To quote Stephanie Judith Tanner ...

How rude!

Is it just me, or are people becoming increasingly rude and inconsiderate? Earlier this week, Andy's aunt asked him if he could get her football tickets for Saturday. Thinking he was doing her a favor, he agreed. Today he found out that his aunt didn't want them, her friend did. A little annoying, but no big whoop.

Auntie said her friend would come by this evening to pick up the tickets since he lives in Lincoln and she doesn't. Andy has homecoming events all this week, so I agreed to stay home and play ticketbroker.

This dude and his 3-year-old daughter didn't show up until 9:50. Is it just me, or is really cheeky to assume it's okay to show up at a stranger's house that late? I wouldn't think of inconveniencing someone I don't even know that late in the evening. At 9:50 on a weeknight, I want to be showered, pajama-ed, and watching a Scrubs re-run, not running a collection service. Don't even get me started on the fact that the 3-year-old was toddling around with Daddy instead of sleeping. What the hell happened to bedtime? At her age, we were probably in bed by 7:30.

Thanks to e-mail and cell phones and instant messaging, there's this assumption that everyone should be accessible 24/7. It's made people lazy, rude, and irresponsible, which doesn't bode well for our future.

Monday Musings

Grad school is a sham. Honestly, I'm sitting in on a basic lecture learning very little new material. Basically, it is 15 weeks of "jump through my hoops" and don't care what you learn because faculty at this level are more concerned with writing textbooks and doing ressearch. One year left until freedom.

I've made a decision. You know that set of friends Ashley and I always bitch about for ditching us, or putting us second. Well, I've decided this last weekend that this was the last straw and I'm going to try to talk to the guy about it this weekend while we're out with the guys. From the end of Ash & I, we consider the friendship pretty dead, so if I piss him off or offend him, nothing lost. But if I bring something up, maybe they will realize that they need to work to get our friendship back. At this point, there is nothing to lose and maybe a little something to gain back.

Japanese markets tanked over the weekend. Not sure what the emerging markets are going to do. Looks like real estate has officially gone bust. I have a few days off this week for vacation (I have banked too many hours and I lose them if I don't take them) so I'm going to research some nice index funds and probably an additional mutual fund to diversify our portfolio a bit....maybe go large cap?

I have decided I'm going to re-dedicate myself to my fitness routine. This summer, I was kick ass and only 5 lbs away from my target weight. Then I got lazy as school started again. Good news and bad news, at least with strength, not working out for three months, I have only lost about 20% of where I was at with weight and reps, and I've already got 10% of that back in a week.

Peace out players.

Old habits never die

When a situation goes terribly wrong, sometimes the only good thing about it is learning from your mistakes and not repeating them again.

I managed to do that pretty successfully for about four years, but in the last semester I’ve fallen back to my old ways. In college, I was one of those sickeningly hyper-involved/rah rah, yay university! people. I also was on the Dean's List and yadayadayada. I'm not saying this to brag. From my professors' point of view, I was the model student. But from my point of view, I was pretty miserable from trying to be "perfect."

I was so happy to graduate because I couldn't take it anymore. The "real world" looked so good in comparison to college. It was. I had a steady work schedule most of the year and I didn't join any clubs because I was burned out from being a do-gooder in high school and college.

All that changed this semester. I've started school again. My involvement in a certain volunteer group has become more than I can handle. People have asked me to serve on committees at work, and I've said yes. Add those things on top of being a married homeowner, and I have CAUTION: MAY DETONATE written all over me.

I can’t believe I'm in same place I was four years ago—stressed out, crabby, losing sleep, and wondering how I got myself into this mess. I swore that I'd learned from my mistakes in college and I wouldn't do that again.

I changed for a while, but at the end of the day, I guess I haven't changed that much. Where's the happy medium between being a slacker and being like my mother?

Influences

Ok, so.... Going to get a little deep since I haven't for a while. I've been thinking a lot about influences the last couple days. I had a really nice chat with my grandpa on Saturday night talking baseball. It's crazy, but I see more and more of myself in him, my dad and one of my uncles all the time.

And it really is amazing what great role models I've had. So maybe this is a love letter to them.

From my Grandma Washburn, I learned the value of education and heritage. She was a school teacher, and she had me all set to sset college on fire when I was like 6. Even though I lost her in 1994, she really had an impact on me in those area.

From my dad and Grandpa Washburn, I learned the family business -- bullshitting. Yup, being comfortable working a room, stepping out of my comfort zone and getting to know people. I only wish I was better at public speaking.

From my Grandma Smollen, Grandma-in-law and Grandpa-in-law, I learned what love really is. To see the way these three people take/took care of their spouses as a caregiver, even if it ran them down to the point where it practically killed them. That is the ultimate in sacrificial love.

From my Grandpa Smollen, I have learned work ethic. Here's a guy that worked it in the navy and on the blue-collar factory line of the Falstaff Brewry. It makes me sad that he is getting some form of dementia and doesn't remember a whole lot, but I choose to remember him as the guy that showed me the value of hard work and having pride in your performance.

And of course, Eddie Vedder, who's music with Peral Jam got me away from Paula Abdul and my Nintendo and started getting me out there.

It's amazing that you don't realize the events and people that are shaping your life as it happens. But in retrospect, it is always a lot of fun to look back.

Ok enough deep stuff. Back to the Asian markets and stupid observations.

Box-office disappointment

Since I haven't jumped on the Netflix bandwagon like everyone else, I headed to Blockbuster on Friday night to rent The Producers and A Prairie Home Companion. I had been eagerly awaiting their arrival to DVD, and since The Breakup was out of stock, I figured what the heck? It'll be a musical weekend.

Eh. The Producers did not live up to the hype. It was only marginally funny, the storyline plodded along, and the cinematography left a lot to be desired. So sorry, Hayley, for a disappointing Friday movie night.

On Saturday night, we decided to watch A Prairie Home Companion. This is somewhat embarrassing to admit, but I'm probably Garrison Keillor's only fan that doesn't live in a retirement community. Anyhoo. PHC bombed too, despite having a ton of big-name actors and actresses. Maybe Keillor's sense of humor translates better in writing than on the big screen?

Help me, kids. I watch a lot more movies during the colder months, and I need some recommendations for next weekend.

Cat Herding

For all you cat lovers out there: http://www.catswithnoname.net/CatHerding.html

Currently listening to

• When the Lights Go Down -- By Nic Carl, an old HS classmate of mine. You can download it off his myspace at http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=9154651 Its a mello song that is good for studying, reading or background to conversation. Sure to make you feel warm on a cold rainy day.
• The Alamo is No Place for Slow Dancing -- By Scene Aesthetic. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=7435185. See above. Another very good rainy day song. Also a good break-up song.
• The Adventure -- Angels and Airwaves. Peppy, happy and well mixed. Takes the 90's grunge with 2000 punk and sprinkles in some 80's synth. A very good song to play first thing in the morning or the last song in your car before you get out of it. Puts a spring in yoru step.

Can you tell it is raining in Lincoln today?

Quick Birthday Summary

First off, thanks all for the messages and cards. Quite wonderful. =)

I went out to eat with Paul at a restaurant called cosi. quite tasty.

Then we went to Cold Stone and I bought three 1.5 pint containers of ice cream. Only a few people came over to my apartment last night, though, so I have a LOT of ice cream left. Yummy.

Went to my friend's to watch Gray's and ended up staying there until nearly midnight. A game of checkers with shot glasses was included.

When I got back last night, the guy from Illinois I met in Italy had left me a message pertaining to how come I found him on facebook back in the day (even though I was supposed to so he could send me pictures from the hostel). So I called him (still a little buzzed) and wondered why he sent me his AIM screenname. Needless to say, it's possible he likes me based on what he directly commented on. But he's shorter than me (pitiful, I know) so that'll never go anywhere.

And I've been eating ice cream since...

Snaps to Andy

Just have to brag about him for a bit.

On this lovely blog, Andy introduced us to Ok Go and "Boston" by Augustana. Thanks to his keen ability to tell what's going to become trendy in music and entertainment, we knew about this stuff about six months before the rest of the world. Thus, we are cooler because of him.

He got a promotion recently. He'll downplay it and say that he's good at his job because he knows how to bullshit, but I’ve seen him in action. Bullshitting wouldn’t cut it.

For the last week, he's been tearing the siding off our house. Andy and his dad are putting up the new siding today. If I were in charge of this project, I'd hire someone and be done with it because I wouldn't have the patience, the arm strength, or the knowledge to get it done without severely injuring myself or the house.

When I married Andy, I had no idea that he knew how to do plumbing, hang drywall, re-wire a fixture, and install new siding. Definitely a pleasant surprise. Girls, the handyman is highly underrated (unless you're mechanically inclined yourself, which I most definitely am not).

Life with him is never boring. When I first said that to a friend, Andy thought I was insulting him. Quite the opposite, dear. Who wouldn't want to be around someone who's constantly making you laugh or surprising you with some quirky bit of knowledge (or construction skills)?

Okay, now snap your fingers for Andy!

Monday Musings

• The Bears are 5-0
• The A's are in the ALCS
• The Yankees are not.
• Life in Andy's sporting world is good
• Note to self, Advil is the best medicine after a day of physical labor. Kindof makes me wish we still had the hot tub. Oh well, at least Cole has enjoyed it
• I am speaking to Lindzo again after a brief period of not speaking to her.
• Apple jolly Ranchers are the best
• Cell phone companies are the devil
• IT guys are strange
• I don't want to go to college today. It is a cold and rainy day and I just want to go home and sit by the fire -- which would probably upset Ashley and make a hige mess as we do not have a fireplace.
• OK, seriously, how long does it take a small Asian man to grade a test?
• I hired Hayley's roomate today foran intership. This should be fun.

peace out players

Stop hiding and start living, with tequila

This was presented at the beginning of one of my lectures....

http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2006/09/stop_hiding_and.html

Monday Musings - Slutting it up....

