Kentucky Rain Keeps Pouring Down

So, looks like there are not many Saturday posts today so I figure I will do one directly from Chicago. I am sitting here at my sister's laptop blogging while eating strawberry rhubarb pie alamode and drinking a Heineken Light. Life is good. We set up a few things for the walk tomorrow and then went out to dinner at an Irish Pub Galvin's and I had an authentic Irish Breakfast complete with boiled pigs blood... yum. I cleaned my whole plate thank you very much. We're heading to bed early tonight since we have to be at the walk site at 5:45am to set up. I'm a huge fan of Chicago. I love my sister's condo. I have my own room while staying here.

Sorry I'm not there with everyone who is still in Springfield but as I may state to people often "I need to get away" and this is it for now. 2 whole days out of town. I'm enjoying it immensely whether or not my mood shows it. Well, I'm going to finish my pie now. Talk to you cool kids later. Byenow.

Well you need a blue sky holiday

I'm about to head up to Chicago for the rest of the weekend. Should be fun but there is working involved also. I get to see my sister's new-ish apartment. First time for me at least. She's excited.

I don't have much else to say at the moment. A lot is going on though. I'll probably talk your ear off if you ask what is going on.

I love Emu's!

My baby is better

My car was ill. The other day it started doing things that are not natural. It also has been chirping at me for a few weeks. The oil needed changing. The tires needed rotating. And I had low tire pressure in one of the tires the other day. Turns out a fuel injector was messed up which caused the illness. The chirping was because of a tire cover. And the low tire pressure was due to a nail in the tire. So I took it out to good old Landmark where I bought the car from and is still under warranty. I got alllllll that fixed and done for 41 bucks. I love warranties, it's like health insurance for my baby. Because of all that is why I didn't opt to drive to Saint Louis if anyone was wondering, my baby was ill and not road trip worthy. Now she is riding smoothly and the gentle purr of the engine tells me that she is happy about the tune up. Also, I'm just happy to have her back. I was without my car for a day and I drove my great aunt's car which is the same kind just different year. I wasn't fond of it. Things were in different places and it drove me nuts.

We're Saving Babies!

This weekend is the March Of Dimes Walk up in Chicago. As I did last year I will be going up to help out my sister who is the WalkAmerica Coordinator for the March of Dimes in Chicago.


I get to man the “moonwalk jump” letting kids into and out of it. I need to make sure that there are not too many kids in at one time, giving them time limits, etc.


Additional instructions from the rental company:

Under age 5, no more than 8 kids

Under age 8, no more than 8 kids

9-13, no more than 6 kids

Over 14, no more than 4 kids

No shoes or sharp objects in the moonwalk.

No climbing on the netting.


Since I love children and work with them all week my sister felt that me working with them on the weekend was perfect. At first I was like, oh no. Then I was like, oh well. It should be a good time. I think I won't shave so I have that gruff intimidating look so when I yell "TIME'S UP!" the kids are like, EEEEEK! And run for cover. Then I will say, thank you for saving babies in the nicest tone possible.

What's my motivation?

I have no energy nor motivation to do anything. I've been trying things. UGH!

She thinks my tractor's sexy

So, I woke up tired as heck this morning. My third alarm went off on my phone and I was tempted to make a 4th alarm reallllly quick. But then I thought about how I need to shower and head to work. Work, it just has to be before noon, doesn't it? So I'm showering, right. Still having a tough time waking up. Turn the water off and the power goes off, then back on, then off, then on, then off and stays off. I'm just like, good grief. There are no windows in my bathroom so I'm finishing up in complete darkness. Then my dad comes and knocks on the door. I'm like yeah? So he then says Did you know that the power is out? Oh really was my response. That was the start to my morning. A light breeze apparently can now knock out our power.

Last night was pretty good. Got myself some Subway and went to watch the Cub game down at the bar. The Cubs bats came alive pretty late in the game but the pulled out the W. I saw a few people and then they left. Not many that can hang for the long haul anymore. Or else my long haul has gotten longer recently.

if you steal my sunshine

So I have been perusing the shop at MLB.com today which everything is way out of my price range. I think I will stick to buying things at Burlington Coat Factory. But check out this shirt. It's only 20 bucks and I'm tempted to get it... we'll see though.

