Oh No He Di-Int!

This was actually printed in Hazleton, PA's daily newspaper.

RELATED: I am SOOOOOO glad I don't live in Pennsyltucky anymore.

Source: TDW

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Programming Note

Blogging will be much lighter than usual this week/weekend, as I will be getting out of the City and heading to beautiful Raystown Lake (above) with my Dad, Stepmom, Brother and Sister-In-Law.

My family has taken this trip for years, and they've always wanted me to join them. However, I've always refused due to the fact that NO AIR CONDITIONING + FAT SWEATY DIVA = EVIL MISERABLE FAT SWEATY DIVA. Which, BTW, is also the name of the drag queen heavy metal band I manage in my spare time (below). Look for our album - Evil Miserable Fat Sweaty Diva "Live In Times Square" - to drop in the fall.

Anywhore, don't you know that - in order to accommodate his favorite Fat Sweaty Diva - Papa Bunny went and found a fully furnished cabin at the lake WITH air conditioning!! So now it's safe (?) for me to go. Papa Bunny, in case you haven't figured it out, is a Saint.

Here's a heads up for the Lake Raystown Paparazzi (above): I'm certain that pictures of moi FISHING AND DRINKING BEER FROM CANS could fetch a pretty penny from the National Enquirer, Gay Field & Gay Stream or maybe Ripley's Believe It Or Not.  However, much like Lindsay Lohan when she tips off the Paps before drunkenly staggering out of rehab a nightclub, I require a percentage of all profits. Coors Light and live bait ain't gonna pay for themselves, you know.

American State By Movies

I totally agree with Groundhog Day for Pennsylvania (where I was born and raised), and Taxi Driver for New York (where I've lived for the past 17 years as of next month).

Do you agree with YOUR state's selection?

Source

Guess What I'm Thinking?...

ARBY'S!! I had a delicious lunch today at the beautiful Arby's #05877 in Carlisle, PA - and it was absolutely fantastic. Furthermore, thanks to an Arby's gift card from my dear friend Mark in DE, I didn't have to pay a penny for any of it. Free Arby's? Swoon!!!

On the menu: Large Roast Beef-n-Cheddar (with Swiss instead of Cheddar), Curly Fries and a DIET Pepsi. Because, you know, I didn't want to OVERDO it.

When I got home, I looked at the Arby's website and realized there are 10 locations within a short drive of where I am right now...

Meanwhile, I live in New York City - a place with over 8 million residents - and we have ONE Arby's ... at a mall in Queens. Unless they've shut that one down also.

Anywhore, lunch was scrumptious ... and my Dad and I have already made our first Wal-Mart run of the day. Good times here in Central Pennsylvania ...

Unexpected Trip Home...

It looks like I'm going to make it out of the city after all. My grandparents are visiting my mother in Pennsylvania, so I'm going to jump on an Amtrak train on Friday morning for a nice weekend with my family.

I will be accomplishing a lot with this one trip:

I'll get to see my grandparents (who live in Texas, so I don't get to see them often)

I'll be getting out of the city - which I need to do desperately.

I'll get to see my Mom, Stepdad, my Brother (and his family), my Dad and Stepmom. I haven't seen most of these people since Christmas.

I'll get an early start celebrating my birthday (which is next week).

ADDED BONUS: I'll probably be bringing home a new KITTEN!!!!!

My Dad and Stepmom are crazy cat people. There always seems to be a new one every time I come home to visit. Well, one of the neighborhood cats had kittens (NOT the ones pictured above) - and Dad said that two of them are really sweet (and litter-trained). So I'm going to pick one and take him/her back to NYC with me!! Yes, Oscar will be getting a little brother or sister. This ought to be interesting...

The Legend of Molly Pitcher

Greetings from Carlisle, Pennsylvania!

All children who attend school in Carlisle (as I did) are taught that the two most famous historical residents of our town were athlete Jim Thorpe, and Revolutionary War hero Molly Pitcher:

The Legend of Molly Pitcher:

On June 28, 1778, Continental and British troops clashed at the Battle of Monmouth, New Jersey. Reported as “one of the hottest days ever known,” soldiers dying of heat and thirst welcomed the sight of Mary Hays, wife of an artillery soldier, as she repeatedly brought water to the exhausted and wounded men. They nicknamed her Molly Pitcher. (Afterwards, any woman bringing water to soldiers on the field, was called “Molly Pitcher.”)

As the battle raged, Molly’s husband was wounded while manning his cannon. Molly rose to the occasion by picking up the rammer and servicing the cannon through out the remainder of the battle. Her heroic efforts were recognized by George Washington himself (as some stories claim) and by the State of Pennsylvania. SOURCE.

As I researched for this post, I found out this is a "legend" and not necessarily the truth. From Wikipedia (emphasis mine):

Molly Pitcher was a nickname given to a woman who may have fought in the American Revolutionary War. Historians differ on the real identity of Molly Pitcher, or even if she existed. Since the various Molly Pitcher tales grew in the telling, historians now often regard Molly Pitcher as folklore, rather than history. However, Molly Pitcher may be a composite image inspired by the actions of a number of real women. The name itself may have originated as a nickname given to women who carried water to men on the battlefield during the war. This water was not for drinking, as is popularly believed, but for swabbing the cannons.

This blows me away. All these years I thought this was a real person - especially since we were taught the story as absolute historical fact. If Molly Pitcher isn't real, then WHO is this woman who's buried in Carlisle's Old Cemetery?...

Up, Up And AWAY For Thanksgiving

I will be leaving bright and early tomorrow morning for the land of my birth - Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Therefore, posting will probably be lighter than usual. I will return on Tuesday.

As far as Top Chef goes, I have every intention of watching it tomorrow night and posting my usual recap. However, that whole process may be delayed by a day or two, since I will be shoving food down my gullet all day and night Thursday. For everything Top Chef-related, visit our friend Chef Biatch and the crew over at Blogging Top Chef.

Pennsylvania Primary Day

To all my former homies in Pennsyltucky - get your asses out and vote today. The polls stay open until 8:00 pm.