• So, my lovely sister-in-laws want to slut up my wife, huh? Well, I don't know how to comment on that without somehow getting into trouble one way or the other, or feeling like a hypocrite. Hmmm. Ashley is like a flower, we all know how beautiful she is, but you cannot force open her petals. She is her own worst critic, but I have been telling her for years that she has the goods -- she doesn't believe me. Good luck on your quest young ladies. I am anxious to see how it turns out for you. One thing I do know, Ash needs to remember how much attention she gets in her glittery maroon shirt from guys not named Andy. If she wants that sort of attention and self esteem boost, maybe you girls have something to work with?
• I hate my accounting professor with the white hot intensity of 1,000 suns. He went straight from undergrad all the way through his doctorate and never worked in the real world. Talk about the ivory tower. He has no concept for the part-time student. Those of us with lives can't get a 10-page paper assignment and turn it around in 48 hours, which is exactly what he expects us to do tomorrow. And his name is Dr. Wang, so you can imagine how hard it is to understand his lectures.
• Life is good -- the Chicago Bears are 4-0 and the Oakland A's open the playoffs on Tuesday in Minnesota. If only the old Huskers could get their stuff together.
• Got a promotion. Whee. Fun new exciting projects to work on, but feeling somewhat overwhelmed.
• Maybe I was just brought up different, but some people who claim to be friends are so inconsiderate. How can you make plans for months and months for something, confirm them two weeks ago, and then four days before the event, blow it off. I could never imagine doing that to people, especially friends. And then another friend who is in class with me had to proofread a group paper I did with another kid and just turn it in. And she just forgot. Seriously, how can you be that inconsiderate?

Peace out players.

The stork is making three deliveries in Lincoln next spring

No, I'm not pregnant with triplets. (Wouldn't that be crazy, though?) But three -- count 'em, three -- of my acquaintances have announced their pregnancies this week. It's only Wednesday! I'm happy for them, but it still freaks me right out. These people were my comrades in the anti-baby brigade until, apparently, July. When did these women make the mental shift from "kids are scary" to "I want a baaaabyyyy!"? And when will this magical change happen to me?

Every time I get the notion that I might be ready soon, it lasts all of five minutes before I start hyperventilating because HOLY CRAP! that's a lot of responsibility and I like to sleep in on Saturday mornings. (I'm being somewhat flippant, but the point is, I'm not selfless enough to be a parent yet.)

In case you're worried that we'll never have kids, relax. We want them. Someday. But it's okay to be nervous, right?

Funny thing

www.endofworld.net I already showed it to Mary and Julie.

Thursday musings

Las vegas. I liked it. Surprisingly. You can just eat, admire architecture, eat, see world-class shows, eat, swim, eat, shop and eat and have a wonderful time. A very expensive town, but very fun.

Sunburn sucks. Peeling now. Eeeew. But I do have a nice tan going. Too bad it's been cold and raining all week and I have to wear long shirts. Bummer.

Sooo -- crazy stuff goign on at work. The #2 guy in my shop is getting the #1 CEO job at Purdue. Well, he's dropped the ball on so much stuff in the last month that even though he is leaving in a month, he may get fired before that. Crazy. And I have to keep my mouth shut, cause I may be in a position to benefit from all of this. On top of that, we have a board of director's meeting next friday. Crazy stuff indeed.

My wife is like waaaaaay cool. I spent like five days with her constantly traveling, working, shopping, playing, eating.....and I didn't even get sick of her. Did I mention it was a good vacation?

OK, so I could get into Grey's Anatomy.

Looks like the Fed is done raising interest rates. Load up on consumer staples like P&G and financials like JPM and WFC.

So, a UN "diplomat" thinkgs George W is the devil. What ever happened to diplomacy. The president or the US could respond, but that diplomat is from a country that doesn't have free speech. Ironic.

I am starting to enjoy my accounting class.

I am dissapointed by my marketing class.

Random thought -- I need to remember to grab two extra football tickets this weekend so Ash and Hayley can go.

I like rain.

I don't like peeling.

Peace out players.

This will take 2 seconds....

Hey fellow familia, I hate to take advantage of our blog site, but I need to ask you all a quick favor. For my Psychology of Social Behavior class we are learing about self-perception and learning how others see us too. I'm sure you've all heard of the Johari test, but in case you haven't it is a test that allows a person to pick out five personal traits that they think describe them. They then ask other people to pick five traits that describe the creater of the Johari test. So, I'm asking all of you to go to this website and fill out my Johari test. It will seriously take like five seconds, and I really appreciate it. Fill it out ASAP! (It's due by Thursday at 6:30, but the sooner you answer, the sooner I can write my journal for the class that is due on Thursday night.) Thanks so much!

http://kevan.org/johari?name=hayley2004

:)

I'm baaaaack!

I've returned from a five-day vacation during which I forced myself to stay away from the Internet, e-mail and my cell phone. Sometimes a girl needs to escape.

Speaking of needing to escape, I hate, hate, hate those stupid Blackberry PDAs. During my trip I was surrounded by people who would pick up their Crackberries every five minutes to check e-mail or return phone calls. For crying out loud, enjoy your $10 margarita and turn off your damn phone. I firmly believe that no one but God needs to be accessible 24/7.

Las Vegas was fabulous, fun and expensive. Holy cats, was it expensive. It was near impossible to order dinner for less than $50 a person. Good thing Andy’s office will be reimbursing most of our meal costs. I'm way appreciative of our low cost of living in the Midwest.

Los Angeles. Man, that city was a hellhole. There was graffiti and garbage everywhere.

Due to my Vegas junket, I missed a day of class. Unfortunately, it was the most important day of the semester because we have to write a paper based on a guest speaker's presentation. I gave my professor a digital recorder to capture the lecture, and apparently the sound quality is horrible. I thought I could remedy the situation by interviewing the guest speaker, a suggestion that my professor shot down immediately. She also doesn't want me to rely on someone's notes. I know this is partly my fault, but I don’t have a clue how I'll get this assignment done.

I'm so not into school right now. Remind me again why I'm doing this.

Why must my immune system plot against me?

After taking human physiology, human anatomy, and numerous psychology classes, I'm smart enough to know that our immune system goes down when our body is wore out and stressed which means that it has a harder time fighting off bacteria and viruses. Well, I used to pat my immune system on the back because it usually decided to go down AFTER major tests and high levels of stress. However, in the past month and half I have fought off sinus infections and ear infections. Ironically enough, in the past month I have dealt with an intense five-week anatomy course, starting new classes at UNL, stressing over whether or not I'm getting into nursing school (which I should find out about in about three weeks), and other personal issues. You would think by now that I would have learned better stress management issues.

Well, tomorrow I have two big exams and today I'm stuck with nothing other than a migraine, which means that I'm nauseous and all I want to do is sleep. Good thing I'm a trooper and I'll study anyway. What good it'll do, I'm not sure.

Anyway, if any of you other productive students/workers have any tips on how to not be a stressed out/sick mess it would be greatly appreciated!

Facebook Follow-up, if you're interested

An Open Letter from Mark Zuckerberg:

We really messed this one up. When we launched News Feed and Mini-Feed we were trying to provide you with a stream of information about your social world. Instead, we did a bad job of explaining what the new features were and an even worse job of giving you control of them. I'd like to try to correct those errors now.

When I made Facebook two years ago my goal was to help people understand what was going on in their world a little better. I wanted to create an environment where people could share whatever information they wanted, but also have control over whom they shared that information with. I think a lot of the success we've seen is because of these basic principles.

We made the site so that all of our members are a part of smaller networks like schools, companies or regions, so you can only see the profiles of people who are in your networks and your friends. We did this to make sure you could share information with the people you care about. This is the same reason we have built extensive privacy settings – to give you even more control over who you share your information with.

Somehow we missed this point with News Feed and Mini-Feed and we didn't build in the proper privacy controls right away. This was a big mistake on our part, and I'm sorry for it. But apologizing isn't enough. I wanted to make sure we did something about it, and quickly. So we have been coding nonstop for two days to get you better privacy controls. This new privacy page will allow you to choose which types of stories go into your Mini-Feed and your friends' News Feeds, and it also lists the type of actions Facebook will never let any other person know about. If you have more comments, please send them over.

This may sound silly, but I want to thank all of you who have written in and created groups and protested. Even though I wish I hadn't made so many of you angry, I am glad we got to hear you. And I am also glad that News Feed highlighted all these groups so people could find them and share their opinions with each other as well.

About a week ago I created a group called Free Flow of Information on the Internet, because that's what I believe in – helping people share information with the people they want to share it with. I'd encourage you to check it out to learn more about what guides those of us who make Facebook. Today (Friday, 9/8) at 4pm edt, I will be in that group with a bunch of people from Facebook, and we would love to discuss all of this with you. It would be great to see you there.

Thanks for taking the time to read this,

Mark

Mexican Elections

While I wait for my delicious 12inch pizza...I thought I'd ask for Andy's (or anyone else who cares) take on the Obrador - Calderon situation in Mexico. I think that Obrador is another Al Gore...Recount!...Recount!!..but if he does form a separate government we'll have to naturally send in the marines and kick some ass....uh maybe not...but it could be something that greatly impacts our wonderful nation. Discuss.

THE INEVITABLE DEATH OF facebook

I logged onto facebook this morning and was appalled at the new stalker-friendly format. How much time to they expect people to waste on that over-done webpage? And too much information is provided: friends' new friends, everything people said and updated.... what's next - the ability to find out who's viewed your profile and when?

