Knoebels Trip

We just got back from our annual Knoebels Camping Trip. Becca brought along her cousin, Alison, for our 3-day jaunt. As usual, I took too few pictures. But I managed to put together a video-album of our time in the park and at the pool.

Poor Jimmy had to stay home and suffer through band camp. I don’t think he minded – he ’s pretty focused on band and reconnecting with his friends from school. He is entering his senior year. It will be his first year in high school as a single man. Apparently, his girlfriend of 3 1/2 years was upset with his decision to look into colleges away from home, so she dumped him. Best thing that ever happened, even though he’s not seeing it that way right now.

PSA DOO DOO Council

I helped a friend produce a Public Service Announcement for her tech class. My concept, of course. Her videotography. My editing.

EJECTED!!!

O.K. - So, you know those parents that make the news on sports shows when they are ejected from games.  I’m now one of them!

Really, the umpire was a little over reacting.   Here’s how it all went down.

Becca’s 2nd to last place team was beating the 2nd place team, 11-8.  It was the bottom of the 6th inning, the opposing team was at bat.  Becca catches the game-winning out at first plate.  Or so we thought. 

The umpire announces, there’s another inning.  Both team coaches say, “huh?”  Since when do we play more than 6 innings?  Umpire says, “They can play 7 innings, because there is enough time.”  Our coach says, it’s after 8:00.  All play stops at the inning break if it’s after 8.  She responds, “the game started 5 minutes late.”  Coach says, “o.k.”

I’m behind the batting cage, so I asked the umpire what the deal was.  Our converstaion went like this:

Me:  What’s the game starting time?

Umpire:  6:15.  They started 5 minutes late.

Me:  The inning break was at 8:07 – you’re still two minutes over.

Umpire:  You don’t like it?  Leave.” 

Me:  I don’t like it.

Umpire:  Then go.

Me:  I’m going, I’m going.

Sidebar:  I was not interupting anything – the catcher wasn’t ready because everyone thought the game was over, so play had not gotten started yet.  I started back to where I was sitting. 

Umpire:  Get out of the park now or your team forfeits the game.

Me:  You’ve got to be kidding.

Umpire:  No – get out, now!

So I had to leave the park and wait in the parking lot.

I can’t understand this umpire’s irrational response.  Do you suppose she thought they were in the 5th inning and didn’t have the guts to admit her mistake?  Perhaps her high-waisted umpire pants were cutting off circulation from her aorta, preventing adequate oxygenated blood flow to her major organs, causing an elevated CO2 level, thus causing her delirium. 

Becca (my softball player) thought the whole thing was funny.  I would have been upset had she been embarrassed.  But, she tells me her team mates thought it was “awesome!”

Thank goodness the cameras weren’t rolling.  I can’t begin to think about the possible exploitation I would have suffered at the hands of ESPN!

Fresh Breath

 

This week, my friend, Anne, sent me some gifts from her visit to Westminster Abbey in England.  I especially like the “last supper after-dinner mints.”  They’re perfect for that “fresh mint breath that lasts through the final hour of a crucifixion.”  I bet Jesus wishes he had them.

Wicked

Last weekend, I chaperoned the Penn Manor High School music department’s trip to NY to see the Broadway Show, “Wicked.”  Awesome show!  It’s the pre-quel to the Wizard of Oz story, telling the story of the 2 witches (Glinda and with Wicked Witch of the West) when they were young, boarding school room mates.  Aside from a couple of annoying kids who confused Broadway show audience etiquette with high school assembly behavior, it was a wonderful trip.  Our itinerary included a bus tour of NYC, the Madam Tussaud Wax Museum, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a tour of Lincoln Center, free time in the city and the show.   We had a one-night stay at a hotel in N.J.

I hadn’t been to Manhattan for several years.  It’s really clean and the traffic wasn’t nearly as bad as it used to be.  They have a lot of strict traffic laws – no honking ($350 fine) and no blocking intersections ($350 fine & 2 points against your license).  I’d drive in Manhattan before Philly any day.  I may take a trip in the near future.

