We're the best pals since the Snorks!

Alright, we're gonna try Day three again...

DAY THREE - Lock Haven -> State College

---

Before we left, we made reservations at the Hotel State College, which was the hotel directly behind a chinese food place we used to go to all the time, and across the street from the Kinko's I worked at. After waking up, we called up the hotel to confirm our room and...HORRORS, they had us for the wrong day. A few last minute calls and we had a hotel at the Summerfield Suites...it was incredibly overpriced, and was a suite to top it all off. But, hey, beggars can't be choosers. Not that I'm complaining. There was some high school basketball thing going on, which meant lots of high schoolers in cheerleading outfits. :) I'm a sucker for pom poms.

We headed to the hotel straight away, to get settled for the rest of the day, and then left for the first food haunt, Hi~Way pizza. It's a small local chain, owned by these folks who own a TON of different restaurants in State College, and have some damned good food. I had a pizza I've NEVER had anywhere else, a pesto-feta-garlic-pine nut pizza that is downright GREEN and has much tastiness. After some food, we decided to go straight south and work our way back to the hotel.

A wrong turn had us miss Boalsburg completely, but a straight shot up Atherton brought us to the Meyer Dairy, out first stop. We didn't go inside, we were going to save the ice cream for later. We used it mostly because it was on a high hill overlooking the area, mainly the dairy behind it, and Hills Plaza in front. While we there, pretty late in the afternoon, we noticed a hot air balloon sailing across the sky. I always thought hot air balloons could only fly in the mornings when the air was cool. It must have been part of something bigger since we also saw very small powered glider thingies flying around as well.

From there, we soldiered on to Lemont to see the "Playmobile Place." I think ti's name is Fosters, and it's an old train depot that's been turned into a miniature railroad depot place and Playmobil store. I took pics of the semi-abandonned track for Emily, but couldn't get near the depot thanks to several large scary men-children playing war, using the two storied building as a great place to stage some kind of takeover of the Universe.

We moved along to...well...Something Plaza. I can't remember it's name, just to see the old Chinese Buffet we used to go to all the time, only to see it closed up. Some vandals had written "We sell cats" and drawn a crude vagina on the door. Go figure. I guess it was the dorr that made us decide it was time to visit some cats.

We pulled into Hamilton Square (where my fave pizza place was) to go into Wild Side Pet Store. Wild Side has the Best Invention Ever. They encourage the public, wether you're going to buy a pet or not, to go into a walk-in-closet sized room filled with kittens to acclimate them to humans. They have a puppy-room, too, but the kitty-room...well...they're KITTIES. Usually when we'd go there were ten or so kittens all playing with each other. This time, just three, but I think one counted as several cats (it had multiple toes, and a really short tail). We spent a LOT of time there. :)

We were both feeling a tad bit hungry after the kitty room, so we backtracked to Meyer Dairy and had ice cream. I got the teaberry icecream. Teaberry is GOOD STUFF. I don't care what any of you so. Teaberry ice cream is like eating frozen Pepto-bismol. Which I wouldn't mind having. Seriously. :) I love the taste of Pepto Bismol. And up there, it's got it's own little industry.

We tried to hit one of the grocery stores we'd go to to pick up some regional snacks. I picked up some Middleswarth bags and Birch Beer for the long trip home (Middleswarths is your GOD). We decided to putter around some more old haunts, and try to find Dean's old workplace. Dean had tried several times last time he was up to find his old work, but couldn't because North Atherton had changed so much since we'd been there. IT took a LOT of backtracking, but we DID find it, no thanks to the city planners. Afterwards we went to Mike's Movies and Music and grabbed some menus from DP Doughs, another local haunt of ours. Everythings a haunt around here. :)

After all the running around, we'd decided we were done for the day, came back to the hotel and had a wonderful night's sleep (after I kissed the ground, thankful I was back in town)....

We're the best pals since the Snorks!

Alright, we're gonna try Day three again...

