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1 March 2005: Guess I'll actually have the equipment & all the "bells & whistles" I need to do my job *tomorrow*. Given that I started this assignment Jan 26, it'll have been 1 month, 3 days to reach the point of being able to work without borrowing IDs... I'm in trouble with my daughter, yet again. I really don't need this, while also dealing with Real Life, plus 1 dozen snowy paws and 2.1 snowy tailz. First attempt at getting *into* my driveway this afternoon didn't work. Actually had to back up and use more momentum than normal to get thru the thick stuff over the icy stuff!! Spent a lot of time out there with the snowblower clearing the drive - it was very deep & dense - pretty good snow storm went thru our area! And, somehow, our school district was the only one out of over 200 in this area that remained OPEN! 2 March 2005: OK, Froggy, h*hic*ow'd you manage to give me *hic-hic* your cherry *hic* limeade hiccups? I *hic* don't even H*hic*AVE cherry lime*hic*ade around here *hic*!! Well, forget about those so-called promises that I'd have my equipment up & running today. Made the appointment this morning for 1PM, guy never showed up. 2:30-ish, someone else calls and sez the first guy went home, unknown reasons, but this 2nd guy doesn't know *when* he'll be able to show up. Needless to say, this one got major-league elevated (it was sounding like the excrement might well hit the oscillating unit)!! And, it's STILL not resolved. Scary thing is, this is all too common an occurrence... 3 March 2005: "Dr. Ernie" has again worked his magic today! The saga of the work computer is near its end. The "rebuild" has occurred; hopefully tomorrow, Attachmate gets "pushed" to my ID.... My first "All People" meeting at GM - a lot of folks from Purchasing showed up at Pontiac... 4 March 2005: Valdemort was home tonight in time for supper, then she & Dad got spiffed up and headed out for their Jump Street gig: the Annual Frostbite Ball.
The greeting from the 3 Guyz when V walked in the door was incredible! Even Alfie, the "new guy" - who's only seen V just a few very short times - matched the enthusiasm of the other two! Then insisted that she *hold* him as much as possible!! No sooner than Dad & Valdemort were out the door, than "Mom, let's go rent some movies!!" So, just *what* did we come home with?
The work computer saga continues....*sigh*. No "Attachmate".....maybe by Tuesday.... 6 March 2005: Basketball weekend! Over to EL yesterday evening...ALL of us! Valdemort had to play with Spartan Brass for the last men's basketball game of the season against Penn State...full house, good game (after a slow start), final score, MSU won 90 - 64. Watching the Women's Tournament today. Upset after upset! The "underdog" team has won in several of the games played out today!! MSU vs. Penn State (women's team) this evening, exciting game! Final score: 83 - 76, MSU moves on to the next stage of the Tourney, against the Minnesota Gophers!! Good job, Lady Spartans!! Saw Iain & Trina & the other [hung-over??] T-Bones who got to travel to the Tournament.... Another Alfie nickname...."Alfred: Prince of Barkness" 8 March 2005: [Slightly subdued celebratory dance] Yee-haw! Finally got "Attachmate" today! However, busy enough catching up from being away from work yesterday, I didn't get to try "flying solo" building a PO until the end of the day. Sheesh. *Almost* got a PO built, then screwed up and wound up VOIDING the doggone thing without intending to. Logged off, locked up, went home (via the grocery store - $112 later). Valdemort is scheduled for outpatient arthroscopic knee surgery May 11; at least school will be out, so no worries about negotiating stairs, crowds, or slippery situations. And is expected to be fully recovered in time for marching band camp in mid-August!! Dr. Ernie was in charge of The Boyz while taking care of Big Sister Valdemort today (temporarily flattened by something apparently viral, but feeling better this evening!! Don't worry, Grandma!!). *Sigh* Had to take the Dogsled to the Honda dealer yesterday...looked like a couple headliner clips got loose (following the installation - by the dealer - of a auto-dimming mirror with compass last week), thought it would be a 5-minute job to pop everything back in place (so did the Service Advisor, at that). 