Fire at Exton Station! Blogger Captures Amazing Photos

Today is July 2, 2008 and there's a fire in West Whiteland's Exton Station. Firstly, I'd like to thank the Fire Fighters for their brave work. And secondly the courage of a person you may know as Dr Zibbs. That's correct, it's me - the CEO of Chester County's That Blue Yak. And I'm giving myself this exclusive interview:

DrZibbs (interviewer): When did you know there was a fire? Were you in danger at anytime?

Dr Zibbs (CEO): Great questions. I was traveling toward the Wawa on Greenhill Road as you can see above. I reached for my blackberry and although I was not eating in the car at the time, I could have been...well..who knows what could have happened.

Dr Zibbs (interviewer): What happened next?

Dr Zibbs: (CEO): I followed the fire engines - I believe one of the West Chester departments to the scene. There were already other stations there.

Dr Zibbs (interviewer): Did you help with the fire or save any lives? Also, what is your background in photography? These photos are breath taking!

Dr Zibbs (CEO): I don't recall - it all happened so quickly. As for the photos, they are something aren't they. I'll probably donate them to a local museum or the Chester County Historical Society. I guess it all depends on what perks I may be offered. You know how those bidding wars can go.

Dr Zibbs (Interviewer): Thanks Dr Zibbs, or should I say, Dr Hero?

Fonz Record Player

Fonz Record Player
Originally uploaded by swanksalot

Look at it. The Fonz record player. Note how the photo was taken through a store window - almost taunting potential buyers. But the real reason for this post is to remind all you kids that staying in school is indeed cool. Have some fun in the sun and all - but seriously stay in school and don't do crack.

Crazy Freaky Video Mashup Perfect For Practical Joke

I have no plans to break into anyone's house and terrorize them like in the movie Funny Games with Tim Roth and Naomi Watts. But if I did, I'd probably wear a pig or monkey mask. Then, after I tied them up, and before pulling my mask off I'd make them watch this video mashup. Tell me that wouldn't freak those dopes out.

(DISCLAIMER: I NEVER WOULD TERRORIZE THEM - INSTEAD, AFTER THE VIDEO WAS OVER, I'D PULL OFF THE MASK AND SAY, 'GOT YA'. ALSO, I'D DO IT TO FRIENDS BECAUSE IF THEY WERE STRANGERS THEY'D PROBABLY HAVE ME ARRESTED)

Lions Share Restaurant - Lionville's True Horror Story

Forget about ghosts in Chester County restaurants - which one DOESN'T claim to be haunted? If you really want to hear about true horror, it happened at Lionville's Lions Share Restaurant in 1979 - and goes a little like this:

I was dish washing Friday night at the Lions Share when Gus the manager came back and said, "Zibbs, we've got a situation in the men's room near room four. Go take care of it."

So I walk back past the Friday night diners eating their clams casino and enter the bathroom. I slowly open the stall and there it was. It looked like a the site of the Manson murders. Someone had entered the men's stall and had explosive diarrhea not just on the floor, but on all four walls and - yes - somehow - the ceiling. It was like being the first on the scene of a terrible, terrible car accident. Do I run? Do I scream? Do I call a priest? The coverage of the stall was like someone filled a pinata up with shit and hit it with a baseball bat. Except this was 1979 and anything to do with the Mexican culture wouldn't be seen in these parts for at least 5 years. I believes someone just had a night that they shall never forget. And for how unbelievable the scene was, there was also something that stood out as very,very odd - behind the toilet a pair of underwear was stuffed - almost as if someone was trying to hide some evidence.

"As I tried to imagine the panic on the person as this was happening, I walked quickly back through the diners and into the kitchen. This had to be shared, "Eric, you're not going to believe what just happened in the bathroom!"

"What? What?"

"Ohhh man - It can't be described - it can only be experienced. Follow me!"

With our food covered aprons, we walked through the dining rooms back to the scene of the crime. We were always instructed to keep our voices down when we walked through the rooms but it was impossible for Eric, "What is it? What is it?"

