I heard more about Kazan yesterday. A man who turned on his friends during the McCarthy hearings? Nah - not-so-much a nice guy.

I was just about to walk over to the Government Center yesterday to get my vehicle tabs, when I heard this and thought that I should just probably stay in the office. Eeek. a. Freeka. Maybe I'll renew online.

After a brief reprieve from meetings yesterday, the project gets back in gear today and tomorrow. 6 hours of meetings. Yeah. I'm looking forward to that....

The slideshow doesn't work yet. It'll get fixed later on today.

RIP Elia Kazan.

We're a little closer to REAL hockey every day!

The Vikings really do make it look easy. What a great game!

AND, most importantly -

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CUZGIRL!

(remember - it's the new 20.....)

Have a great day.

Howie G's is one of the BEST steakhouse's ever! The mashed potatos with cheese, onions and cornflakes (sounds weird, I know) is my new favorite food. For this week, anyway.

RIP Donald O'Connor. Make 'em laugh! You'll be missed..

Is anyone else starting to get just a little freaked out by all these black-outs?

In the same way that we should test senior drivers, do you think it may be a good idea to have yearly tests for younger drivers too? Trying to beat a train?? For the LOVE of GOD! Why would they do that? What a sensless tragedy.

And this, left over from yesterday.. here's a picture of Whitey from Leave it to Beaver:


Ciao, Bellas. Have a wonderful day.

I attended quite the fete last night! Everyone who was anyone was there, including Mare, Betty, Roxie (in from Hawaii for the occasion!) and the Divine Ms. Michaels. Nice job on the interior decorating, I must say - Martha Stewart AND Trading Spaces would be lucky to have you!

Yesterday was a bad day to be a celebrity - RIP Robert Palmer, RIP George Plimpton.

Or a good day to be a not-so-famous-celebrity, either. RIP "Whitey" from Leave It to Beaver ( I tried to find a picture of Whitey, because I can't remember him.. but I couldn't).

Note to self: keep Segway batteries charged up.

We'll have a little domestic cleaning time, followed by a little go out and play time and dinner. A perfect Saturday, and I promise that I won't log in to work e-mail even once. Hope your day is enjoyable too.

Yikes - maybe it's good that we don't see don't see every single Wild pre-season game. Sounds like this one was a little ugly.

Oh yes, ::yawn:: is this thing still going on?

This is pretty funny. The judge who blocked the "do not call" list is being DELUGED with calls and e-mails (at home!) from people who are upset about his ruling! Where's your do-not-call list now, Judge?!

I am so tired of this group. Humorless. You're worrying about CLOTHES? Why not take some of that energy and go after priests that are molesting children?

That is all I know. Right now, anyway. I must say - I liked the whole not working on Fridays thing. Wish I could do that all year 'round.
Ciao.

Short blog today. One on ones were good - but what a long day. We met with people from 10:00 - 4:30, a new group every 30 minutes, with a one-hour break for lunch. The designers and I are best friends now! Good thing we all get along. My cold was out in full force. I went through an entire box of kleenex. This morning I'm STILL not right - but I'm on the other side of it, I think. I've got meetings from 8:00 - 11:30 (again, one group every 30 minutes), and then we're done. I might have to just come home and collapse after that.
SO? What do you think of the new banner?? I have the best web designer in the world. Plus, he's very cool..
Another school shooting, this one just outside St. Cloud. And a gym teacher probably saved dozens of lives.

I missed this live interview in which one of the Minnesota Twins let the f*ingheimer fly! LadyLaw at work was telling me about it. Pretty funny!

That has to be all. Tell me what you are up to.

We got through the big group meeting. Today we start the one-on-ones with each department rep to find out what their needs are as we try to design their spaces. I know it's important to get their buy-in on this project, and I want to make this new space work for them.. We have to make them understand, though, the difference between a wish-list and a "We're gonna get this for sure" list. It will be challenging. At least I have some semblance of a voice, and my throat is a little less raw. Today it seems to be migrating to my head and chest. Gotta love a good old fashioned cold.

