!

FRIDAY!!! Tonight is FHL Draft Night! It's one of the best nights of the year. And this picture says it all. 7:00 PM is approaching and another season of the FHL will be underway.

The drafting and the ridicule of same will begin shortly after the first draft pick. There will be a small fortune made in sidebets. . . there are already two on the books.

I have a special love for this draft night. WHY? Because I will be receiving the Stanley Cup Plaque. I will affix the TEAM PINCHY plate and maybe take a chocolate cake shot out of it. The TEAM PINCHY Stanley Cup Championship Shirt will be worn and the Guinnes will flow.

It's smells like HOCKEY is in the air!!!

House Addition

My Son!! Everytime he does something out of the ordinary, people say that he takes after me.

The other day, I was look for him. I found him in the corner of the family room hidden next to the couch. I thought something might have happened.

"What are you doing back there Buddy?"
"Nothing, I'm fixing my puzzles in the Puzzle Room."
"The Puzzle Room?"
"Yeah, this is my Puzzle Room".

Who knew? I had no idea that we had a Puzzle Room. I certainly hope that the Township doesn't find out about it. the additional room would probably make my taxes go up.

This is the Puzzle Room:


Just the area behind the couch and on the other side of the mantel.

That's my boy!

OH MY GOD!!

Hat tip to gizmodo.com

IRON MAN

Celtic Horrorscope!!!

Thanks to Skywriter for making do this little test of joy.

You Are A Walnut Tree

You are strange and full of contrasts... the oddball of your group. You are unrelenting and you have unlimited ambition. Not always liked but always admired, you are more infamous than famous. You are aggressive and spontaneous, and your reactions are often unexpected. A jealous and passionate person, you are difficult in romantic relationships.

What's Your Celtic Horoscope?

Is That A Joke?

So, the interview is over and now we wait for the decision. It could go:
A. They could offer me the job and I can stress over if it's a good move or
B. they can not offer me the job and piss me off.

Fortunately, hockey draft is only four days away.

So, with my first Pastrol Council meeting tonight and a wicked work week ahead I thought that I would leave you all with a joke.

A man goes to the doctor's. He says, "Doc, I accidently cut my penis off. Can you reattach it?"

The doctor takes a look and says "No, I'm sorry, but I'll make some calls and see if I cna find a donor." The doctor comes back from his office and says "No luck, the closest thing I could find is an elephant's trunk."

The guy agrees and he has the surgery and it's a success.

Months later after he recuperates, he gets up the nerve to finally go out on a date. He takes the woman to dinner. Everything is going great. The food comes and they are talking and up from under the table the trunk comes up and grabs the womans baked potato and disappears under the table again.

The guy says "I'm terribly sorry. This is really embarrassing." He's mortified.

The woman says "No! No! That was really neat. Can you do it again?"

The guy says "Well yeah, I can do it again, but I don't think my ass will take another baked potato."

Ehhh. . . . .What?

Hey I'm not politically minded but. . . . .

WASHINGTON - Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani said illegal immigration is not a crime, prompting rival Mitt Romney to accuse him of not taking the problem seriously.

The two have clashed for weeks over illegal immigration, an issue that inflames GOP conservatives who influence primary elections. The irony is that both candidates have in the past taken more liberal stands on the issue.

"It's not a crime," Giuliani said Friday. "I know that's very hard for people to understand, but it's not a federal crime."

Giuliani's comments came in an interview with CNN Headline News and radio talk-show host Glenn Beck.

"I was U.S. attorney in the Southern district of New York," he said. "So believe me, I know this. In fact, when you throw an immigrant out of the country, it's not a criminal proceeding. It's a civil proceeding."

Illegal immigration shouldn't be a crime, either, Giuliani said: "No, it shouldn't be because the government wouldn't be able to prosecute it. We couldn't prosecute 12 million people. We have only 2 million people in jail right now for all the crimes that are committed in the country, 2.5 million."

Okay, it's illegal. . .it's in the description. . . .but it's not a crime. And they fired the guy who correctly used the word "niggardly".

I'm lost.

DRAFT!

This post is for the FHL. The draft selection is being picked by guest official RT.

It was suggested that I just pick them, but when my name comes out first, I don't want to have to defend that. Similarly, to keep it all above board (although Wyatt and I trust RT implicitly), RT will be given 12 numbers. This was she won't know who she is picking.