We walked in the door, I opened the stall and causually asked, "And what is the meaning of this?"

Eric saw the scene and just started screaming and laughing, "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS! OH MY GOD...AHHHHHH...WHAAAAA!!"

I let him peak with his laughter then said, "And there's a little present right behind the bowl - look behind the toilet". That's when Eric almost died of laughter/delight/horror. "And Gus wants you to clean it up."

"AHHHH..HAHAHA...WHATTTTT? ..THERE IS NO WAY....WHAHAAA!"

We walked back into the kitchen and basically ignored Gus's request to clean up the God awful scene. He later cleaned it as we walked through every detail of how the scene 'went down'. There were so many questions:

- Was it someone on a first date?

- Was it food related?

- Did the guy think by hiding the underwear behind the toilet it would make the covered stall go away- like a 3 year old covering their eyes and saying ,'you can't see me'?

- Was a window escape attempted?

- Did the guy innocently walk out of the bathroom after cleaning up? If so, did he calmly sit down as if nothing happened or was it SO obvious that a diner at another table asked, 'Sir, you obviously shit all over the stall in that bathroom - are you going to do the honorable thing and tell the management so they can get a dishwasher in there to clean it up?"

I know the person responsible for this may still live in Chester County. Perhaps they've even moved. What I'm trying to get to is this - YOU NEED TO COME FORWARD. My innocence was lost that day and if you can make yourself known, answer my questions and endure what I promise will be a very short and respectful press conference, I will not have to hold a contest asking locals to hunt you down. So please, if you don't want to open the The Daily Local News and read "Lions Share Men's Room Violator Hunt Continues- DAY 45" in the upper left corner, then please contact me. My hunt will never end for you.

God Bless.

Westtown Butt Potato Owning Boy Breaks 12 day Silence

That Blue Yak assembly line worker Dave Dadd finally speaks out on his potato:

"OK, I'm not trying to be immature but you have to agree, this potato looks just like a butt. I'm thinking about calling the Daily Local News but I might hold out for a really slow news day. Then maybe I'll get a picture of the potato AND me holding the potato in the paper. That's what my friend Sid told me."

"I think I'm ready for the fame, 'Hey everyone look - it's the owner of the potato that looks like a butt right here in Westtown' - that's gonna be sweet. I'll probably be picked to be like grand Marshall in the West Chester Halloween Parade, King of the Chester County Restaurant
Festival.....you'll see...you'll all see."

Joe Cocker Woodstock Lyrics Finally Interpreted

Here's a Joe Cocker video suggestion from West Chester's own (and new That Blue Yak commenter) MJH. And another tip from MJH: If you ever get a ring stuck on your finger, try some soapy water - it seems to do the trick.

Stu The Meat Man Is Returning To Spike TV In The Factory

For fans of Strangers with Candy's Stu the "eat the brisket" Meat Man, you're going to be very happy. The reason? This Sunday night at 10:00 Eastern time the new show The Factory is premiering. The creator, Mitch Rouse (one of the SWC creators) is also on this show. Rouse by the way also played the narc on the SWC episode where there's a narc. The comedy features 4 dudes that work in a factor. The premier episode is about a guy at the factory that dies because his tie -which was a birthday present from his son - gets sucked into a machine. This show is going to be hysterical. Here's a clip:

Bigfoot Related Murder In Chester County?

I must warn everyone that this picture is very disturbing. It's the remains of a bluejay found just 25 feet from the THAT BLUE YAK GARDEN OF HOPE. The odd thing is - only the feathers and - are you ready for this? ...a BEAK were found. No bones, no insides - just feathers and beak. As a self taught naturalist I'm ruling out cats, kids, squirrels, bees and the birds of prey with the sharp nails.

The only answer I can think of is what injuns used to call Sasquatch (English for big assed orange gorilla that run like this).

The local injuns around here were the Lenni Lenape. If can muster up the follow through, I just may head down to the Chester County Historical Society to see if any of those books hold any answers.