Well I'm not waiting to find out. About a minute after I realized the current situation, I disabled my already stripped account. As it is, people have lost their ability to carry normal conversations now that instant messengers and online profiles exist. I had class all morning today, then when I get back two classmates start talking to me. I JUST SAW YOU ALL MORNING!

Cousin Central

NOthing really new with me and I haven't blogged in a long time, so I thought I might as well write.

This semester is really busy. A hadful of major home projects as well as one really really hard class. It is an accounting class, which isn't my forte' but 70% of your grade comes from participation and group work. Which is good, because our first homework assignment was groupwork and we have to analyze Enron's fiancial statements from 1996 to 2000 and show where they lied and how you could tell. Well shit -- if grad students can look at the financial statements and tell something is off, why the hell didn't soem professional financial analysts step up and say "excuse me, this is fishy?'

Anyway, I guess it is my turn. I mean seriously, in most of my other group classes, I end up in the lead -- probably because I don't trust most of the peopel I randomly get assigned to in groups. But honestly, this time the group is me, another marketing kid I am friends with and one kid who is a CPA whiz. So, maybe this is karma paying me back by helping me out and cost with this group for busting my ass with others.

I hate election years. I can't get through one show without mudslinging. Thank the lord for Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.

I love football season. Except this year, Nebraska doesn' thave an off week until the third week in November. We want to take a trip to Minnesota, but its going to be hard to get away.

I lveo labor day. We should have three-day weekends every week.

Next years summer wear

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/1849/361wu3.jpg

Discuss

Warren, you fox!

The Omaha World-Herald revealed this morning that Warren B., the second-richest man in the world and Nebraska’s only non-football celebrity, remarried this week.

That part is barely newsworthy compared to the bombshell dropped later in the article: Mr. B's new wife, Astrid, has lived with him since the 1970s. But Mr. B was actually married to his first wife, Susan, from 1952 until her death in 2004.

Say wha? The Oracle of Omaha, our humble hometown billionaire who still wears JC Penney suits, had a paramour? (I love that word, yet this is the first time I’ve had a real reason to use it.)

Wait, it gets better. Susan introduced him to Astrid and encouraged the relationship when she moved to San Francisco. The women were friends and both accompanied him to various personal and business events. Apparently, both women were supportive of this arrangement. Why Warren, you lucky dog, you!

I know it’s wrong to judge other people’s relationships because one never knows what negotiations and agreements a couple has made behind closed doors. But I cannot imagine, under any circumstances, introducing Andy to another woman and saying, “I’m moving away, my love, but let’s stay married. Let’s be friends. Let’s continue having sex. But go ahead, live with my friend and have sex with her, too!”

It’s not polygamy, but it’s awfully close. The ultra-rich are indeed different from the rest of us.

So I think my friend's girlfriend is insane

She is a chiropracter. She thinks that the power of the mind with regular chiorpractic care can cure all body ailments. From a cold, to a headache to an inflamed appendix. And that the whole medical industry exists to only drive the pharmaceutical industry and pump people full of drugs.

She has started her own office, and with all of her marketing, has decided to focus on convincing people of her opinion instead of just trying to woo people that believe in chiropractic care into her office -- despite that being the last thing she needs to spend her marketing dollars on.

She goes and gets adjusted daily by another chiropracter and has threatened to break up with my friend because he still takes asprin for a headache and doesn't agree with her.

I see this ending badly.

Strangled by my inbox

I've closed my inbox and have forbidden myself from checking any e-mail until noon.

E-mail is becoming the biggest time suck for me. I get started on a project and realize I need to refer to a message someone sent me earlier, so I open my inbox to retrieve that message. In the process, I see a bunch of new messages helpfully highlighted in red and think I need to check those too ... 90 minutes later I've abandoned the original project because I'm too busy putting out the fires started by the five new messages I just HAD to check. I can only imagine how much worse it would be if I used my work address for personal messages.

Does anyone else have e-mail ADD? Because I do, and all those wonderful time management techniques I learned in college (like setting aside specific times for e-mail checking) have fallen by the wayside. E-mail is my addiction, my distraction, my lifeline. But I need to kick the habit ASAP because a) I'm getting projects started but having a hard time completing them and b) it's becoming a procrastination tool, which contributes to A.

As I typed that last sentence, my coworker informed me that there's an office-wide e-mail argument about our messy break room. Riveting. I've been away from my inbox for all of four minutes and I'm missing a major throwdown in office politics?

Where's our Monday musings, Andy? I guess I'll make some of my own.

• Getting into the school routine has been nice for me. Catching up with old friends, meeting some new ones, and now that I live in an apartment I'm more disiplined with my studying!
• I have a quick question that is directed mainly towards Andy and Paul, since you are males and you probably have an explaination for this. When a girl FINALLY puts herself out there and gives you her number, how long will you wait around until you realize she's probably the coolest thing ever and call for a date? I'm starting to feel like a gomer for giving out the digits (which I don't normally do) but oh well, such is life.
• I'm enjoying the end of the summer weather so much. My roommate and I have been going running on some trails she found. We found one that is near a boy scout camp and it would be the perfect area to shoot a scary movie!
• What would your reaction be if your professor told you to practice your Anatomy homework on all your friends/boyfriends/etc.? To me it sounds like a hot pick-up line! (Andy this is probably where you poke your eyes out and pretend that you didn't see me write that.)
  

Ouch.

Sorry -- posted twice by mistake. See above.

Cousin Central

Monday Musings:

Do not get old. Back in the day, I could waterski and swim and party and kneeboard all day. Well, I just had a weekend out at Lake Okiboji in Iowa and it was an awesome time. Got to sit around for three days and just chill.

Waterskiing -- Good
Catching up with old college friends -- Good
Beer -- Good
Boating and swimming -- Good
All-night poker and pitch -- Good
BBQ and Steaks -- Good

The hangover of sleep deprivation and sore muscles (as sore as I've been in two or three years) as you head in to work on Monday -- NOT SO GOOD.

But man, what a killer weekend. Its also funny how our poker talk has switched from chicks and drinking stories to talk about personal finance, home equity lines, theology and child-rearing philosophy.

I'd like to throw out an official suggestion to the group. Instead of meeting in Des Moines in the mittle of winter, we should really ocnsider Okiboji each summer. It's 4 hours from Lincoln and about 5 hours from Cuba City. Just a thought -- lots more to do and we coudl get a giant cabin all togeher with seperate bedrooms and the like for much cheaper than the AmericInn and we're on a lake for the love of Pete. Parents can sit up and play cards all they want, and we can zip around on Jet Skis, swim, hit the bars, cruise for ladies to set up with Cole, etc...

Just a thought.

Peace out players -- I need Advil!

A Plethora of School Supplies

I should really just go to bed right now, but I have too much energy and excitement pulsing through me. I just got my computer today, and I just CAN'T WAIT to hook it up and try it out. I thought about doing it yet tonight, but it just seems like a project that should wait until tomorrow morning. By the way, Andy, thank you so very much for helping me out with all my computer decisions. I know we went though many ideas, but I'm pretty sure you hooked me up with a pretty awesome machine.

School shopping has been a much looked forward to event every year since Kindergarten, but this year, it has reached an all-time high. As much as college scares me right now, it also excites me, partly because of all the fun school supplies I get to pick out. This year, I am not limited to bright notebooks, character-clad folders, and sweet new pens; a whole plethora of supplies has been added to my cart. A brand new comfortor, white background splashed with pink, purple, lime, and teal polka dots; fluffy towels in a rainbow of colors -- pink, yellow, lime, and deep teal (thanks to graduation guests); new pajama shorts in a seventies-ish paisly pattern to match with an already owned rainbow cami; a TV; and to put it to maximum use, a DVD/VCR combo. Not to mention the items I haven't bought yet. A few including: a bath robe, pillows, shower caddy, desk organizers, and a fan since my dorm has NO AIR CONDITIONING (my own fault, by the way, as I could have chosen an all-girls dorm WITH air conditioning).

But like I said, college DOES scare me too. Right now I'm excited about all of the new things I'm getting, but I know as my move-in day (August 26th) draws nearer, I will probably get really nervous. I'm sure crying will be a companion for this nervousness, but I will hop over that toadstool when I come to it. Anyway, maybe I should get to bed now that I've bored you with my back-t0-school supplies.

Steadily climbing to the top of the hill ...

I turn 26 this week. I have one more year before I'm officially in my late 20s and just a hop, a skip, and a jump away from 30.

Twenty-five has been a landmark year for me. Maybe it's because I graduated from college earlier than most of my friends, but I spent my early 20s feeling like an overgrown kid who just happened to be doing grown-up things. I don't know why, but that feeling has gone away in the past year. It's nice.

I want to play hooky on the afternoon of my birthday. I have vacation days to use, so why do I feel guilty about that?

Monday Musings

First things first. Watch this video. I am not really a fan of the OK Go music, but these guys do all of their own music videos in their back yard. There are two, and they are both awesome. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCjSwr7zYtE and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEYSlut0Iuc&mode=related&search= It's pretty impressive considering that it is all one take with no editing.

I am starting to get sick.

I get to go back to school shopping this week. Yay. I need new shoes, new glasses, and lots of paste to eat.

Every wonder why you drive on a "parkway" but park on a "driveway?"

When you transport something by car, its called a "shipment" but if it is on a ship, it is called "cargo."

I have insomnia really bad this week. Not realyl sure why -- not a lot on my mind. Maybe it is the thought of Mary with her hands on my spleen or cupping a brand new pair of DD breasts -- not for herself of course, on a patient.

I like August. One of my favorite months.

Riding a tidal wave of emotions

I've had one of those weeks where I've gone from angry (monday) to sad (tuesday) to indifferent (wednesday) to smugly satisfied (thursday) to excited (today). I'm not even PMSing.

