A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

30 days of writing

30 Days of Writing: Spiders (5/30)

This post is written in conjunction with the 30 Days of Writing, a blog challenge devised by Nicky and Mike at “We Work For Cheese.” I’ll be participating throughout the month of June. If interested, you can see my post with the details of the challenge. 

Please note that some of these posts will be serious, some will be normal, and some will be an attempt at humor. This one is on the fun side. 

When I was in high school, the movie Arachnophobia came out.

Being most of us didn’t have any wheels, heading to the next town over to catch this flick wasn’t going to happen. But, a few months after it was released, it left the main theaters and it ended up at our local college.

So, a few of us went up to watch.

Being silly people, we sat in he front row. Staring up at the screen for this movie was quite entertaining, actually. Hearing college-aged girls screech during parts of the movie was pretty funny.

Overall, I laughed.

Now I’m not afraid of spiders, but they annoy the ever living hell out of me.

Their stupid webs and and the way they creep around. All right, I get it — you can be sneaky. Now go the hell away.

I think that’s why I don’t buy any of the myths associated with spiders. You know, like the one about “Daddy Long Legs” spiders. You know — they are the most poisonous spider or some crap like that.

Yeah, that was debunked.

Then there’s some wise tale we used to hear as kids about killing said daddy long legs — basically, if you whacked one, you’d get bad luck.

C’mon, people.

My favorite is that idiotic children’s jingle about an itsy bitsy spider.

The itsy bitsy spider crawled up the water spout.
Down came the rain, and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun, and dried up all the rain,
And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.

Really?

Who in the name of holy hell is going to blame that damn story?

Seriously.

If a stupid spider was waltzing up a water spout and the rain came down and washed that sucker away, I’m thinking the spider coroner should be called in to declare that sucker dead.

And if not, someone get the spider shrink in because that spider needs to be looked at. Who would be dumb enough to climb back up the same spout if you just got washed away — and survived?

Hello?

I know there are several times I’ve seen spiders in situations where flowing water came into play. I can assure you of this — the spider never won. And I doubt it won in this jingle, either.

So it’s time for parents to fess up and start telling their kids the truth about this stupid spider.

Here’s my version:

The itsy bitsy spider crawled up the water spout.
Down came the rain, and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun, and dried up all the rain,
And the itsy bitsy spider was in a crap load of pain. 

That damn spider is lucky I didn’t kill it off. Stay away from the spout and live, you dumb spider.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

30 Days of Writing: Behind the wheel (4/30)

Being behind the wheel with a manual transmission is awesome.

This post is written in conjunction with the 30 Days of Writing, a blog challenge devised by Nicky and Mike at “We Work For Cheese.” I’ll be participating throughout the month of June. If interested, you can see my post with the details of the challenge. 

Please note that some of these posts will be serious, some will be normal, and some will be an attempt at humor. This one is on the fun side. 

There’s something to be said about feeling in full control of your car.

Heading down the road, shifting away, feeling the RPMs kick in and take off. A quick downshift on a corner and feeling as the car catches the road and smoothly glides into the next straightaway.

Several years ago, I was in the hunt for a new car. But this was one of those types of searches where I didn’t have a lot of time. My then-current car had engine issues and it wasn’t really reliable or safe to drive.

So I needed new wheels.

I've had this car since 2005 and I still love driving it.

About the only thing that I needed to have was a stick shift. Everything else was negotiable.

I searched and searched to no avail. The car dealer I always went to couldn’t get me what I had wanted. I opened my search and looked all over. Nobody seemed to have anything that met what I needed — in other words a stick shift with the mileage to match the price. (Sorry, I’m not paying $275 per month for five years for a car with 85,000 miles on it… not happening).

Then I got talking to the one salesman at Volkswagen. For some reason, I inquired about lease deals. I had never really considered a lease. With my job at the time, I put a lot of miles on a car. So it wouldn’t make sense.

He told me a great deal on new Jettas.

Intrigued, I went over to test one out. It had been a while since I had driven stick shift, so I asked him about the clutch and everything else. He told me to “get on it,” and “not to worry.”

Apparently, when VW people visit the dealership — as well as others — they really push the cars, as that’s what the cars are made to do. That’s according to the salesman, anyway.

I took the car out slowly. My test drive was no more than four or five miles, but I punched it a bit. I tested the feel of things. I shifted through and really got a feel for how things went.

When I got back to the dealership, I asked how long it would take them to get it ready.

After the paperwork and a day wait for detailing etc., I picked up my new ride. It had a whopping 325 (or so) miles on it. This was my first new car and I was stoked.

My car is now approaching 150,000 miles. It’s had a few downs along the way, but overall, it’s been one hell of a car. I’ve seen a lot through the windows of this car. And it’s still fun to drive it.

I was thinking about that Sunday as I drove through some country highways with the twists and turns I’m so used to. The sky changed from a brilliant blue to dark storm clouds and back to blue.

