34 days to go
Part II: New England

Wendy and I went to Salem. It's absolutely beautiful. I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance. The ocean, by the way, is incredible. I'll post all those pictures this week. Promise.

What can I say. I love this city. It's great. The people are wonderful. You all know who you are.

I'm leaving for home in the morning, and I'm going to miss good ol' Boston, though. I blog when I return, friends.

34 days to go

I wasn't that mad last night, just put out, mostly. Ok. I was mad. I don't like getting carded.

Oh well. Cambridge is a college town. It was a new place. They have to do stuff like that.

Today is agreat day. It's cooled off here in Boston, and I'm watching Fight Club, for only the second time. All I can think of is, aren't you glad I don't make soap?

Probably for the best.

34.5 days to go

I write 34.5 days, because I'm in the Eastern Time Zone, where it is 12:50 am, but the timestamp will say 11:50.

So, we're in a race to see who finishes first, my thought, or my typing.

I got mad. Mostly because I got carded, carded severely. I don't mind if you ask me to take it out(I mean my id, kids). But to ask me to show another item that has my name on it? He's lucky I don't write my name in my underwear, or worse, have a tattoo of my id somewhere.

Anyhoo.

35 days to go
Part II: Yankees Suck!

I must have yelled that a thousand times today. I yelled it with passion. I yelled it at the Yankee fans 3 seats over from me.
Ah, the glory of it all.

Pictures will be posted tomorrow, as I'm going to dinner now.

35 days to go

Old friends and drinks. Someone should write an X-files episode about last night. Figure this: 3 people who have the same birthday are out and about in Boston. I've got a picture of it.

Yes, there was some serious cavorting last night. We had fun. Drinks were had.

I bought a new watch yesterday. This, of course, means that when I get back to Chicago I'll find my old one. This is how the universe works. Just accept, don't question.

In 5 hours I will be sitting in Fenway Park. I can barely wait.

That's all I got this morning- too excited about baseball.

36 days to go
Beantown Blogging

I don't think I've ever heard anyone from Boston call it Beantown. Just like I've never heard anyone from Chicago call it Chitown.

Speaking of cities I love, I got to see both of them from the air at night. They're both extremely beautiful, all lit up. I even got to see the ferris wheel on Navy Pier from several thousand feet, and the Sears Tower. It was beautiful. Then there's flying over Boston- we had to circle a couple times before we landed. It was marvellous. All the streets, the buildings, the water. It's incredible.

I still couldn't find my watch before I left. I am without a timepiece, confused and naked in the world.

I discovered something about my cell phone, though. Apparently, when I travel through time zones, my cell phone resets it clock. I almost wish I was driving, so I could watch it happen. Technology is fun. I am a geek.

In a few hours, I will be making my first ever solo trek on Boston's T. It's gonna be cool.

Anyone know a good watch shop off the Green Line?

37 days to go
Part II: Still in Chicago

But not for very much longer. I'm excited. I can't wait to be there.

The only thing bringing me down right now is the fact that I can't find my watch. This is kinda funny. For a while, in college I went for a few months wearing my watch only at night. Nowadays, I wear it all day- and take it off only at night, or when in the shower.

So, naturally, without it, I'm confused and slightly edgy. I'll get over it. Promise. Either that, or I'll just buy a new one.

Oh well. One more frantic search and I give up. I wasn't planning on changing over to Eastern time anyways. I'd probably just confuse myself further.

I'm off! Boston, here I come!

37 days to go

It's 0600, what does the 0 stand for? Oh my god it's early.

Sorry. A little levity from Good Morning Vietnam never hurt.

Today's the day. I'm off to boston in, well, if you count the trip to the airport, about 10 hours.

Excited? I am. Work is probably going to drag by because of it, too. Such is life.

I'm almost completely packed, except for the things I'll need this afternoon before I leave.

I'm so excited!

Ok. I need to get ready for work. Even though I'm so excited.

38 days to go
Part II: I see dead people...

Actually, I don't. It seems my sixth sense is knowing when a day is going to be completely fubar- and I'm usually right. That's how I called it at approximately 8:05 this morning.

Was I ever right. First off, I've got carpenters arguing with painters over who needs to get their work done first. Ok. It seems to me that if you're going to hang cabinets on walls, you might, just might want to have them painted first. Just an opinion. Then, out of the blue, is the window installer, who is there to work, you guessed it, in the very same kitchen where somehow simultaneously, there is to be painting done and cabinets installed on the very same walls. The funny in that story is that our storage room was broken into about 3 weeks ago, and they stole everything. Up to and including the window that the window installer was going to install. So, I lucked out there. Barely.