The Pope is getting REALLY frail. And I can't even make myself say anything sarcastic about that. (too many years of Catholic school. some of that stuff stays with you).

It's sad that some sick freaks ruin it for everyone. I've never been a big fan of the internet chat.

Love to read about my Wild winning, even if it is just pre-season. Oh, and the Twins clinched the divison, too.

Yeah, Barbra - so are we.

There was some scary traffic yesterday around downtown. Luckily, I managed to miss both sides of it. The advantage of getting up before GOD and getting to work by 7:00!

All right - time to get on with it. Behave yourselves.

Oh my God. My throat could not be more sore. I have no voice. Last night I actually gargled SALT WATER (and I hate that how much? More than hate!) I am pitiful!

Melissa Etheridge got married (yeah, to a girl, of course!) on the weekend. I'd rather read about Melissa than J-Lo-Fleck.

RIP Maytag Repair Man. (That's what he did after he retired from the radio station).

Oh, yes..the Emmys. Didn't watch one second of it.

It's officially Fall now. This year has gone by so fast. (oh my God again. Isn't that an old-person thing to say).
BTW - to those who've asked - he hasn't heard yet, but it should be soon. Thanks for the wishes...
The BIG project meeting is today. It should be interesting to lead a meeting with no voice. I'll let you know how it goes.
Ciao.

This week is the start of the HUGE work project. It's exciting to be at the beginning - if a little daunting - but we've assembled a good team, and I've got lots of help. I woke up this morning with a sore throat, though. NO! Now is the time to test the Zicam thing.

Goodbye, Galileo!

I'm not excited about the new season of ER. It's almost like it's too little, too late. I'll watch, but haven't they done everything possible to these characters already? The only thing left to do to poor John Carter is to make him gay... and I don't think they'll do that!

No, wait. The only thing left to do with ER is to make a video game out of it

It was a great Vikings game yesterday! Even after Daunte left the game with an injury. Frerotte, the back-up Quarterback, did a terrific job. (see, I do SO pay attention to what's going on!)

Wild defeated the Rangers NINE to one. Unbelievable!

Zicam and Vitamin C. That's the ticket. Have a good day.

It's happened at last - California looks sillier than we did when we elected a wrestler as our governor.

Oy. Story about a tragic fire at the UofM.

The Parker Hughes Clinic story continues. Are they giving patients false hope? I know that I'd want to fight and receive treatment that would let me have good quality of life for as long as possible. Are 'traditional' doctors threatened by this clinic's methods? I'm still undecided on this one.

What the hell? Bodybuilders are using insulin now (rather than steroids, I assume)?

Okay, people. The theme for my funeral will be chocolate! You should all stop at Cafe Latte on the way there!

I'm going to run a couple errands with Mare, then stay in and read. Have an excellent day.

The Wild lost 4-2 last night, but it was still GREAT to see hockey! And to hear the SOUND of hockey - the crunchy skates on the ice sound, puck hitting the boards sound - just all good. I noticed that home teams aren't wearing white this season. It was good to see new players, too. Although a little odd to have to cheer for Bouchard (who was a Mighty Duck last year). AND I got to have a little dinner at Pazzaluna. Very fun, very St. Paul night.

Looks like Isabel wasn't as bad as she could have been.. but still - eeeek. There's no middle ground. They're getting pounded out east, and here in the midwest the crops are just withering away.

For the love of God - it's zero tolerance run amok. How about this? Take the THUGS out of schools and leave the good kids alone?

One more argument for mandatory testing for senior citizens who still want to drive.

How many more victims are there? How rampant was and is this abuse?

Oh yeah - this is so funny - NOT.

Coming soon - a small re-tool of the cheleblog. More stuff! Fabulous Fun and Prizes! Or something like that....
Ciao, Bellas.

And what, you ask, does chele get to do tonight? GO TO THE WILD GAME! Oh yeah! Welcome back to hockey season!

