nonesuch # 315

Here is a picture of my new shed/storage unit. I made sure it could be locked. Do not want to have another lawnmower taken from me.

nonesuch #314

In this era of the single and the demise of the album as we know it, here is a list of complete albums:

The Beatles - Abbey Road, Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Led Zeppelin - 4
Pavement - Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
Pixies - Come on Pilgram/Surfer Rosa
The Doors - The Doors
Genesis - 3 Sides Live
Mike Doughty - Skittish/Rockity Roll
R.E.M - Document, Life's Rich Pageant, Out of Time
Pink Floyd - Animals, The Wall, The Dark Side of the Moon
Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
U2- Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby
Ben Folds Five - The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner
Velvet Underground - White Light/White Heat
The Modern Lovers - The Modern Lovers
Cowboy Junkies - Trinity Sessions
The Cure - Disintegration
The Smiths - The Smiths, The Queen is Dead
Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes
Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique
Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks
Grateful Dead - Live Without a Net, American Beauty, Europe '72, Reckoning, Dozin' at the Knick
Old and in the Way - Old and in the Way
Garcia & Grisman - Grateful Dawg
Dave Matthews Band - Crash
Neil Young - Harvest, Harvest Moon, Rust Never Sleeps
Yo La Tengo - New Wave Hot Dogs/President Yo La Tengo, Electr-O-pura
Jane's Addiction - Nothing's Shocking

nonesuch #313 report-o-rama

And now for another exciting edition of How the Hell did they Get Here!

suchnone blogger
technorati virginia belle
get off my lawn and give me back my chicken
taco bell/KFC in Richfield
chuck folds five
deep fried goodness
when your on a holiday you can't think of words to say
recipe for peanut butter balls with jelly
get off my lawn old people jokes
305 Natural One Folk Implosion
personell talking OR heads "burning down the house"
bloglines.com
3style scotland


So this concludes another exciting episode of How the Hell Did They Get Here!

nonesuch #312a meme from random

The Rules:
* Players start with 8 random facts about themselves.
* Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 8 random facts.
* Players should tag eight other people and notify them that they have been tagged.
* I do not tag people so the previous rule will not apply in my case. If you want to do this, go ahead. If not, that is cool. I am not the boss of you.


8 Random facts about me:

1)I was born on Friday the 13th during a full moon while it was storming. And for those who do not know, being born on Friday the 13th makes it a good luck day for me. But, on those years that my birthday fell on a Friday, I have not had the best birthdays.

2)In high school my favorite band as Genesis. I had their records on cd, LP and cassette. I quit collecting their albums when I was a senior in college.Now, it is a tie between the Beatles, Yo La Tengo and Ben Folds as my favorite. CAB, my roommate in college, opened my eyes and ears to so much good music that I had missed when I was younger.

3)I drive a black VW Jetta

4)I once had a make out session in a recliner watching the Wizard of Oz

5)I have a small flower garden containing, miniature roses, day-lilies and irises.

6)I drink almost as much water as Random does.(see her post) But I drink other beverages as well.

7)Some people call me a packrat but I prefer the term, archivist.

8)The older I get the more I am turning into the grumpy old man at the end of the road that just wants folks to stay off my damn lawn.

Get off my damn lawn.

nonesuch #312 meme from csg

meme from csg

1) A thing that makes me happy
seeing my friends happy with their lives.


2) A funny thing that happened yesterday
cannot remember anything right offhand



3) A thing I like to eat
So many things do I like to eat, not sure I can pick just one. Since csg threw out the rules yesterday, I will make a list:

peanut butter
mac and cheese
fried chicken
hot dogs
ice cream
pound cake



4) A thing that bugs me a lot
lies and liars

5) A thing I have on right now
my "I hack my mac" t-shirt from ThinkGeek


6) A thing you once did that was technically dumb but actually fine
really not sure on this one. Usually the dumb things I do just stay dumb.


7) A thing you plan to do today
clean the hallway and the bathroom and I did.

nonesuch #311 A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away...

(cue intro music)

30 years ago today, Star Wars was released. At the time it first came out I did not see it in the theater. It would be 3 years later when Empire Strikes Back was released that I got to see both. But I already knew the Star Wars story. It was all my friends talked about, we all had the action figures and other toys, the star wars underoos, toothbrushes and so on. I look back now and Star Wars really change my life. I know that sounds cheesy and I am sure others have said the same thing. But for me, it went like this. Absorbing all things Star Wars led to me wanting to read The Chronicles of Narnia which I saw at a Scholastic Book Fair when I was in 3rd grade. When the animated The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe came on TV, I heard of another animated special, The Hobbit which after watching it, I read the book which led to The Lord of the Rings. So, here is this 9-10 year old trying to read this massive story which I did but it didnt mean so much to me as it would later. Lord of the Rings led me to D&D where I could play an elf or halfling and all types of things in between, just let me imagination go. I do not remember when I found out that Lucas was a fan of Tolkien and CS Lewis. It may have been when I was 9 or it could have been later in high school. Anyway, D&D and Star Wars took up pretty much my teen years. In fact we played a Star Wars roleplaying game about as much as we played D&D back in the day. We would talk about the movies, argue on when Leia fell in love with Han and vice versa, what exactly was Yoda, and when more movies would be made. In college, I pursued acting for a bit, sometimes thinking about being in Star Wars movies or Lord of the Rings movies. My love for myth and stories led to my eventual degrees in Classical Studies and Religious Studies. During my senior year, my advisor suggested I look at library school. I did not have the language skills needed for a Classical Studies master's. 4 years later, I went to library school with a focus on special libraries hoping to work in a Divinty School Library. It was in Library school I found Archival studies a perfect fit for my love of history and the skills I was gaining in Library School. So, here I am an archivist, really enjoying what I do and as silly as it seems, I do give credit to Star Wars and the way it open my eyes to so much in the world.