I've written several unpublished blogs this week. Only one will actually get posted someday.

I can't share all the details here because it's about some confidential work stuff, but let's just say it's been a bizarre week. I'd unwind with a glass of wine after work, but I had WAAAAAAY too much vino on Saturday night. That's another story, but I fear ya'll would think less of me if I told it. :)

Cousin Central

Ok - so, Mnday Musings follow-up.

There is doughnut of rain around us and we get none. Sad.

Big day for the asian markets. With the gas prices what they are, the fact that the Asian rim is still so strong is a good sign that the global economy will continue to expand, despite the outbreak of world war III. Also means gas will stay expensive for a long time.

I hate allergies.

I hate lawn grubs even more. Grrrrr.

Lindsay, checked on your computer and have an update for you. Not good news. But not horrible news either.

Enough heavy stuff. Stupid monday musings:

• Every wonder why you can't sneeze and pee at the same time? Smoething tells your brain to stop peeing because you have to sneeze.
• The cat has the squirts. Of course, if yo ugave me nothign but the eqivalent of fish and beef flavored oat bran for three meals a day, my bowels would be cranky too.
• I dont' know why this is so funny, but I laughed my ass off at this. it is an angry german kid waiting for his computer to load a video game. http://www.break.com/index/angry_german_kid_with_subtitles.html
• New band: The Audition. Check them out.
• Hayley -- what night do you want me to come over and hammer your picture hangers and looksie at your computer and so Ash can swim again?
• Lindzo -- what si the model number of the computer you are looking at?
• Cole -- ah, who am I kidding. Cole doesn't read this.

Well, I feel like this is the 10th time I've written this all down because stupid cousin central kept freezing every time I tried to post. Anyway, here's the abridged version.

Long story short, I feel a lot of responsibility in our family. As the oldest in the Nebraska-Wisconsin branches, I know that I have recently experienced and felt a lot of the things you are all going through or will in the next 10 years. I had a lot of not-so-hot emotional times (even if I keep it inside) and this whole college-to-real-world adventure we call life can really get off track fast.

I nearly made some mistakes that would have changed my entire life -- and I don't want you kids depressed or sad or emotionally unstable because your parents couldn't talk to you in your own terms.

What I'm getting at is that I want you all to still make mistakes and learn from them -- but with the proper mindset that will save you a lot of sleepless nights and get you through to the next steps with your mental health and happiness intact.

So this novel has two parts. Chapter 1 is Happiness. Chapter 2 is choices and destiny. Chapter 1 today.

I've been thinking a lot about choices, destiny, and the like. See, two things sparked this all -- one was an e-mail from an old college classmate that hit it big, and the other was my 10 year reunion.

You see, the old college classmate is now a marketing vice president at Verizon and has been in national commercials, been moved four times and is pulling down crazy awesome money. But for as well as she is doing, the only thing she can talk about is how sad and lonely she is to not have any friends, no man and be working 12-hour, 6-week days. She is the definition of what they tell you you can achieve in college if you work your butt off. That's the set up. See, I regularly kicked her ass in assignments and when we competed directly for clients in some advertising classes, my team was 4-1 against hers. So it makes me wonder could I have been her -- which further got me to thinking. Would I even want to be her?

The second step was the opposite direction of a gal at my 10-year reunion that was absolutely brilliant and gave up a promising academic career to marry young and be a stay-at-home mom. She had the same problem though -- regret. Regret that she gave up her career and may never get back into the field she studied. She was not happy either.

See, I've been thinking "is the grass always greener for some folks?" How do you know what success is and when you know if you've "made it?" Well, what I have come to realize is that there is no universal definition. The New York executive and the young mother have it all in completely different ways, but neither of them is happy.

Where am I going with all of this? Well, if you know me, I have always tried to define myself in my own terms and not by comparison or contrast. It breaks my heart to see people with lives that others would kill for, only to not be happy.

So I think I have reflected plenty on this in the last two weeks and concluded that success is really a mindset and an internal definition, not how others define you.

I have an awesome wife, a job I love most of the time, I get to see family and friends all of the time and I have my colleague's respect at work and in my profession. So what if I'm making a fraction of other classmates that I know I was better than. I have something far more valuable. I have found my definition of success, and I'm completely happy with who I am and my place in this world. They have money and families because somebody told them that was what success is. But since that was not their own definition, they still long for other things.

Here's where this comes full circle from what I posted to Lindsay a few weeks back....

When you have a 10-year reunion, it's easy to start playing the compare and impress game. But my 10-year reunion was nothing like. Most of us there were just happy to hook up again, and there wasn't the "I’m better than you" show that we had at the 5 year. Maybe there is an enlightenment that happens around age 28. If there is a midlife and quarter life crisis of identity, perhaps 28-ish is the grand enlightenment of self-realization

So to you youngins, let me tell you that it does get better. The uncertainty melts away, you finally discover your true self and the things that make you happy. You find your new sense of a home and to be happy, you need to find your own definition of success and pursue that -- not the definition that society, professors, parents or classmates throw on you -- or you will never feel that happiness.

For me, the simplest definition I have found for success is "knowing that one person out there sleeps better at night because you are alive." That right there, combined with the mentality to not compare myself to others has completely changed my life.

Andy, are you done with deep poo yet? I've been on the edge of my seat for a while now. By the way, how are you doing with the wifey gone? Just cuddle with Blue and it'll make it all better!

This girl should do stand-up comedy
Our darling Lindsey sent us a homemade anniversary card that brought tears to my eyes ... from laughing, that is.
The front had this lovely message: I hope your love lingers on ...
And the inside said: Like a big smelly FART! Happy Anniversary! Love, Linzo
Copyright 2006 by Arts Farts

Big props to you, sister dear. I was in a foul mood when I got home from work yesterday, but that cheered me up instantly.

Ok -- so I got some deep poo I am working through mentally.

Stand by for a blog novel.

I've had quite an eventful week thus far, and I just thought I'd share it with you all because I haven't written a blog for a long time.

So last night was my friend Chase's 22nd birthday. (He's the one that is in seminary to become a priest by the way.) I wanted him to have a good birthday so I invited him over and I was planning to make him a surprise supper. My roommate Shannon was my special helper too. So after my class in the afternoon I rushed home to play Betty Crocker before work. I wanted to make Chase a delicious chocolate-cherry two tier cake. So I mixed up my batter and popped it in my pans and let it do it's thing. Well, when they were finally done, I was pressed for time because I had to be to work in half an hour and it takes me about fifteen to get there. Anyway I went to dump cake tier #1 out and it crumbled into a hot, gooey chocolate-cherry mess. I was frazzled but decided it would be okay and I'd just have one little round cake instead. (The rest is in the freezer waiting to be used with ice cream or something.) So when I got back from work I grilled some lemon pepper chicken. This was risky because I've only grilled one other time so I was nervous. But it turned out great! We melted mozzerella cheese on top and served it on a bed of fetticini alfreado and had peas and a tossed salad on the side. All in all it was a great meal. Afterwards we were all talking and not to my surprise we all discovered that our lives are going in directions that we are unsure of or aren't aware of yet. I do feel bad for Chase though because his life decision is much more complex than Shannon and mine's are. He's not sure if seminary is what he wants to do and so in a matter of four hours we managed to consule each other and have a great birthday. Now stop Ashley and Andy. I know what you're thinking. I made him a special supper FOR HIS BIRTHDAY ONLY. And NO HE ISN'T GOING TO LEAVE THE SEMINARY FOR ME.

Today I took my first essay form test since high school. I was so nervous about it that I woke up at 6:00 this morning and studied and did practice tests until my class started at 1:00 this afternoon. That's pretty hard core. But I think I can see why people like essay tests better. At least you can get partial credit unlike all the stupid bubble-tests I take that it is either right or wrong. Anyway I hope it went well especially after all the hard work I put in.

The last thing I have to say is probably trivial but it has been building inside of me and I'd like to get it out. I really enjoy my job as a whole. Physical therapy isn't my alley exactly, but it is still interesting. Well one of my bosses is continuously cranky and basically tells people how much she hates to work. I find this funny because she has to be making quite a nice bit of dough, but from what I can evaluate I don't think she's at a happy time in her life. Sad day for her. But I worked over 12 hours this weekend at the Cornhusker State Games, which is an amateur sporting event that takes place once a year in Lincoln. Well I got volunteered by my boss to work as "medical personnel" at the youth baseball and open swimming events. I got excited until after I'd worked those 12 hours to only sit out in the 90+ degree heat and making only two ice bags. I mean I'm sure my time was appreciated but I felt that my weekend could've been spent doing something more productive. Anyway my boss that volunteered me has yet to mention or thank me for my efforts. I don't expect to get a thank you, but she hasn't once showed any sort of liking towards me. I'm starting to think I'm a bad person or something. Anyway, that is my gripe for the day.

Also, a special shout out to my lovely bride of three years today. This time three years ago, she as hustling do hair, make-up and nails and I was playing basketball. On another funny note, did you know an anagram for Andy Washburn is:

HUSBANDRY NAW.

Wonder what that means.

So --

I wrote another novel on Monday and then a faulty internet connection erased my masterpiece and I don't want to really rehash that all right now. So apologies for no monday musings. To make it up for you, please sheck out the song "the alamo is no place for dancing" by the Scene Aesthetic: http://www.purevolume.com/thesceneaesthetic

That and I have a mosquito bite on my cheek.

I went to the DMV this morning to renew my driver's license. The picture is way scary. Why didn't anyone tell me that my new haircut makes me look old? I know my 30th birthday is closer than my 20th, but still. hmph. Maybe I could use this picture instead.

Hey everybody. Listen to The Pineapple Song from the soundtrack of After the Sunset. It makes me so incredibly happy every time I listen to it. Currently, I'm no long bitter about my non-complete nights of sleep.