DAY THREE - Lock Haven -> State College

---

Before we left, we made reservations at the Hotel State College, which was the hotel directly behind a chinese food place we used to go to all the time, and across the street from the Kinko's I worked at. After waking up, we called up the hotel to confirm our room and...HORRORS, they had us for the wrong day. A few last minute calls and we had a hotel at the Summerfield Suites...it was incredibly overpriced, and was a suite to top it all off. But, hey, beggars can't be choosers. Not that I'm complaining. There was some high school basketball thing going on, which meant lots of high schoolers in cheerleading outfits. :) I'm a sucker for pom poms.

We headed to the hotel straight away, to get settled for the rest of the day, and then left for the first food haunt, Hi~Way pizza. It's a small local chain, owned by these folks who own a TON of different restaurants in State College, and have some damned good food. I had a pizza I've NEVER had anywhere else, a pesto-feta-garlic-pine nut pizza that is downright GREEN and has much tastiness. After some food, we decided to go straight south and work our way back to the hotel.

A wrong turn had us miss Boalsburg completely, but a straight shot up Atherton brought us to the Meyer Dairy, out first stop. We didn't go inside, we were going to save the ice cream for later. We used it mostly because it was on a high hill overlooking the area, mainly the dairy behind it, and Hills Plaza in front. While we there, pretty late in the afternoon, we noticed a hot air balloon sailing across the sky. I always thought hot air balloons could only fly in the mornings when the air was cool. It must have been part of something bigger since we also saw very small powered glider thingies flying around as well.

From there, we soldiered on to Lemont to see the "Playmobile Place." I think ti's name is Fosters, and it's an old train depot that's been turned into a miniature railroad depot place and Playmobil store. I took pics of the semi-abandonned track for Emily, but couldn't get near the depot thanks to several large scary men-children playing war, using the two storied building as a great place to stage some kind of takeover of the Universe.

We moved along to...well...Something Plaza. I can't remember it's name, just to see the old Chinese Buffet we used to go to all the time, only to see it closed up. Some vandals had written "We sell cats" and drawn a crude vagina on the door. Go figure. I guess it was the dorr that made us decide it was time to visit some cats.

We pulled into Hamilton Square (where my fave pizza place was) to go into Wild Side Pet Store. Wild Side has the Best Invention Ever. They encourage the public, wether you're going to buy a pet or not, to go into a walk-in-closet sized room filled with kittens to acclimate them to humans. They have a puppy-room, too, but the kitty-room...well...they're KITTIES. Usually when we'd go there were ten or so kittens all playing with each other. This time, just three, but I think one counted as several cats (it had multiple toes, and a really short tail). We spent a LOT of time there. :)

We were both feeling a tad bit hungry after the kitty room, so we backtracked to Meyer Dairy and had ice cream. I got the teaberry icecream. Teaberry is GOOD STUFF. I don't care what any of you so. Teaberry ice cream is like eating frozen Pepto-bismol. Which I wouldn't mind having. Seriously. :) I love the taste of Pepto Bismol. And up there, it's got it's own little industry.

We tried to hit one of the grocery stores we'd go to to pick up some regional snacks. I picked up some Middleswarth bags and Birch Beer for the long trip home (Middleswarths is your GOD). We decided to putter around some more old haunts, and try to find Dean's old workplace. Dean had tried several times last time he was up to find his old work, but couldn't because North Atherton had changed so much since we'd been there. IT took a LOT of backtracking, but we DID find it, no thanks to the city planners. Afterwards we went to Mike's Movies and Music and grabbed some menus from DP Doughs, another local haunt of ours. Everythings a haunt around here. :)

After all the running around, we'd decided we were done for the day, came back to the hotel and had a wonderful night's sleep (after I kissed the ground, thankful I was back in town)....

The Tuesday Special - Med Boli w/Sauce Lrg Soda $6.50

DAY FOUR - State College -> Lock Haven

---

After waking up a lot earlier than should be normal, we packed up and bugged out. First order of business was lunch, and after much fretting over where to go, I decided that we were going to Brother's of Hamilton Square.

