WTF am I doing.

I go to Australia in a week.

I have no clue what I have to do to get ready and am starting to freak out just a little bit.

On Sunday, I won a 9 person poker tournament. I won $4.50. What does that mean.

Australia. Jeebus.

That is all. I need a nap.

Music for your Monday.

I'm going to go all Glenn on you...

and post something to make you think.

Here's a link about the possibility of demolishing portions of cities, and contracting.

Ethical Dilemma....I guess.

OK, so, Kevin gave me a bit of crap about this on the air the other day, so I'm throwing this out as an ethical dilemma.

I work out at the Fitness Center (the Fitness Center and you.....it's time to get fit.) They have a stretching room, which includes a very small table with a TV and DVD player, with an instructional video on how to use the gigantic stretching machine contraption.

So, as I walk in on Wednesday, I'm in there by myself, sit on the mat to begin stretching, and I notice that on the table, there's a $20 bill. There's nobody else in the stretching room, nor the room to its immediate left, a group cycling room. There is no other leftover equipment, like a towel from someone who was just in there. Just, simply, a $20 bill.

Now, I sit here typing with that $20 bill in my wallet in my pocket. My thinking was that since it was a $20, it's not worth turning in to the Club, because what's to stop the teenager at the front desk from pocketing it themselves. And surely the next person who walked in would take it, right?

I felt it was karma paying me back. When I was younger, around 5 or 6, a guy dropped either a 50 or 100 in Memorial Stadium. I saw it, and immediately ran up and gave it back to him. He gave me a quarter.

Also, a couple of months ago, I lost 20 bucks because I'm an idiot, and threw away a receipt from County Market that had a 20 in it. That was really just stupid on my part, but again....karma.

Right?
Am I wrong on this? Am I a bad person for not turning it in as lost? Let me know.

Things to do in Australia.....

Alright, as many of you may know, I'm headed to Australia in two weeks and one day. Now, I've got all the logistics taken care of, with plenty of thanks to my mother. My passport is up to date, I have a visa....I'm ready for that. (Money is another story, but that's beside the point)

What I'm trying to figure out now is what the heck to do while I'm down there. So far, I've figured out that I would like to go to a zoo, would like to see an Australian Rules Football game, maybe try to walk the Sydney bridge, run a half marathon...that's a good amount to start with. But I am always looking for more suggestions. Here are some that Ali sent me in an email. If you have any more thoughts on what I should do while I'm down there, please let me know! I'm all ears.

1. Snakes and koalas
Ballarat Wildlife Park is about 1.5 hours away. You can run around with and feed kangaroos. There is a reptile house (you might get to hold a snake or something). You can also get your picture taken holding a koala.
http://www.wildlifepark.com.au/

2. Surfing lesson
Keep in mind, it is winter here. It will be f'ing freezing. They'll give you a wetsuit, but still, it might be cold and raining. If you're interested, this is where I will take you: http://www.gorideawave.com.au/ in Torquay. BTW, Torquay is the location of a world famous surfing beach called "Bells Beach." The final scene of "Point Break" supposedly takes place at Bells, but they actually filmed it in Oregon. Enjoy the trivia.

3. Great Ocean Road
If you're keen on the surfing lesson and also going along the Great Ocean Road (http://www.greatoceanrd.org.au/Highlights.aspx) to the iconic Twelve Apostles, I would recommend that we do your surfing lesson one afternoon, then we continue on to the Great Drive to Apollo Bay, where we have dinner and spend the night at The Costal Motel www.coastalmotel.com.au. Standard room, which we could share is about $85 US. We could split the cost. Wake up early and go down the Great Ocean Road to the Twelve Apostles, etc. take pictures. Come back to Melbourne and do something that night in the city or whatever.

4. Winery tour
I would not recommend doing a "tour." Rather, I can just drive you out there and take you to a few cool places. The Yarra Valley is only about an hour and 15 mins away...and we could spend as much or as little time out there as you want. http://www.wineyarravalley.com/

Weekend plans, and some pictures.

Alright, so, as you can see from above, I shaved my head again. While Julia might not be happy about the situation, I certainly am, as the long hair was very difficult to run with. I sympathize with women who have long hair who sweat as much as I do, because it just isn't fun. You just get heated. Ick. So, the hair is gone, even though the new barber effed up a couple spots. I mean, how hard is it, when it's your job, to put on a 1 blade, and not miss spots? Jeez.
I had to fix it at home.

Now, speaking of home, the other picture is of my crowded, crowded living room. Two couches, the loveseat/chair, not to mention the bookshelves and TV you can't see to the left. It is very cramped. I'm not happy about the situation, but it will have to do until August, when Steve can come and pick up the couch. That's not pleasant.
OK, Buggin Out readers. Here's my list of to dos for the weekend:
-Pay hospital bill.
-Blog
-Library
-Plan Australia
-Send photo to the Dentist
-Chicago hotel
-Sydney hotel
-Change the litter
-Clean my car
-Put two more items on ebay
-Run 7 miles
-Pay bills, get finances straight for Australia
-Golfing Range
-Laundry
-Find some checks (I pay pretty much everything online now...not sure where the actual checks are)

I've already done 5 of these things. 6 if you count this blog. Good start for it being only 1:05.

Also, The Hangover gets a Mike Cation recommendation.

Song/Video to listen to today....

Cat pictures....and yes, I realize there are no real pictures of the couch...

I have a new couch...

So, I'm going to post pictures later today of the new (old) couch that was given to me by my mother. It's great in that it is extremely long, very comfortable, and taller than the old one. She also gave me her old love seat massive chair. The cats seem more enthralled with the cushion.

Weekend recap: Relatively uneventful, which is nice. I put a couple of items on ebay (including a pair of shoes, size 10...if you're in the market, let me know.) Julia and I went to a game night at her co-worker's place, but did not play any games, and had wonderful cake. There are now plans in the work for Glenn's "mega-bar-crawl" in July, which apparently will include 30 bars, and teams. (Oy). And the Crackmonkeys picked up a big win last night, which is great, because it meant I didn't have to pitch. I suck at pitching now. A lot.

I also got to have a nice internet chat with Ted. I hope that he's able to move back to the states at some point soon.

Also, a quick plug/follow up to the lack of gluten free foods in Champaign-Urbana. The Meisters are the couple that brought GF stuff to the Urbana farmer's market over the past couple of years, but unfortunately for me, they're not going to be there anymore. They have promised me that they deliver GF loaves of bread and other items to Strawberry Fields (and others ) on Tuesdays and Fridays. You can find out what all they make by clicking here.

Days like this I enjoy my job....Today I'm walking home with these items...

2 tickets to...


A copy of


um....yeah.....