1-1/2 hours later(!!) they'd had the headliner apart enough to figure out that the clips were screwed up...and they've ordered a *new* headliner for my car! 'Nother trip to the dealer scheduled for St. Patty's Day! 9 March 2005: Putting more photos on my Palm...neat feature! Trying to teach Alfie to "speak"...on COMMAND, not "just because".... Ernie's got the Alfie-wrestling technique down to a science! Just hangs a front leg over Alfie's back, then goes for the ear or the cheek or the throat or whatever (all in play - no blood's been drawn/spilled...yet - but there IS a lot of *noise*, mostly from the extre-e-e-e-emely [ahem] vicious Alfie. Sam's going "Up North" tomorrow with Dad & Valdemort for a couple of days...little do the "little guyz" know, but they aren't going with them. 10 March 2005: Awww-w-w-w-w!! Aren't they swee-e-e-t?!?! *Sigh* it's about time those two decided to settle down! Ernie & Alfie have been wrestling: the entire 45 min I was home before going to "Parents' Night" for the Session II Driver's Ed, and again for about the last 2.5-3 hours since coming home with Nook afterwards!! With brief (VERY) breaks for "out", then...back at it! Guess they'll sleep just fine tonight! Funny, how those two do play. Big, long chase session, then it's like the bell at the end of a boxing round....stop, get a drink of water....then *ding-ding-ding* and they've picked up right where they'd left off until the end of the next round! Nook & I watched this for quite some time in amazement! Snow. It's been snowing. Haven't we had enough of that yet? Monday was SUCH a bad joke... :-P 12 March 2005: Hmpf. The DGSLD has a "runner" with a slow leak. Shoot. It's now laid up in the garage until Jim can help me figger out why my car is limping.... Took Ernie & Alfie to Squirrel Park after clearing the driveway & walks. Turned 'em loose and they were going 150 mph the whole time there! Hopefully, they'll find a cozy spot soon and that'll be the last we hear from them for a few hours.... Jim, Valdemort, & Sam are likely on their way back downstate this morning. Talked to Jim last night, sounds like they had a great visit with Fran & Jack!! Trip out to the cabin, walked the back road, then to the beach and walked the shoreline - lots of snow and very cold out on the shore [no surprise!!]. Lunch at Penny's Kitchen [where else, may I ask??]. Wonder if the gumbo was too spicy to eat again??? Got snowed on overnight....so, what're Nook & her buddies doing this afternoon?? Swimsuit shopping!! 13 March 2005: Sam's birthday was March 10 - and it's significant! He is 12 years old!! And he got his birthday wish...to go to The Cabin for his birthday! Addendum: Taxes (Federal & State) are officially filed!! Woo-hoo! Now I can get back to FAFSA!! 14 March 2005: Taxes (Fed & Mich, at least) are IN and ACCEPTED!! FAFSA time... Monday moanin': no one at work looked like they wanted to be there today...was it a case of "too short a weekend?"...or "too much to do and not enough bodies to do it?"...or "the weather?"...Whatever it was/is, is still there...*ya-a-a-a-awnnnnnnnn* 15 March 2005: Significant day at work. One of the managers in our area (of arguable popularity) retired today..."Ol' Leather Vest". Dr. Madden called in all the troops for the upcoming tourneys! Three tournaments coming up all at once, so all the Spartan Brass members had to select which one (based on seniority) they would play at (Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, and Hockey). Valdemort got the one she wanted: Women's Basketball (she figures the Men won't make it past the Second Round, whereas the Women have a pretty good chance of going "all the way"). So, her group leaves Thurs evening, about 6 PM to fly with the Women's team to Minneapolis! Guess the game is at 2 PM Saturday. They will be back late Monday. Anyone out there know how to discourage "submission peeing" (that annoying dribble that occurs among some dogs around "authority figures")? Alfie has an unfortunate tendency to "submit" around Jim for some reason...Jim's been "christened" more times than he cares to remember.... 