the desktop on my computer.

Japanese Yakyu

Went to a ball game Saturday, a pre-deployment Media family tradition. We got there in the top of the second, just in time to see the Seibu Lions score again, jumping out to a 7-1 lead before we even sat down. The Yokohama BayStars inched their way back into the game, finally grabbing four runs in I believe the 7th to trail 8-7, but then the Lions tacked on four more in the 8th and it was pretty much over.

Brendan, Josh, Chris, Tanner and Dave

Japanese baseball ranks up there with the coolest professional sporting events I've ever been to. The stadium's not much to look at, and the BayStars are a last-place team (we're used to that) but the atmosphere is really something else. I recommend it.

Mayumi and Dave (I've always been great at making dumb faces.)

Why am I a Yokohama fan? Well, the stadium is about 32 minutes by train from Yokosuka... pretty convenient. They are not a traditional powerhouse (just like my hometown team the last 17 years) and a switch-hitting outfielder and former Pirate, one R.J. Reynolds, played here in the early 90's. And, they're the only yakyu team without their corporate sponsor included in the team name. 

Sidney Fitzgerald Crosby, Post II

"What’s so special about Crosby? I don’t see anything special there. Yes, he does skate well, has a good head, good pass. But there’s nothing else.’’

-Alexander Semin


What say you now, Alex?

Beware of the Creek Indians

RE: God willing and the creek don't rise.

Wow. I was doing a little research today about random things, and I found this:

The phrase would be correctly written as God willing and the Creek don't rise (like dad/neil said), but I didn't realize why. Creek here is capitalized because it is referring to the Creek Indian Nation. Benjamin Hawkins was the superintendent for Indian affairs in the southeast U.S. at the beginning of the 19th century. A few sources say he wrote this in a letter to the president of the U.S. after being summoned back to Washington from Georgia. He'd be there 'god willing the Creek [Indians] don't rise." It was written in reference to the perception that the Creeks were savages.

from oliverwillis.com

Who can argue with hard data like this?

Pens v. Flyers: Predictions

Pens, Flyers Wednesday night. Who ya got? Pens in 5. Write it down. Rachel unless you plan on picking the Penguins please do not respond to this post.

Recognize Anyone?

Japanese Vacation, Part 1

I took a couple days off from work, figuring it might be my only chance to do so until December. So, armed with only a book, a 160-gigabyte iPod and an extra pair of socks, I took off for nowhere in particular. I started off in southern Tokyo, in a neighborhood called Shiodome. There's a park there called Hama Rikyu Garden. I'm sure there's parks all over Tokyo, but I was surprised how big and green this place was, right in the middle of one of the biggest cities in the world. It's no Central Park, and Tokyo may have its own version, but this place was pretty cool. Fields, flowers, creeks and bridges right in the shadow of all these skyscrapers of glass and steel.

From the park I took a $5 boat ride up the Sumida River, through Tokyo to the neighborhood of Asakusa. Seeing the city from the water was a different perspective. I got crapped on by a seagull, but it didn't ruin my day.

I got off the boat in northeast Tokyo in Asakusa, known as one of the more traditional, older parts of the city. This week happens to be right in the middle of the cherry blossom season, so when I got off the boat (it was about 5 p.m. on a Friday) there was already a party going on. Food, beer and hundreds of people relaxing by the river under the cherry blossoms. That was fun, and I'll write more on hanami and sakura later. So after drinking a beer, I walked a couple blocks inland to Kaminarimon Gate.

This is the gate. It's a pretty prominent part of the town, and it's easy to find. Kind of hard to miss. The lantern there in the center weighs 220 pounds. The gate leads into what's called Nakamise Dori, or "inside shops." There's a walkway there, with a bunch of little stores, and leads to the Sensoji Temple, maybe a quarter-mile inside.

 

Sensoji is Tokyo's oldest temple (founded in the 7th century) and is dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. The temple was under restoration and covered, but that didn't stop hundreds of people from visiting. This photo is a five-story pagoda adjacent to the temple. 

That's when it started to get dark, so I don't have any more pictures of Tokyo. But that was just the beginning of my 3-day vacation. Next, I'll tell you about Nikko.

King of Comedy: The Movie

HOLLYWOOD--Representatives for actor VIN DIESEL have confirmed that he has agreed to star in the lead role of Universal Pictures upcoming drama-comedy tentatively titled THE KING OF COMEDY: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ONE NEIL T. REYNOLDS.

The much-hyped film borrows its name from Martin Scorcese's 1983 film about a struggling stand-up comic, played by Robert De Niro who attempts to jump-start his career by kidnapping a late-night TV host, played by Jerry Lewis. 

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ONE NEIL T. REYNOLDS, however, follows the early life and adolescence of a rural Pennsylvania man, his simultaneous attempts to take over the worlds of sports, academia, music and comedy, and the adventures of his close-knit and occasionally hilarious family.