Ok, that's just one of the interesting ways my day was fubar'ed. Let's get another example, which took place not more than an hour ago. We have a dumpster on the street, which we, of course, have a permit to have there on the street. We have a barrier(that is a sawhorse with a blinking light on it) and two orange cones set up at one end of the dumpster to prevent people from parking too close, something which is incredibly important, when you consider that there's going to be a big truck coming in the morning to pick up said dumpster and empty it for us. Needless to say, it's not an exact science, and there has been collateral damage done to items too close to the dumpster, hence the reason we try to prevent people from parking too close. So, my boss and friend is standing out front, talking to another tradesman. This guy parks his car right about where he really shouldn't. Gets out, and starts telling my boss to stop staring at his girlfriend, who is still sitting in the car, where my boss can't see her. He threatens him. My boss, being the intelligent person he is, knows that he is not at fault on any count. He keeps a cool head and tells the guy to stop threatening him, or he'll call the cops. I walked around the corner to hear the end of the threat. So off they go, the guy realizes that he's picked the wrong battle, and his girlfriend is going on and on about how there's no parking in Wrigleyville and that we need a permit for the dumpster. Then, they called the cops. And boy, the cops were really happy to have that call. What did the whole thing boil down to? Well, everything done my boss was completely legal. The dumpster is legal. Threatening someone, well, that isn't. They didn't haul the guy away or anything, but I'm sure the cops will be a little slower next time they get a call from their house.

So, I'd say I've got the Shin. Or a type of Shin.

38 days to go'

38. It's so curvy.

Big thanks to the White Sox for making the Yankees look like a bunch of little leaguers. It made me laugh, and made me hope that it's a beginning of a downward spiral for the Yankees.

That would keep me laughing.

I was writing about short weeks earlier this week. I hadn't realized this: I get three in a row. This week, I leave for Boston Thursday night. Next week, Labor Day. The week after, I'm headed up to a wedding in St. Paul. That's 3 weeks in a row of only working 4 days. Talk about easy. I'm going to be so pampered.

There you have it. I'm going to get myself some breakfast and head to work. It's a busy week, after all.

39 days to go
Part II: Stuff I didn't have time to write this morning:

I believe that as you get older, you have the tendency to turn into one of your parents. Well, let's tell an old, old story real quick. When I was about 10 or 11, our neighbor's house caught fire- most all of the neighborhood was out watching the firetrucks work and hoping that everyone got out safely. Even my parents, on the other side of the house, woke up. My brother and I slept right through the whole thing. The scary part: our bunk beds were all of 20 feet from the flames.

Fast forward 20 or so years. I wake up to just about anything. Saturday night, my roommate walked into my room. I woke up when he entered, despite the fact that the door was wide open. This morning, I woke up to lightning not, and I emphasize not thunder. Just the flash of light got me up. I was walking around the house, closing windows when I realized the following:

"This is exactly what my dad used to do when I was a kid."

There you have it. I'm turning into my father.

So, I've been thinking about countdowns today, mostly because my mind is wandering, as it tends to do. So here's a fun little list of countdowns I was doing today:

Days til my birthday: 39
Days til my brother's wedding: 46
Days til my friend turns 21: 9
Days til 2004: 128
Days til I graduate college: Ok, who knows?
Days til the Wolves home opener: 46
Days til my friend's wedding: 16
Minutes til I stop doing this: .5

Ok, I'm done. I swear. I think too much sometimes.

39 days to go

39. It's a fun number. It's where most people stop aging, too. Three times thirteen. It's all about the threes.

It turns out that the person who I wasn't sure about the future of our relationship was is going to try to be friends again, or stay friends, as it were. We'll see what happens. I'm all for it, as this is a longtime relationship and the person is very important to me.

I'm learning more and more about Boston geography. It's amazing. I've been to that city something like 7 times, but still don't know where anything is. And I pride myself in knowing where things are. Maybe this time I'll learn something permanent. Maybe.

It's funny, how memories fade and how you forget things. For instance, despite living there for so long, I am not terribly confident in my ability to find things in Minneapolis/St. Paul. I was never that good at Minneapolis, but was usually ok in St. Paul. Nowadays, I'm pretty well clueless.

I'm pretty sure I could still find most things I needed to in New York City, though. Who knows.

Anyways, time for work.

40 day to go
Part III: Search for Spock

I love days like today. I was bored to tears at work(there's not a whole lot a guy with a broken toe can do on a construction site) and didn't want to stay, but did anyways, and did some serious crossword work, up to and including the patternless. I like the patternless, but I need to start doing it in pencil. Pen gets too messy.

I'm hungry. And tired. It's a nice way to be on a Monday. I was thinking: I have a short week this week, as I leave for Boston on Thursday, then next week, we have Labor Day. Wow. Two short weeks in a row. I'm gonna be spoiled. Very spoiled.

Such is life. Live it while you can, that's the new mantra. Even for a near 30-year-old.

40 days to go
Part II: The joys of cooking

I haven't been cooking much lately. It's not particularly odd, really. I don't cook that often, but I really haven't been cooking at all lately. I don't particularly enjoy cooking, either. Sometimes, though, when you're with the right person, cooking can be fun.

I'm somewhat food oriented right now. Lunchtime does that to me.

I need everyone's help with something. We all need to concentrate on the weather in Boston. Everyone, for the rest of the week, concentrate on pushing rain out of Boston this weekend. Sunday, sure, it can rain cats and dogs, but Saturday, let's make it clear blue skies.

40 days to go

40 days in the hole!

Yep. It's that kind of morning.