16 March 2005: The Spartan Brass supporting the Women's Team are leaving at 12:30 instead of 6 tomorrow. Team bus to Capitol City Airport, then on to Minneapolis, return Monday....DGSLD is at the shop, getting its replacement headliner tomorrow....Alf has learned to "speak" for a cookie, now seeks me out and "speaks" when he *wants* a cookie (um, that wasn't *quite* the intent)....Bonaparte's was setting up for a big "do" in the atrium at the Great Lakes Tech Center, "Cat in the Hat" theme, saw signs about a retirement party for someone....Ernie's snuggling with Jim, Alfie's crashed on the couch (Alfie just broke the "sleep barrier"), Sam's panting his fool head off....teeny TV in the kitchen is starting to fail, probably have to junk it before it starts smoking (this IS a non-smoking house, after all)....leftover "pigs-in-blankets" for supper with fries & mac-n-cheese....trying to avoid the "self-induced tsunami effect" at work....Jim suggested I write tonight's blog from his perspective, tried it, didn't work; he was already stretched out on the couch that would've provided his perspective.... 17 March 2005: Does Valdemort *look* like a mad bomber?? We don't think so, but...the metal detector at the airport went off TWICE for her today...she got pulled off to the side....gone over with a hand-held metal detector....and discovered that her new knee brace was setting off the alarms (well, we didn't know it had metal in it!!)....so it got checked for EXPLOSIVES for heavens' sake! (which, fortunately, it did not contain).........As I already said, does she *look* like a mad bomber?? The Spartan Brass made it safely to Minneapolis with the Women's B-Ball team. Tomorrow, to The Mall of America! 18 March 2005: Yep, Mall of America...that's where Valdemort was when she called me today! She & her buddies chose to NOT have breakfast (OMG! The hotel doesn't have "continental breakfasts"! And - even though the Spartan Brass are provided a per-diem - they are "too cheap" to buy a *menu breakfast*!). So, they were at the MoA, rode some of the amusement-park-type rides (yep, including the ferris wheel) and were getting ready to get lunch when I got the call. And, Valdemort was *giggling* the whole time! Can tell, she's having herself a good time ("legal hookey"). Jim napped out, woke up to discover Ernie curled up at his feet and Alfie curled in a tight ball on his chest! The Alfster is turning into a snuggler, after all... 20 March 2005: "King of Beers"???? OMG! Jim recalls a Jazz Lab Band Spring Tour where Ed Rose (now Dr. Ed Rose, M.D.) - rather "under the influence", shall we say?? - stuffed a Budweiser 12-pack box on his head and declared himself "King of Beers"...... Alf is now the "designated messenger" whenever one of The Boyz wants a cookie. He approaches Mom, gets her attention, then "talks" - formally and politely requesting cookies for the 3 of them. Mom is a very soft touch when it comes to her "Guyz". Valdemort is having a blast in Minneapolis with the Spartan Brass! They were in a "sports bar" watching the Men's game this afternoon, and when they won, this group broke out with [what else??] the MSU Fight Song! 21 March 2005: Women's NCAA Basketball Tourney continues - MSU vs. USC. After halftime, the two teams appear more-or-less evenly matched, will have to wait 'till it's over to really know which team is the stronger. USC's weakness is the inability to make their baskets on the first try, where they have to make 2-3 rebounds to get the points.... Heard from Valdemort. They'd checked out of their hotel rooms by 3PM, loaded everything onto their bus, and were ready to head over to the arena. She's hoping they arrive on campus BEFORE the 2AM noted on their itinerary! She's got to finish up some German before her lab, so she's figured she's got an all-nighter (literally) ahead of her. But, she's having a blast, and would do it all over again (in fact, has signed up to go on to the next stage of the tourney). [Hope she's keeping up with the academics...] Expecting Valdemort to send us the picture she told us about....where she's next to Kelli Rohrig of the team! Will post as soon as I get it! 23 March 2005: Valdemort is going to Kansas City with Spartan Brass and the MSU Women's B-ball team - "Sweet Sixteen"....will they make "Elite Eight" (cross our fingers!)?? Leaving Friday afternoon, returning Tuesday night (if they win on Sunday, otherwise back Sunday night). Valdemort pointed me to an amusing link: http://babynamewizard.com/namevoyager/lnv0105.html. Just type in a name (or even part of one), and see a graph representing the number of names starting with your entry per million babies by decade. Float your cursor over the graph, and you will see the RANK for the decade! 