'Cause everybody hurts. Take comfort in your friends

4/21/06
Wade Miller Transferred from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

Derrek Lee Placed on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured distal radius and a fractured distal ulna.

4/17/06
Angel Pagan Placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 16, with a strained left hamstring.

4/1/06
Wade Miller Placed on the 15-day disabled list.


3/28/06
Kerry Wood Placed on 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 27 (right shoulder arthroscopy).

Mark Prior Placed on 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 27 (right subscapularis strain).

Communication, a telephonic invasion

Oh sweet bliss. I have witnessed another Chicago Cubs victory. My first time in New Busch Stadium, sitting in the bleachers, surrounded by Saint Louis Cardinal fans, and I saw Greg Maddux pitch a hell of a game. The Cardinals did not sweep the Cubs. It wasn't going to happen because I was present. I'm continuing my new streak of not seeing the Cubs lose. It is wonderful. It would have been better if I didn't have to pay 7 bucks for a bottle of Budweiser or 7.50 for a draft of Bud Select. Man oh man, that's mucho dinero for un cerveza. We made great time coming back too. I got to my car at Josh's at 5pm. Unfortunatly I would have preferred to have a few drinks in Saint Louis to celebrate the Chicago Cubs victory but alas my ride was heading back and I didn't want to hassle with finding other means home even if it was an option.

I love opening up my email inbox and finding this...

Chicago Cubs Postgame Alert
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 23, 2006

Chi. Cubs 7, St. Louis 3 at Busch Stadium
Chi. Cubs Record: (10-7)
St. Louis Record: (11-7)

Winning pitcher - Greg Maddux (4-0)
Losing pitcher - Jason Marquis (3-1)




1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
0 0 1 1 2 0 3 0 0 7 9 0 Chi. Cubs
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 10 3 St. Louis

CHC HR - J. Jones (2) A. Ramirez (3)
STL HR - None

You were fashionably sensitive, but too cool to care

So I got a wake up call this morning... I say it over and over and over again, on the weekend don't call before noon until I preface that I will be up and expecting your call. I mean, I like ya, but I love my sleep. Yes, I neglect it but the weekend is my time to just sleeeeeeeeeep.

So far today has been a lazy day. Laying around. The Cubs have just started, no score yet but I've got a good feeling about today's game. I'm about to go watch the game over at Patsche's place. Usually mucho fun-o over there.

Tonight I don't have big plans. Although I think that today is Monica's birthday. So I may be doing something with that.

Happy Birthday Monica!

Life had just begun

So I haven't really had much to say in the last few days. Good things have happened, Not good things have happened, and things not happening have happened. I've been out every night this week... Yeah, another one of those weeks. I work tonight at the bar. As of right now I'm just wanting to chill. Which I will get some chill time in before the bar but then it will be off to check IDs for the rest of the night. Maybe people will come and visit me. It always makes my night go smoother when I've got company.

Saturday I don't really have plans. I think I remember something about a bar in Sherman with people but I will have to ask around to verify that.

Sunday is the big day. I am going to my first MLB game of the season. Cubs vs Cards at Busch stadium. I'm so stoked. It's going to be so much fun.

That's about it for me. Sorry, I'm not more exciting but I'm doing more internal pondering than external at the moment.

Fotos from others

You make me smile

Someone the other day told me that I needed to smile. At first I was like, what, who me? Then I thought about it. Do I smile as much as I used to? I used to be known for smiling. Getting called smiley or smiles by people who obviously couldn't remember my name or never took the time to learn it. Maybe I need to work on that. Because I know frowns are not attractive.

Merf's part 2

Breaking News

George Ryan, Ex-Illinois Governor, Found Guilty of Corruption

April 17 (Bloomberg) -- Former Illinois Governor George Ryan, who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for commuting the state's death sentences, was convicted today of charges that he took cash, gifts and trips in exchange for state contracts.

Ryan, 72, was found guilty on all 18 charges against him by a federal court jury in Chicago. Larry Warner, 67, a lobbyist and friend of Ryan, was convicted in the same trial on 12 charges.