The Bar Stools

I’m going to my brother’s show at the York Little Theatre tonight.  He is the founder, director, writer, and producer of “The Bar Stools,” a group of York County Attorneys who do a show every 2 years to benefit the York County Bar Association’s charity work.  The shows are musical parodies, a lot like what the Capital Steps does.  

 I rearranged one of their songs, “One More Day,” to simplify it.  Apparently, lawyers are notorious for overconfidence and feel rehearsing beneath them.  So, if you think actors have huge egos… At least they rehearse. 

I remember when this group got together to do their first show.  I got more musical advice from people who knew nothing about music.  The most vocal advisor was this little personal injury attorney, Mark David Frankel.  He has since been disbarred and is currently serving a 4-year jail term.

Anyway, I think the Bar Stools needs a logo, so I designed one.  Graphic included.

New Universal Sign for Gasoline

Thought I’d share this – just in case you are traveling this summer and need to stop for gas.

Becca’s Softball Schedule

Becca is taking to the mound to pitch for her softball team again this year.  Here is her schedule.  Home games are played at Manor Township Park, on Charlestown Rd., off Rt. 741 (Millersville Rd.).

Game Time:  6:15 p.m.

Mon., May 7 – South Willow Street (A)

Weds., May 9 – Warwick (H)

Mon., May 14 – Conestoga Valley (A)

Mon., May 21 – St. Leo’s (H)

Weds., May 23 – Warwick (A)

Weds., May 30 – Manheim Township (A)

Fri., June 1 – Cocalico (A)

Mon., June 4 - Octorara (H)

Weds., June 6 – South Willow Street (H)

Mon., June 11 – Warwick (A)

Weds., June 13 – Conestoga Valley (H)

Weds., June 20 – Cocalico (H)

Mom’s Visit

My parents were just here.  I showed my mom this web site.  She was not impressed… told me I should spend more time cleaning my house than on the computer.  Always a source of good cheer and sound advice.  

She also advised me on concessions for next week’s church yard sale (http://www.holyspiritlutheran.info/site/ProgramsEvents/YardSale/tabid/72/Default.aspx).  “You should have egg sandwiches – you’ll make a fortune.”  Who knew?  I guess if it’s good enough for Ronald McDonald…

Speaking of R.M., Jimmy’s just way into his part time job at Micky D’s.  He actually bought an official McDonald’s corporation wrist watch.  The other day I made some derogatory comment about the McDonald’s Asian Salad I was eating.  He replied, “Don’t put down my product.”  I wonder what the deal is with Hamburger University.  It’s got to be better than tuition at a liberal arts college. 

Jimmy’s goal at this point is to be a History Education major.  The kid that always had a problem getting his homework done thinks he wants to go into a career where homework is a way of life.  I can better picture him as a cruise director, leading line dancing on the lido deck.

Got to go.  There’s work to do (or a house to clean).

Vacation

4/20/07

I’m on vacation – sitting at my sister’s kitchen table in
Jacksonville, FL.  I just got off a cruise ship this morning.  We did a 5-day Bahaman excursion out of Port Canaveral (near NASA andCocoa
Beach where Major Nelson & Jeannie live).   

It was nice… wonderful weather, good beach time, good food, etc.  My friend Deb joined the kids and me.  It was her first cruise.  I think she’ll go again.  The kids had a great time and enjoyed the kids program on the ship (a first for Becca).  Jimmy did the rock-climbing wall and sang for karaoke.  Becca was into the group games and did some art projects.    The only problem we had was when Becca had an acute onset of sunburn pain and itching while going through customs.  Border security tends to be inquisitive when you hover in a corner of their building, unable to find a rest room (I’m sorry officer – it’s just that my daughter needs to remove her bra immediately as it is irritating her sunburn).  It was quite a scene. We come back to
Lancaster on Sunday and kids go back to school on Monday. Back to reality.