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This one could go so many directions. This ought to be interesting . . . . . .

Happy Memorial Day

I love holidays. They seem to come along just when you need a break. I really haven't done anything today. I had lunch with Megan at Bulldog Deli (McAllister's for all you rookies).

I went to the mall and got a sweet pair of shoes. True to my Memphis heritage, I bought a pair of blue suedes. Take a look. I prolly am set on tennis shoes now, since last week men's basketball gave me a sweet pair of Jordan mids that are CLEAN. Yes, that was for you, Andrew.

Tami called a while ago to get my help moving a piano. Their neighbors are moving and hauled an antique piano out to the curb. The freakin' curb ... as in throwing it away! I mean, it needs some work, but it has hand-painted panels depicting musical scenes (think baroque art scenes). Andrew lifted the lid, and we saw the patents that dated 1880-1890. A little TLC and this could be an amazing find.

Nick, Lea, Rob, Tami, Andrew and I are going bowling later. Should be a good time.

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On a somber side note, Andrew's boss passed away this weekend. I only met the man a few times, but he will be missed.

Where to begin ... Again?

OK, it's been a while. Get off me. To catch up, we're gonna do some quick hits. Here we go!

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I read the DaVinci Code. It was OK. Dan Brown is a good storyteller, and I was fascinated with some of the theories put forth in the book. However, as far as literature is concerned, the book is rather obvious with some of its plot, while other parts are unresolved. I do want to read more historical documentation on the subject matter.

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Megan's parents came in town and we had game night at Tami and Andrew's. It was awesome. We played Mexican dominos. I'm sure that's not politically correct. Then, we split up into teams and played Cranium. Nick, Lea, Rob and I were on a team, while Tami, Andrew and "Sweet Molasses" Rodney Lacke were on another and the Watsons were on another. The highlight of the evening was when Nick humped the floor to get us to guess "missionary." He hates to lose more than I do.
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I got a call from a guy we do business with, who had extra tickets to a function being hosted on an outfield rooftop at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Rob and I flew to Chi-town and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We stayed at the Congress Plaza Hotel and had a room with a fantastic view of Buckingham Fountain and Lake Michigan. We had a beer at the Cubby Bear and had an Old Style at another bar at the corner of Waveland and Sheffield. The rooftop was awesome, and the food was authentic Chicago -- brats and hot dogs with "the works." Rob ate two.

Millennium Park was extremely impressive and a true tribute to Chicago's dedication to art and architecture.

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Megan kept Abbey and Sofie for me while I was gone. She left them outside by themselves for awhile. They ate three sprinkler heads and part of the PVC pipe that I just dropped $500 fixing from their first puppy assault on the irrigation system in the back. I was pissed. I spent much of Saturday fixing the heads and line. It works again, and the pups are still under surveillance whilst outside.

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Friday night a big group of folks went to see the DaVinci Code. Again, it was OK. I do not see why critics panned it. I also do not see how a fiction movie based on a fiction book raises the ire of so many people. Get over it, people.

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Saturday, I did yardwork all day. I also got my car washed. Then it was miIII with Nick and Rob. It was kind of scary beforehand. Nick and Rob made a bee-line for the arcade. Rob played Galaga and Ms. PacMan (no surprises there), while Nick went for the Big Game Hunter. Yes, it's one of those shooting games. Let me tell you right now, if Nick ever pulls a gun on you, don't run. He killed almost every single moose with at least one shot to the ass. He has the "one in the chest, two in the ass" kill down pat and actually killed one moose with three shots to the ass. All I have to say is, Nice shootin' Tex.

After his ass-shooting spree, Nick then forced me to play some driving game. He learned very quickly why I don't play video games anymore. I suck.

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Sunday I went to Dallas and saw my dad, who was in town for a convention. We had lunch at Baker Brothers and went to the Market downtown to get him some fresh fruit. We watched the end of the Bank of America Colonial PGA event and then ate dinner at Spaghetti Warehouse before I had to get back home.

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Birds should not choose to have baby birds in the yard in the neighborhood with two ginormous black labs. Abbey has had a field day finding and picking up baby birds in the back, only to have Rob or me yell at her to put them down. She is sweet, though. She doesn't bite down or shake them (good lab); however, the baby birds always seem a bit woozie afterwards, and the other birds in the air squawk a lot. It's kind of odd to scold hunting dogs for going after birds.

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Monday I went to Los Cucos with Nick and Lea for dinner. I hadn't been there in years. I learned that both Nick and I like enchiladas, as well as have our mexican plates with no beans and double rice. It feels good to know there are others out there like me.

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I had my evaluation today. It was outstanding. Seriously, that was my overall evaluation mark. A&M makes you choose Unsatisfactory, Needs Improvement, Meets Expectations, Exceeds Expectations and Outstanding for like 12 categories and then an overall mark. I got an S in plays well with others.

Jeff was very complimentary of me and my work and staff. He actually said that he planned on promoting me to Asst. Athletics Director today, but because of budget shortfall, they are waiting until next week's budget meeting with the president to see if they can make the pay and title upgrade. Keep your fingers crossed. I know it won't happen (we're $5M in the red), but it was still very nice to hear. Maybe we can win some football games, and I can get my promotion!

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I got a new phone tonight. It's the Cingular 8125. I am a badass.

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OK, so that's it. You're all caught up, more or less. Feel better? Good.

Random Links

OK, I don't usually do this, but today has been link-a-licious. Here's just a small sample of my day:

How to make $208,000 by only working weekends. Seriously, do the math. http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/05/02/dominatrix.ap/index.html

This plays in my head prolly more than you know and definitely more than is healthy. http://www.devilducky.com/media/7452/

I have to have this. http://www.collegehumor.com/movies/1685762/

Keyboards RAWK! http://www.collegehumor.com/movies/1685761/

The Ice Cream Monologues

Today was Ashlynn's birthday. She's three and getting cuter by the minute. It is amazing how time flies. They had a pizza party at day care, and Tami took cupcakes and ice cream after naptime. Uncle Drew got to try some of the cupcakes and ice cream -- YUM!

Andrew and Tami got her a blue Cinderella gown with white gloves and glass slippers. She stripped down and put it on and grabbed the toy vacuum cleaner they gave her and put on the pink Astros hat Uncle Rob gave her. If I can get the photos, I will post them. Too cute.

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On Sunday night, I got the invite of a lifetime -- BBQ at the Mueschkes. Well, I kinda already had plans for dinner that night, but I joined just in time for dessert. Nick & Lea made homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream. Again, YUM!

We watched Wet Hot American Summer and had a few beers after dessert. It was hilarious. I was kinda nervous I wouldn't like it since Nick told me before he hit play that the movie was a test to see if we could be friends or not. Fortunately, I liked it, and we're still friends.

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Harry Potter is hygienic and takes it as a compliment.