--7 days. One week. This time next week, I'll be on my way back from the hotel, having dropped off my car there to be there for us the next day when we have to go home.

--Tables have been finalized. Everyone should be sitting with their mortal enemy, which was the plan all along. That's what made it tough, I tried to pair up the people who absolutely hated each other the most or had nothing whatsoever in common. I think the results will be smashing. ;)

--Now I just have to do up the table cards and all that fantastic-ness. Gotta get those and the favors done by Wednesday evening, when we have our final-count meeting with the reception hall. Also, I have to burn a few songs to CD that the DJ doesn't have (not surprisingly), pick up my tux on Thursday and generally get a ton of things taken care of, although I guess it's probably not too bad, given what it COULD be.

--But for now, I have to go get a haircut, and then we have our FIRST wedding of 2006--one of Gina's friends. Let the wedding bonanza begin! :)

--Fish bait??? Have I been away from fishing so long that we're now just poisoning the lake with noxious liquid and letting the fish float to the surface? How the hell is what was in this package fish bait?

--11 days.

--Pre-emptive question: Does anybody know of any food banks or homeless shelters that will PICK UP food and take it back. We're going to have too much food (try, nearly 30 extra meals, it looks like), and I'd feel terribly shamed if it went to waste. Email me privately, if you don't mind. I don't know if food banks do that kind of thing.

--We're not really bummed out about the number of people that said no to the wedding...we're happy with who's coming, no doubt. Honestly, the important people are going to be there, with only a couple of exceptions. But, we were surprised we didn't make our minimum or even come within 20 of it. It's simply a bit of a kick to the ego, I guess...I didn't expect that 40%--nearly half--of the people I'd invited would say no. Plus, you have to figure in that there are going to be a handful of folks who were supposed to go but just forget or something comes up and they don't show. But, of course, it's going to be an unbelievably damned good time, and that's all that matters, really...as I said, with a couple exceptions, the most important people are going to be there, so although we didn't "meet our goal" in quantity, we surpassed it in quality.

--But, for now, I should get back to work...much to do, so little time. :)

--13 days. Less than two weeks to go...

--Yesterday was Bachelor Party fun...first, a U.S. Cellular Field Patio Party and White Sox game after that. All-you-can-eat burgers, hot dogs, ribs and fried chicken, and all-you-can-drink Miller Lite and MGD, soda and wine for two hours leading into the game...what a sweet deal! Although the only disappointment is, unlike the Bullpen Sports Bar, there aren't many TVs, so when the game DOES start, it's not easy to see what's going on. But still, it was a rockin' good time--thanks to everyone who came out and spent some time with me, my family and friends. After the game, we kept it really simple and made our way up to an old haunt of mine--Taylor Street. However, we did not go to Hawkeye's. We went, instead, to Illinois Bar & Grill, because I knew there was a pool table and darts and things like that there, if guys wanted to play. A good handful of folks were there, so thanks for coming out to that as well!

--Thankfully, although I'm tired, I'm not hungover...I had plenty to drink, but didn't overdo it, which was exactly how I wanted to handle things. I got home at 3 a.m. and immediately fell asleep. Otherwise, today we ran a few errands, did some shopping and that's that. Back to work this week...on deadline. Yahoo. :)