And I do not live in my parent's basement...


anymore.

Get off my damn lawn

nonesuch #310.5

Just finished watching Heroes finale and it was so good. I just commented on my last post that it was a great ending to this first volume and it gave us more questions but left me satisfied at the end of a fantastic season. In my opinion, it is in the top 3 episodes with Company Man and Five Years Gone ahead of it and Episode 1: Genesis a very close 4th. My favorite characters are:

Hiro (and Ando)
HRG aka Mr Bennett
Peter Petrelli
Sylar (over the years, Darth Vader has became almost my favorite from SW right behind Yoda)
Claire
Micah

Will be getting the DVDs in August.

I am looking forward to Volume 2 coming this Fall.

nonesuch # 310

Yesterday I visited my friend Eoh, the one who her and her roommate had the swap meet and greet in February. Her birthday is at the end of the month but she will be in England with her boyfriend at that time and I wanted to do something for her before she left. Back in our college days she gave me a copy of Illusions by Richard Bach, the author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Earlier this year, during our book-sale I found a hardback copy so I knew she would like it. We sat and talked, caught up. Its funny, some folks it does not matter how much time goes by. You can just pick up right where you left off 3 months ago or 3 years ago. She plans to move to England in the near future. I will miss her just knowing that she will not be just down the road. We do not see each other as often as we could. She is planning to come visit me in June and her and her roommate are having a cookout in July that I plan to go to.

As for my trip to England, it will be awhile before I am able to go. Some of the arrangements fell through but it only be a matter of time before I will know what my plans are for sure. If and when Eoh does move, I will have at least 2 places I may be able to stay in England and maybe more. Just not sure right now, will keep you all informed.

Need to go lawnmower shopping. Have one in mind but it does not look like the shed I want is available anymore. I may be able to make a special order. We shall see. I am going to try to go this afternoon and check things out. It depends on how I feel. I am sore all over and not sure why. I think it may be from sleeping on the couch and not in a bed. I really need a new bed.

I went to Jin Jin last night. (see previous post). I got Chicken Teryaki, chinese chicken wings and french fries. It was all good and I have plenty leftover for lunch today. And speaking of Taco Bell, they are close to putting on the roof at the new Taco Bell/KFC just done the road. They have started landscaping so pretty soon they will have the "for hire" signs up as well. Not the best food if on a diet but the variety is what I am looking forward to.

Heroes finale was last night but I fell asleep and missed it. But, they posted it online so I hope to watch it later today. I have heard rumors about happened but nothing solid. The 24 finale was last night as well. I didn't watch it but I saw a recap this morning. Somewhere along the way, I think the show lost its way this year. I am not even sure when it happened, I just began to care less and less. And what have they done to Chloe? I think that is what really pushed me away the most. She just was not Chloe this season and last night we found out why. No spoilers for those that did not watch or read a recap and want to know.

Get off my damn lawn

nonesuch #309 Tagged by Anne

The rules:
1. Add a direct link to your post below the name of the person who tagged you. Include the state and country you’re in.

Nicole (Sydney, Australia)
Velverse (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
LB (San Giovanni in Marignano, Italy)
Selba (Jakarta, Indonesia)
Olivia (London, England)
ML (Utah, USA)
J (California, USA)
CuriosityKiller (Hong Kong, SAR)
Shelli (Minnesota, USA)
Lynda (Indiana, USA)
Jennifer (Texas, USA)
Carly (Vancouver, Canada)
Vegas Princess (Nevada, USA)
Anne (Texas, USA)
Jonathan Zero (North Carolina, USA)

2. List out your top 5 favorite places to eat at your location (locally).

I hope I can get 5 that are local to me without having to use fast food restaurants. I may have to go outside my local area to make 5 so if that is breaking the rules, so be it.

Miss Ruby's (Gold Hill)
Local restaurant, in fact it is almost in my backyard. Very good home made food but on the high class end if that makes sense. Different specials everyday with my favorite being their Fish and Chips on Fridays. All meals are served with homemade biscuits served with honey butter. I have not had a bad meal there. Oh, and how could I forget their Snicker's Pie: a cheesecake based pie with caramel, chocolate and peanuts.

Red Robin (Charlotte)
Close to the best burger I have ever had. I said Charlotte but I have only been to the one in Durham a couple hours away from me. I get the Red Robin Bacon Cheeseburger without lettuce and tomato with cheddar cheese and oh yeah, they have unlimited fries. They are the thick cut steak fries and they have their own seasoning you can add to the fries. And for desert, it is a tie between the hot fudge sundae and the Mountain High Mudd Pie both huge enough to serve two easily.