25 March 2005: Nook arrived Jekyll Island, Georgia, today....shorts & t-shirt weather, helping stack firewood for their week there....Valdemort arrived Kansas City, Missouri, this evening...called us while the plane was still on the tarmack in KC, asking for the score of the Men's game (MSU vs. Duke) - 30 (Duke) to 26 (MSU) with 4 min to go in the first half (was 32-26 going into the break by the time we left Max & Erma's in Auburn Hills to go home)....home now, watching said game - very exciting 2nd half!! Addendum!!! MSU Men's B-ball has advanced to the "Elite Eight", defeating #1 ranked Duke 78 - 68!!! The Spartan Brass contingent for the KC Women's tourney have GOT to be singing the MSU Fight Song in their hotel!!! (Will there be any peace for the *other residents* of the hotel tonight????) 26 March 2005: "Haha segways" - text msg from Valdemort....apparently, the Segway - which was supposed to be a *breakthrough in transportation* (haha) is now an amusement park-type ride (for a price, of course) in Kansas City....Spartan Brass went out at 10PM ET yesterday for Kansas City BBQ - went the wrong direction - never found it....maybe today or tomorrow?... Took The Guyz to Squirrel Park this morning (great walking weather), let them burn off their piss-n-vinegar....they've been pretty quiet for the balance of the day.... Weather report direct from Jekyll Island is that it's been wet & foggy & getting cooler....putt-putt golf planned diversion....having a great time!.... 27 March 2005: MSU Men's B-ball - very exciting game - 2nd OT - MSU 94 to UK 88. Switched over to the MSU Women's B-ball game vs. Vanderbilt, still in the first half when we got there - MSU trailing Vanderbilt at the half, 37 - 30. Could hear our Spartan Brass!! Alfie's our official "Easter Bunny"....well, if you recall that he's got a stubby tail and very big stand-up ears and is the size of a large bunny, then kinda blur his image, you can *almost* convince yourself he's the Easter Bunny (if the EB is a tan jackrabbit with very long legs...) Late enough in the evening that The Guyz are all snoozing....Sam's behind the couch snoring....Ernie & Alfie are curled up together next to Mom on the couch....the *snooze hormones* are free-flowing tonight!! Valdemort reports that the Spartan Brass *finally* got to have Kansas City BBQ at lunchtime today - and adds that it is fabulous! Guess we'll have to work our way down there to try some one of these years..... The report from Georgia Nook-wise was storms went through Saturday night, shaking the camper a bit; they were going to go to the beach today, but if the weather soured, would go to the mainland to shop.....I'm sure the Girlz are having a blast, just wondering how Princess Bubbles' parents are surviving...... Addendum!! The MSU Women's B-ball team WON over Vanderbilt!! 76 - 64!! Elite Eight! Now, the Lady Spartans get to face Stanford on Tuesday for the "Final Four" placement.... 29 March 2005: Sheesh....almost the end of March, fergoshsakes! Dawg Daze....Alfie has defined a new biophysics phenomena - Alfinian Motion....hence another nickname for him: "Ricochet"....Sammer's feeling pretty good - just had a brief wrestling session including ALL 3 of The Boyz!!...... Nook's still in Geeee-orrrr-giaaaa....sez she "got a tan" today.....she, Princess Bubbles, and J-Web are now officially known by everyone on Jekyll Island as "The Triplets"..... Valdemort called after the Spartan Brass got checked out of their hotel rooms....sez the band drank the hotel totally *out* of "Sioux City Sarsaparilla" last night, now working on the "Sioux City Cream Soda", likes the "Birch Beer", too (geez, I haven't had birch beer in - what - 35 years?? *sigh* - hmmmm, also recalling "Ginger Beer" - hot stuff)......just got a text msg from V - "bad refs" - can't disagree.... FINAL FOUR FOR MSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL!!!! #1 Seed going into Final Four!!!! 76-69!!! Guess Valdemort's going to Indy next weekend!!! 30 March 2005: Valdemort is going to Indianapolis for the MSU Women's Basketball Team's Final Four Competition!! Bus leaves 1PM Friday, returns ?????......... 31 March 2005: Received via email a 7-page itinerary for the Spartan Brass contingent going to Indy....packed weekend for the crew!!
The *known* part of the schedule ends at this point....however WHEN the MSU Women's Team wins, they will stay on through Tuesday for the Championship Game!! | ||||||||
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