Ryan, a Republican from Kankakee, Illinois, was the highest- ranking official targeted in an investigation that resulted in charges against 79 state workers and lobbyists, and convictions of 73. Two defendants are fugitives, and one case is pending.

Ryan faces a maximum of 95 years in prison and $4.5 million in fines on the charges of racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud, false statements and tax fraud.

Merf's Birthday Par-tay part 1

Staring at the blank page before you

Saturday during the day was a great time. A bunch of us went to S.View park and grilled, drank, and played some beach volleyball. Very enjoyable. Here are some pics that I took then.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to all!

There must be an angel with a smile on her face

Boy oh boy. I'm feeling pretty good right now. Thank goodness. I think that I may have nipped it in the bud.

Last night was pretty good. A few friends came by the bar and hung out with me for a while. I ended up going to Mojos for a little while after work. I hadn't intended on it because I wanted to head to bed but you know me, Mr. Social.

Today should prove to be a fun day and I'm looking forward to it. I've already been up and finishing up my cleaning. Then I'm going to S.View Park to cook out with friends and maybe play some volleyball.

Then I'll probably come home and hang out with the family for a bit because I'm expecting my sisters home today.

Then I'm heading to Merf's birthday party. Hopefully my buddy Nick can make it, cause I think this will be a great time.

TEAM K from the 2006 Barstool Open

You and I collide

"The B-Complex Vitamins

The B-complex vitamins are essential to mental and emotional well-being. They cannot be stored in our bodies, so we depend entirely on our daily diet to supply them. B vitamins are destroyed by alcohol, refined sugars, nicotine, and caffeine so it is no surprise that many people may be deficient in these."

So I think that maybe I need to boost the B Vitamins. Because 3 of the 4 listed above are very frequent when looking at a week at a time. I have been slacking on my daily multi-vitamin. I take it, when I remember, but that usually is not daily.

Melodramatic Fool

So I thought people were up for going out last night. Not that I didn't see people but I assumed more were going to be able to hang. Monica was working. GTG showed up unexpectedly. Then Amanda and Ed. That was about it. I enjoyed a few guinesses and a few games of pinball with Ed. Then everyone left. Then I'm like, well screw this, I'm going home.


So when someone feels down in the dumps and is aware of it and wants to get out of it but can't seem to shake it. Can something as simple as vitamins help? Coffee? Long walks? On the beach?



I need to get away. I need a break. I need a vacation.

Tornados

I freakin dreamt about tornados last night. I don't remember much but it was like funnels kept touching down from the sky all around me. Almost like the storm was after me and it was trying to get me but just missing. This photo looks like what I was seeing in my dream but instead of just one imagine many of them and randomly being all around me.

Sinking Feeling

So I keep getting this sinking feeling. I'm not talking about that tickle in your stomach. I'm talking more about feeling down in the dumps. I should have no reason for this. Things are well right now. The weather is warm. Baseball season has started. The ladies are smiling back. All is good but I have that feeling like I just want to crawl into bed and never leave. I will continue forcing myself through this. It will go away but still, it's nagging and it sucks.


My agenda for the next 3 days.

Tonight: Drink Guiness at Browns
Friday Day: Sleep in, Clean my house and room, Do taxes
Friday Night: Work the Door at Browns, Drink Captain
Saturday Day: Hang out at Southern View Park and Cookout and Drink Budweiser.
Saturday Night: Merf's Birthday, Drink Old Style
Sunday Day: Easter with the family, Eat good food, Drink Amstel Light
Sunday Night: Unknown

Brokeback White Sox

Charity Loves Me and I Love Charity

April 10, 2006

Team K

Kyle
(address omitted)

Dear Kyle:

Thank you and your team for participating in the 9th Annual Original Barstool Open last weekend. Because of you, we were able to raise over $12,000 for United Cerebral Palsy Land of Lincoln’s Children’s Services program. As the largest provider of services to children with special needs in downstate Illinois, your efforts will help over 1000 children, in twenty-seven counties, reach their full potential.

