Dream Update #???

Let's see, I had to move out of my apartment, because of the TV/HD situation, and Michael Hoomanawanui, Illinois Tight End, was my roommate. That was the dream I had before 6.

Afterward, there was a dream that involved some sort of bizarre strip club type thing that I got suckered in to, where they were taking rich and powerful people. The strip club wasn't labeled as such, and so they had sent invitations to people in the community that they believed had money. We were all there, including James Earl Jones, and were a little hinky about the whole thing, because it was a fancy strip club. But then the other rich people got ushered in to one room, and I didn't, because I obviously didn't have money. It's at that point that we started moving, and yes, the strip club was actually the back end of a tractor-trailer 18 wheeler, and we had been kidnapped.
I was in a different room, and was able to escape out the back door. I then had to try and make my way through Peoria (which was actually like Venice, completely water-filled) on a motorcycle, and rescue, or get back together, with the people who I had lost. One of whom was ?uestlove, of the Roots. My solution on how to do this was to play the drums with members of the band.
Eventually, he showed up.

Also, I dreamed that I had found a large open field in Canada, so I started farming. Unfortunately, I was just a pawn in some type of computer game where I farmed to harvest something for the headquarters, and then we had to build castles to protect our area, etc., because suddenly, the blue team came running through my fields to come destroy shit. That wasn't cool. I had some cabbage to tend to.

More on Christmas at a later time.

OK, here's something that bothered me today:

Something that bothered me today at the gym, conversation by two nearly naked dudes:

A: Hey
B: Hey
A: How are you doing?
B: I'm freezing my BUTT off!
A: I know, can you believe it?

YES YOU CAN BELIEVE IT. Know why, dumbass? Because that's what happens in Central Illinois. It gets freaking cold from time to time. So yes, sir, I can indeed believe it, because it happens every freaking year. EVERY. FREAKING. YEAR.

I then laughed at him, which caused both of them to stop the conversation and look at me. I ran off.

Also, as a follow-up to yesterday's post, Julia reminded me that she will not ever be done with her projects. Ever.
:)

A couple of random thoughts for today, the 14th.

-The United Center game went well. My Dad says he's got some photos, but I haven't yet seen them. I would like to. And he also has a video of me doing the intros with the lights out.
-Christmas is less than two weeks away. I'm pretty much done with my shopping, and I've stayed within my budget for the first time in probably 3-4 years. I have 2 people left to shop for. Both of these people read this blog. I want to make sure they get the gifts they should get because of the love I have for them. So it is tough.
-This Rod Blagojevich thing is just unbelievable. I won't sit here and pretend that the words that I have would have any more weight than the words written by the slew of political critics. Or wannabes, like Glenn (who needs to be a talking head). But it's really just amazing, isn't it? When you talk to legal experts, and they tell you that the only defense will be to say "well, it's always been done like this," that is just stunning. Much like others, I was not surprised that it happens. I was surprised at the length to which he has gone.
-Update on my throat: I have made a deal with Julia. I'm getting it checked after January 1, and she's getting her eyes looked at. Nice to have deals. Peer pressure is amazing.
-I am in charge of the Illini Radio Group holiday party. Vegas style, buffet, etc. And a party DJ for the people who want to dance at the end of the night. I think it will be a lot of fun.
-I get asked a lot of questions about the basketball team. All I really want to say about it is that it's been a fun team to work with so far.
-I put up Christmas lights today, for the first time ever on my own. At the age of 32.
-Bonita has her cast off. But she's not out of the woods. Her nail is now disstended (is that the right word?), and she's lightly limping. She still wants to play fetch all the time, though. Which certainly makes me happy.
-This week, I have no announcing. I'm thrilled for that. Julia gets done with her big project on Wednesday, and I'm looking forward to her not having to worry about that for a few weeks. It's certainly taken a lot of her time, and has been stressful. Sadly, I don't get to go out to Tulsa after Christmas. That's too bad. But, it is what it is. There will be another time.
-Leigh and Louis have a new car. Neat. I know no details.
-I've started watching 60 minutes again.
-Training begins now for the Illinois Marathon, April 11. I hope that I can run under 1:55. I would like to be down to 1:50 by August. We'll see. It's definitely doable.
-That's all. As always, I love questions.

So, it's time for the United Center game.

I'm sitting in my spectacular hotel room at the downtown Hilton in Chicago, about 12 hours away from doing my intros at the United Center. This game is just different than the others. It's the whole lights out, Illinois only intros. It's the jerseys in the rafters. It's the fact that this is where I went in the early 90s, to see basketball Jesus. It's the fact that he'll be there, and his statue will be out front. It's the fact that these fans are a little more basketball savvy, and quite frankly, don't give a crap about who the PA announcer is. I like that.
My throat, on the other hand, is not ready. It's in pain. I'm muddling through right now. After Clemson, there was a ton of pain. I think once the new insurance plan kicks in on January 1, I'm going to go to the ENT doctor, just to get it looked at. Granted, I know he'll just say "rest it." But I just want to make sure that there isn't anything else to be done.
I really do need a flat screen TV, don't I. Yes. I do.
This Hilton only has about 25 stations. That seems odd to me.
When I get nervous, as I am right now, I want to eat. I'm craving diner food. Eggs and hash browns. What I have is gluten free granola bars.
And Predator on TV, apparently, as evidenced by Carl Weathers and Jesse "The Body" Ventura.
Sarah has laryngitis. I freaked out on her this morning. I feel bad about that. But not entirely. Because laryngitis is not something to eff around with.
I made gluten free lasagna for Julia and I last night. Shockingly, it was OK. I'm happy to have a good excuse to cook again.
I think I'm running out of time on my one hour of internet here. I'm hoping to get through tomorrow, and see what I have left for Monday. I'm also hopeful that a night of rest will help my throat. And maybe some hot tea in the morning.
Outside of that: things are going well.
Love you all most of the time.