In 3 days I'll be on my way to Boston. I can't wait. It's going to be incredible.

Busy, busy week for your humble narrator, very busy. But we'll get through it. I know.

Time to get headed to work, folks. Yuck.

41 days to go

It's getting awful to look at. That number keeps getting smaller.

Remember that old Twilight Zone episode where the guy finds a watch that can freeze time? I need to find that watch. Maybe then I could stop worrying about that countdown.

Ok. A little heavy this morning? Yep. Who knows why? I'm just pensive, as I seem to be every morning lately. Maybe I should take up meditiation or something.

Or, maybe I should just stop thinking about it for a while. Age, as it has been said, ain't nothing but a number.

So, why is it that we assign so much value to age? Think about it, your whole life is about how old you are: Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, driver's license at 16, voting, marriage, porn and cigarettes at 18, drinking at 21, lower car insurance rates at 25, milestones every 5-10 years, eligibility for the presidency at 35(for those who were wondering, yes I am eligible in 2008- and yes, I've got ideas), retirement at 65, all these things are based on age.

Of course, I left out passing rock star age- that is 27. I remember when I turned 28, I thought to myself: "it just might be too late for that career as a musician."

Just might. Not definitely. Don't worry- I'm not planning on going down that path again. Too much work.

Smiles all around, though. Liz Phair rocked my world last night.

And rocked I was.

42 days to go
Part II: Get anything done today?

I did. I got some laundry done. I like having clean clothes. Of course, I'm going out tonight to see a show, so the clean clothes I wear tonight will be all stinky by the end of the night.

Such is life.

42 days to go

What do you get when you multiply six by eight?

Yes, only 42 days remain. Let's hear it. Whoop dee doo!

I'm pensive this morning. That's normal, I expect. Especially when I've got Honey Nut Cheerios(tm). The toe is very sore this morning, not surprisingly. Today, I'm spending the day icing and doing laundry. And taking pain killers. Lots of 'em. Ok, not lots, as they are bad for the stomach, amongst other internal organs, but enough to make life bearable.

Enough on the toe. It's just a toe, after all. It will get better.

I'm feeling normal today. Despite being out late. My friend DJ'ed a Morrissey/Smiths night at Delilah's last night. It's always a good time, even though I'm not a big Morrissey fan. He is, and that's good for him. I just collect money and roll my eyes a lot. It's fun. People watching is occasionally something I like to do.

My browser is being funny. I'm not laughing, though. Therein lies the problem.

I'm going to have to fix that, so here's where we end.

43 days to go
Part III: Friday 5

I'm not sure where she gets these questions from, but Wendy sometimes does the Friday Five, little questions that I guess are geared to make the blogger open up more to the bloggee.

Here we go:

1. When was the last time you laughed?

Um, I guess this afternoon. I was talking with another worker at the jobsite about my toe.

2. Who was the last person you had an argument with?


Let's not talk about that right now. We're still apparently mid-argument.

3. Who was the last person you emailed?

As of right now, my brother, in the next couple minutes, it'll be Wendy.

4. When was the last time you bathed?

Last night, before I went out- but don't worry. I'll be in the shower as soon as I can. I started feeling like I was wasting water by showering sometimes 2, even 3 times a day.

5. What was the last thing you ate?


For lunch: a hamburger with pepperjack cheese, with fries and a separate order of onion rings. I'm a growing boy, after all.

43 days to go
Part II: Sidelined!

Here's a little ditty I wrote in my head earlier today:

That heavy heavy cabinet
Rollin' up the stairs
It's got a bad head
It put me in chairs

And woe, oh woe, oh woe
I got the broken toe....
Blues.

Yep. A heavy cabinet came down on my toe, and gave me a nice hairline fracture. This is funny, actually, and requires a little story to be told. Here we go:

About 3 years ago, I was playing basketball and broke my left index finger blocking a pass. It hurt like hell, and I spent a lot of money on doctors and the like, who, of course, can't do much except tape it to the finger next door. Fast forward 2 years to last summer, I get screened by a teammate during softball batting practice, and get myself a nice hairline fracture on my right index finger. Today, well the cabinet incident.

Of couse, you're wondering what the hell any of these things have to do with each other. It's funny. On each of these occasions, Wendy was about to visit, or in today's case, be visited by me. Each time. Kinda scary, frankly. Odd, even.

That was funny. Odd, even.

Funny.

43 days to go

Think about that number. 43. It just doesn't do anything. Unless your last name is Petty, at least.

My friends, the allergies are in full swing now. That's not good news. I'll live, though.

The show I wanted to see last night didn't happen. Turns out the venue hasn't got a clue as to how to operate, so there was all kinds of problems getting in. First off, they misadvertized, saying that the show was at 6, when doors themselves didn't open until 8. So, I sat outside waiting for my friend to show up in the sweltering heat. When he showed up with another friend, we then went to grab a beer at a bar down the street, walked back to the venue, and wound up standing in line again(at this point, despite doors being open at 8(it was then 8:15), they hadn't started letting people in yet). I stood there for about 20, maybe 25 minutes, again, in the aforementioned heat, only to decide that I didn't need to see the band that badly, so I up and left.

