Hash #: 1158.9 Date: Wed 25th July, 2007 Venue: Plainsboro – Library to Forrestal Campus (near Plasma Physics Lab) Hare: OuiPee Hounds: Wacko, HIMZ, James II, Itemized Seduction, Full Moon Smiling, Hand Solo, Ksilent Knight, Nn, Mike “Todd Quackenbush” Muffleman Time: 1.25 hrs “Do You Know The Muffleman” So I pull into the Plainsboro library and park next to the only car that looks like it might be inhabited by a hasher and the occupant gets out - a very fit, 20-something you man - and says… “Hi. You must be Wacko.” Wondering whether it’s my Prius, my PA license plate, or my advanced age that gave me away, I come up with a quick retort. “Yes.” “I’m Todd Quackenbush,” he replies. “Todd Quackenbush?” I work with Todd Quackenbush. I’ve known Todd Quackenbush for 30 years. Talked to him by phone that afternoon. Todd Quackenbush is vacationing on Cape Cod . I was 50% sure this guy was lying. “Todd Quackenbush? ! I know Todd Quackenbush and you are no Todd Quackenbush!” But lo and behold, after a lengthy explanation, I discover I am wrong. LENGTHY EXPLANATION TO BE SKIPPED BY THOSE WITH MORE THAN HALF A MIND… You see, Todd Quackenbush, who incidentally joined the PHHH when he set a trail through Plainsboro with me eerily similar to today’s trail some 20 odd years ago, got his hash name when I introduced him to The Louisiana Reptile Fancier (still my favorite name) and the latter mistook “Quackenbush” for his hashname. I quickly replied, “Well, his name is spelled ‘Quackenbush’, but it’s pronounced ‘Throat Warbler Mangrove’.” You see, there is this Monty Python episode where a gentleman walks into a travel agent who pronounces his name, “Luxury Yacht”, as it is spelled (Yacht instead of Yaht) to which the man replies, “No, my name is spelled “Yacht” but it is pronounced “Throat Warbler Mangrove”. 20 years later, it seems young Muffleman joins the hash and the same mistake is made. Upon recognizing the error the hashing oligarchy immediately rectify the situation, giving the young man the hashname “Todd Quackenbush”. Hence, Geezer, wherever you are, be careful with the hashlist forevermore, as Todd Quackenbush is Mike Muffleman and Throat Warbler Mangrove is Todd Quackenbush. Turns out Todd Quackenbush seems to be one of the top four rowers in the country for his weight class, made the Pan Am games lightweight 4’s, then missed the games because he had to have a rib removed that was preventing any blood from circulating out of his right arm. (Just imagine how good he’s going to be now!). No worries, he was born with an extra rib anyway. Perhaps we can mold the extra rib into a hasher. And all that before the hash began. This was the red dress run. HIMZ arrived well clad in a $2 goodwill number with a tray of muffins and pastries. Solo had on a Rutgers rainslicker – kinda like a ripped red Hefty bag. Nn and OuiPee were wearing the same numbers they had on last year, obviously not washed. After some photos taken for us by the librarian, we were off, through Plainsboro on a remarkably well set trail considering the hare. The pack meandered through Plainsboro, from the little park to the shopping center to the railroad tracks to Walker Gordon Farm (now a development) – through Merrill Lynch – to Forrestal Campus. I got to use my favorite line only once. “Why are you guys wearing red dresses?!” “Our blue ones were in the wash.” Some young cops busted us at the On In but were so flustered they didn’t really know how to respond and just sort of said make sure to pack up the beer and drove off. We bade farewell to Full Moon Shining who is off to Boston this week and drank some down downs in the moonlight wondering how HYP might be faring out there in the darkness running Solo. Rambo Watch: Ouipee tells us that Rambo is still in Iraq and under great duress, and actually living day by day in a situation of great danger as insurgents try to prevent him and his team from erecting cellphone towers, (which the insurgents then promptly blow up). Apparently some in Rambo’s group have lost limbs to bombs. Far be it from me to have a serious note in a hash write up, but Rambo, you are in our thoughts and prayers we are really hoping that you can GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE as soon as possible. Perhaps the news that the Grand Dominatrix has moved to your state will spur you on.