Why I'm never marrying a surgeon...
Mary left shortly after 2am this morning because of (what I presume) was a call to watch the liver transplant. Now, as she left in a short time, she failed to shut off her alarm. So at 5am I was woken from my dream (in which a ringing alarm fit into the setting) and had to get out of bed to shut it off. After 10 minutes of continuously sitting up then collapsing back into my pillow, I accepted defeat and got up for the day.

I made myself some ego wheat waffles that I topped with chocolate chips. While eating, I played domestic housewife and began busying myself around the kitchen. I made pumpkin bread. Then cut up the head of cauliflower (because it inevitably goes bad as even I am too lazy to cut vegetables when I'm really hungry). After I brush teeth, I'll probably do a little vacuuming then file away my finance papers I didn't get to last night.

Then I'll leave early for work so I can return Mary's library books, buy a sailing book, return my library books, and exchange the cracked juice pitcher at Target. All the while I will be praying my girls have mercy on this tired soul today - 9.5 hours with them yesterday almost did me over. I resorted to having them play a game in which the goal was to fall asleep first. No one won, but that was only because I couldn't play. Because if I played, I would refuse to wake up. Because yesterday I also had an initial 5am wakeup. Only since today I actually got up then, I know it's going to be a long day for as long as I stay awake...

Andy is out of town this week, so Monday musings are on hiatus. His absence means:
- I’m eating strange meals and watching Friends during supper.
- I’ve watched The Devil Wears Prada and two Sex and the City episodes … and it’s only Tuesday morning. :)
- I’m taking the final step in the lengthy process of transforming the hallway bathroom from Homage to the Early ‘90s to modern chic: painting the vanity and medicine cabinet white. So far, I’ve sanded everything, removed the doors and hinges, and put on the first coat of primer.
- Unfinished projects make me uneasy, especially in areas that are supposed to be my sanctuary, so I moved my grooming products into Andy’s bathroom for a few days. His shower, which normally contains a bar of Irish Spring, a bottle of shampoo, and a body wash (for really special occasions), is now littered with potions that have names like mango mandarin, raspberry almond, and green tea & ginger. Heh. It’s funny to see signs of femininity in a room that’s decidedly male.
- I’ve been journaling a lot. It’s good for my mental health; I need to do this more often.

I miss Andy. But once in awhile, it’s good to remind myself that I’m capable of unhinging doors and using power tools without help. And sometimes, it’s good for a couple to spend a week or two apart. The separation tends to make you feel like you’re falling in love all over again. The absence of our daily routine makes me appreciate our little rituals even more. To an outsider, I’m sure they seem boring and mundane. But to us, they’re evidence of the life we’ve chosen together. That’s your awwwww moment of the day.

Besides, I’m sure Andy is looking forward to nightly burrito and fish buffets when I’m in Nashville later this month.

The return of Monday Musings:

• I know it's Wednesday, but after the holiday, it feels like a Monday. Back off.
• Cole is single. And happy again might I add. She broke it off with him, but he comes out brilliantly. He didn't have to hurt her by being the jerk, he is out of a bad relationship, and as chipper as I've seen him in a long time. It sucks to lose your first love, but it is good to quit before you've put multiple years' time and emotion into it.
• Talk about following my own piece of advice -- I get an e-mail today from a fellow classmate and intern. She is massively successful and at 27 is a vice-president at Verizon and has a staff of 40, and was in a national commercial that is starting to air. Very hard not to compare myself to her, especially since I regularly kicked her ass in classes and on projects. She's making big bucks and is living just outside NYC. But I also detect some loneliness and sadness in her e-mail. Even though she has much success and money, I still consider myself much wealthier -- just in different ways and I wouldn't trade that for anything.
• Saw a cat brawl this morning. Cool.
• Emerging markets look to be where it will be as long as commodity prices stay high. I'm a little puzzled why the energy markets have not rallied despite the gas price spike.
• I like the smell of fireworks. Nothing like celebrating America by blowing a part of it up with Chinese technology.
• The North Koreans are crazy.
• Am I the only one that thinks this Ken Lay thing was suicide. You suddenly have a heart attack right before you are supposed to start serving life in prison?
• Wisconsin cousins, when Hayley turns 21, get ready to host us up there. Maybe fall of 2007?

First to direct a comment toward Andy's post - I find it unnecessary to add my opinions to topics that appear to belong only in the Nebraska circle. Some postings simply don't apply to me at all and I usually don't have any replies that contribute to the purpose of a given post. Unless I get more background for some things, they will probably remain Nebraska-only.

As for Paul - he's working back home and the dialup internet connection honestly can't handle this site well.

And a summary of what I've been up to lately:.. I'm still nannying for two girls during the week. They're so much better this year than last. We've had a lot of fun every day but maybe two so far, but those were because their parents kept them up to late over a weekend.

I sail whenever I have a free few hours. This past weekend I earned three more ratings (a rating allows you to take a given boat out in either light or heavy winds, depending on the level tested at). So I now have unlimited access to three boat fleets and the longboard windsurfers in the club. My body still hurts from 6 hours in 25 mph wind on Saturday, but it was so much fun I don't care. Plus, the latest boat I got rated on can hold 6 people, so now I can take out friends (and family) whenever I want for a little joy riding (did I mention it has room for coolers too?).

Then I used my club connections to get Mary and I a ride on one of the keelboats last night, that we sailed across the lake to watch the big "Rhythm and Booms" firework show with orchestra. Aside from the fact that we didn't get back to shore until after 1, it was an awesome evening.

In the words of Kelso:

HELLO WISCONSIN.

ANYBODY ALIVE OUT THERE?

Well, this post has two themes:
1) A tribute of advice to Lindsay on her 18th birthday, and
2) Advice I would give to myself as a 28 year old if I ran into myself as an 18-year-old .

Therefore, I will title this Blog: Ten Years Later -- What I wished I had known then...
Fellow bloggers, feel free to add your own advice. But Lindzo, try to carry this with you and talk to me, the cousins or any of your siblings about this stuff. You are phenominally lucky because you can learn and live better as a result of all the mistakes we have made. So off we go...

Ladie-friggin da. So you're 18, the second to last magic age before 21 when your birthdays become relatively meaningless until you start to get the senior citizen discount at restaurants and movies. So what does 18 mean legally in the state of Nebraska? Well, unless you are planning to live a hedonistic life, not too much.

• You can buy tobacco. Don't do it. All my friends that started smoking or chewing are still doing it, and the habbit has cost them about $6,500 over the last 10 years, not to mention the health problems later in life and expensive health insurance.
• You can buy lottery tickets. Don't do it. Gambling is a voluntary tax on the stupid. You have a better shot of winning American Idol than winning the lottery.
• You can vote. Do it. Register, and educate yourself on all of the issues. One vote may not mean much, but beggn an active citizen and knowing what these elected people stand for is extremely important to you rmental health.
• You are still a minor. That's right. In the State of Nebraska, you are still legally a child until you turn 19. So go out and commit some felonies, run up credit card debt, sign a lot of contracts, and then default on it all because you legally are still a child that can't sign contracts. Don't really do that stuff by the way - becuase you can still be tried as an adult and get the electric chair.
• If you have a penis, you have to register for the draft. Which is interesting on many levels socially with all of the gender equality advances over the last few decades, but I won't go there. If you were a guy, you are involuntarily registered to kill, fight and die for your country agaisnt your will, but you are not yet responsible enough to have a sip of beer according to the law. That's messed up.

Thats' the legal stuff, but here's the stuff I would really tell myself if I had it all to go back and do it over again.