Diesel, now 41, may face his toughest on-screen challenge in his portrayal of the mercurial Reynolds. Insider circles are already buzzing that the role represents a critical high-water mark in his career and could even earn the Diesel an Oscar nomination. Reached for comment, Diesel, seemingly already in character, confirmed his attachment to the film and said only, "Just give me the dang award already. Seriously, just do it."

Diesel joins a cast which already comprises a virtual who's who of Tinseltown stars, including:

Bruce Willis as family patriarch "Reyn": an educator, firefighter, bingo caller, ball coach and jack-of-all-trades. Anthony Edwards (ER) and Gerald McRaney (Major Dad) had previously been linked to the role.

Julia Roberts as "Mom Reyn," the emotional center of the family.

A young Nicolas Cage as big brother "D Reyn," because hey, why not?

Ryan Gosling (The Notebook, Half Nelson) as the other big brother, "M Reyn or "Mike Reyn" because hey, that's a real nice beard.

Rachel McAdams (Wedding Crashers, The Notebook) as sister-in-law "Rach Reyn."

Robert Duvall as Bob: Grandpa, farmer, small-town politician and storyteller.

Billy Bob Thornton as "Plu": Cause just look at the guy.

Producers are currently in negotiations with a number of big-name and character actors to fill out the remainder of the cast. THE KING OF COMEDY is slated for a Christmas 2010 release.

A Witty Post

We had a very enjoyable time visiting Rachel and Mike last weekend. However, we have vowed never to visit on a weekend when a Pittsburgh team is playing a Philly team. When we visited in the fall (something about a wedding) the Steelers lost to the Eagles. On Saturday, Pitt lost to Villanova.
One fun thing we did was to tour the Philadelphia Brewing Company. Very interesting tour, but disappointing t-shirts. I vowed to do better....



Don't you all wish you had a cool shirt like mine?

What the hail!

Sunday afternoon Rachel and I were sitting on the deck relaxing in the seventy degree weather. Within an hour, the temperature had dropped considerably and then the hail started. They were about dime size. It took the paint right off the window frames in the front of the house. I actually was surprised it didn't break any of those single-pane windows because it was coming down pretty good. It hailed for maybe three minutes, and it was done. Tornados touched down an hour or so away but nothing here.

I can't wait for 2012.

Neil, where do we sign up to go on one of these expeditions?

Family vacation anyone?

For what it's worth

Yes citizens, I have heard your calls for the king. I know it has been a long wait, but you best believe that it was well worth it. I am here to stay. All is well here on the Johnstown front. Just finished my last test before spring break, which I aced (yes funny and smart), and in a few short hours will be grinding gears away from this town. I will be spending spring break in the beautiful metropolis of Honkytown with my mother and father. It will be nice to be home for a week, as I am rather tired of late nights of studying. That is all for now, so keep on keeping on and the like.
-Neil T. Reynolds

Sidney Fitzgerald Crosby

The pens are now 5-0 without Crosby. Smizik had some statistics last month showing their goals/game increases when Crosby doesn't play. So are the pens a better team without Crosby?

I don't buy it.

We all heard a lot of talk during the Steelers season that Ben should be benched because Leftwich was the better option.

How did that one work out again?

My guess is the same people that believe the Pens are a better team without Crosby are the same that believed Leftwich was the answer are the same that will always find something to complain about even if it is nonsensical.

Big Ben's my top dog. Sid can be, like, my little brother or something.

Until he wins a cup... then I'll reevaluate his standing.

What say you, boys?


P.S. Mama feel free to impart your vast sporting knowledge as well. You did teach Junior everything he knows. Sorry Neil, Mom remains the best middle linebacker in the family.

I'm still waiting

When I joined this family, I was told of this person who was a self proclaimed "king of comedy." As time goes on, I remain doubtful of his existence. I guess I have to assume that he either does not exist or that his rank of "king of comedy" does not properly suit him.

One would think that a blog would be a perfect forum for comedic relief.

So--if there is anyone who can help me straighten out this matter, I would be very grateful.

From,
A perplexed Rachel

An East Falls history lesson for all...

This is from The Fallser, an East Falls newspaper. The article talks about the hill just across the road from our house where we walk Creek. I believe at one point, Mom, you asked me what the statue was all about, but I did not know. Well now I do.

General George Washington and his army of 11,000 men camped at the site of the Queen Lane Resevoir before and after the Battle of Brandywine in 1777. The statue marks Washington's campsite.

Just as cool, the area was proposed as the site for the federal capital.

Since the army was 11,000 strong, I'd assume that there were some camping where my house is now. Also, I think if Obama lived at the top of the hill, I probably would not be able to afford living at the top of the hill beside him.