Let's Lick A Lolly With the Electric Company

This clip from the Electric Company is pretty gay at the beginning then it's not gay, then it turns gay at the end again. But either way, if it doesn't inspire you to cut out a piece of paper into the shape of a circle and tape it to a ruler and dance around by the song's end - then maybe there's something wrong with you. ...Perhaps... YOU"RE gay?

Pear Body Shape - Let's Get Learnin'

While compiling my extensive research for a blog post about pear shaped people that I was originally going to call, "Hey everyone, that lady over there is shaped like a giant pear", I didn't think I was going to learn anything.

I was going to discuss the scene when you spot a pear shaped mother and daughter together at the Exton Mall and they're both pear shaped.

I love to run up to these rascals and playfully circle them while saying, "One pear - two pear - one pear - two pear. . They have a name for your type you know- it's called a PEAR. Look at you, you're gonna look just like your mom when you grow up - thin at the top but ssssslllllloped down here." (And when I say the word sloped, I use a slide whistle to make a ssssllllopoing sound. The gathering crowd always claps at that part)

I love doing that. And I'm glad that the laws of Pennsylvania allow me to do that.

So what did I learn? I learned that you can buy the "Obesity Model 360" (pictured above). With this model, I will have an actual prop, a teaching tool if you will, that I can use to teach others about the Pear people. All I need to do is find a carrying case so I don't look like a weirdo walking around with that thing. To learn where you can buy the Obesity Model 360 - click here.

George Carlin Dead - Did God Make a Mistake?

George Carlin - dead. Yakov Smirnoff, Gallagher and Carrot Top - alive. Did God make a mistake? You be the judge.

Cinnamon Bun Maker Wins Award for Bun Name

It's official, the award for least amount of effort used in the creation of a brand name (food category) goes to: "Mrs Freshley's".

Flowers Foods Creative Director Jay Hash gave his comments to THAT BLUE YAK via a phone interview:

"What are you gonna do? I've got 8 months until retirement. Do you think I'm gonna waist my valuable day dreaming time thinking up a creative name for a crappy bun?"

Food Industry insiders say that the name Mrs. Freshly's beat out "Sir Fresh-a-Lot", "Mr Freshly's" and "Dr Cinn-a-licious."

We Thought Our Sense of Humor Was Odd - Until BabyCakes Arrived

Here is a classic BabyCakes short from Brad Neely. This stuff is funny. Warning: Some foul language.

The Babies Just Come With The Scenery - It's True

Here as great, classic vid from the Pretenders. Enjoy the great guitar. I've put the lyrics below the video so you can pretend there's a bouncing ball over the lyrics and you can tap your foot and sing along.



THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IS TRYING TO FIND ME I'M STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF LIFE WITH MY PLANS BEHIND ME WELL I GOT A SMILE FOR EVERYONE I MEET AS LONG AS YOU DON'T TRY DRAGGING MY BAY OR DROPPING THE BOMB ON MY STREET
NOW COME ON BABY GET IN THE ROAD OH COME ON NOW IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, YEAH
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD YOU SEE THE DARNDEST THINGS LIKE FAT GUYS DRIVING 'ROUND IN JEEPS THROUGH THE CITY WEARING BIG DIAMOND RINGS AND SILK SUITS PAST CORRUGATED TIN SHACKS FULL UP WITH KIDS OH MAN I DON'T MEAN A HAMPSTEAD NURSERY WHEN YOU OWN A BIG CHUNK OF THE BLOODY THIRD WORLD THE BABIES JUST COME WITH THE SCENERY
OH COME ON BABY GET IN THE ROAD OH COME ON NOW IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, YEAH
ONE...TWO...THREE...FOUR...
THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IS NO PRIVATE CUL-DE-SAC I CAN'T GET FROM THE CAB TO THE CURB WITHOUT SOME LITTLE JERK ON MY BACK DON'T HARASS ME, CAN'T YOU TELL I'M GOING HOME, I'M TIRED AS HELL I'M NOT THE CAT I USED TO BE I GOT A KID, I'M THIRTY-THREE
BABY, GET IN THE ROAD COME ON NOW IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD YEAH

We'll Take That As a Blogger Compliment

Falwless from the famous blog "Lot's Better Then Your Blog" gave West Chester, PA based blog THAT BLUE YAK some very nice compliments in a post recently. Click here to see what everyone on the information super highway is blogging about. And don't forget to read the user comments. A select few have been added to our blogroll. The others? Keep on keepin' on.

