Well friends, tonight I witnessed one of the most unique things in my life. My father and I went into downtown York into a factory, York Wire Company. They have a steam whistle that they use to signal the end of shifts and what not in the factory. Well, the whistle has variable pitch so every Christmas Eve at midnight this guy, Mr. Ryan, plays christmas carols on the steam whistle and it can be heard all throughout York. Absolutely amazing. There was a huge boiler in one room and a little hallway connecting the room we stood in and watched. In the hallway Mr. Ryan and two assistants played the whistle, which consisted of yanking a lever to the left and the right along a piece of metal on which notes were crudely marked. All the while steam and water was dripping down on them. His one assisted pulled the handle to start the note. Once a song started though the tone was continuous and didn't cut off until the end of the song. It sounded a lot like theramin (for those of you who know what that sounds like). A 600 pound steam spewing theramin that is screaming along at 134 dB. The other assistant pointed to the notes on the actual piece of music so Mr. Ryan could keep his place. I got some great pictures of the whole event. It's quite an endeavor. People lined the streets and the railroad tracks behind the plant. Many were even tailgating. So thanks to my dad for dragging me down there. I'll never forget that.  ¶ 1:17 AM