If you want to read the whole article, click here. Then go to page 19.

Dueling Peeps

A picture's worth 1000 words.













We who are about to die, salute you.













Into the arena.

Valentine's Day

Hi all,
This is my honey and me. We've got company this weekend. Mike, Rachel, Creek, and Neil. We're having lunch now. We're ready to start a marathon game session. Mike suggests we start with Balderdash. He doesn't like to take turns.


Love,
Mom

This was my blog training session.

Remember when the Steelers won the Super Bowl?

That was awesome.

 

I had to throw a photo on here of my buddies and me enjoying the game. It was interesting. Drinking beer at 8 a.m. always is.

So my buddy Ted is from Western Pennsylvania also, just west on 80 an hour or so. He'd never been a Steeler fan though. Evidently his dad was quite the rebel, and grew up an Oakland Raiders fan. So is he wasn't born into it, and just never got into watching the Steelers. 

Some of these kids today, I tell you what. We've quickly converted him, though, and he was pretty into it.

So he managed to get his local butcher shop to send us a whole bunch of sausages... and he's trying to work our Super Bowl party into an ad campaign for Livingstons' Meats. I was going to throw the photo up here, but something tells me they won't be able to use it.

Hey, can Dave blog too?

Thanks so much. Domo arigato gozaimasu. Happy to be here.

Well, I hardly know where to start. Mike says start at the beginning. Can't really do that, though. I have been here nearly three months now, and while I'm getting used to things and enjoying every minute of the experience, I still feel like a lost little kid about 86% of the time. Here's one of the reasons why:

 

And that's just one of the train companies. Getting to work or a buddy's house is easy, it's when I try to branch out, to Tokyo or one of the other cities, that things get complicated. Always an adventure for this guy.

 It's about 6 p.m. Saturday. Did a little cleaning earlier, so I'll post a photo or two. Mom, this is about as clean as it gets.

That's all for now. I'll post this before I mess up again. I can't copy and paste, and when I upload a photo, it goes straight to the top of the post... I'll learn. 

Cheers!

It's been over an hour and I'm still sitting here smiling. MVP; Santonio or Roethlisberger? I think you could make a case for Ben since he was pretty much without many options in that fourth quarter. No running game at all, and I think we'll find out that Hines was in a lot of pain. I noticed Washington in a sling after the game. Ben scrambled to keep several of those plays going. Of course, if Santonio was the only option, he still got open despite what probably was double coverage, and he made the catch to win it. I have not problem either way. What a game.

Dave, I hope you got to see it in English, even on a 13 inch screen.

Rachel, I think you look great in black and gold.

r

Science Lesson

70% of the earth is covered by water.

The other 30% is covered by Polamalu.

The Steelers play in Philly.

If you left right now, you'd make it in plenty of time to watch the game at my house.

27-17. Good guys.

Super Bowl

Super Bowl tomorrow. I wish we could all watch it together. I thought Neil would stay till Monday morning, but it would make an early trip back when he has a 9:00 class.
We had Steeler pep rally at school on Friday afternoon, and it was fun. The kids were wild. We had songs, videos, and cheers. My students wrote their own Steeler song to the tune of "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More," and it turned out pretty good. We studied rhyme and rhythmic patterns in the song, and gave them a template go work from. Then they worked in groups to come up with at least one verse. I went from group to group and helped when necessary. They were quite pleased. We sang it at the pep rally and it was a hit. A couple of the groups hammed it up pretty well, and it was hilarious. Here's a clip:




Just so I'm on record before the game: The final score will be Steelers 24, Cardinals 13. MVP will be Roethlisberger. Take that to the bank.

r

A day off?

School off today. Weather started last night. We got snow, then 2 inches of ice, which turned to snow this afternoon. It was beautiful to look at, until I had to spend 3 hours plowing everyone out. It was real heavy and difficult to push. We're supposed to get five to nine inches till it's done. We'll probably have another delay in the morning. We've missed three days of school because of snow. Here are some pics so you all don't forget what winter in Kingsville looks like (I'll bet Neil can beat us in ice).