Now Brother's is NOT the Brother's Chain. And they make sure to tell you they're not that chain. OFficially the place is called "Brother's of Hamilton Square" to keep the big chain off his back. It's prolly one of the most unique pizza joints in the world. It's definately a pizza joint, with a pinball machine in the corner, a TV blaring whatever is good, an old 1995 Neo Geo machine, overhead menus assembled from various letters on tiles, sodas in a fridge, and ato go counter that sells beef jerky. Then you look at the menu, and you're looking at a prime menu from any good Italian restaurant. Veal parmigiana, calamari, italian salads, the works. and cheap. I managed to snap a few pics here and there, worried that we'd have the same problem with the Korean place a few days back, but the owner, who is really genuine and nice, had no problem with me taking pics, and even posed for one. Really good guy. :D

We took off from there, to the last of the great department stores, OW Houts. OW Houts really is just a wierd blip on the map in that it still has departments, like an old Sears or Dillards. In this case the basement level sells all sorts of plumbing and house fixtures and hardware. The middle floor sells housewares, like cutlery, candles, sheets, even a little clothing and old style toys (lots of Radio Flyers), as well as a Deli and grocery store. Top floor sells furniture and beds and desks, and good ones, too.

After all that, we drove downtown (where a sign told us it was 104 degrees!), parked, and walked the streets looking for old landmarks. We shot a few pics of the Cinema 5 where we saw the Star Wars Remixes, Baby's which "Art's" is based on in AWFW...we went into the Family Clothesline, trying to remember where all the arcade machines were inside when this was a HUGE arcade (How to deflate Jenn: "Do you have any long nightshirts, the oversized kind that go to your knees?" "Well...yes...but they're for women.")

We went into McLanahan's which was the Penn State Grocery Store and Pep Squad. It's here where you can find ANYTHING with the Penn State's logos on it. I picked up a new oversized satchel to replace my now fallen apart purse, and visited a few more stores (Dean's idea of vacation fun seems to be shopping in strange places :) ), and the art murals along the buildings (my idea is to find wierd stuff and take pics, like the State College Pig Statue), and on campus. The days, though, was growing incredibly short, and we had friends to meet that evening. I said goodbye to State College, and vowed to come back again soon.

So...what do I think of State College after 5 years in Austin. The last few years, I've been kinda debating wether to move out of Austin. The choices being State College, San Francisco or Seattle. Well, cross State College off the list. Not cause it's a bad town or a stupid town. It's actually INCREDIBLY liberal, much like Austin. But unforutnately, with Penn State being the biggest part of State College, you have to deal with the Frat Boys/Girls, who make up for State College's Liberalness by being Real Jerks. I had to walk down Fraternity Row to get to my car when I worked for Kinko's for a while - how could I have forgotten all that? Anyways, State College now has San Antonio as a city-mate: Great place to visit, I'll pass on a move back.

A quit stop at Uncle Eli's Art Shop to tralk about Scientology, and we were off to see our dear friend Wendi and her husband Spike (and newest addition to the family, Mitch!). We talked and visited long into the late hours. I missed Hanna (who gives her name to the Angel Hanna, and is the inspiration for Andrea in AWFW), though, who was off at camp. We talked long into the night, and then it was time to go home. I felt kinda bad - this would be my last night in Pennsylvania...but I was going to meet Emily soon. That would more than make up for it all....

The Tuesday Special - Med Boli w/Sauce Lrg Soda $6.50

DAY FOUR - State College -> Lock Haven

---

After waking up a lot earlier than should be normal, we packed up and bugged out. First order of business was lunch, and after much fretting over where to go, I decided that we were going to Brother's of Hamilton Square.