UCP is always looking for ways to improve the Barstool Open for the players and for the volunteers. If you have any comments or suggestions for future open’s please e-mail them to me at Lescoop77@yahoo.com.

Your participation was critical to the Open’s success. I hope you will participate again next year.

On behalf of United Cerebral Palsy and most importantly, the people with disabilities and their families who turn to us for help - Thank you!

Sincerely,


Lesley Cooper
Events Coordinator



_______________
Lesley Cooper
United Cerebral Palsy Land of Lincoln
101 N. 16th St
Springfield, IL 62703
217-525-6522
www.ucpll.org

Brooms In Force

I get it dished to me allllllll the time. I gotta take my turn when I can. I don't expect it to be like this all season but WOW! The Cubs just swept the Cardinals in the Cubs Home Opening weekend. Ed got to witness 2 of the 3 CUBS WINS. I left a little present for him when he gets home from Chicago. A Cubbie Blue broom. What a win! What a beautiful grand slam by Barrett. Spectacular. Simply spectacular. That's all I have to say about that.

I can't be held responsible, 'Cause she was touching her face

I'm alive. I've been having a fun weekend. Friday night I worked the door. That was boring as heck because there was barely anyone out and about. Saturday was the big day. The Barstool Open. I went and had breakfast at the Legion. I knew quite a few people there. Then I stopped by Mojos and then started at Browns since that is where I signed up at. Drinking start time was 9:45am and end time was when I went home which was about 3am. I think. I got a ride home from a wonderful lady. Then I passed out because I was insanely tired. I was up til after 2am the night before and I woke up for all this at 7am. It was a long long long long day. It went by fast at certain points though. I had a great time hanging out with the other teams. Nattie's crew and Farah's crew. Team K was unable to finished. We get slowed down and there was no way for us to make it in time. too many drinks at individual establishments. The lines were long too for waiting to putt.

In a few minutes I am going to walk downtown to get my car. It's about 3 miles. It'll just be like walking at the park but with a purpose. Josh is joining me for the walk. Then we're heading back to Showmes for some wings. Wish the game had not been pushed back, I was really looking forward to watching it while eating wings but now it is on later, much later.

I'm tangled up in you

Today is a humdrum day. Bad weather. But other than that things are good. Today is my mom's 60th birthday. I didn't forget, and got her some things she really enjoyed.

Work was alright this morning. Hung around the office for a while. Then headed home.

I almost overslept this morning though. Somehow I must have forgot to set my alarms last night. I went to bed thinking they had already been set but nooooo they mustn't have been because at 6:40 my dad wakes me up asking if I am staying home today and I'm like, no, why, then I look at the clock and think "Oh Shite" I had enough time to spiffy up and make it in on time but still, thank goodness for dad.

I just got back from lunch with RD. We went to Frankie's for lunch. I got tacos. They were alright but the meat was kind of bland. And the meat soaked the bottom of the shells before I even got them and they all fell out of the bottom so it then became a huge taco salad whether I wanted that or not. Then they soaked the wax paper through in the basket they came in and it started to tear and would have mixed in to the "taco salad". So I had to move it to a bowl so that I didn't eat wax paper for lunch. I'm not ordering those there again. I can tell you that.

Right now I have a huge knot in my upper right shoulder. I have been getting this frequently lately. It is annoying as can be and it seriously hurts. Feels like a knot the size of my fist and it is throbing.

Tonight I'm supposed to go out to dinner with the family for my mom's birthday. Although things have come up and it isn't a definite plan now. My great aunt had a stroke on tuesday night and things have been crazy around here. Seems like someone is always in the hospital with our family. The last 12 months have not been good in that aspect.

Then after that a very good old friend is in town for a few days. Izzy. I'm going to attempt to meet up with her because she will be consumed by a wedding the rest of the weekend (why she is home). I only get to see her maybe 3 times a year since she lives in Alaska now.

I work the door at DH Browns on Friday night this weekend. Everyone come by and hang out with me!