I headed to my local watering hole. With the AC on so cold you could freeze. And no lines.

Ah, sweet relief. I felt so much better.

In one week, I'll be in Boston. I'll be on vacation. I'll be relaxed.

I can't even tell you how much I'm looking forward to this.

44 days to go
Part III: Funny!

I noticed as I published my blog that the timestamp said 4:44 pm. That's funny.

Laugh, damnit.

44 days to go
Part II: I could feel my teeth sweat.

That's all I'm going to say about my day at work.

I had an interesting enounter this morning with someone I don't think I've mentioned before, at least not to my blog public. It started my day off right.

I didn't win the lottery last night, though. I guess that's a downer. My horoscope said games with numbers were good yesterday. Goes to show what the stars have in store for me. Sometimes I put more faith in the Onion horoscopes than the real ones, just for fun.

I should have linked you to the Onion's website. I think everyone who reads this already has it bookmarked, so forgive my laziness. I'm tired today.

There you have it, my friends. I have to hurry, as I'm going to a show tonight, and I'm supposed to meet up with my friend soon, and boy oh boy do I need a shower.

44 days to go

If memory serves, my dad wore #44 when he played high school football. So, let's say that today is dedicated to my dad, who I used to call Daddio Popsarelli, after one of my favorite childhood hockey players.

So here's to my dad.

It was a hard wake-up this morning. I wasn't up that late, I wasn't doing anything beyond the ordinary, it was just rough to wake up. Probably because I have to go into work a half-hour earlier this morning. I'm not looking forward to that.

Enough of the complaining. It's go time, after all. It's time to put on makeup, it's time to light up lights.

I am, overall, in a good mood this morning. I think today will be a good day for me. I might go see a show tonight, I've got friends who want to hang out, and I've still got my health(except for the allergies), and, and , AND, it's only a week until I fly to Boston to hang out with Wendy. See, things are truly looking up.

For my next trick....

45 days to go
Part III: Hot town- summer in the city...

If you're not here or checking up on Chicago weather, here's the update:

It's hot. Real damn hot.

If you're not here or checking up on the weather in my apartment, here's the update:

It's a very comfortable 72 degrees, with a chance of a nice 20 minute shower. It might go to 30 minutes, though.

I drank 2 32-ounce Gatorades today, then filled them with water, and drank both again. If you add in my water bottle, let's say that's about 20-oz, I've had almost 168 ounces of refreshments already today. That's bound to take a toll on me sometime soon. I did have ribs for lunch(and two Sprites), though, so I've got some serious protein in me. To make me strong. And to help me grow(wait, where did I read about the 30-year-old growth spurt again?).

I feel like I earned a night out. Of course, I still have tons and tons of work to do, so maybe I should do some of that. Laundry hasn't been done, either. I should get on that. My work clothes, especially after today, are starting to want to go to underground denim strip clubs. I haven't figured it out yet.

That's all for now. I have the feeling I'll be blogging later on, though. Something in the air.

45 days to go
Part II: Something I forgot

I did some research last night, and found out that the TTPAAS had actually been set to blue, one day way back in late May/early June. I meant to write the day down, but it's just silly anyways.

45 days to go

Is it really only 45 days away? I'll have to get to work on the party. I'll have it figured out by the weekend. I hope. Definitely before I go to Boston.

It's a strange morning for me. I'm hungry, but I got a good amount of sleep last night. Seems I've been pushing myself too hard. And now, my allergies have returned. Time for that short trip to the Osco to pick up the yummy 12-hour pills that save my eyes and sinuses for 3 months.

I don't mean to bitch. I'm just like that this morning.

Let's put the TTPAAS up to yellow. I've decided to care about it this morning.

My meeting last night was good. I was glad to see my team working passionately on their stuff. Made me feel better about some rocky bits I saw us having. Things are now looking up. Good for us. After all, the busy part is coming up. Soon.

I see by the big board that it's time for me to get ready for work. I'm not in the mood to go, but here we are anyways. Gotsta get paid, after all.

46 days to go
Part II: The Quick Note

Sadly, just a quick note. I've been reflecting about, guess what, turning 30 today. I've decided it's completely ok with me now. Sure, there are things that society says you're supposed to accomplish before that age, but to hell with society. I do what I want.

I'm sure when I wake up tomorrow, I'll be back into a panicky mode. Let's, just for the record, set the TTPAAS to a very low green. And I think that's the lowest it's been.

46 days to go

My computer chair is dead. The back thing fell off. I don't think I can realistically fix it. At least, not while keeping its asthetic value(i.e. duct taping it back on). Rest in peace.

So the question then becomes, do I go out and buy another one, or do I just wait a while. I'll probably wait a while. Maybe check out the Ikea crap- I don't need anything too fancy, after all. Something that works, that's it.

My trip to Boston is now a whole day closer. I really can't wait. I'm desperately looking forward to it.

I've been looking at my schedule the next few weeks. It's busy, but it's going to be fun. I like busy and fun.

Well, it's sad, but it's time for me to mosey to work. And mosey I shall.

