Go North, young man!

Well I've learned an important lesson today... Few exciting things happen in the rain, so I guess there's not too much to talk about, but we'll see! I spent the night in Reading, PA. This is the same Reading of monopoly Reading R.R. fame. Try as I might though, I couldn't find anyone willing to sell me the title to the RR for my $200. I guess it doesn't really matter anyhow, since I don't own the other three... Anyhow, I stayed with a buddy from the Army whom I've known for about 11 years now. The reminiscent stories flowed freely, the Old Milwaukee flowed even more freely, and Rockstar just flowed, mostly on the bushes.... I drove about the city a bit and had a GREAT Italian sandwich at the place pictured here. If you ever pass thru indulge in the tasty goodness! I guess it pays to eat at a local place that's owned by Authentic Italians, unlike that danged Olive Garden...

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Picture shamelessly stolen from wikipedia! This is the Pagoda

Anyhow, I awoke this morning with the idea of going up and taking pictures of what's called "The Reading Pagoda" (pronounced 'Redding' as I was quickly corrected.) Unfortunately the fog was thicker than mashed potatoes made with extra cream, and the drizzle wasn't a whole lot of help either. I saw this and made the command decision to go elsewhere and headed out to Allentown. I tried to backroad as best as possible there, but traffic was heavy no matter what and no matter how much I whined, the drizzle wouldn't stop. Once in Allentown I drove around for quite awhile to see the town, and I must say, the areas I saw were beautiful. I've never seen a city with so many parks, and the quaint "shotgun houses", as my buddy from Reading called them, while being close packed, were still very attractive for "city housing". I've noticed a lot of change in the general architecture as I've ventured north so I figure I should give this mention. The houses in PA and NJ are much more often brick or hewn stone as opposed to the wood of the south. They also are long and narrow (hence the shotgun nickname) and closely built to each other. In the country, I see almost no pine trees, and the rolling green hills are neverending. If you all ever get the opportunity, I'd try to get up here and have a look!

In Allentown I met with a reporter for a very large paper and we talked for quite some time. As opposed to the other interviews I've done, this one was approached with a lot more skepticism. After showing my ID card, student I.D., DNA sample, and complete health screening to include a prostate check, she was satisfied that I was who I claimed and the interview proceeded. Given what she told me about the numerous fakes and need to maintain good reporting, I understood all the skepticism though so I held no grudges, though I thought the prostate exam MAY have been a little unnecessary. I have to wonder if the Middle Manager didn't get to her after realizing he was thwarted by the resiliency of the Bean... We shall see.... We shall see.... So I spent a good portion of my overcast afternoon with them, getting the interview done. If it gets published i'll be sure to link it back here! Rocky managed to NOT go all Cujo on anyone today, which firmly cemented in my head that the blame for his episode the other day lays in the constipation. Well technically now lays in somebody's front yard... Yeah sorry about that!

Well folks, sorry for the lackluster reporting today, but remember, tomorrow's another day, and you aren't laid up in a humid suburban with an anal gland popping, semi-wet, and mostly retarded dog!! Goodnight!!

****************************NEWS FLASH****************************

I just got e-mailed that one of my life's dreams was achieved tonight! Apparently someone here submitted me to Fark, and it made it on! Yayyyyy! Now I can tell all my friends to "pay up suckas!" I TOLD them I'd be on there one day and without police involvement!!