Sampler Week

...and so wraps up the first 40 years of my life. Celebrated in the home town of Pittsburgh surrounded by my many friends and loving family members. The party just happened to be a giveaway night at the farm. Yes, the first 10,000 guests were given parting gifts ala leftovers from the folk's yard sale. Well, not exactly given, but REQUIRED to take with them a piece of memorabilia. The kids enjoyed themselves as well, as Poppy passed out countless hats that he had collected over the years. While it was wonderful to see everyone, it was a harsh reality when one guest reminisced of the string of cars that used to line the vineyard...the convertibes, the Shelbys, the Grand Prix, the Stealths, and the occasional hand me downs from our parents and older brothers had now been replaced by minivans and....well, minivans. Wow, I miss the 80's.

Following a week long trip on the west coast (Portland, Spokane and Hollywood), I came back home in an attempt get my life (and my lungs) back in order.
Tracy and I got the opportunity to hang out with Carinne and Dan at the Orioles game one Thursday night. As they were in between (one time in) Band Camp and School starting, they had some time to kill. We had Dinner at Bay Cafe (strongly recommended), where Dan was deeply enticed by the ads for the Sunday brunch from 10-2, including all you can eat AND DRINK. We stayed awake during an 11 to 2 trouncing of the Orioles, and then finished off the night at the Inner Harbor at Capitol City Brewing Company.

On Saturday, Ron came into town with George, who if you don't know him bears a slight resemblance to sasquatch, Justin the Hairdresser, and another buddy of theirs, whom don't know well enough to assign a nickname. Regardless they spent the day at the Corvette Show in Carlisle, and then headed south to Gettysburg to meet up with me for some libations. We kicked off Happy Hour at the Dobbin House, then had dinner at the Appalachian Brewing Company. We finished off the night at McClellan's at the Gettysburg Hotel. Most of the boys went off to Sensation's gentleman's club, while Ron and I hung in town and chatted with locals, Robin and Paul. As usual I got the recurring question of who was older between my brother and myself. What I didn;t expect was the reasoning why it was believed that I was the elder. Robin seemed to think that I must have been older due to my level of maturity. Yeah, OK, I enjoyed that moment for a while. Today, I got the scoop on the boys that left. According to Ron, the Gentlemen's club was truly just that last night, as it was Male Revue night. This didn't stop the boys from going in anyway and enjoying their night. A night that would eventually end up with George spreading Justin across the hood of the car, while Justin claimed he was the Tasmanian Devil. Really, sometimes, it's just best not to ask.

Lexy had her first game today as a cheerleader for the Gettysburg Warriors. She was a natural, cheering on the Red and Black to a 7-6 win in the opener.

Finally, my ponder of the week. As I had three or four samplers at various brew pub's during the week, I was shocked to find out I had to pay for them...after all, are they not , only "Samples"? What a cruel trick to play on a beer drinker.