I started watching Survivor last night (Dame made me do it!) and now I read that someone already knows the winner? - well of COURSE someone does! (don't click the link if you don't want spoilers..) I've always wondered how they manage to keep that under wraps. Too many people know who it is, and it isn't human nature to keep our mouths shut. Anyway - I liked the first episode... although I could have gone forever without seeing/thinking about 1)the big guy in the skirt and 2)the naked guys dragging the cannon through the jungle. Scary images..

I'm excited about the new season of West Wing.. and truthfully I'm glad that it'll be a bit more politically balanced. Maybe the Good Ol'Boy will even start watching it now.

Think I'll pass on the Campbell's Soup, thank you.

Have a great day! Ciao.

Here comes Isabel. Stay safe, East Coast... and click here to check out a satellite picture from NOAA.

It's good to know that congress is focusing on important issues. Like french fries - Excuse me - FREEDOM fries - again.

I like Ike's. Best burgers ever.

That's it - or that's all I want to say for now. Have a good day.

I've stopped and started this entry a couple of times now. I try not to edit myself too much.. this is supposed to be a fairly honest look at life (as I know it, anyway). Well, I'm editing now. I'll get over it.

In the news:
The story about the Parker Hughes clinic is getting more and more twisted up. Sometimes the traditional kind of care is okay. It's worked for me.

Just try to read this story about the little girls who survived a plane crash in which their mother and uncle died and not tear up. This was on the news last night. Hearing the 4-year-old girl saying that she "protected" her 3-year-old sister about tore my heart out. Don't believe in angels or miracles? This makes you think twice.

Yep - this kid is in a heap o'trouble.

Here are more pictures of monstrous Isabel. Amazing.

That's it! Have a most bella day.

Updates

Mare - how's your hand?

Dame - did you fall through any ceilings lately?

Oy - so many people I have to take care of everyday.... But someone has to, right?!

Buona Sera.

Herb Brooks fell asleep at the wheel.

And isn't this ironic? Hey - make your child support payments. If you want to play, you've gotta pay. (hey - it's early... don't expect Shakespeare at 5:30 in the morning...)

Moral of the story: You never know who your neighbors are.

Click here for some satellite pictures of Hurricane Isabel. Amazing and a little scary.

Adults with ADD.... ..hey, look! A cow!
(heh heh heh... i'm like a comedian, you know.)

Got the bills paid. Now, that wasn't so hard, was it?

Who knows whether or not it's true, but what a shame (and how unexpected) - NOT.

What a weird story. What was this woman doing in Compton?

Oh, and did I mention? The Vikings Rule!

The pope is really in bad shape... but somehow I can't bring myself to say anything sarcastic about it. Too many years of Catholic school.

I am having a hard time making myself pay bills this month. I don't know why. The money's there. It's a throwback to the days when I DIDN'T have the money and I'd 'hide' from them. So now that I've said this out loud to the world, I have to do it. Or risk humiliation from my thousands of reader(s). hee hee...

Have a good day - unless you've got other plans!

All together now: EEEEEEEEEK!

More about the Parker Hughes/United/Abbott issue.

Here's what to expect on returning shows. ::sigh:: I gotta stop watching TV...

This is so wonderful.

Heh heh heh... they said "Butts".

Shout out to Mare (hand in a cast). Take it easy!

Off to take a walk.. and then I must pay the bills. More on that later. Ciao, bellas.

Looks like the Wild are turning into a real hockey club, complete with holdouts and everything. I'm not too worried yet. They'll get Gaborik.

Someone, stop her, please.

On the other hand, cheers to David Letterman. I heard some of his monologue on the news. He joked that he "needs to find a place for the kid to stay"...!

Thank God. They found this little boy after he'd been missing for a year.

Oh yeah, that was a funny funny joke...

Have an excellent day.

Back to real life (or some semblance thereof). I'm working from home this morning. It's always better to answer e-mails from home. Telecommuting would be a good thing (Martha).

John Ritter AND Johnny Cash both died. If I was Jon Bon Jovi I wouldn't leave the house today.