Now Brother's is NOT the Brother's Chain. And they make sure to tell you they're not that chain. OFficially the place is called "Brother's of Hamilton Square" to keep the big chain off his back. It's prolly one of the most unique pizza joints in the world. It's definately a pizza joint, with a pinball machine in the corner, a TV blaring whatever is good, an old 1995 Neo Geo machine, overhead menus assembled from various letters on tiles, sodas in a fridge, and ato go counter that sells beef jerky. Then you look at the menu, and you're looking at a prime menu from any good Italian restaurant. Veal parmigiana, calamari, italian salads, the works. and cheap. I managed to snap a few pics here and there, worried that we'd have the same problem with the Korean place a few days back, but the owner, who is really genuine and nice, had no problem with me taking pics, and even posed for one. Really good guy. :D

We took off from there, to the last of the great department stores, OW Houts. OW Houts really is just a wierd blip on the map in that it still has departments, like an old Sears or Dillards. In this case the basement level sells all sorts of plumbing and house fixtures and hardware. The middle floor sells housewares, like cutlery, candles, sheets, even a little clothing and old style toys (lots of Radio Flyers), as well as a Deli and grocery store. Top floor sells furniture and beds and desks, and good ones, too.

After all that, we drove downtown (where a sign told us it was 104 degrees!), parked, and walked the streets looking for old landmarks. We shot a few pics of the Cinema 5 where we saw the Star Wars Remixes, Baby's which "Art's" is based on in AWFW...we went into the Family Clothesline, trying to remember where all the arcade machines were inside when this was a HUGE arcade (How to deflate Jenn: "Do you have any long nightshirts, the oversized kind that go to your knees?" "Well...yes...but they're for women.")

We went into McLanahan's which was the Penn State Grocery Store and Pep Squad. It's here where you can find ANYTHING with the Penn State's logos on it. I picked up a new oversized satchel to replace my now fallen apart purse, and visited a few more stores (Dean's idea of vacation fun seems to be shopping in strange places :) ), and the art murals along the buildings (my idea is to find wierd stuff and take pics, like the State College Pig Statue), and on campus. The days, though, was growing incredibly short, and we had friends to meet that evening. I said goodbye to State College, and vowed to come back again soon.

So...what do I think of State College after 5 years in Austin. The last few years, I've been kinda debating wether to move out of Austin. The choices being State College, San Francisco or Seattle. Well, cross State College off the list. Not cause it's a bad town or a stupid town. It's actually INCREDIBLY liberal, much like Austin. But unforutnately, with Penn State being the biggest part of State College, you have to deal with the Frat Boys/Girls, who make up for State College's Liberalness by being Real Jerks. I had to walk down Fraternity Row to get to my car when I worked for Kinko's for a while - how could I have forgotten all that? Anyways, State College now has San Antonio as a city-mate: Great place to visit, I'll pass on a move back.

A quit stop at Uncle Eli's Art Shop to tralk about Scientology, and we were off to see our dear friend Wendi and her husband Spike (and newest addition to the family, Mitch!). We talked and visited long into the late hours. I missed Hanna (who gives her name to the Angel Hanna, and is the inspiration for Andrea in AWFW), though, who was off at camp. We talked long into the night, and then it was time to go home. I felt kinda bad - this would be my last night in Pennsylvania...but I was going to meet Emily soon. That would more than make up for it all....

Thankfully, we ARE in England.

DAY FIVE - Lock Haven -> Baltimore

---

Another wake up, much earlier than I'd like. I gave Dean's parents my goodbyes, and had a pep talk with Dean about his upcoming flight. Dean and I were parting ways here, he'd fly back on his own, while I hopped around the Eastern US. A few goodbyes, and I was on my way to Baltimore.

The four hour drive was uneventful...I arrived about 4:30 at my friend Tom's house. Tom and I have known each other for nearly all out lives. We met in first grade, played Star Trek in the play ground, grew up together for the next five years, and then kept in good touch ever since then. Unfortunately, I got there and he was still at work. I wanted to call him, but couldn't find a pay phone anywhere around. So I puttered around the area, until I finally showed up and his garage door was open. After his wife Diana and kids showed up, we all took off for Chinese food. We came home, and just visited again, till late in the evening, talking mostly about paranormal stuff and dreams and animals that sound like babies crying. When I left...I took my keys...or so I thought.