This car is more than two tons of metal and parts. It’s been a part of my life since 2005. It’s been so many places throughout the Northeast. Maine, New York City, Philly, Washington D.C., and other places. It’s visited Canada more than once. This car has traveled seasonal roads and zipped along long and straight highways. It’s been at events and everywhere else.

I've seen some great views from behind the wheel of my Jetta.

And for that, I love it.

As I came home today from a few different events, I thought about what this car has been through. I slipped through the gears with the ease that it has always had. As I crested one of the mountains I drive up over, I saw the tail end of a rainbow. Quite the view. I stopped and attempted a few images before I got back into the car and continued on.

It’s funny, too. Outside of taking it into the shop, only two or three other people have been behind the wheel of this car. That’s how much I think of this car and what it’s like to be behind the wheel.

I know, one day, I’ll have to move on to a new car. And that day will be hard, without a doubt. But no matter what, this will be one car that I’ll never forget. It’s been the best car I’ve owned and I’ve never felt more comfortable behind the wheel of any other car.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

30 Days of Writing: They played our song (3/30)

This post is written in conjunction with the 30 Days of Writing, a blog challenge devised by Nicky and Mike at “We Work For Cheese.” I’ll be participating throughout the month of June. If interested, you can see my post with the details of the challenge. 

Please note that some of these posts will be serious, some will be normal, and some will be an attempt at humor. This one is on the fun side. 

Bittersweet.

Ahh, this six-plus-minute song really brings back memories.

This song wasn’t just mine. No, it was the song of a whole place. Back in the day, while still in my early 20s, this song was one we used to hear at  our local watering hole. Several of us would request it nightly and we’d enjoy the tune.

Once a night.

The song would start with the nice guitar riff and we’d be swallowing down a couple of cold ones as the music picked up and half the bar sang along.

Bittersweet played at different times of the night, but not usually until the handful of us who really got into the song were there.

Ahhh, the crazy life of a 20-something just enjoying life, a few beers and some good friends.

The one bartender always played it for us. He knew we’d up our tips with that song. We’d buy a pitcher or two and have a good time. No problem.

It’s only six or so minutes, so why not?

Keep the customers happy, right.

But not all bartenders think the same, you see. There was one bartender in there who was as moody as they come. Many called her a bitch. I liked her. I never had problems with her. I also didn’t do the things that irritated her — slam a glass on the bar when I was ready for a refill or call her “bartender” or something like that.

Alas, as I said, she was a bit moody at times.

It was a Tuesday or Wednesday night when the regular “crew” came in and ordered up some beers.

We requested “Bittersweet.”

The answer?

“I’m sick of that song and not playing it anymore.”

We were flabbergasted. So we had a few drinks, played some fooseball and went back to the bar.

The song was requested once again.

At this point, she now started to get peeved. No was the continual answer. If I remember right, there were four or five of us that night. And no was an answer we wanted to hear.

That song must be played.

We took up a collection of $5 per person. A few others at the bar chucked in a couple of bucks. When all said and done, there was — give or take — $30 on the bar as an offer to pay her to play this song.

One hell of a tip, I’d say. I don’t think she’d have made that much on a slow night like that anyway.

Still a no.

A few minutes later, the other bartender came in. We told him of the issue, he accepted the tip and played the song.

Let’s just say the other bartender was flipping mad.

We never asked her to play the song for us again. I’m pretty sure our tips showed it, too.

On the flip side, the other bartender continued to play us the song. Eventually, the song played its course in the bar and faded away, rarely getting a play.

But for a while, it was “our song” for a group of us.

Every time I hear that song now, I think of those times and remember the fun we used to have back in the days.

Bittersweet, indeed.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

30 Days of Writing: Roadblock (2/30)

Roadblock to keep people off a road that tends to flood with heavy rains.

This post is written in conjunction with the 30 Days of Writing, a blog challenge devised by Nicky and Mike at “We Work For Cheese.” I’ll be participating throughout the month of June. If interested, you can see my post with the details of the challenge. 

Please note that some of these posts will be serious, some will be normal, and some will be an attempt at humor. This one is on the serious side. 

For many years, there is a road in our area that has been known for flooding.

It’s a back road that runs pretty much parallel to a state highway. As the two run close to one another just outside of our village, there’s a beautiful covered bridge. It’s an historic covered bridge and a wonderful spot for photography.

On the county road — the backside of the river — the road dips awful low for a bit and then zig-zags away from the river a bit.

It’s that dipping part that has always been something to watch when heavy rains comes. Unfortunately, it can also result in tragedy. Let’s go back in time to revisit something that this area will likely always remember. At the time, it was one of my biggest freelance “breaks” in my professional career, but if it could erase what happened, I’d gladly give back the opportunity that I received because of it.

****

‘Twas early evening on a cool and rainy Fall day in late October 2003. I was semi-employed at the time as I searched for work after completing my Master’s degree in May. I had covered a game for the local daily paper and had dropped off a roll of film for them and was heading home.