Randall and the Burning Bush

Moses has nothing on me. We arrived home last evening to find that our gas had frozen up. The house was getting cold, and the forecast was for zero overnight, so I knew I'd better get someone out to thaw my regulator. I called Dominion Gas (as I had been told to do years earlier when it had frozen before) and I was told that that wasn't their problem. I explained that to the operator that she was mistaken (nicely) and that since I wasn't getting any gas through the meter, I was fairly certain that it was their problem. She asked how I knew it wasn't coming through the meter and I told her that I had loosened the union on my side of the meter and nothing was coming through. She then put me on hold to talk to a supervisor. She came back on and told me that her supervisor told her that it was my responsibility to winterize my meter and that I would have to call a plumbing contractor. I then ended my call (not quite so nicely) and proceeded to do just what she said. I called two contractors who told me what I already knew: that it was the gas company's responsibility and I should recall the gas company. By this time I was getting a little bit irritated, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I took my space heater (that big torpedo) out to the meter, directed it at the regulator and plugged it in. I then went inside, gave it a couple of minutes and tried the pilot and behold, it lit. I was feeling pretty good about my ingenuity about that time, and went back out to put the heater away. You can imagine my consternation when I saw that I now had a ball of fire burning at my regulator. It turns out that I had melted a plunger inside the regulator and that raw gas was now venting from the regulator and burning colorfully. Remember the barberry by the meter? It was also burning brightly too. I rushed over through the foot of snow on the ground and knelt down at the bush to attempt to extinguish the flames with the snow all around. That's when Bryan H. went by. He said he looked up in the field and saw me kneeling in front of a burning bush and thought I was having a religious experience. He came up (he didn't want to miss it if I was being saved) and we shut the gas off. We then called Dominion back and explained that we had a gas leak by my house. You would be surprised by how fast they sent a crew out. I was a little anxious about explaining just how the leak had occurred, but when the gas guy got there, and heard that the office had refused to dispatch someone in the first place, he was mad and apologized his ass off. He told me I probably shouldn't have done that, but he said he probably would have done the same thing too. He was a very nice guy and we spent the next hour together putting on a new regulator. Well, that should have been the end of it, but when we got the furnace relit, we found that it kept going out even though we now had gas. So, we spent the night without a furnace. I called a repairman this morning, and he said that the frozen gas had damaged a gas bell inside the control box, but he also found that I had a cracked heat exchanger (not related)that was not safe. Well to shorten an already looooong story, I ended up with a brand new, high efficiency gas furnace which he installed today at a cost of only $2500. I guess it all worked out okay, since I was planning to replace the furnace anyway. I ended up with a new furnace which will save me lots of money in gas bills, and a story as my contribution to this week's blog.

Warmly,
r

Funny? "The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree."

Kristen had apparently done this recently, and posted it on her facebook page. Neil showed us last night.





I thought everyone would appreciate Kristen's efforts.
Enjoy.

r

you are all so funny.

As I thought about how my new family provides endless humor and wit to any situation, I decided that I would tell a joke. It just seems right. So here it goes:

Q: Who won the race between a bicycle and a tricycle?

Are you ready?

A: The tricycle. The bicycle was two-tired.....

Get it.

Well, if you liked what you heard, feel free to contact my personal pun developer Gina.

a picture is worth a thousand words...

Mother writes, "I know that orange suit didn't come out of a closet here at my house. Your dad didn't wear that color even when it was in style."

What's the problem with the suit? Despite the fact that I looked somewhat like a convict, I thought I looked pretty good.

And by the way, Rachel and I modeled our outfits after a couple folks we know.

Evidently, Randall did wear orange.

Back in the routine (like up to my ears)

     It's after 10:00.  I just got home from training at the fire hall.  Then federal government has mandated that everyone who has any dealings with the government must take a 16 hour NIMS class, so we have training tonight, Thursday, and all day Saturday.  It's mostly redundant and common sense, and it doesn't have a lot to do with what we do, but if we don't have our responders complete the class, we are no longer eligible to apply for state or federal grants.  It is a result of Homeland Security's mandates stemming from 911.  I wouldn't  really mind, but it comes at absolutely the wrong time for us.  Mar and I had gone to the school board meeting Monday.  I have to stay late at school tomorrow to help check 4-sight responses (practice PSSA tests), then bingo after.  Thursday I have a negotiations meeting before training.  Then next week, we have report cards coming due.  We have parent conferences all day Monday the 19th, so those have to be prepared for those.  Complicating that is that our negotiations team is going away that whole weekend for mediation, so I have to have all that conference stuff ready before I leave Friday afternoon.  So I'm not spending much time at home these days.  

     I had not planned to be involved with negotiations this time (since I may not be around to live with what we agree to), but since we are participating in timed mediation with the board, I got drafted to be there (much to my irritation).  

I'll stop complaining now.  I know that my involvement in much of this (and the stress that goes with it) is a matter of choice.  If we can get through the next couple of weeks, our normal craziness should seem much calmer by comparison.

We're having an ice storm now too.  Mar got stuck on the way home from town and I had to get her off the hill in the middle of my class tonight.  At least it got me out of a half hour of lecture.  Maybe 2 hour delay in the morning?

Hey Gina, good to see you on the list of contributors.

Hope you all have a less hectic start back.

r

what better way to bring in the new year than by wearing polyester. creek looks like he feels a little left out though. maybe you guys should reconsider clothing him.

happy 2009 to the reynolds family!