47 days to go
Part II: I don't have a title for part two right now.

My mom and stepdad came through town this afternoon, and we had lunch together. It was nice, as lunches with parents should be. I'll post a picture later on.

The rest of my day was pretty blah, though. I guess that's to be expected. It was, after all, a Monday here in the big city.

The DVD I ordered from Circuit City arrived today. Guess what? It's a Quebec hockey movie before I go bowling tonight. I'm looking forward to it, despite the fact that I watched the VHS copy I have yesterday.

You can never go wrong watching Les Boys.

I'm off to start planning dinner. Food sounds like a really good idea right about now.

47 days to go

We won pub quiz last night. I did, however, bring in a ringer, a good friend of mine who does the DVD purchasing for Tower in Lincoln Park. He's smart. What really helped, was getting a perfect score on the '80's movies round. We kicked ass. It was fun.

I also have a bodhran on the way(that's an Irish drum). It's got a Guinness Logo in the middle. I haven't decided if it's going to be for show or if I'll actually learn to play. Who am I kidding. I'm going to learn to play.

So that's the story for this morning. I'm not in the mood to go to work, but I've still got to. Money talks, as it were.

48 days to go

I am very proud to say that I can do a rather passable version of The Alabama Song by The Doors. It's one of those songs that's in my vocal range. I know the words. I've got some talent. Who knew?

It was my friend's birthday yesterday. She turned 28. 28. 28 is a good age to turn. It's a perfect number. Today is my grandmother's birthday. All these Leos. I tell ya.

I need explanations on some weird behavior I've been exhibiting lately. For some reason, I really, really needed to hear the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald this week. Then, of all things, I needed to hear Lake Shore Drive. I can't figure it out. When did I start wanting to hear old, slow songs by bands I don't really care for? Why is it that I'm now swaying in time with the beat and singing along to this song?

I guess I'm just a little weirded out by the whole situation.

Oh well. I've got an apartment that could use a little sprucing up before my team comes over. Not to mention that it's time I stopped rambling.

Ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble.

49 days to go

49. It's a perfect square. It also means that there are only 7 weeks until my birthday. Did you pick out a present yet?

Just kidding. I have little interest in presents anymore. I'm tired of gifts. Just throw money.

Again, kidding.

I'm having a weird day, preceded by a fun night. I like my friends. They keep me happy. My cat, on the other hand, is being a little intrusive. Seems she can't leave me alone this morning. More food should do the trick.

It's a beautiful day here. I can't wait to get outside and have some fun. Too bad I have to do laundry today, amongst other round-the-house things. Such is life.

In two weeks I'll be in Fenway Park watching the Red Sox play the Yankees.

50 day to go
Part III: How cool is that?

I get to see a day game at Fenway Park when I'm in Boston to visit Wendy. It's against the Yankees.

I can't wait.

50 days to go
Part II: My favorite weekend in Chicago

Ok. Maybe it's a littel strong to call this my favorite weekend, but it's pretty damn close. You see, it's the Air and Water Show this weekend, which makes Friday the "practice day" for the pilots. I've been working in a building 1 block from Wrigley Field, which the pilots love to buzz. I watched one pilot fly over at maybe 750 feet. It was really cool.

I remember skipping work one Friday about 5 or 6 years ago and going to a game at Wrigley when they were practicing. Damn. The first time, you really don't expect it, then it almost becomes more fun than the game.

Seriously.

It's so nice in my apartment, with the air on, keeping the outside hellish heat where it belongs- outside. Unfortunately, I still stink from being outside all day. I think I might have gotten a little sunburn as well. Such is life. It's the weekend, or as my friend says, it's P.O.E.T.S day: Piss On Everything, Tomorrow's Saturday.

Piss on everything indeed.

50 days to go

I had written a whole blog about how my friend wants me to go to the horse races tonight, and how I didn't know if I should go(never been), and about how I don't gamble that much.

Then, the good ol' Windows ME(tm) managed to crash. I know. Not a big surprise.

So, it's a very quick blog this morning, as I need to get my ass in gear(late already).

There you have it.

51 days to go
Part II: Hot.

It's really, really, really absurdly humid today. Not a good day to be outside. Unless, of course, you're lying on a beach somewhere with a cool breeze off of whatever body of water you're next to.

I feel a little better, being at home. Food should be made soon, but it's almost too hot to eat. Someone should look into that.

I don't mean to complain so much about the weather.

The question on my mind is, do I skip out of tomorrow afternoon's work so I can go to a Cubs game with my friend who's moving, but will be back 3 times before November? I think we all know the answer to that question, don't we?

51 days to go

Wow!

I got 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night. I feel great this morning. At least physically. I'm still pretty drained emotionally, from all the stuff that I've already discussed and don't particularly feel like reliving right now. I can't wait for the weekend, let's put it that way. Of course, my weekend is already full of appointments and social engagements and the like. There is, in case you were wondering, no rest for the wicked.

I figured out that part of the lack of sleep lately is getting used to the new bed. It's quite a bit higher than my old one, so it's taken some getting used to. Especially if you consider that I fell asleep on my old bed the night before last. Sleep is a funny thing. It's one of those things that most people require such a routine for and an interruption will throw them off for weeks. I am no exception.