1. Work less and play more. After college, you'll have to work more and play less, so live it up now. Still work to pay bills and all that jazz so you don't have a ton of debt after college, but enjoy being irresponsible for a few more years. That said, take internships. They will get you a good first job.
2. Avoid credit cards. Get one and buy gas to pay it off every month. But DO NOT use it for more than that. Ever. Unless you are trapped in Tunisia or something.
3. Don't over-program in college. Clubs and activities are fun, and I've seen it 100 times that people get too involved and can't do anything well. After a year or two, whittle it down to a small handful of things you care most about and get really involved with them. It will look better on your resume too, you'll be less stressed and happier.
4. Your high school friends will move on. With the exception of 2-3 kids, most high school friends will ditch you at college or shortly thereafter if they haven't already. Don't spend your first two years of college trying to keep that gang together. Go out and meet new people. HS friends will move on and there's nothing you can do about it. Don't get ofended. Also, at least one high school person you got along with so-so will likely become a close friend during college. I don't know why this happens, but it does.
5. Meet as diverse a group of people as you can. College firends from Chicago, Alaska and California can make weekend or spring break trips much cheaper, and it helps you realize the wonders of the world outside of Nebraska. It also helps to have diverse friends that have experienced a lot and can help you through tough times. You will make some of your best friends in college, and you will lean on these peopel more than any other friends you have had.
6. Don't get any thing perminant in the next ten years. No police records, tattoos, STDs or babies. My dad gave me that advice the day he dropped me off for college and it served me well. Piercigns are OK -- just don't go too crazy. They can always come out when you grow up.
7. Rebel. Try a stupid haircut or dressing different. Or travel to a place you've never been just because. Dye your hair or do something different than the norm. College is about counter-culture, so find yoruself. Just dont' go overboard or end up Goth.
8. You are about to go through the biggest personality and emotional change of your life in the next year. You will become independant, make your own rules, set your own curfews, manage your own time and have more freedom than you ever had before. Journal or be sure to step back from everything once a month, if not more, to evalute the person you are becomming and make sure you still like who that is. I know that after a year of college, I woke up one morning and did not like the person I had become and it took quite a bit of time for me to get my life back and be who I wanted to be.
9. Guess what. Chip is going to go through the same thing, an dprobably worse -- guys tend to mature even later so it may take even longer. Make sure you still like or love the person he becomes. You cannot change or control his growth, and he cannot change or control yours. But constantly evaluate and make note of his growth and the growth of your relationship. Year one of college is a make or break year for HS relationships. What you have now will be much different this time next year. It may be better, it may be worse. Whatever you do, don't stay with him if it starts to flounder. THIS WAS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE I HAVE EVER MADE. Don't be afraid to take breaks (the best thing Ash and I ever did), or break it off all together. Lindzo, you are a catch and Chip is damn lucky to even have you, even if you think it is the other way around. And if he get's to college, would rather just sit in his dorm room, becomes a total jerk, and his eye starts to wander to other college babes, don't hesitate to kick his ass to the curb. There are plenty of other fish out there. I saw all the signs with my high school grilfriend and wasted two years of college trying to maintain a relationship with a girl that had become a terrible self-centered cheater who was a shadow of who I first started dating.
10. Look out for yourself. Professors don't care if you succeed or fail. Roomates don't care if you succeed or fail. Your friends can't help you with debt. Even though it's good to be selfless, college is a time to improve yourself and set things up for the rest of your life and don't lose sight of that. Look out for yourself, becuase nobody else will on that campus.
11. Learn as much about personal finance as you can. In a few years, you will have a salary, insurance, car payments, credit cards, etc. After your career training, handling of your own assets is the most important thing to learn about in the next few years. Do it well, and life seems easy at times. Make a ton of mistakes and it will haunt you personally and anybody you marry for the next 10 years.
12. Don't try to keep up with the Joneses. I lost a lot of sleep trying to be a better person, get better grades or be more involved than my academic rivals. College is the first time you learn that no matter how good at something you are, there is always someone smarter, better looking, more charming, or wealthier than you. Be happy with being your own personal best and do not compare yourself to others because you will always lose. Always. This the hardest things for me to learn, but when I was finally able to reach this level of enlightenment, it was the second best discovery of my life -- after discovering your sister at a board meeting. I have friends my age that are still trying to have the nicest car, biggest house, and that type of constant comparison is takign a toll on her marriage and her friendships -- see Ash's previous post.
13. Don't forget your family. It is very easy for you to get lost in the shuffle of self-discovery and newness that the next few years will bring. You will forget about your family support group from time to time, and may even move family down the priority list. Everybody does it and it's OK to some degree as long as it isn't long lasting. Everybody experiences this in a different manner -- but just remember these people will be your support group and help out no matter what goes right or wrong over the next 10 year. And guess what, they are all looking forward to you becoming an adult and having adult relationships with you. Your siblings will treat you differently, your parents will treat you differently. It's an interesting time, but we're all looking forward to having another lifelong adult friend.
14. This one may surprise you -- Question your faith and the existance of God. Stay up late talking about theology and question everything with your new found independence. True faith comes from accepting soemthing on your own, not because your family forced it on you. When I was able to rationalize and find my spiritual identity on my own, it took on a whole new meaning for me.
15. Make the discovery that you will learn just as much outside of class than you do in class in college. Your education lasts long after those bells ring everyday, be sure that your eyes are open at all times.
16. Read as much as you can. Yes, you will be required to read for classes. A lot. But read other stuff. Fiction, non-fiction, whatever. But keep your mind active at all times.
17. If you drink, drink responsibly. Never get to the point where you are out of control, unless you are completely surrounded by people you trust. I never drank to the point of blacking out, but still drank. Probably too much. Never get that bad -- mailnly because of the next two points.
18. Avoid peer pressure. Do something because you want to do it.
19. Do not trust guys. I could go into 1,000 reasons for this, but I know for a fact that there is one main motivation in almost every college guy and 99% of the time, this drives their actions. The cunning young lady can use this to her advantage, but this will bit you on the ass later on.
20. You will have a quarter-life crisis where everything seems to be all wrong. It's OK. It will pass.
21. You will want to change your major at least twice. That's normal. If you do, make sure it is for the right reasons.
22. Don't take yoruself too seriously.

So that's a start.

Ash and I are extremely proud of you and you are standing on the edge of a cliff right now looking out at a very big world. As you jump off, enjoy the rush -- just make sure that you realize there is a lot of life after you open your parachutte and land, but that the next few years are a hell of a ride that will have lots of ups and downs.

Have fun discovering the world outside the clutches your parents, and we'll be there if you need us.

Happy 18th Birthday.

Cousin Central has a new look. Let me know what you think.

After reading this post, in combination with what I posted Thursday, ya'll probably are going to think I'm full of gloom-and-doom. I'm really not, but this is such an excellent place to get feedback that I can't help myself from venting.

How do you know when a friendship is over for good?

I've had a friendship that's really been struggling for the last 12 to 18 months. A few weeks ago, after a particularly nice evening with this friend, I told myself that I was going to let go of the resentment I had toward her and try to resurrect our friendship. Today, I received an e-mail from her that is making me second-guess my decision to extend the olive branch. I feel like she's interested in being friends for a specific purpose only, and I'm not cool with that. I refuse to let someone use me.

Maybe having a conversation to clear the air would help. But honestly, I'm having a tough time figuring out how to be diplomatic and cool-headed when I'm pretty damn angry. My pot of anger has boiled over, so to speak. I've also come to the conclusion that maybe we don't even have a friendship to save anymore. If that's true, how sad.

I guess if I've learned anything from this mess, it's that I should've confronted her the first time she hurt me. Interestingly enough, that happened 4th of July weekend last year. I didn't do anything because I thought it was an isolated incident that was the result of poor communication. Unfortunately, that one incident has snowballed into several, and my hurt has only intensified.

In this situation, what does "being the bigger person" mean? Confronting her? Forgiving her and moving on? I'm at a loss. We have a lot of mutual friends, so I don't want to have a big, awkward falling out that makes everyone uncomfortable.

I'm confuzzled. I haven't faced a situation like this since high school. I know how immature I was then, so I don't think that's a great example of how to conduct myself. :)

I applied for grad school this morning. I haven't applied to a specific program yet; I just submitted an application so I can take classes if I want.

I'm scared s*&tless. Now that I've been out of school four years, I don't miss taking tests, writing papers, and studying. My priorities have changed a lot since graduation. Do I even have the ability to buckle down and study anymore? What happens when I get a -5,872 on the GRE because I haven't taken a math class since 1998? Could I get kicked out?

I wouldn't be considering grad school if I worked for a mainstream journalism outlet. Journalists and P.R. people tend to believe that real learning happens on the job, and people with advanced degrees use education credentials to hide behind the fact that they're not very talented. In the communications field, there is some sad truth to that statement.

Here's the dilemma, kittens. I have chosen to make a career out of working for the public sector. Government- and university-types love advanced degrees. It's difficult to advance without "M-something" or "Ph.D" behind your name. I'm not arrogant enough to believe I have nothing to learn, but I believe the skills I need to improve are best learned through experience, not studying a theory from some textbook. Am I selling out by doing something I'm not enthusiastic about, or am I being smart and realistic?

Who knows, maybe I'll love being a student again. That's what I'm hoping for anyway.

Wednesday Wanderings of the mind.

• My friend just dropped $20,000 on a new car. Its an HHR and I think they are as ugly as sin. And he color is nto that great -- like a tomato red. How do I show my enthusiasm toward it, when I think it looks like a pregnant rollerskate?
• I'm really diggign some music these days.
• Listen to "Boston" by Augustana. Download it, check it out on myspace or purevolume.com -- it will make youhappy and sad at the same time.
• Also, check out Jack's Manequinn. They are fronted by one of the guys who used to be in Something Corporate. If you dig piano-punk, you'll love this. Try "Bruised" "Mixed Tape" and anything on this website: http://jacksmannequin.com/indexc.html
• The markets suck these days. I won't even go there. Volatile is an understatement.
• I ate potato salad for the first tiem in 17 years this weekend. Not bad, but it was a different type with bacon and ranch something. Good stuff
• I love the College World Series. It turns me into a 7-year old kid again. Even if I don't get to games. the opening ceremonies rocked. Literally. The fireworks were the best I've ever seen and YellowCard played a free two-hour concert. Good stuff.
• I have lots of left over beer from our BBQ. What to do.

Hi. My name is Julie and I have a problem. I've been neglecting the blog lately. With support, I will recover soon.

Thursday thoughts:

The Jazz in June festival is one of the reasons why I love summer and I love Lincoln. It's an event held every Tuesday night on the green space behind the art gallery on campus. For two hours, 7,000 people show up to listen to music, socialize, or just relax. My friends from high school started going to Jazz in June a few weeks after I graduated. Some of us are still going, and along the way, new friends have joined the tradition.

Ellie is one of my original Jazz in June buddies. I was starting to introduce Ellie to our friend Melissa, but they stopped me and told me they already knew each other from somewhere else. Ellie and I are constantly finding out that we have some of the same acquaintances, and we've never met them at the same time or place. Ellie's theory is that our overlapping social circles prove that we have a lot in common and are drawn to the same types of people. In other words, we're not friends JUST because we shared similar experiences growing up (though that's a nice aspect of our friendship.) We could've parted ways after high school, but something bigger than a shared experience holds our friendship together. I thought it was a nice theory. I don't think it holds true for all my older friendships, but I see where she's coming from.