After a good night, I left them, and went to visit Nathan and Jenesta at theier home. We went out again to a very big 24 hour diner called the Double T Diner, where I had a Club Sandwhich which was much larger than my head. We had a nice long talk there, and continued on the way home, while listening to Video Game Tunes. I repacked my stuff, and fell asleep on their couch...Emily would be waiting when I woke....

Thankfully, we ARE in England.

DAY FIVE - Lock Haven -> Baltimore

---

Another wake up, much earlier than I'd like. I gave Dean's parents my goodbyes, and had a pep talk with Dean about his upcoming flight. Dean and I were parting ways here, he'd fly back on his own, while I hopped around the Eastern US. A few goodbyes, and I was on my way to Baltimore.

The four hour drive was uneventful...I arrived about 4:30 at my friend Tom's house. Tom and I have known each other for nearly all out lives. We met in first grade, played Star Trek in the play ground, grew up together for the next five years, and then kept in good touch ever since then. Unfortunately, I got there and he was still at work. I wanted to call him, but couldn't find a pay phone anywhere around. So I puttered around the area, until I finally showed up and his garage door was open. After his wife Diana and kids showed up, we all took off for Chinese food. We came home, and just visited again, till late in the evening, talking mostly about paranormal stuff and dreams and animals that sound like babies crying. When I left...I took my keys...or so I thought.

After a good night, I left them, and went to visit Nathan and Jenesta at theier home. We went out again to a very big 24 hour diner called the Double T Diner, where I had a Club Sandwhich which was much larger than my head. We had a nice long talk there, and continued on the way home, while listening to Video Game Tunes. I repacked my stuff, and fell asleep on their couch...Emily would be waiting when I woke....

Jenn's Excellent Adventures in TMI

So I'm driving home from my trip to the doctor's for another hormone shot (looks worryingly at bank account). My truck has no A/C and according to the signs I drove by, we hit 101. I was sweating up a storm...but it was a good sweat, I hope.

About halfway through, I got an itch on my right arm and scratched it, only to be met with the feeling that my arm was "dusty." On closer inspection, I had sweat so much that the salt had crystallized on my skin.

Wow...that's really wierd looking.

I also got to see the thunderstorm overhead grow from a small cloud on the horizon, to thunderhead, to all encompassing harbinger of doom.

AND, in things I forgot to mention, Nathan and Jenesta gave me the Bill adn Ted's Excellent Box Set for my birthday. PARTY ON, DWARF DUDE! ::air guitars::

And finally, a picture is worth a 1000 words, so here is a picture of Trinoc that says it all: http://community.webshots.com/photo/401606735/401606794uxGsVg - Courtest of the Lovely and Talented #9.

Dear City of San Marcos,
I findit very good that you are putting in speed humps to slow down drivers that are a tad too fast. But...well...could you at least put up WARNINGS where they are? Or paint them so we see them? I hit four of these things at full blast, as did most of the people behind me.
Thanks, Jenn

Jenn's Excellent Adventures in TMI

So I'm driving home from my trip to the doctor's for another hormone shot (looks worryingly at bank account). My truck has no A/C and according to the signs I drove by, we hit 101. I was sweating up a storm...but it was a good sweat, I hope.

About halfway through, I got an itch on my right arm and scratched it, only to be met with the feeling that my arm was "dusty." On closer inspection, I had sweat so much that the salt had crystallized on my skin.

Wow...that's really wierd looking.

I also got to see the thunderstorm overhead grow from a small cloud on the horizon, to thunderhead, to all encompassing harbinger of doom.

AND, in things I forgot to mention, Nathan and Jenesta gave me the Bill adn Ted's Excellent Box Set for my birthday. PARTY ON, DWARF DUDE! ::air guitars::

And finally, a picture is worth a 1000 words, so here is a picture of Trinoc that says it all: http://community.webshots.com/photo/401606735/401606794uxGsVg - Courtest of the Lovely and Talented #9.

Dear City of San Marcos,
I findit very good that you are putting in speed humps to slow down drivers that are a tad too fast. But...well...could you at least put up WARNINGS where they are? Or paint them so we see them? I hit four of these things at full blast, as did most of the people behind me.
Thanks, Jenn