The big question of the morning is, will my boss call again to have be run over to our building by 7:30 again today? Let's hope not, as that call will be coming in very soon. I was kinda planning on going in anyways.

Nah. I'm gonna take my time, eat my breakfast, think about Herb, think about my friend, and double-check the weather. No rushing for me.

52 days to go
Part II: The wonders of technology.

I had written this rather interesting, somewhat lighthearted blog this afternoon when I was home for lunch, but apparently opening Yahoo and having the blog site running together makes my computer sick. Something new learned every day around here.

I believe I managed to raise the TTPAAS to orange, as well. Something about being tired and sore. Tired from two nights in a row of staying up too late, sore from the busy morning at work.

For those of you with your minds in the gutter, you might remember that I'm working construction right now.

Dirty minds.

I'm feeling about the same now, just slightly hungrier. It was weird, while I was at work, starving hungry. I get home to where the food is, and suddenly, no appetite.

Maybe it's the food. I'm just not interested in it. Maybe it's the heat. I should eat some ice cream. That'll fatten me right up while it cools me down.

Yee ha. That's all I've got to say.

52 days to go

I'm sure that somewhere in here I've made the observation that I'm the kind of guy people call because I'm the "I'll-be-there-in-15-minutes" type of guy for my friends. So, when my phone rings at 1:30 in the morning, I tend to answer it for just that reason. I wasn't expecting what I got at all.

A certain friend of mine and I are having problems with our relationship. She believes that I don't want to be her friend, and doesn't listen to me when I try to tell her the opposite. It turned into a huge, 90 minute fight this morning. Perhaps if she reads this she'll see that I'm serious, perhaps not. Perhaps she'll be even madder at me for blogging about this- I don't know.

So, if she's reading this this morning, know that I want to be your friend, and I always have and will care about you. If it's not good enough for me to say that in a moderately public forum, then I don't know what else to do.

Sadly, that's my whole blog for this morning. It's the only thing really on my mind right now, which is odd, as I lost a hero on Monday and barely thought about anything else yesterday. Have I moved on? Not really. I just need to communicate something else right now.

Anyways, I got a call 10 minutes ago to be to one of our buildings by 7:30. I guess it's time for me to fly.

53 days to go
Part III: Something's finally going right.

I got the new wireless optical mouse working. It would have helped if the instructions were proof-read by just about anyone who had even a rudimentary understanding of english. Personally, I found 5 spelling and grammatical errors. Not to mention the layout was entirely too muddled.

Enough on that. I'm still in a bad mood. I'll work on it. I promise. At least I've got a functioning mouse.

There's actually some jobs I might be qualified for posted. I think I'll apply.

I don't feel old today. The TTPAAS is yellow. It'll probably sit there for a little bit, at least until I find something else to freak out about.

This is the best article written about Herb that I've found thus far.

Just wanted to share.

53 days to go
Part II: Anyone got good news for me?

As I'm sure you all expected, I woke up before my alarm, despite being up all night grieving the loss of Herb Brooks.

It is sad. I am sad. My heart goes out to his family.

Well. Seeing as I'm awake, I'm going to get ready for work.

53 days to go
Part I: Do you believe in karmic misjustice?

for Herb

I paraphrase Al Michaels here for a very, very, very depressing reason.

Mind you, I was in a great mood. I was bowling with friends, ran into a woman I had a crush on, then went out after bowling and saw another woman I have a crush on, only to learn of the untimely death of Herb Brooks. I froze. I couldn't function. I was dumbfounded.

Read about his career, his impact on hockey, more impact, and the Miracle on Ice.

As I've stated before in this blog, I don't handle loss well. I've lost a lot of my heroes. Let's make a quick list, shall we?

Heroes of Dave:
Johnny Cash
John Lennon
Mark Sandman
Joe Strummer
Herb Brooks
Kirby Puckett
My dad(who is probably getting misty over the fact that he's on this list)

Ok, it's a short list. I don't idolize many people, with good reason: you shouldn't want to be like other people.

Let's give a quick status update for this list:
JC- his wife and soul mate died. His health is failing.
JL- shot dead, as we all know by Mark David Chapman in 1980
MS- died onstage while touring in Italy in 1999, doing what he loved most.
JS- died in his sleep in December 2002.
HB- died in a fucking car accident 11 August, 2003.
KP- recently tried for sexual assult, but beat the rap- as it were.
MEA- still truckin', although, as I said, probably a little misty about being on that list.

So that's the status update. Me, I'm going to rewatch(for about the 100,000th time) my Do You Believe in Miracles: The Story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team DVD. And drink. If my boss is reading this right now, you'll understand about how I'm going to be late tomorrow. He knows how much I love hockey. He'll get it.

I'm off, as it's very, very late, and the DVD lasts 90 minutes.

HB, 8/5/1937-8/11/2003.
Rest in peace, my friend.

54 days to go

I'll bet you're wondering why I haven't blogged yet today. Well, I'm having problems with this new cordless optical mouse I bought yesterday. I think the software is intereferring with normal operations around here.

