Wilkes Homecoming & Oktoberfest 2008

After sleeping off the trip to San Francisco, I woke up around 1 p.m. Saturday in time to hit up the 5th Quarter alumni tent, which my department (Communication Studies) co-sponsored. It was Wilkes' Homecoming, and a very special one at that-- the 75th anniversary! I didn't check out the game, just the party tent afterwards, which was held on the Fenner Quadrangle. I always love going back to Wilkes-- the profs in the communication department really are like my second family. It was wonderful to see Jane, Andrea, Dr. Kinney and Dr. Stine again-- and I was really surprised to see a few alums that I haven't seen in almost 10 years. I have a special situation- I started at Wilkes in 1996-1998 and then left and didn't come back until 2002. That being said, I knew a lot of people at homecoming as I was part of two classes. I enjoyed some beer and food and reminisced for a few hours about all things Wilkes. It was pretty awesome.

I already had plans to meet up with co-workers at Oktoberfest at the Lion Brewery. Since I had a "few" at the Wilkes tent, I opted to walk to Oktoberfest-- which seemed closer than it really was. On the way, me and my old friend M. stopped to visit a fellow alum who was at work. When we got to Oktoberfest, we met up with my work friends just in time to enjoy some really awesome fireworks set to the Star Wars theme. I enjoyed many Stegmeier Oktoberfest beers and listening to 40 lb. Head, by favorite local band. I ran into a slew of people there that I haven't seen in a while, too. Good times! NEPA sure is good for a good party, that's for sure!

THE MIRROR

I did not drive home last night, smartly. I was given a ride to my car, which was safely parked in a Wilkes University lot. When I arrived at my car, however, I noticed something dangling from the driver's side door. My freakin' mirror! Being homecoming weekend at Wilkes, I am sure it was an accident. Some drunk either hit it for shits and giggles, or someone drove into it. Either way, I didn't get mad. I walked to public safety and reported the incident and asked to borrow duct tape. It's an older car, so I wasn't too worried. I'll find another mirror at the junk yard and have Dave help me put it back on. But, such is my life. Always an unexpected adventure!!

(Pics- 1- Jane, Andrea and I. 2- A slew of Wilkes commuication alums from the past 10 years. 3- Me and pals at Oktoberfest. There's more on Facebook!)

If I run out of gas now, it's totally my fault

Well, if you've been following along, my GMC Yukon was part of a recall-- apparently the gas gauge sticks.

I know first hand. I ran out of gas twice, nearly a third time. I knew I had gas. Yet, I endured the poking fun at me.

HA! Valley Chevrolet last week said yes indeed my particular truck was one of the rejects. So today was the day I dropped it off to get fixed. Thank goodness it was free.

So now, if I am close to 'E' and try to push it, well-- the gas gauge is correct now.

Thanks for the fast service, Valley Chevrolet and thanks to GMC for being honest about this goof. If only they can do something about all the walking I had to do.....

Sweet Dreams Tea & a GMC Yukon Recall

This blog is about two things I love: getting a good night's sleep and proving that I am right!

I LOVE TEA!
I always loved tea, and more specifically green tea, but I always forget about it and just drown myself into caffeinated oblivion with coffee or Red Bull or Monster Energy. So last week, I had the plague. I was so congested from my head to my nose to my chest. I tried everything: Benadryl, Mucinex, Sudafed, Coldeez and Therflu. Nothing seemed to work. So I pushed through work during the week and over the weekend, I decided to just drink hot green tea with honey and sleep. By Monday- I felt like a brand new person!! I guess the Eastern Way knew all along.

So, Monday night when I went grocery shopping I decided that I would buy a bunch of tea. Yes. I would become a tea drinker instead of a coffee drinker. Then I stumbled upon Bigelow Tea brand's Sweet Dreams tea with chamomille and peppermint. Since it's for bedtime, it's noncaffienated. So, I made myself a glass and went to bed. The tea tasted wonderful, and smelled so calming. I read for a little while then shut off the light. I could smell the relaxing scent of the chamomille and as I inhaled and exhaled, I could feel it calming me. Next thing I knew, it was 6am and time to get up. The tea knocked me out. I've had the best sleeping week of my life I think with Bigelow Tea - and the Sweet Dreams flavor. Even better than with my melatonin!

I KNEW IT!
So- if you read my blog post from a few days ago, you read about my running out of gas. Truth be told, I honestly thought I could make it. Last June, I had a similar even happen to me on my lunch break at work during a travel. And my coworkers busted me. I swore to Dave that I didn't run out of gas. So- Monday in the mail we get a RECALL letter from GMC.

THERE IS A MALFUNCTION WITH OUR GAS GAUGE: IT STICKS.

See. I knew it. I knew that by what the gauge said, that I had gas. I didn't let it get down to E from what I could see! In a twisted way, I am happy that this recall letter came. I can salvage my reputation.... ; )

Good Samaritans... They Still Exist

I know that I am a good Samaritan, as much as I can be and when I have time. I felt terrible the other day when I drove past one of those boot drives and had no cash- which is usually the case with me since they invented the VISA check card.

At any rate, this blog comes a little late. Things have been busy. But, I have to write a little about my Thursday morning. On my way home Wednesday, I was not paying too much attention to the gas gauge. It beeps an warns be when there is 32 miles left to drive. I was already passed the last gas station when the beep went off and the orange light came on. I was too tired from the gym to turn around. I could make it to the station in the morning.

I had two choices when the morning came. To drive two miles to the Red Rock gas station which is out of the way and is probably the only gas station in the county that does not have pay at the pump. So, I opted to drive the seven to the Pump-n-Pantry.

When I was about a mile from my destination, the car died. And there is barely a shoulder. So, I parked in a ditch and called Dave, who really could do nothing for me since we freakin' live in the middle of nowhere and he was already at work. So, I started to walk. There is really no shoulder like I said, so I was walking in the dew-filled grass- I was soaked up to the knee cap. Cars were whizzing by and no one was stopping. I took of my sweatshirt and right after I did that, someone stopped. I must have looked like a bum before.

"A little early to be pickin' up cans," he said.

I laughed and hopped in his van, not even second-guessing that I was getting in a stranger's van. It was a company van, Stone Stackers in Sweet Valley. I told him what happened. He drove me to his place of employment which was a stone's throw away and got a gas can from a shed. Then, he drove me back to my car.

He put some gas into my tank, but my Yukon would still not start- it was on an angle.So- this kind man pushed by behemoth truck onto the highway. Then, it started. I zooomed off before it could die again. He followed me to the PnP, where I filled my tank. After all that, I was only seven minutes late to work. I had left early because I knew I needed gas. (I was just a little wet from my ordeal when I go there...)

So- I am thankful that I live in an area where everyone seems to have a work truck and gas can. ; ) I have not run out of gas in years, but this reminds me how I can't let things like this slip. Although I could always argue that I was doing an experiment on samaritanship.

And, if anyone needs landscaping work, call Stone Stackers in Sweet Valley. They have nice guys working there.