Although - I don't know - it looks like Pope John Paul isn't doing too well, either. That might be the third in the trifecta.

Oy, I don't know what to make ofthis. I'd always heard great things about Parker Hughes (although I don't go there). You just don't take advantage of terminally ill people. No. Never. It'll be interesting to follow the story.

I don't think I understand exactly how a lifestyle center differs from any of the other millions of malls we have here. Do you ever think we're all just a little too much all-about-the-shopping?

One of the items in the Around St. Paul is about the ICE PALACE! If you're not from here, you don't realize what a big deal the Winter Carnival is. We do all kinds of fun activites - looking for medallions that are buried in the snow, walking through palaces made of ice, watching an evening torchlight parade.. all in the middle of January when it's about 24 degrees below zero outside. We are nutty, nutty people.

Lots of (or lack of) poor planning went into this event. Don't scare people with explosions on the eve of September 11. That's just wrong.

Okay - I started this entry almost 90 minutes ago. It's hard to blog and work at the same time. Gonna wrap it up so I can get on with my day. When is it time to play?

Let's pause a moment to remember....

No late night phone calls, so I'm feeling a little more refreshed.
I was feeling refreshed, that is, until I looked at my calendar for the day. Back to back to back meetings, with 30 minute breaks between. At least the day will go fast. The downside - I won't get to do MY job until the end of the day.
The main work lesson I've learned this year is Nod & Smile. Most times, it's just not worth a fight, and I refused to be sucked into all the politics and hoo-hah. I'm far more sane (and happy) this way.

Before 9-11, a concert like this would have sounded so fun. Now I know I'd never go to an event in a crowd this big in NYC. It's sad, what they've taken from us.

This makes my head explode. But it IS fun (via Friday Fishwrap)

Not me. I have freakishly tiny feet.

Off to start the busy day. Ciao.

So the PHONE rings at 3:05 AM - and it's just some drunk person (and not even anyone I know! hee hee...) but I couldn't get back to sleep after that. I got up at 4:15 - and the moon and Mars were RIGHT outside my window. Way cool.

Wow - That was fast. Didn't they just get married?

RIP Warren Zevon.

Bwah Hah! People in London are going after that David Blaine guy! I gotta admit, if I was there, I'd be taunting him right alongside 'em!

Best. Game. Ever.I'd forgotten about this! I never grow tired of it. I am Pinky Pizza Head. Who knew?

I don't know one other thing. Ciao.

The Vikings looked great!

Show of hands? Anybody care about this? Uh Huh. That's what I thought.

That's IT! Don't you think we should test senior drivers now??

Fr. Greg was one of the good guys. This is a sad loss.

If you all just lived in the city, you wouldn't have to mess with Bends, Draws, or Mews!

That is all. Have an excellent day. Or not - do whatever you want to do.

It's a new day and most importantly: IT'S FOOTBALL DAY! While I'm not as complete a football fanatic as many, I'll follow the home team. And play the pick 'em!

I don't know anything else this morning. I'm going to make more coffee and sit outside before it turns hella hot again. More later. Or not.

on button pushing and cleaning

what pisses me off - and pushes my buttons - more than anything else is moodiness. it makes people unpredictable. you don't know from one minute to the next what's going to set them off. i was raised with moodiness. what was fine one day was absolutely unacceptable the next. i was an expert at walking on eggshells.
now, i understand that people can have bad days... and yes, even moody days. (hell - even i'm entitled to have a mood once in a while, right?) but it still throws me off. so what am i doing? cleaning. i have the cleanest freaking house in the entire twin cities today. it's cheaper than therapy, and everything smells good when i'm done.
i know that everything will be back in right order tomorrow - or even later on today - but in the meantime, i have to face down the feelings that i've taken on so many times before. they're always lurking just at the very edge of my consciousness. most of the time all the hard work i've done covers them up. but something'll just push the right button and wham, they're right at the forefront again. this time Clorox and Windex will put them in their place.
no comments necessary on this one. i'm handling it on my own.