In the wonderful world of contracts, we call this "the appearance of impropriety". . .and we don't want any of the that.

RT, please post the results as comments to this post.

Thanks!

While On The Subject. . . .

Since I was talking about cereal and cartoons recently, I thought that I would post this.

While I was at the Wedding (see other post), Mrs. Deathlok and my Sister-In-Law took the kids here:
Cereality

When she said that they were going, my first reaction was, "You're gonna pay $4.00 for a bowl of cereal?" (Ah, the fine line between thrifty and cheap.)

As it turned out, they all had a great time. They had "make your own" parfaits and cereals and granola and all kinds of stuff. Reilly had a beautiful mixture of Reese's Puffs and Cocoa Puffs sprinkled with M&Ms. He hasn't slept since. Mrs D was nice enough to bring me home a container of Quisp, which I just eat this morning.

Apparantly, the staff all wears pajamas too.

It was fun and a novel day out. . . .and a $4.00 bowl of cereal.

Marvel and DC

These are absolutely hysterical! Here is the first one. There are 4 more "After Hours" episodes.

Priorities

I have had so much to do lately, trying to prioritize is like juggling six objects at once and still only biting into the only edible one.

After much heated discussions on the most important thing in the world, the FHL (Fantasy Hockey League) is scheduled to have its draft a week from Friday. I CAN’T FREAKIN’ WAIT!! I love the fantasy league. As the Commissioner of the league, it is my job to keep track of the scores, coordinate the draft, arbitrate rule changes, collect the money (most of which I keep this year) and still find time to witty and charming. . . . . .okay, witty and obnoxious. This also requires that I review the team roster in the NHL so that I know who is playing on what team (Roenick is a Shark?? Who knew!)

Of course, this Friday is D&D night. This was hectic before. Now, we’ve moved the game to my house and the character generator on the computer is on the fritz. I haven’t even thought about the game in a week in a half. Good thing I just play of the top of my head.

Being the end of the fiscal year, work is BUSY BUSY BUSY!

My 4-10 schedule has become a 5-10 schedule for the next couple of weeks. This prevents me from keeping the pool in good shape. It’s getting close to the time where the cover has to come out. . . . .and isn’t that fun! It usually involves adding toxic levels of chemical just before something happens and makes me have to get in the water. It’s amazing that the tattoo is still on. Last time, I did that, my skin was so chlorinated that I could see my internal organs. I should just wait for it to freeze and then walk out in the middle and spread the cover out.

I mentioned earlier that I was putting in for a promotion. Well, that sound you may hear is Management dragging its feet. Meanwhile, another organization has called and set up an interview with me for tomorrow. This could be VERY lucrative (well as lucrative as the Government pay scale will allow. I hate interviewing. Tomorrow afternoon can’t get here soon enough.

Of course, October 27th is Man’s Weekend and I have to start getting that together. That’s also the weekend I may, or may not, be heading to Orlando for a Conference.

If my plate gets any fuller. . . . . . In fact, you know what I have a taste for . . . . . . .? A Gun.

CLICK - Punch!

News Use Should Lose

Apparantly, this is a "Top Story" on Yahoo!

LONDON - Police arrested Jude Law for allegedly attacking a photographer outside his London home, British media reported Wednesday.

The 34-year-old actor allegedly tried to grab the photographer's camera during the incident on Tuesday, Britain's Press Association said. He was released on bail and must return to a London police station in October.

Law's publicist was not immediately available for comment.

Police would not directly confirm the report, but said a 34-year-old man from Law's neighborhood was arrested on suspicion of causing bodily harm. Police added the man voluntarily went to a police station for questioning.

This seems to be a recurring issue lately. Personally, I think that they should smack these photographers in the head and say "That's What You Get!"

Imagine that everytime you left your house, someone was in your face and clicking a camera in your face. I would release the hounds. I would be a cross between Bricktop from Snatch and Chin from Deadwood. "Beware of a man who owns pigs. . . ."

Police: It's been reported that you attacked a photographer.
Deathlok: I was just outside feeding the pigs. Who made the complaint?
Police: He was here a minute ago.
Deathlok: Thanks for stopping by. Let me know if you hear from him again."

Quiz Time - The Answers!

A really poor showing and lack of effort all around I'd say. Vinnie said that he could identify two of the ten, but not which ones. Sad!