Here's A Great Resource For Bloggers

"Ron Howard's Brother" and "Mom catches son". What do these two phrases have in common? They are the year to date top key word searches on That Blue Yak according to Google analytics. I'm sure most bloggers are using the free google analytics to look at their data. I'd love to hear from some of you blogging geeks on some of the other great tools, sites or widgets that you use on your blog.

In the mean time, check out dailyblogtips.com - it's pretty helpful.

Now go back to the top of this post and click on those keywords and enjoy the magic.

Chester County Residents Prepare For Tonight's Solstice Moon

Tonight, June 18th - is the Solstice Moon. For those living in Chester County, PA , the ideal time for the show will happen at moonrise which will be between 8:07 and 8:15. What will you see? As the moon starts to appear in the horizon it's gonna look HUGE! Now this is important people - do not panic. I can't stress this enough.

Just like the old "got your nose" trick, the large moon is just an illusion. In fact, even photos of the solstice moon don't show a moon that is larger than average. Huh? I'm still going to try my own experiment by throwing a rock at it. If the rock does hit the moon, then I think some people are going to have a little bit of explaining to do.

Check out the Chester County Astronomical Society for more fun facts or to read more sciencey stuff about the Solstice Moon, click here.

Gypsy Foot Care Factory Opens Up Shop In Chester County

For those looking for premier foot care without the snobby know-it-all doctors with their fancy degrees, look no further than the Gypsy Foot Care Factory now open on Main Street in Exton (in that big old, run down yellow house that looks haunted). Here's the video - a That Blue Yak original production - which details its podiatry services:

WC Dish Give That Blue Yak Shout Out For Incredible News Coverage

WC Dish gave the writers at That Blue Yak a shout out for our incredible new coverage of the Taste of Chester County. We thank ye'. Next stop, Daily Local News. To see the WC Dish shout out, click here.

Last Minute Father's Day Gift for BBQ Dad

If you've waited this long to get you Dad a Father's Day gift you are a dope. But you still need to get him something. How about this cool condiment gun? Imagine how cool it will be to fill this revolver with BBQ sauce, mustard or ketchup? Nice. Just print this page out and fold it like a card and write, "I.O.U. one condiment gun". Click here for order info and additional cool pics: Condiment gun.

Happy Friday the 13th and Tribute to Local Celebrity

Today is Friday the 13th. Did you know that Amy Steele - born and raised in West Chester was in two of the Friday the 13th movie (parts 2 and the Final chapter)? It's a fact. Just click on her name to see the proof on IMDB. As a matter of fact, someone here at the Yak met her years ago because he went to High School with her brother. He met her at the Bar/Restaurant (currently Kildare's) and told her that he wasn't an actor yet, but was waiting for a callback from Wrigley's Spearmint Gum for a commercial. She fell for it.

Here is a clip of the trailer. She is the girl that is shown after the narrator says, "Number 19":

Jesus Tells West Whiteland Man To Continue Taking Extra Wing

The following is true life story that actually happened to That Blue Yak Marketing Manager Ted Murphy:

First off, let me tell you that the wings at the Downingtown Wegmans are downright delicious. You can get 10 wings for $6,99. You get to pick from several styles including BBQ, Teriyaki, Southern style and more. It's a self serve so a few months ago it became a bit tempting to "accidentally" put an 11th wing in the box. My crime went unnoticed 5 times.

In addition to my eyes being bigger than my stomach and not being able to finish the wings AND thinking what I was doing might be wrong, I decided last week to even things out be getting only 9 wings.

