Michael T. Mondak speaks about an article from StateCollege.com

Last night while I was sitting up in bed, I shared an article from StateCollege.com about this Devin Christian who runs a business in Centre County called Nittany Balloons, and I used it to take a shot at him saying that he cannot hold my jockstrap.  The reasons as to why:

  • I have been The Balloon Man longer than his business has been in existence
  • It’s similar to my shot at Soledad O’Brien claiming she couldn’t hold Alex Trebek’s jockstrap when it came to the National Geographic Bee
So let’s compare me, The Balloon Man, to Devin Christian:

Start dates

I have been The Balloon Man since my first event at the Hermitage Arts Festival in July 2009, and Nittany Balloons has been in business since the spring of 2010.  For some, slight edge to me, but for others, they call this one even.

Certifications

While we both have clearances that allow us to work around young children, Devin Christian is one of only 3000 people to be a certified balloon artist.  Nittany Balloons gets the edge here.

Parades

I had the honors of serving as the grand marshal of the 2023 City of Hermitage Holiday Light Parade.  Devin Christian has never had that honor.  Edge to me, The Balloon Man.

Wardrobe

I wear several different colors of shirts with my moniker The Balloon Man with my name in script font on the left breast.  Devin wears a gray shirt with his company name.  Edge to me, The Balloon Man.

Compensation

I only earn $100 as payment for Buhl Day.  Devin receives payment for each event.  Edge to Nittany Balloons.

So, The Balloon Man and Nittany Balloons each claim two categories with one tie.  So what’s the tiebreaker?

That is the total number of events.  Nittany Balloons has been to only several events since its founding in 2010.  But that will clearly not be enough to edge out me, The Balloon Man who has been present for 15 Hermitage Arts Festivals, 11 Buhl Days, 6 parish picnics at Notre Dame, 5 Summerfests in Brookfield, three Fall Festivals in Buhl Park, two Sharon Children’s Carnivals, and one each of a Fall Craft Show at Hickory Global Methodist Church, a Fall Festival at Temple Grove in Transfer, a Chilloween in Boyers, a Halloween event at HollyWood Little Acres in Greenville, and the Sharpsville sesquicentennial celebration.

So with all this said, Devin Christian of Nittany Balloons cannot hold my jockstrap.  This debate is over.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Michael T. Mondak speaks to the Penn State Board of Trustees

Members of the Penn State University Board of Trustees: I write this open letter to you on behalf of the Nittany Nation.  We are fans, students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni scattered throughout the world.  This university has the world's largest alumni base and passionate Nittany Lions fans of all athletic teams offered by the university. After what happened last Saturday afternoon against evil Ohio State, aka college football's version of the Kremlin, at Beaver Stadium, I have been on social media seeing members of the Nittany Nation once again making critical comments about head football coach James Franklin reiterating comments made by the members of the media that are saying that he cannot win the biggest games in the last 11 years since his arrival in State College.  They believe that James Franklin needs to be terminated in order for us to be national championship contenders.  I believe that the entire fanbase has a problem as they do not clearly ...
Read more

Michael T. Mondak speaks to the Penn State Board of Trustees... again

To the members of the Penn State University Board of Trustees: Since my last post in the style of an open letter to you back in November, what the Penn State Nittany Lions football team has accomplished in the 2024 season has been spectacular. During the past few seasons, I heard so many naysayers say: Coach James Franklin can't win the big games. Coach James Franklin can't beat this opponent, Coach James Franklin can't beat that opponent. Coach James Franklin must go. I call bullshit on these assumptions from the naysayers after what I have observed during this College Football Playoff, even if it does not eventually result in a national championship.  Coach James Franklin can win the big games.  Penn State can be a serious contender for a national championship in football.  This year's team came too far to hear the same assumptions year in and year out.  We won 13 games this season, setting a new program record.  And it is a safe bet that we are going to win y...
Read more

Michael T. Mondak speaks about a new proposal on the local news

I have seen videos on YouTube where some local television stations have what is called a Surprise Squad on their local newscasts.  These efforts are done in partnership with local businesses (e.g., car dealerships, banks or credit unions).  These Surprise Squads honor individuals (e.g., military veterans, first responders, loyal volunteers or young children) who have freely given of themselves to assist others or are in need of things to make their lives easier or to boost their morale.  The Squad could also help people pay for gas or groceries during the holiday season or pay tribute to a military veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. However, in Pennsylvania and Ohio, there has been no attempt to establish such a Surprise Squad, not even in Pittsburgh or in Cleveland or in Youngstown.  If one of the local television stations in Youngstown formed a Surprise Squad, then it might be done in partnership with Dunkin’ Donuts, Diane Sauer Chevrolet, Hun...
Read more