Seven + 2 + 1 RAMMers + RAMMGearsers + massively LIFO Bodos, gathered under the moonlight for this morning’s iteration of RAMM. No one signed up so YHC came up with a quick route while “preparing” for the run this AM. Gumbo attempted to suggest a repeat of Sippy’s 50th run from last week so we could see the route this time. YHC suggested a flatter route. Everyone rejoiced.
The Route
- East on Grove to North on Hamilton
- Turn left (see below)
- Left on Lafayette, right on Grove
- Right on Antrim, turn left
- Left on Sauer, right on Grove
- Right on Commonwealth, turn left
- Left on Westmoreland BTTVSF
4s were supposed to turn left at W Franklin. 5s turned at monument. No 6s today.
Numbers, names, announcements, Chippendale took us out.
Moleskine
Time for a little history lesson. Back in the early years of F3RVA lore, there existed a man, brimming with confidence at every turn. Some may say it was overconfidence, some would simply say it was his Massachusetts shining through. Regardless, confidence erupted on every opportunity to demonstrate his skill and knowledge.
Until that fateful day in November 2019, during the perennial stupidity challenge that was Merkin November. YHC had educated the PAX on Carl Guass’ famous formula a few years back. In fact, it was YHCs second week as a PAX member when that golden nugget was shared with DK on the instant messaging platform for Dominion Energy.
That wonderful day in November, there was a legendary exchange between TYA and YHC. YHC had the Q, and proceeded to run up a bunch of merkins in a pattern that was conducive to young Carl Guass + a few extras. As we gathered for COP, the confident gentleman from the north proclaimed to the PAX that he knew how many merkins were performed that day. YHC, trying not to call out a fellow PAX member when they may be at their weakest point, simply offered that TYA rethink his calculation. After his recognition of his mistake, TYA acknowledged and slowly walked away. The backblast has it all.
That leads us to today. While driving east on Cary towards RAMM this morning, YHC couldn’t help but notice the crescent moon and a vibrant bright star directly beside the moon. Upon TYAs arrival to the AO, YHC suggested that it was likely Venus up by the moon. TYA quickly replied, “Saturn. The radio said Saturn is the closest it has been, so it’s bright in the sky.” Hmmm, YHC expressed.
Meanwhile, the second of today’s RAMMGear heads arrived with his normal jovial self. No Tools wheeled up as we were talking and immediately declared, “Venus!” Once again, TYA quietly but confidently suggested it was Saturn. Not even after No Tools suggested “Venus is the bright morning star” did TYA back down.
So, YHC went along his way and described the routes above and off we went.
Every time we went north on a road today, YHC gazed up at the moon and couldn’t help but wonder who was right? YHC is no astronomer but does spend a lot of time looking at the stars. Could TYA be right this time? If only there were a way to tell…
Post run, YHC was walking to his car and saw the crescent moon, and that silly planet once again. YHC whipped out his cell phone from the car, popped open the SkyView app (free version), and pointed it at the night sky.
To my surprise, what did my trusty free celestial app tell me? Why it told me it was Venus, of course!
Splinter 2. TYA 0.