Feeling like a saint, I went to my car to eat the wings. I threw my tie over my shoulder so it wouldn't get in the food. Then I lined my lap with paper towels because I'm such a messy eater that I need to take major precautions so I don't get food all over myself.

The carnage began. The wings were as tasty as ever and I ate them carefully as I drove over to the Home Depot across route 30. I spilled not a single heavenly drop of sauce on myself which was a miracle. I parked the car and reached for the extra napkins that I thought were in my car. To my horror, I was out of napkins and my hands were completely caked with sauce and the sticky teryaki sauce. It looked like I'd been having a catch with sticky buns. I tried to wipe some of the gook off with tissues but the tissues stuck like feathers to tar.

I decided that I'd have to walk briskly to the bathroom to clean up. My fear was that if I ran into someone and they put their hand out to shake I would have to say, "Oh, I can't shake - See? My hands are completely covered with sauce and tissues."

I arrived in the bathroom, turned on the water and this is the image that stared back at me:

I think we can all take this as a signal from Jesus that he was punishing me for taking 9 wings. I don't know why he wants me to return to taking 11 wings but I will have to follow his orders. He is Jesus after all.

This McDonalds Commercial Spoof Will Give You a Chuckle

These guys won't win an academy award for this McDonald's commercial spoof but the content is pretty darn funny.

Hanson Quarry In Downingtown Perfect For Brady Bunch Fantasy

Are you looking to relive the Grand Canyon episode of the Brady Bunch? Do you think you'll get out to the Grand Canyon and then realize that it was a stupid idea? Well you're in luck. Travel to Hanson Aggregates on Quarry Road in Downingtown and look through the fence. It's the Chester County Grand canyon - the poor man's Grand Canyon if you will - And I will. Just look at these these amazing photos!

Is that an Injun boy running away? Maybe. Did Alice just make a joke? Probably. Imagine the adventures you'll have using your imagination. And when you're there, don't forget to cup your hands around your mouth and yell EEECCCHHHOOOAAAA!

Then treat yourself to a drive down Valley Creek Road to visit the spooky haunted tunnels.

Vegas Places Odds On Barack Obama's Real Name

According to the Associated Press, the Barack Obama campaign is refusing to release his birth certificate. Several theories are circulating for the refusal. Was Obama actually born in the US or his father's native country of Kenya? Another theory is that Barack changed his name from an embarrassing name. Vegas odds will be released at 5:00 Eastern time but the list has been forwarded to That Blue Yak. The names/odds are:

1-5 odds: Barack YoMama

2-5 odds: Rerun

4-5 odds: George Dubyelu Bush

6-5 odds: Female'

7-5 odds: Ward Cleaver

Good luck.

Taste of Chester County at Church Farm School - It's Hot In Here!

Chester County residents sweated it out last night at the Taste of Chester County held at Church Farm School in Exton. The Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry sponsored the event - and despite the 180 degree temperature inside of the building, people had a great time.

During the event, Mary Bigham from WC DISH and celebrity judges voted on their favorite foods. They will reveal the winners soon on WCOJ.

Until then, the following are some Yak employees and their comments:

"Montesano Brothers Italian Marketing and Catering had their usual excellent selection of anti pasta including meats, cheeses and grilled veggies. Very tasty and their staff is great. They are the best caterers in Chester County."

- Mike - Accounting

"I had the oysters from the Riverstone Cafe. They had some type of cucumber salsa that went on top that was great. And I found out that they have $1 oysters on Wednesday Nights. Now I can do the buck a shuck on Mondays at Doc McGrogans and Wednesday at Riverstone. With all of those oysters I now dub myself Boner Billy."

- William - Marketing

"Baby I never even heard of the Thai L' Elephant, but this place had the longest lines. This Phoenixville restaurant had some chicken on sticks and some puffy things. Baby they was good."

- Thelma -Cafeteria staff/janitor/warehouse

"It's hot as hell in here."

- Ted - IT

Chester County Residents Cope With The Heat Wave

Chester County residents are coping with the June heatwave as best as they can. The following are various weather tips and coping strategies from various Chester County residents:

"Stay away from fat people. If you think they stink at normal temperatures take a whiff of a 300 pounder when it's 100 degrees.