To the 20-somethings feeling lost: Sometimes you have to figure out what you DON'T want in order to discover what you really are looking for. This lesson is very applicable to dating and career choices. :)

I just finished reading I Am Charlotte Simmons, a book about a girl who is academically brilliant but is in way over her head socially when she goes to college. It's not as fluffy as it sounds because it addresses a ton of sociological and political issues. It also took me 10 days to finish because it's 638 pages and the writing is incredibly descriptive, which meant I needed to take a break after about 45 minutes of reading. Anyhoo, has anyone else read this? I want to discuss this with someone other than reviewers at Amazon.com. I suppose it could make some thought-provoking blogging material. :)

I don't even really know what to write about. I've been back less than a week, I've had two days of work, and Nutella is my new favorite food. If I knew when I get out of work each day I could sign up for a sailing lesson or two, but I've never been that lucky. And I'm a little paranoid yet to spend money on anything but groceries until I know how much my trip cost in U.S. dollars. There's a mosaic project I'd love to start, but I guess that's just going to have to be put on hold. And I'd love membership to a fun little gym in town, but I know neither the price nor the practicality of a membership.

So I intend to stay in tonight... designing my masterpiece mosaic project that has no foreseeable future, and at the same time waiting for someone to IM or call with plans. I can no longer comfortably invite myself into activities for fear of not being wanted. But at the end of the day I just think about how berries were on sale at the grocery store yesterday, and all the world feels exactly as it should be.

So far this summer I have...

1. went to numerous baseball games to cheer on Chip and his teammates.
2. been working at the Beaver pool, putting up with obnoxious children and a lazy manager, and even though I'm right next to water all day, I still haven't swam.
3. visited/stayed with Hayley in her new apartment four or five times.
4. read three books and started on a fourth.
5. went to one of Margaret's softball games and had to sit by her dad because there was no one else there to sit with.
6. done other mundane and boring things that I won't list for fear that you may keel over and die from boredom.

After I've made this list I have to say, I sure hope some more exciting things happen to me this summer.

Deep thoughts:

So I got on MySpace last week and hooked up with a bunch of old high school friends I haven’t seen in like 9 or 10 years. Long story short, maybe its my connection back with them, marrying off all of our friends this summer, or just that I am feeling philosophical, but I started thinking about “the next step.”

Yeah, life is all about looking off into that great abyss and trying to figure out the next step. See, that was blatantly stolen from a movie called Garden State, but where I am going is all from my own head.

What I am really thinking about these days is comfort. Hear me out. Five years out of college, ten years out of school is an easy time to be comfortable. Comfortable with routine, habits, being in the real world, whatever your next step holds.

But I am starting to wonder if people get too comfortable. See, it’s easy at this point in your life to turn your back on things because you are comfortable. Forgetting your roots, ditching some of your friends, putting your faith on the back burner – all because this thing we called “life” is going well.

Well, think about what happens when you are in a really comfortable spot for too long. Something like your leg or arm falls asleep and gets all numb and tingly. And when you try and do something immediately after, it is painful pins and needles, and you can’t walk well or really use the limb.

What I am getting at is that it is easy to get comfortable in life and routines. So shake it up – it is Ok to be comfortable with things, but make sure you are adjusting and still doing something other than be comfortable, or you may start to get numb. And nobody wants to be numb. It sneaks up on you because you don’t really realize that your arm is asleep until you try to move around.

So either this metaphor is spot on and brilliant, or I lost you around the second paragraph. Either way, keep your eyes open and look for the next step.

It's been a really long time since anyone has blogged, so I have taken the liberty of "breaking the ice" and blogging. Perhaps someone will be inspired. It has now been a little over a month ago since I moved into my apartment and got a new roommate (her name is Shannon and we grew up together, for those of you who don't know already.) I am fully adjusted to apartment life and we are both enjoying cooking and baking for ourselves and whatever friends come over. I also am loving having my own bathroom and knowing that it is ONLY me making the mess in there (yucky dorm bathrooms no more!) Another perk to our lovely little apartment complex is that we have a great clubhouse with the essential workout machines and a 4 ft. deep pool. That may sound lousy but it's perfect for chickenfighting and playing ball with your sisters! (Oh and that was a really hot guy to oogle while I was cycling and lifting the other day in the clubhouse!)

Besides adjusting to the apartment I've had to adjust because this is my first summer away from home. You'd think that after living in the dorms for two years and being in school that I'd be used to not being at home, but since in past years I have so many wonderful memories of summers at home, it's been quite a time. Thankfully Lindsey comes into Lincoln quite a bit, Ashley and Andy are in Lincoln so I have workout/social buddies, and a lot of my friends stayed in Lincoln too. However, I do find myself wanting to go home quite a bit still, but I'm sure with time that'll pass.

Today I have my final for my Chemistry class and I'm looking forward to having a bit of a break from school. Oddly enough, I really liked this class though, so I might be a bit sad. I have worked hard in this class and for once it will show by my grade, which is normally not the case since I'm not a genius. I also start my new job tomorrow which is at a physical therapy clinic. I'm pretty excited even though I'll probably be doing mostly receptionist stuff, but at least it isn't 8 hours at a desk (sorry Ashley :( ) but only two hours a day. It will be nice to start making some money!

Now, I have an assignment for all of us. Let's tell each week if we did something that was extra fun or summer related so that I know that we're all taking advantage of it being summer and hot! Here's my list from the past 2 weeks:
1. Catching up with high school friends and our foreign exchange student from senior year
2. Making homemade ice cream and apple crisp with Shannon and Chase and sitting on our balcony under the stars eating it (my priest friend)
3. Having friends over to our new apartment and making lots of taco dip and playing in the pool at 10 at night. Chickenfights were DEFINITELY involved!
4. Going to baseball games with Lindsey to watch her boyfriend and my old friends from high school play.
5. Getting coffee and swinging in the park until 11:00 pm with one of my friends while talking of highly intellectual things. (Pretty impressive huh!)
6. Lastly, going for runs on the trails nearby and playing tennis with Ashley and HORSE with Ash and Andy. Exercise is the best in the summer!

I know the calendar says that summer doesn’t officially begin until Mary’s birthday (roughly). Bah. We all know it begins Memorial Day weekend.

It always seems that once school begins, everyone starts lamenting, “Where did the summer go?” Since I didn’t make any official New Year’s resolutions, I’m making some SUMMER resolutions.

1. Swim AT LEAST once a week. Preferably more.
2. Take a water-based vacation. This will probably involve tubing on the Niobrara River in Nebraska or returning to Colorado for whitewater rafting.
3. Go to Kansas City to shop and visit our lovely relatives.
4. Host a kick-butt summer BBQ. (If you’re available June 17, come to Nebraska!)
5. Do all my boring chores during the week so I can spend my weekends having fun.
6. Go camping.
7. Go to Worlds of Fun or another amusement park.
8. Spend time at the in-laws’ cabin.
9. Spend an afternoon riding horses and swimming at Mahoney State Park.
10. See the WISCONSIN cousins! (I had to save the best for last, you know.)

A note about summer fashion … I spent two hours last night shopping for the perfect summer tank top. The perfect tank is not see-through, does not cling in a way that makes a slight tummy pooch look like a pregnant belly, allows the wearer to wear a bra (or go sans bra without looking tarty), and does not require the wearer to constantly adjust the straps or tug on the neckline. A good tank will not shrink or stretch out after one washing. Kittens, thank me now for doing the research for you—head to The Limited and pick up the Favorite Tank. They’re on sale for $8.50 and are available in many lovely colors; I bought an orchid one and may go back for aquamarine. Old Navy also has nice ribbed tanks (2 for $10!) I also recommend the ProSpirit racerback tank, available at Target. It’s super soft and stretchy. Does anyone have good recommendations for a spaghetti-strap tank?

It seems that our blog site is made-up mostly of rants and personal conflicts that we are having, which is super because we can help each other out. So here is my rant.

I have found out in the past year or so that it is almost impossible to date a guy my age. Why you ask? They seem to all have the mentality that they should be wild-bar-hopping-idiots and the idea of having just ONE girl is one too few. I'm not going to say that in my young age that I don't enjoy checking out and flirting with cute boys, but lets face it, does that get you a date on Saturday night? NO! Instead I've found that on typical "date nights" I'm usually found hanging out with the girls or else my pre-Catholic priest friend that everyone thinks I should date (hmm...didn't I say he was CATHOLIC!) LOL needless to say, I'm not meeting anyone.

However, I got to thinking about that past three guys that I've been casualing dating (I use this term because it's never official it's just that we hang out when there's no one else to hang out with.) Somehow in the process I get my hopes up only to find out that I'm labeled their "back-burner" girl. Excuse me, but I believe that I'm more exciting than a simmering pot of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese dinner. No, I am a boiling pot of potatoes at the front of the stove that you need to worry about starching up your stove. I've been told on occasion that I'm a fun-loving, cool kid, but how does this personality type get dubed as a "back-burner" girl? I guess I'll just have to meet new guys that can appreciate my personality and treat me like potatoes.

Wednesday Wanderings of the Mind:

I can't wait for summer. But if we go tubing, i hope this doesn't happen: http://www.break.com/index/tubingtakeoff23.html

So I have to have a meeting with athletics today. its still somewhat intimidating because its at the stadium, and its with really powerful-like people that make like $500,000 a year. But honestly, these are some of the strangest people -- two of the guys I have been workign with forever, I really like. The others are barely competent at best, and still have these great jobs.

I know, how compenant can a guy be that misspells compatent three differet was in the last two sentences.

If you want a good laugh, throw a cat onto a wet deck and watch him wander around in total confusion.

Papercuts suck.

A quick Monday rant.

I know you may find this hard to believe, but I'm not very outgoing. Sure, I'm social around my family & my close friends because I'm comfortable with you lovely folks. However, I can be pretty darn introverted until I get to know someone well. I like to be social, but I also like being alone. I'm okay with this, so why do other people act like something must be *wrong* with me?

Some people act like being introverted is a huge character flaw, and it ticks me right off. In the last week, I've been described as "unemotional" and "a wallflower." I've been told that others wonder if I'm snobby, or just quiet. Anyone who knows me understands that I'm far from a wallflower, I'm not snotty, and I'm definitely not lacking emotion.

