Catch-up

Here it is Saturday and I haven't really written anything for over a week - looking at my last few posts, they've either been political commentary or re-postings. So the (somewhat) short summary of what's going on with me.

Last weekend, we were fortunate enough to have friends Trevor & Karli from Nebraska visit again (twice in 3 weeks!). After a leisurely morning, we had lunch at McMurphy's with all the college football games on, and then headed over to the new Best Buy south to look around. We decided the afternoon was a good time to go see the new Bond movie (T&K being big fans) so we went to Cinemagic and caught the matinee (they have reduced their prices back to $5 matinees and $7 evenings, nice to see). Afterwards Erin made the chicken & dumplings in the shape of the state of Nebraska that I love so much (see my earlier posts) and we played Rock Band on Trevor's Xbox 360, lots of fun! I had to get up early and do handbells for church the next day, which turned out great - the handbell group this year is really good. Got back home in time to go to lunch at Famous Dave's, and hang out for a bit before they had to start the 5 hour drive home to Omaha. We had a relaxing rest of the day, catching up on household chores and playing with the kittens.

(for an account of how the kittens are doing, see:)

Kitties helping with household chores

This week has been very busy for me - music practices every night Monday - Thursday, in addition to a very busy work schedule going on. Monday handbells, Tuesday and Thursday salsa band (which, after being on the brink of death, is sounding REALLY good!) and Wednesday jazz band. Some shameless self-promotion - my salsa band "Fuego" will be playing at the Blue Moon Ballroom on Saturday, Dec. 6th, from 8:30pm-11:30pm, sponsored by the Rochester Salsa Community "Diego Sanchez" weekend. Since this event is sponsored by the Salsa Community, it is for 18 and older, AND will have a cash bar. Admission is $10 for the entire evening, for anyone who has wanted to come and see the band this will be a great time to do it.

In addition to all the evening music practices, Monday was also the second inter-company GLBT group reception between IBM and Mayo - IBM hosted one in October and Mayo returned the favor Monday. We had a great turnout, and the Mayo people were gracious enough to give us tours, including getting to go up and see the Carillons at the top of the Plummer building - something I had seen once before and is just a neat thing to see (there are only 20 Carillons in the country). I'm looking forward to more interaction between the IBM and Mayo groups next year.

With no scheduled activities on Friday, I had time to go visit friend Michael's work open house at lunch - Michael works for Cardinal of Minnesota and they just opened a fantastic new facility out on the NE side of town and had an open house Friday afternoon. Michael gave me a tour and we chatted for a bit before I had to get back to work. Friday after work, all the people who weren't out sick from the department decided to have Happy Hour at Tilly's, so I stopped over there for a bit. Then off to friends Shelley & Ryan's for dinner with Anne & LP. By 8:30 we were all really tired and when we got home at 9 ready for bed.

Since I no longer seem to have the ability to sleep in, I was up at 6:00am Saturday, but that gave me the opportunity to have coffee with friend Bill, something we both like to do on occasion. Looking forward to a weekend of relaxing and preparation for Thanksgiving, which we are hosting - mom, sister & family are coming down, in addition to S&R joining us for the big meal on Thursday.

Other News

The coffee maker saga is, at least for now, settled - Bed, Bath & Beyond actually took back the one we didn't like (from June) for store credit toward a different one - so Monday Erin picked up a new Mr. Coffee, nothing fancy, but it does have a brew strength setting, and so far it is good. In addition, since this one was cheaper, also got a French Press, and have tried that once and it is good (STRONG!)

50th Avenue construction update - well, I have no confidence now that anything will happen until the spring. I really don't understand why they just sort of wasted all this time between August and now doing nothing - I'm sure they were doing something but it sure didn't seem like it. I've pretty much already worked around the road being closed into my daily routine so I guess a few more months isn't going to kill me.

Gas prices - well at least one good thing has come out of this economic crash - $1.71 this morning, I'm sure this is helping out some people during the holiday season.

All for now - wishing everyone a great and blessed holiday week next week, safe travels for all who are going places.