I got a call from a friend who was working for said daily and he noted the New York Daily News needed a freelancer to help with a story that was happening in my town.

And, being the News pays well, I had a hard time saying no.

The way things happen with a paper like that is the person upstate doesn’t really write. My job was to call around to people, get some quotes, comments and whatever else to help the writer back in New York. They paint a picture that way. They make calls as well and then weave everything together in the way a daily tabloid can.

So, I did what they needed.

But the story itself was tragic.

There had been a lot of rain the previous few days and there was a bit of flooding. A lady, driving home from work, went via the back road. In her car, buckled into their child seats, were here 10-month old twins.

As she rounded one of the corners and hit one of the dips in the road, her car was swept up by flood waters and taken into the fast-moving river.

According to reports, she said she attempted to escape by rolling down a window and tried to release the child seats. But she basically was sucked out of the vehicle, which then kept heading down river. After gettingShe ran as fast as she could to find help. Nobody was home in a nearby house and after flagging a motorist, she was taken to the hospital.

Search crews went to work as fast as possible. And the search went throughout the night.

The following day, the bodies of the twins were pulled from the water. It was a story that attracted local and national attention. In the end, two children lost their lives before they ever got to have them going.

One area media reported that a county worker was en route to close the road as this tragedy happened. Reports of water on the road had come in shortly before and he was being sent to close the road.

But, it was too late.

****

Those twins would be nine-years-old now. They’d be in school and looking forward to turning 10 on New Year’s Eve. But Mother Nature and a bit of nasty fate took that away.

And that’s sad.

The only glimmer of hope from this is that something good would hopefully come out of it.

Since that day, whenever heavy rains come and there’s a chance of water creeping up too high, the county closes that section of the road as fast as possible. No waiting. Roadblocks go up until the water comes down and it’s safe to pass through that area.

I often drive that section of the road. It’s scenic. There are wonderful photo opportunities. But each time, I pass by the makeshift memorial that has been built for the twins and it makes me remember that fateful night.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Foto Friday/30 Days of Writing: Cheese (1/30)

Mmmm... cheese!

Cheese.

It’s a milk-based product to die for.

It also happens to be the first day of the 30 Days of Writing Challenge. So I needed to find a way to mix this glorious food into my normal weekly edition of Foto Friday.

So, I’m going to share some cheese photos to go with both posts and mix them into one.

I love me some cheese.

First, some cheese stuff.

Cheese is one of the few foods I would have a hard time living without. There are not many cheeses that I don’t like, at least in one form or another. With things such a bleu cheese, I don’t like it by itself, but mixed with some garlic and melted as a steak topping? Awesome.

Cheddar, of course, is the bomb.

Gouda. Swiss. Irish cheese. Smoked. Brie. So many types of cheese, so little time. I even think there’s a place for sandwich cheese (ie: pasteurized and individually packaged…) and spreads.

I try and check out cheese sections wherever I go. And I like to try new stuff whenever I can. In fact, I think I am willing to try cheeses more than I am certain other things.

One thing that’s outstanding about cheese is all the wonderful foods you can eat cheese with, and all the drinks you can enjoy with cheese.

For example, I realize many people love wine with cheese.

Not me.

I love trying new cheeses, like this smoked bacon. Awesome.

See, I’m not a wine guy. I couldn’t tell you the difference between a red and a white (besides color) or between a Chardonnay, a Merlot or a pinot noir.

Beer goes well with cheese, especially a good beer, such as a Guinness or a strong ale. Drinking something like Coors Light wouldn’t work well with cheese, I don’t think.

For me, I enjoy water with cheese as I feel like the water won’t take away from the taste of the cheese. I’m sure wine and such accent the cheese, but I’m more of a naturalist with the cheese.

Then there’s what you eat with cheese.

Pretzels and cheddar... awesome!

Personally, eating cheese by itself works for me. Yet, I still find myself trying other things.

Pretzels, for example, go well with cheddar cheese. Triscuits and Wheat Thins seem to go well with anything. Ritz crackers? The same. There are so many varieties of crackers out there, that I’m sure you’ll be able to easily find something to go with the cheese you’ve chosen.

I’m a fan of spreads, too. Anything from things like swiss almond to something like Laughing Cow, which is a wedged cheese with seven different varieties, go well with normal crackers.

Nothing like a little spread for Triscuits!

Cheese is also something that is very photographic. This is, after all, a Foto Friday post. Getting zoomed in and playing with the focal points is a nice way to do things. Also, mixing in different things — such as crackers, pretzels, knives etc. — will make things a bit better, too.

There’s a cheese factory near me and I am hoping to stop there sometime this summer. I think it would make for some pretty wild photos. Especially if I could shoot the process of the cheese being made.

But even if I can just see full cheese wheels and other cheese things — still good photos.

In the end, if you are taking photos of cheese… what’s the best part?

Eating all the cheese you use as props!

Yum!

Cheese!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!