Yes, yes yes... I'm very late today. We went to O'Gara's last night for food, libations and music trivia. He is far better at it than I am. I know a lot of SONGS, I'm just not good at knowing the artists. I get The Guess Who and The Grass Roots mixed up. I get Van Morrison and Jim Morrison mixed up. (yes, they are nothing alike, I know..) I get The Who and Pink Floyd mixed up. I get them all MORE mixed up after I've consumed more than one beer, apparently. Anyway, it was a very late evening and I slept in until 8:30, and now it's 11:15 and all I've accomplished is to have some coffee and watch Big Brother 4 from last night.

OOOH! and Call on me! I love my apartment building. We got a new management team, and on the whole, they're doing a much better job than the last group... but I'm a little concerned. When they first took over, I had JUST signed a new lease. Then I got a note telling me that if they didn't hear from me, they'd assume I was moving out (evidently they couldn't find record of my lease). Then they found it, and said all was well. Yesterday I got home from work and a note was under my door, saying that they'll be showing my apartment to a prospective tenant next Friday. I called the office to ask why they are so intent on making me move, when I really want to stay! No fear, it was meant for the apartment down the hall... but I think I'll stop by the office next week one more time, just so that they KNOW I don't want to leave...

I haven't read the paper yet - I think I'll lounge a little first. You'll all have to get the news for yourselves.

<

Yet another case. It just never ends...

Oh no! It's REALLY over now between Angelina and Billy Bob. What a shame. (NOT)

This was MORE than lame. Steven Tyler (from Aerosmith)is about 112 years old.

He insists it's his right to walk naked. Well, I guess you gotta go with what you believe in! (it's my right, though, to not see an ugly naked guy walking down the street!)

That's it. I got nothin' else. For now, anyway.

Everyone's back where they belong again, and all is right with the world. I actually got to sleep for 6 whole hours (a long time for me!) and I think I'm all caught up again.

There are those who are passionate about their causes, and then there are the fringe element. I still say that God's saying 'get offa my side'.

Read this account of what happened just prior to the big black-out on August 14... then picture the technician in charge:

heh heh heh

Here's an odd pairing.

What we Twin Citians won't do for fun. I haven't seen the pieces yet, but I think I'll cheer for yellow. (huh? whatever....)

The fact that these two little girls survived this plane crash is miraculous.

Eh, no great loss there.I've never been a big fan of the "eatertainment. Just give me a good burger, please.

Why don't the just give it up and admit it: no studying goes on at St. Cloud State.. it's just all about the partying!

Good day, all. Behave yourselves.

Yeah, I enjoy being awake at this hour. (oh, was that sarcastic?)

God's in heaven saying "Get off of my side".

Our state fair is a great state fair! It was great - and now it's fall.

The parents say that their son is not a computer whiz, and yet he had 7 computers in his room. uh.. huh...

Ugh. 4 hours of sleep is not nearly enough. Even the kitties aren't happy at being awake this early. Today, however, life returns to normal.

Back to work. I woke up on my own at 4:15 AM! eeeek...

Jerry Lewis sets a record every year with his telethon. Good for him!

What a heart warming story. Patience, indeed!

Oh, now this is sad...

I forgot to mention this yesterday. What the hell? Did someone put him up to it, or was he just really really stupid?

Good Ol' CuzBoy brought me many presents from Okinawa (thank you!) Look at the cute little doll that will soon be taking up residence in my car:

Short entry this morning, because it's fair day for chele, cuzgirl and the rellies! Then dinner for all (with good ol' cuzboy joining us as well).

RIP Charles Bronson.

This is how you know that it's Labor Day Weekend..

Grandma! Time to give up the driver's license. Honest to God, they have to start REALLY testing people over 65 every single year to make sure that they are fit to drive. My dad knew when it was time to give up the license. It was a terribly hard decision for him to make - but he knew it was the right one. All seniors should make the decision with such grace.

I have very little sympathy for this woman. She's had break after break after break... and she still doesn't get it. So yeah, it's time to deport her.

Okay! That's it, gotta run.