--74 days.

--Per Laz's request...it was pretty cool to hear about the Powerball winners...they could probably buy ConAgra now themselves. :) I don't have a direct connection to that plant or even that company, but I bet my supervisor does...I guess at least it wasn't some rich folks that won it...line workers, overnight shift. If ever you think your job sucks, ask me about the working conditions in a meat-processing plant...even though I've only been to one so far, I've heard enough of the pure torture it is to work on the lines. So good for them, I say!

--I don't think I've ever rooted more AGAINST the U.S. Olympic team than I have this year...between Bode Miller and the two idiot skaters (much like that idiot kicker), I really have taken delight in their falling short. The three of them, in my opinion, need to go away...including Shani. Screw that he's a Chicagoland native...he's a crybaby and an idiot and needs to shut the hell up already. That said, I'm rooting for U.S. Curling all the way, baby! :) And I had the tough decision the other day when Slovakia's hockey team was playing Kazakhstan. Who to root for? My heritage, or Kazak's adopted heritage? :) (See, that should show you how much I actually really honestly care about the Olympics).

--Well, it's off to Huettenbar tonight, and then off to K.C. tomorrow until Friday...business calls. :)

--76 days.

--There are two shows I watch. Really, I don't watch anything else "regularly." That would be "24" and "The Apprentice." So what does NBC do? They put The Apprentice opposite "24" on Mondays. Dammit. And, no, TiVo is not an option. I don't care about enough TV to warrant that. Guess I'll have to hook up my VCR in the bedroom and hope it works...

--I was going to be travelling all week...big deal, two separate trips to Kansas City...but today's I had to cancel, because there's just too much going on at work right now that I can't get away. That is perfectly fine with me, because I'd rather keep things going and in line here than travel and get behind in my work. But, I am going to K.C. at the end of the week still...and that's OK with me.

--Am I the only one happy to hear that Bode Miller is a bust? I take some sick delight, especially after seeing a Nike commercial with him in it. I'd like to see him not medal at all and see how fast Nike pulls his commercials. Hi Nike, I'm Reebok. You might remember my friends Dan and Dave. I found it funny, particularly when I saw the commercial yesterday, after he'd already blown four events that he was "supposed" to medal in. Ha! At least curling still rocks the house.

--Anyone want a house in Portage Park? My friend/coworker is selling hers. It's a bungalow and not cheap. I'm jealous. Let me know if you want to see it. :)

--Of all the times I've been to bars, never before had I seen a "Goldfish Races" promotion, but lo and behold, at Molly's in DeKalb, PBR was there offering $1 drafts/cans of PBR and a chance to participate in the goldfish races to win a snowboard. Suffice to say, my brothers and I partook in the PBR, and they both won a chance to race their goldfish. But neither won the snowboard. They won PBR t-shirts, and I ended up winning one during the general raffle. And we didn't get Eddie trashed for his birthday, but he certainly enjoyed himself. We did make the mistake of staying at the Best Western in DeKalb though...probably the single worst hotel I've ever stayed at. The pillows were like boulders and the towels were frayed really badly. Oh, and that's not to mention that whenever they built the place, they had no brain, because they built it right next to the railroad through town. Let me tell you...a train went by every two hours or so...and I mean it roared by too: no slowing down for the town or anything. At least it didn't blow the horn as it passed. But the roar was plenty. Still, a good time was had by all...we bowled and ate and drank. Can't beat that. :)