For the record, I don't have it working yet. I promise, by sometime tomorrow I'll have it working.

I've got bowling to get ready for. Get excited!

Take my license, all that jive
I can't drive fifty-fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive!
Days to do, that is.

Sorry, I've been waiting to do that for some time.

Let's talk about last night's show. The opening act was, well, not so good. I won't mention names. It just wasn't that good. Smog on the other hand, was excellent. They played for about 2 hours. It was heavenly. I'd probably put it in my top 10 concerts- definitely top 20. The Old Town School of Folk Music, by the way, is an excellent venue. If you're here in the city, you should check it out some time.

I also got to see an old pal of mine last night. Second day in a row an old buddy from work has been in town. Gotta love weekends like that.

Well, it's high time I got my day started.

56 days to go
Part II: New toys

Isn't that old saying about how boys never grow up, their toys just get more expensive?

Well, they have. I got a new digital camera and a new VCR(my first new VCR in 10 years).

I love new toys. The camera even records movies, not terribly long ones, but it still does.

Not to mention you can play them on your TV. Will wonders never cease? Let's hope not.

I'm going to see Smog tonight. I can't wait. I love the groove. Love it.

Love it.

56 days to go

I got absolutely ruined playing poker last night. It happens. Somebody always has to lose.

I was just really hoping it wasn't me.

Such is life. I had a long talk with my mother last night. It was good. I like good talks.

It's a rainy day here in Chicago. Figures.

I'm off, as I hear the couch beckoning me.

57 days to go
Part II: More birthdays?

In addition to my mother, it's also Dustin Hoffman and the Edge's birthdays as well. Here's a Logan's Dave shout out to all three of them! It's also the 15th anniversary of the first night game played at Wrigley Field! Huzzah!

Could you pack any more excitement into a day? Well?

I suppose you might be able to, but I'll be it would be a challenge.

For instance, after my tedious day at work, I'm hosting a poker night tonight with a bunch of cronies. Should be fun. Might be dangerous. Definitely fun, though. I've got to call my mom still, for the happy b-day wish.

There you have it!

57 days to go

Today is my mother's birthday, so happy birthday to her!

There's a fascinating thing that happens in my mother's family, involving double numbers. Both my mother and grandmother were born in a year with double numbers(for their "protection," I won't use the actual dates). 11 months after my mother, my uncle is born, and 11 years after my mother, my other uncle is born, during another double number year. Each one of my grandmother's children has 2 children each- not to mention that my mother was born today, 8-8. It's just a little weird. Someone who knows more about numerology should look into that.

Me, I'm just happy to be alive, as usual. I made some purchases at Tower yesterday which have made me very happy. They also remind me about how much of a geek I am, but that's cool by me.

I was thinking last night about how the summer is damn near over, and I didn't get to go camping or canoeing or anything like that. Hell, I haven't been out to my grandparents' since the end of May. At least I'm headed to Boston before the end of summer(if you believe in the end of summer being Labor Day, that is).

Ah well. There's not much that can be done about it now. I'm hosting poker tonight, as a friend of mine is going to be in town this weekend. Poker. What could be more fun?

I'm off, as I have to be to work by 8 this morning. Have a good one, everyone.

58 days to go

Again, a weird number, but I won't be so goofy about it this time.

As was mentioned yesterday, I saw Anna Fermin's Trigger Gospel last night. Go see them, if you want to hear a great singer with a very good band backing her up. Well worth it.

I am in a contemplative mood this morning, however. It's too long a story to get into this morning, but I'm sure bits will come out of it in here.

Somethings, as they say, are better left unsaid.

As it stands, I'm getting a little bit freaked about the upcoming birthday. I still don't know where to hold the big fiesta. How do I cope with the stress? I just don't worry about it. I've got more pressing things right now.

So, let's set the TTPAAS to about Orange. I think it's going to stay there for quite a while.

I'm off, it's time to get to work.

59 days to go
Part II: It's true.

My best friend was on WGN News this morning, and yes, she was singing karaoke, and yes, she did not win a jeep nor a trip to Los Angeles.

Could be worse, I expect. She could have won and asked me to go to L.A. again. Not a very big fan.

On the whole, I'd rather be in Boston. Oh yeah, I'll be there in 22 daysto visit Wendy. No worries, then, right?

Now, if I could only get Red Sox tickets for that weekend, I'd be set.

Going to see Anna Fermin's Trigger Gospel tonight. I'm excited. She's really good and rather twangy. Always a good combination.

59 days to go

Wow. I had almost forgot to blog this morning. I'm doing work for school, and I'm very late for work. I should really get my ass in gear and get going. Fortunately, I just finished the school stuff and can do so. Well, I should really, desperately take a shower first, methinks.

My friend's girlfriend brought her dog for me to meet yesterday. He's so small. A Chiahuahua. The beer I drank was bigger than his whole body. Scary.

Anyways, like I said, I'm late. I need to get going.

Have a good day everyone!

60 days to go
Part III: What's with the media?