The people with the audacity to describe me in these terms are people I tend to avoid. They're usually the types that are so in love with themselves that they're incapable of understanding that it takes all types of personalities to make the world function. I have a very important message for those folks: I'M NOT QUIET. I JUST DON'T LIKE YOU AND THE BORING CRAP YOU TALK ABOUT.

God bless the extroverts like Julie, Hayley and Andy who can make any introvert come out of her shell.

Hooray for internet access in Spain (but not the funky keyboard)!!!! I don´t usually have much time to check email and such, but we´re in San Sebastian right now, which is a very chill place. There´s lots of serfing and sailing, and if I´m feeling crazy I just may shell out the dough for lessons. It´ll be a good break to rejuvenate ourselves before Barcelona. Madrid was awesome, and in confidence, some of you will hear of ¨that one wild night¨. Mary, you are on the top of that list. Right after you pick me up on June 7, we should have a big dinner and chat of my adventures (and yours... haha for studying!). As for the rest of you, I´ll post somewhere online the highlights of my pictures. I´ve taken nearly 100 already, and the trip is only a fifth done. There´s some fun artsy ones in there, so that´s why there´s so many. AND there´s just a lot of gorgeousness here. I miss modern architecture, but this really is beautiful.

Wednesday musings. How about that.

Well, the weekend has been survived. I think that is the busiest one we will have this summer.

I have a box of Cheerios under my desk that I use as mid-day snack food. Everybody here thinks that is strange. Wonder why.

Well, got my first A+ of my academic career. Since I am so old and all, the +/- system wasn't around when I was in high school or college at UNL. But thanks to one of Ashley's friends, it is now in place at UNL. And it pisses me off. I am penalized for every "minus" I get, including an A-. Yet, if I totally master something and score the rare A+, I don't get any extra bonus. Seems out of balance to me that if you are goign to reward me for every other plus like a B+ or C+, I want the extra love for an A+. I know -- shut the hell up -- you got an A+. And I probably never will again unless NU starts teaching the "Spirituality of Star Wars" or some other geeky class. I just want the system to be fair.

Then there is my other professor. He uhhh -- left the country for the summer and forgot to turn in grades before he left. What the hell? Yes, this is the same bastard-coated bastard that made me thake a test the night of the prayer service and all.

that's all for today. More work to be done.

Too tired to Muse.

Need sleepy. And some buffalo wings.

Today I got 9 graduation cards in the mail. All week they have been steadily flowing in. This is all fine and dandy, but it makes me begin to wonder, "Is anyone going to be at my flippin' party?" Not to sound winy, but it totally sucks.

One more post before Jules leaves us for awhile. My random thoughts on a Friday:
Did anyone besides Hayley watch The Office last night? My celebrity crush on Jim intensified by about 1000x during the last two scenes. Talk about a hot geek ... rawr!

My bod got a bit squishy over the winter, so I've been on a fitness kick lately. On Tuesday I did kickboxing, and yesterday I worked my butt & gut. I'm also in Week 3 of training for a 5k. By the end of the summer my name will be Ms. Ashley Kickass. I hope.

Graduation season makes me really nostalgic, so I looked through my high school photo albums earlier this week. Guess what I found? A picture of Paul wearing my prom dress. It appears that he used Cole's Nerf basketballs for breasts. I wanted to scan and post it, but I decided not to do so without Paulie's permission.

I can't wait for summer. I want to swim, hang out at the in-laws' cabin, and eat barbecue. My father-in-law even fixed his pontoon boat, so maybe I'll become a fisherwoman.

God bless good husbands. Not only did Andy hang a bamboo blind this week, he endured two hours of dress shopping with me on Sunday. Although he was bored, he still offered opinions. He complimented me at the appropriate times. He even helped me pick out a necklace. Honey, I know that's not your thing, but I had a super-fun time with you. Pic of my new dress


Hayley's new apartment is very cute. It also has a pool, so guess who will be having visitors at her bachelorette pad this summer?

I can't believe my baby sister is graduating on Sunday.

That's all.

I'm done! Not graduated yet, but I'll never have to go to another high school class in my life. How exciting, yet scary, is that? I just have to go back for a walk through tomorrow and the real deal on Sunday. I can't believe it. Oh yes, and crazy root beer party tonight at Smith Creek. Yay!

Not a whole lot to really muse about today.

Ever get an infected hair? I have one on the back of my head. Ouch.

This weekend will be a test in endurance. Thursday night bachelor party, followed by our highest profile event of the year for work on Friday, followed by golf of friday afternoon, followed by a wedding saturday, followed by lindzo's graduation on sunday.

Lindzo, my apologies if I drool when I nod off, but I will be there with bells on.

Off to do more spray painting and hang soem new blinds.

Ok peoples! I'm leaving for Europe on Saturday, so if you're going to post anything exciting, kindly do it by Friday night. =) But now I have four finals to prepare for before Thursday morning, so AHHHH gotta go!

Just for Andy

http://youtube.com/watch?v=YxuswKLggnw&search=soccer%20practice

fark. I have to make a career-altering decision, and I have to do it in the next 24 hours. And I really don't know which way the head and heart are leaning.

With graduation just around the corner, many of us seniors have started handing out our invites to classmates and underclassmen. This handing out just started today, but already I've gotten two invites that say "Your invited!" on the top. Anyone see anything wrong with this? Apparently after thirteen years of education, high school seniors still don't know the difference between your and you're. I find it quite hilarious, and I'm bound to see more of these spelling mistakes. However, I do kind of pitty (now did I spell that right, it doesn't look right) the people who have done this because it's going to make them look really stupid to their peers (if they even notice) but most of all, their teachers. How embarrassing!

I'd also like your input. I'm making Chip a CD for part of his graduation present. If you know of any totally awesome graduation CD appropriate songs, let me know. Did that make any sense? I hope it did.

Oscar is doing much better, which I am very glad to see. I was very concerned last Friday when I found him coughing up blood. No more blood and barely a cough. Good Oscar!

I'd just like everyone to know AP exams SUCK! I took my AP Calculus exam this morning and was pretty much beat after the first twenty minutes. Good thing it won't hurt my grade and I don't really have to have it next year. Otherwise, I might be freaking out about now.

Did anyone else hear the thunderstorm last night? It was AWESOME!

Late Monday musings due to havign to mow. Where to begin.

• Ok, a professor can not return calls or e-mails, barely speak English, make me take a test the night of a memorial service, leave town for two weeks during the semester and not tell any of us, etc – but when that bastard makes us buy $170 in textbooks that are impossible to find, and un-returnable to the bookstore and carry a $0 value, that makes me want to declare a Jihad on him.

• So, if you are the friend that is always calling around to get people together, does that make you the loser of the group? I was just thinking – if we didn’t call around to our friends all the time, we would be sitting at home all the time. Or are we just the best friends to everybody in charge of making plans?

• Looks like the bull market for the next few months is going to be in health care and the Asian-pacific rim. I’d suggest playing UNH, ANWPX and any ETF that looks at Asia or emerging markets

• There’s nothing sexier in April than getting your deck stain and sealant down and watching the water bead off of it.

• Just for Paul: http://www.break.com/index/bush9.html

• So I had an uber-productive week at work. You’ve GOT to love that. Unfortunately, the best time came at 3 p.m. on Friday, when I was thinking of leaving early.

• So Ash hung some paint chips on my bathroom wall as we are thinking of touching up some painting this weekend as it is rainy and cold outside. The funny thing is, they are all shades of brownish-green and she put them straight in front of the toilet and I couldn’t help but laugh. When I’ve had bad food or am sick, am I supposed to use the shade to tell her how I feel when I use the facilities. “Honey, I think I am feeling better. I’ve gone from evergreen to spring grass, but my pee is still ‘vineyard’”

• I am a big fan of the throwback screen in college football.

• Ok, quick advice to all you heart-breakers out there. And to nobody in particular. If you are going to break up with someone, there is never a good time. It is published and proven that legally, there are only a handful of days/times where you cannot break up with someone. Their birthday, Christmas, Valentine’s day, near a family death, or around the finale of American Idol. Well, all except for the last one. There is never ever a “good time” to do it – so once you’ve committed, dig your heels in and don’t be talked out of it. If I had been, I'd likely be married to the side of beef that the lesbian I dated for a week has become -- I didn' tknwo she was a lesbian at the time.

• Why do cats hate aluminum foil so much?

• I am quite proud. Most of my landscaping stone work has not shifted or moved the three years. Yay me. I rule.

• So I ran into the infamous lesbian ex-girlfriend at a baseball game. She most definitely saw me and realized that I spotted her. Wow, the last six years have not been kind to her. Gained weight, a bad haircut – actually, it looks like she got hit with everything that Britney Spears has had trouble with, except for the baby thing. Like total white trash. Does that make me a bad person for getting a little smile about that? I mean, her parents tried to “fix her” by making her marry a neighbor boy and go to church, and she lives in a pretty seedy part of town now. It probably makes me a bad person, but I took a little bit of joy in that -- perhaps not because of her misfortune, but because I got ou tof that quickly while I could.

• Interesting tangent from that story. The lesbian’s dad goes to the church we got married in and played Judas in the passion play this year. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

• Chris Farley was a comedy genius

• Oakland is looking pretty good so far this year. Took a few from the Yankees, but the starting pitching could be better.

• Two more buddies get married this summer. Sorry Hayley, the options I know about are dropping like flies. Hope your date with Brad went well. We want blog details.

More later. Time to go to work.

Why doesn't this dear blog seem to be posting everything?

WHERE ARE THE MONDAY MUSINGS? You promised, mister.

WHERE ARE THE MONDAY MUSINGS?

You promised, honey.