For some reason or another, things aren't all good. It is one of those days. I hate those days. I'm sure the fact that this is time report time isn't brightening my mood, either.

Josh leaves for San Fran tomorrow. I have vacation time available, and I wish I could go. I think I could use a week off. Haven't had a real vacation yet since starting this job over a year ago.

Today is bar night. I'm going to go have a beer with Jerry. Have to wake up at a totally unreasonable hour to get Josh to the airport on time, but that's the breaks. Hopefully I'll be in bed by 11.

A few personalized notes:

(e:Paul) - You have my sympathy. I'm sorry you have to deal with this, and I'm sure you're frustrated and upset, but the alternative is considerably worse. You'll be okay, my friend. What other choice is there?

(e:Ladycroft) - I plan on starting the book this weekend. I haven't been in the best of health lately, and haven't felt like much of anything outside of sleep and menial entertainment.

(e:Drew) - Sorry about the Steelers.

HRH Hillary is as disingenuous, ruthless, conniving, manipulative and dishonest a politician as we have in the USA. New York is addicted to celebrity. Brit is right about her negatives. Shit, even if we weren't a sexist nation she would still have severe problems connecting with normal Americans.

I don't think Gore should run. Why potentially ruin your sterling reputation with the Euros and UN Diplomats? Why take the pay cut? I believe he is a far more happy and productive person doing what he's doing. I also just cannot imagine that someone preaching the end of our world would suddenly put that on the back burner for politics. That would send the wrong message, no?

I liked John Edwards compared to Kerry. I think if he gets the nod in 2004, he is our President. Unfortunately people went with Kerry, who inspired nobody. Edwards' voting record is, by comparison, rated as being more moderate than Obama's voting record, hovering somewhere around 60 to 70 percent by the ADA. Instead of making pitiful excuses about his War vote, he apologized. I understand why people like him, even if he does carry the stench of slip and fall lawyer.

Bloomberg - well, he is the dictionary definition of RINO. I think it is possible the game has passed him by this time around. Maybe not. If he decides to run I think it is an interesting footnote, but who will actually vote for him? He can spend and spend, which helps I suppose - one year he gave away over 700 mil and still ended up positive for the year. Yikes.

Me being center-right, I could be convinced to vote for Obama if he were actually center-left. Whether it is the National Journal, Americans for Democratic Action, or whoever, his voting record aligns him with the most Liberal of all of our Congresscritters. Republicans who are crossing over are either uninformed of this, or purposefully are not taking into consideration whether or not he agrees with them on the issues.

There will be a time (hopefully?) when he will have to explain his votes and his stances on the issues, and give us something beyond the political rhetoric and endless platitudes. I think he inspires people. Heck, I enjoyed his most recent speech. Whether or not he is a "uniter" of people outside of the Democratic bubble depends on whether people give a damn about his Liberalism, which will certainly be put under the spotlight by whoever the Republicans run.

Personally, I think people are fed up with the political class in Washington - I read a good article in the Daily Mail about the similarities between ourselves and Britain in this respect. Obama represents something that is probably more important than whether or not he is a Liberal, and I'm not talking necessarily about whether or not he can make history. He represents a shift away from the typical Washington way of doing things. He represents a shift away from bitter, divisive politics. He represents for us a new brand of politician, at least we all hope so. THAT is what is so attractive, and what in my view makes him better than the 60's throwbacks and empty suits.

My "big boy" voice is rather effective.

The thing is now I am SO SICK. I just got out of bed. Yesterday I started feeling funny, and by the time I went to bed I had horrible body pains and couldn't breathe too well. Needless to say, I wasn't able to go to work.

Now it is OJ, ham sandwiches, and rest. Good thing this is the weekend, because I absolutely don't like to take more than one day off at a time.

MONDAY.....I finally will be able to store food again.

(WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE)

You know what I really don't love? Being without a refrigerator for an embarrassingly long amount of time. Having to attempt to use a dorm fridge to live out of, which is ridiculous and maddening. I don't want to pay my fucking rent right now.

I mean, I've tried to be nice, to deal with them honestly, I mean the fucking thing is broken and it is their responsibility to fix it or replace it, just as it's my responsibility to pay the rent. Can you imagine the shouting that would occur if I were to lie and say, well, I just can't afford to pay the rent so I'll just give you $500 a month until you bother the living shit out of me to get the rest?

No, when it is time to pay the rent, and if you don't, if you hold it, they are up your fucking ass, and then say, well, we'll have to do something about that fridge. By the way, did I mention that I have no confidence at all that anything is going to get done with it? I'm just going to get strung along again and again and again, because motherfuckers are too greedy and/or lazy to get the god damned job done and do the right thing.

Oh no, now is no longer the time to be cordial and nice, and politely request that they do what they are fucking supposed to do. I am so beyond my limit that I am bound to do or say something so venemous and nasty that it will fracture my relationship with them.

So, it is time to calm down. I've been as polite as I can be, and I can only be strung along and ignored for so long (which is, by the way, a lot longer than most people). Now is the time to just go get a new fridge and deduct it from the rent. Fuck it. I can't wait to savor the indignation that will inevitably come my way.

YOU try living like a fucking stray animal for months and see how YOU like it, asshole!!!

Well, we were at the VERY FREAKING TOP of the stadium, in the corner, but it was still the best sporting event I have ever attended. It was just such an awesome experience, completely different and new to me. I'm so happy I was able to share that experience with Josh and Dad, as well as my buddy Brandon - all of whom I know had as much fun as I did.

It was just so cool. We weren't even all that drunk. Some Long Trail beer and some rum did the trick. It was a great atmosphere. The fans were all singing and shouting and having a good time. I hope (e:mrmike) didn't have to kick too much ass. Plenty of kids were there with their parents. The Pittsburgh fans were agreeable, and even gave us cups to put our rum and cokes in for the walk up to the turnstiles.

The weather wasn't all that severe. The snow flakes were enormous, and were easily brushed off, but the cumulative effect was that you were wet - which made me thank Dad for those hand warmers. It was as comfortable as it could have ever been. An article I read said that the stadium was like a big snow globe. Definitely. It was GREAT!

Can you see the game from the top of the stadium? Yeah.

Were the Black Hawks loud? That's an affirmative. Loud as all hell.

How much were those sweet retro Sabres sweaters? $175.

And....holy shizz..... Let me tell you, I wanted one SO BADLY. But I didn't pull the trigger. Damn, just when you think the attachment to material goods is gone, it comes right back atcha.