Why is it that suddenly it's a news item that sports athletes have fidelity problems? Why? Is this new to anyone? Have you been living under a rock since before Bambino left for New York?

I mean, it's about as shocking to me as- get this- priests abuse children.

Mind you, I'm not saying these aren't serious problems. Especially the priest bit(which makes me all the more happy I wasn't raised christian) but, Dr. J wrote a book about his conquests, if memory serves. It's widely known that Babe Ruth was a notorious womanizer amongst other things. Anyone who's watched a catholic comedian has heard at least one, if not several, clergy molestation jokes.

What's next? The shocking news that the wheels on the bus go round and round? That taffy is delicious? That force equals mass times acceleration? That the sky is blue?

What the hell is going on? Do they honestly think that we, as a public entity, are that stupid?

Tawk amongst yourselves.

60 days to go
Part II: Oh, who knows.

I'm sweaty and stinky and I need a shower. Not to mention a haircut.

A nice vacation would hit the spot. Boston is a few weeks off still, but it's there. I'll make it. Promise.

Here's one of the things on my mind today: Where am I going to hold my 30th birthday party? It seems the bar down the street won't be available, which sucks, frankly. So, do I go for the place I did it at last year, pricier but doable? Find a new place altogether? Hold a party at my house?

I'm asking people, what would Brian Boitano do?

60 days to go

Why is it that milestones always look worse when they end in zero? I mean, turning 25, no big deal, but turning 30, 40, 20 even? Big deal.

I mean, 95 isn't a big birthday, but 90 and 100 are.

Oh well, let's get cheery. It was real hard to get out of bed this morning. Like I said yesterday, it's just so comfy. I kept waking up thinking that I was late because I was sleeping so well- which is kind of strange in itself. The only problem I've found thus far is that my bed is now too high for me to see my alarm clock without actually sitting up. I'll fix that, don't you worry.

Well, it's time to get this day started. Make it a good one, folks.

61 days to go
Part II: Bed!

It's here, it's all set up, and it's so comfy. I almost fell asleep when I was checking it out. Good bed.

I might attempt to take a nap.

61 days to go

Today is dedicated to Roger Maris.

Pub quiz wasn't nearly as happy as I hoped. Fourth place. Yeech. Went out afterwards, thanks to having a day off today whilst I wait the arrival of my new bed.

This week, my goal is to get a new dresser and a bookcase.

Ah yes, it's so good to be solvent.

I'll blog again when I get my new bed. Promise.

62 days to go

Wow. Quite the luau last night. I had a great time. I am so hungover today.

That was the first thing I told my team when they got here this morning. We took it easy on the ol' Dave today.

That was for the best.

I feel very old today. The TTPAAS is probably through the roof right now. I'm not going to give it a rating, because thinking hurts.

Oh well. I'm off to get my room ready for my new bed.

63 days to go
Part II: I grew up a touch today.

I'll say it again: sixty-three.

I'm going to Boston to visit Wendy at the end of this month.
I bought a new shower curtain. That's not exciting.
I bought a bed. Now that's exciting. It's also a sign of growing up. Just a little though.

I found out what a sham is today, as well. I know what a duvet is, too. Why the hell do we feel the need to spend money on crap like this?

It's all too much.


Sixty-three. Just weird.

63 days to go

It's such a weird number. Sixty-three I don't know why, but that number has always been a little kooky to me. Sixty-three.

I did the same thing that I did last weekend this morning, except not to the extreme of last weekend. I woke up at 7:30, all worried because it was 7:30 and I wasn't awake and getting ready, but still realized that it was Saturday before I got up running to the bathroom to brush my teeth.

I had a weird night last night. As I predicted, it wasn't over when it should have been. Fortunately, the forces of sanity kept me from staying out all night long. I found a new band I like last night, they're called Dirt Bike Annie. (Right now I know you're all thinking exactly what I thought: what a great name for a band!) Good stuff, a little poppy, but still good.

I'm off, I'm going to make purchases to beautify my home.

Sixty-three.

64 days to go
Part II: Storms

I don't like rain. I don't like long walks in the rain either. Does that make me weird? Maybe. I just don't like getting wet without my permission, and rain certainly qualifies as not my permission. Ironically, I like thunder and lightning.

I went from being happy go lucky Dave to being not so happy Dave. Rain is partially responsible. A crappy afternoon is mostly responsible. Hopefully, a fun evening will ensue, making me happy again.

So, let's all hold hands and click our hands together, and repeat "there's nothing like easy cheese."

64 days to go

Oh boy. You know that I'm going to make up a song like that, well, more accurately, I'm going to Weird Al-ify a song again to fit that.

I have always maintained that when I propose to someone, I'm going to make sure that that song is playing in the background. For those who haven't picked up on it yet, that song is When I'm Sixty-Four by The Beatles.

I guess there still is a little romantic in me, despite all the craziness.

My meeting last night went very well. I decided to go out and celebrate afterwards. Note to self: I'm getting too old for this. So, today the turning thirty panic attack alert status is orange. It just is.

So, I'm off to get myself ready for work. Something tells me I need to get there as early as possible today. Call it my Spidey Sense.