Sleep

I finally had a night in. All this griping and moaning about how I am not taking care of myself is driving me nuts. Last night. I induced sleep with nite meds so I was nearly passed out when my dad came home. He is all like, are you sick. I reply with yes, I have been for like a week and a half. Then he says I need to get rest, I say, what do you think I'm doing right now. Then he replies with what have you been doing for the last week and a half. I'm like, you don't even know. I think he thinks that I go out and get blitzed every freaking night. Hanging out and drinking water while relaxing at a barstool is not hard on my body. I don't do that every night, but I don't drink every night. I like to hang out but I am by no means a party animal like I feel people are making me out to be.

So anyway, I was asleep by 10:30pm last night. That is earrrrrrly for me. I do feel rested but my sinuses are still crazy. I think that I may do that again tonight. Skip Young Adult Group and induce sleep again.

I am very happy the weather is looking good. It helps with my mood in a major way. When it is crappy outside I get really down. Not all the time but it depends on a few factors. It is more like I am more influenced by grey weather.

Joke for today

two men were waiting at the gates of heaven...one turns to the other and said ..How did you get here...he says...I froze in a freezer....the first one said...I fell out a window when I yanked the curtain back looking for someone with my woman....the other said..I know...we'd both be alive if you'd looked in the freezer first....

Sick Boy in Full Force

So I've been battling things on and off for like, 3 weeks now. I blame the tornados, they probably brought some strain for virus from Texas that only affects people with no spleen. So I was doing okay, then I got strep. Then I got a little better, well the spots went away. So then I've had a stuffed up nose for another week to week and a half. Then last night my neck gets all stiff and I cannot breathe out of my nose at all. I ditched out on chill time with RD and Chad early so that I can get some sleep. I came home and over medicated myself and hit the hay. My neck is better today but my nose is like a faucet that is kicking out green sewage. Graphic, I know. You're the one that is still sitting there reading about me being sick.

I really don't want to go to the doctor again. Although now besides a 10 dollar copay, my insurance picked up all of my last visit for strep. So it isn't really costing me all that much. But still, do you realize how sick of being sick I am. NO MORE SICK. NO MORE DOCTORS!

Love me some wings

The last time I went to Showme's there was a tornado problem also. So yeah, I didn't realize yet again that there was a possible looming tornado yesterday until it was here. I was eating some delicious wings and drinking a mug or 2. When I had just struck up a conversation with a waitress about how the last time I saw her was the day of the tornados 3 weeks prior. Then less than a minute later the sirens go off. I'm like, no way. I jinxed it. So I sit there. Finish my beverage and wings and then pay my bill. I figure, I should probably get home. Seeing as how I live like 2 blocks away that didn't take me very long. As I pulled in my driveway it was sheeting down rain. I'm like, wooooo! Made it. Then I get in and no one is home. I'm like, great! But about 3 minutes later my parents roll up. Apparently they were at Taco Bell getting some food too when the sirens went off. So, we all started getting ready for the worst again. And it did as it usually does and just hit the outskirts. So I chilled out for a few minutes then went over to RD's apartment and hung out and watched some movies. Then we hit up the brewhaus for a few beverages. I had a Brandy Alexander. 2nd time in a week. I love those. So tasty. Well, I've been feeling sick and I think it is culminating again. Cause my neck started to get stiff again and I couldn't breathe through my nose. So I headed home early. Well, early for me. Came home and drugged myself on pain relievers and sinus meds. Unfortunatly I didn't fall asleep right away but when I did, it was some great sleep.

I would say that going to Showme's causes tornados but I've been going there for some time now and this is just the second time that it has happened. I do love crazy weather though. I was tempted to go find the tornados. I was hearing the sightings. I could totally be a storm chaser like in the movie Twister.

So, all in all, I was out drinking during tornados again. I have to say, it's the best way to do it. Less stressful and more fun.

Down and Out

I would like to appologize now. I don't know if it has been lack of sleep or probably something else but I'm a little down this weekend. It isn't going away either. So if I seem uninthused or bored or short with you, don't take it personally. I will try my best to be happy, cause that's what I'm know for right? Have a great weekend.

I'll try to load up on caffeine for tonight. I'm actually drinking a Natty Light right now and it's only 2:30pm. Fun stuff.