- Larry Grear, Kennett Square

"I like to freeze giant ice cubes into the shape of hats throughout the Winter - then, during a heatwave, I strut my resourceful ass around Exton like a peacock."

- Sean Roth -Malvern

"I like to check on the old to see if they're still alive."

- Betty Polite - Downingtown

"You call this heat? This is nothing - I used to live in Florida. And don't EVEN get me started on snow in the Winter because do you know what numb-nut? Before Florida - I lived in Buffalo."

- John Poliski - Coatesville (formerly from Naples, Florida and Buffalo, New York).

West Whiteland Vegetable Garden of Hope Is In The Ground

As promised the THAT BLUE YAK VEGETABLE GARDEN OF HOPE is underway. The West Whiteland Garden will provide the employees of THAT BLUE YAK with something to do on their lunch hour and a local bum some free produce. So far in the ground are:

1. Lettuce - 2 versions have been planted in succession. The first batch - as seen above - is ready to pick.


2. Scallions - planted a month ago and ready for picking.


3. Radishes - planted a month ago and ready in about a week.


4. Runner Beans -planted a few days ago


5. Zucchini - (the phallic clown of the vegetable world) -planted.


6. Bush Pickles - planted mid May.


7. Tomatoes - 6 varieties

A small "concert" was unenthusiastically performed by a local ("Children of the Corn" Charlie) to celebrate the earth, warn the varmints and announce to Chester County that the kick-ass Garden of Hope is in the soil. Songs performed included Gary Wright's "Dream Weaver" and several selections by Rico Suave and Bel Biv Devoe

The songs performed were SO kick-ass, this deer was seen high tailing it off of the grounds:

AND STAY OUT!!!!

Brady Bunch Variety Hour - Goosebump Inducer

Break out the talcum powder because you're going to suffering from the worst rash you've ever had if you can bring yourself to watch this clip of the Brady Bunch Variety Hour. Some dope on the You Tube thought he was clever by mixing in other TV shows at the beginning and throughout - but it's pointless - let us be tortured without interruption.

And who do you think was responsible for the mess called the Brady Bunch Variety Hour? If you guessed Sid and Marty Krofft you've won yourself an over sized, cheaply made costume. Just like the Nazi concentration camps, wasn't there ANYONE around to step in and ask, "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?"

The only people who look normal in this clip are Rip Taylor and Uncle Miltie. If I was Miltie, Ida clobbered that Greg over the head with my giant weiner.

West Chester Growers Market Is Now Open - It's Veggie Time

The West Chester Growers Market is open for biz. And this is exactly where THAT BLUE YAK employees went to pick out veggies to be grown in the THAT BLUE YAK VEGETABLE GARDEN OF HOPE. Human Resources director Bennie Duke explains,

"We have a few employees that are at the verbal warning stage here at the Yak. Since we have a nice plot out back, we decided to force them to grow vegetables on their lunch hour. Once we're ready to harvest the bounty, we'll pick a charity and donate some of the food to it. Companies are always getting PR by donating junk to poor or 'different people' - why not us?"

And the West Chester Growers market is THE PLACE TO GO if you want to get some really nice heirloom tomatoes as well as some varieties of peppers that can't be found at Waterloo Gardens and some of the other Chester County plant joints.

So join us and watch as our employees are illegally forced to work the land, and we attempt to grow some stuff that we can give to a bum.

If you want to visit the West Chester Growers Market, it's located on the corner of Darlington and Chestnut Street in West Chester.

(DISCLAIMER: AS NOTED ABOVE, WE'LL BE DONATING A PORTION TO A CAUSE. WE WILL PICK THE CAUSE AND THE PORTION. WILL THE PORTION BE A SINGLE BEAN OR RADISH? WILL THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE VEGGIE BE DONE BY TOSSING IT OUT OF A MOVING VEHICLE WHILE YELLING, "HERE YOU GO BUM"? LEGALLY, YES WE CAN DO THAT).