Honorable Mention goes to:
Mrs. Grim for identifying #6 as Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har
Jay knew the Superchicken was with his sidekick Fred in the SuperCoup.
Brad was able to identify Professor Pat Pending from the Wacky Racers.
Conrgratulations!

Number 1 - The guy with the big 8 on his chest was Tobor The 8th Man. One of the better 60s Japanimation.

Numbers 3 & 4 were actually from the same show. (3) Fearless Fly was an offshoot of the Milton the Monster show. (4) These two guys are Milton's family Heebie and Geebie. I was looking for a picture of Abecrombie the Zombie, but couldn't come up with one.

Number 7 is Prince Planet. PP is a tight race with 8th man for the best cartoon ever.

Number 8 is the short lived detective show Cool McCool.

Number 9 - What do you think Artie Johnson did after Laugh In?? He was the voice of Mr.Jaws (and Catfish . .not shown)

Number 10 is the vivacious Neptina from Marine Boy. Marine Boy was post 8th Man (note that it's in color) and pre Speed Racer.

Lord of the (Wedding) Rings

This weekend, my nephew got married. It was not your normal, “Hey! We’re All Going To Wedding!”. It was more of a “Hey! We live in South Jersey/Philadelphia and we have to figure out how to get to Washington DC on the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend” kinda thing.

The wedding was nice and the bride and groom looked Mahvelous! Just like marriage, this story is about the beginning of a journey.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Deathlok could not make the wedding. With my Mother-In-Law still not talking to us and my Brother-In-Law continuing to be useful as a third eyebrow, and adding that finding someone that will watch you diabetic dog on Labor Day Weekend. I was flying solo. . . . .kinda!

My Brother Mark and I worked a deal where we stayed at his In-Laws in Maryland and then just take the Metro in to the wedding. Piece of cake. . . . .Wedding. . . . .Cake. . . . .That’s a joke son. So, Friday night we headed to Maryland. Saturday we went fishing, which was awesome.. . . .Caught One! . . .That would have been great, if the 15 year old girl with us didn’t catch eight. . . . .That’s 8!

As Sunday approaches, we get up and get ready for the wedding. Introductions. . . .Sam. . . .Frodo. . .Frodo. . . . Sam! The journey begins.

We get in the car and drive to the Metro. For those of you that are not familiar with the DC Metro system, it is probably one of the easiest ways to get around in the world. Very similar to the Tube system in London, a blind gibbon with no thumbs could find its way through it. Hmmmmm.. . . . . We get to the Metro and the station is closed for repairs. GREAT! There are shuttle busses that will take us to the OPEN stations. That is four stops away. Of course, they have to stop at all the other closed stops and pick up all the other despondent people. Tick Tick Tick . . . . . We arrive at the ORANGE line and get on the Metro. The 3:30PM Wedding is now in 5 minutes. ORANGE line turns into YELLOW line turns into RED line . . .on a holiday schedule mind you. . .and now we are late for the Wedding (and I was going to count this going to Church too). Finally we arrive and I’m thinking that we are getting seriously late. To add one more cosmic kick in the groin, we go to exit the Metro system and the escalator is broken and it’s like 150 steps. We get our bearings and walk the 2 blocks to the church. Late but okay. . . . .for a Catholic Wedding. However, this was a Lutheran Wedding which is about 20 minutes long aaaaaand since we were about 20 minutes late we got there as everyone was exiting the Church. Swell.

When it came time to do the above dance in reverse at 11:30 at night, my brother and I decided to mooch a bed off of someone with a spare. My brother (the Father of the Groom brother) had his friend in from Switzerland who had a room with a double bed and was gracious enough to share his accommodations. Try getting that from an American.
This morning we got up at 7:00 and began the journey home. What could go wrong? After we sat through the Metro/Bus routine, we arrived at the parking garage. As we are leaving, my brother hits the curb and blows the tire (fix the damn tire and leave his personal life out of it). Despite having worked at my Father’s Tire Station for 20 years, my brother doesn’t have a spin wrench. Only a scissor jack and that little piece of crap angle wrench. Once we got the (half flat) doughnut on, we went back to Maryland. Got our stuff and headed North.

Having had enough adventure, my brother stops at Sam’s Club to buy a tire. . . .Wuss . . .
It took them over 2 ½ hours to mount one tire (mount it, I hardly even know it). They did get it finished just in time for us to hit holiday traffic though.

Oh Well, could be worse. . . .could be raining.