Ham's (Greensboro)
When I lived in Greensboro, I about lived at Ham's on Friendly Ave. There are other locations but that one holds the special place for me. Best Turkey Burger I have ever had. Great selection of drinks from many beers on tap to mixed drinks galore. They make their own homemade potato chips that they serve hot with Ranch Dressing. And on a side note, Ben Folds' brother Chuck(Bus Stop, Rubberband, Chuck Folds Five) was the bartender there when I was going often back in the day.

Jin Jin (Richfield)
The best Chinese in the area. Anne's mention of egg drop soup reminded me that theirs is top notch and has gotten me through many colds over the years. Their General Tso's chicken is spicy but not too spicy and their Chinese chicken wings rock hard.
(edited after learning that I had spelled General Tso's wrong.)

Gold Hill Market (Gold Hill)
Not a restaurant but the food is too good to not mention. It started when they started selling these breakfast burritos that got me hooked. Now they serve breakfast and lunch with everything from biscuits to burritos to hot dogs and hamburgers all made down home style and based on the owner's mother's recipes.

And in the 6th spot is Sonic cause well Sonic rocks.


And there you go. I made 6 but it took thought. A lot of the food here all tastes the same and all of us at work get bored with the selection available. In fact we are all so excited that a Taco Bell/KFC is opening later this year just down the road within throwing distance of the Bojangle's. Now that I am hungry, I am going to look for food. Oh, I am supposed to tag folks to do this but I don't do that. If you want to do it, go ahead. If not, that's cool as well. I am not the boss of you.

Get off my damn lawn

Nonesuch #308 Arrival

It has arrived.

Today I received my passport 4 weeks to the day they told me it would arrive in 4-5 weeks. Now I can really begin to plan my trip to England. I am excited and nervous but in a good way. Well as excited as I get about things these days. Some people call it a phase, I call it how I live nowadays. Some call it laid back, I call it sleep deprivation. Still not sleeping too well, as I have called it before, I don't sleep, I nap. And now I am repeating myself, posting an almost the same post as I have in the past.

Now that is hot.

Heroes has replaced House and 24 as my favorite TV show.

Farewell Veronica Mars

This boring post has been brought to you by ginger ale and lime sherbet.

Get off my damn lawn.

Nonesuch #307

Got this from Vi.

Four words to describe you?

intelligent, nerd, loyal, witty

Do you bottle it up or let it all hang out?

Both. Really depends on what it is. I do tend to let it hang out a bit too much. My friends still bug me about a night I wanted/needed to talk and kept them up after a long session of D&D with a constant "hey guys, what do you want to know about A?" So, I have to watch when and where what and how much I say and wear on my sleeve.

Is the glass half-empty or half-full?

I really don't know most days. It goes back and forth depending in the minute but overall I would say half full.


What music do you listen to when you're feeling down?

Neil Young, Yo La Tengo, Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Morphine, Ben Folds depends on the song really. I listened to a lot of all of these artists when I broke it off with CW.

If you could nominate an eighth deadly sin, what would it be?

No clue.

Religious, spiritual, humanist or none of the above?

Once in college my friends were arguing over how old the earth is. Was it 10,000 years old or millions of millions of years old. They asked me and I said " The earth is 22 years old cause that is all I know of it." Not sure what that makes me. Been interested in Buddhism which I see as spiritual but at the same time I have doubts as to if there is some supreme being watching over everything.

Do you ever spend longer than strictly necessary in front of the mirror?

Mirrors suck. I have one in the bathroom to make sure my teeth are clean after I brush.

When did you last really get angry?

October 2005. When CW fucked a sailor while at the same time planning our wedding. Bitter? No, not at all, hehe.

What's your biggest regret?

Another I don't know. I really have let things happen as they happen knowing that whatever comes my way I will be ok eventually. I regret not ending relationships earlier and letting people run over me but at the same time I stayed for a reason. Even they made me who I am today even if they used me and left me out to dry.

What are you most proud of?

I found a career that I enjoy not just a job that pays the bills. I enjoy what I do and just happen to get paid for doing it.

What's the biggest difference between men and women?

Women are more social for the most part than men. Men are happy sitting in front of the tv scratching themselves while women like to talk about their day, who did what or said what. This is not universal. Sometimes, men talk batting averages or what level their D&D character is, depending, on well you know.

If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?

I wish I was more organized. Folks that know me know exactly what I am talking about.

What makes you laugh?

Just about everything. "I'm the kind of guy that laughs at a funeral, don't understand well you soon will" Well, mostly myself. I come up with some nutty things in my head. Sometimes the only thing left to do is smile smile smile.

When was the last time you cried?

December 2005

How do you deal with rejection?

Rejection hurts me. Think it is an only child thing. I want people to like me and when someone does not or stops I feel like I am a failure/loser.

What is your ultimate ambition?

Don't think I have an ultimate ambition. I would like my own house and a few acres so I can have dogs and cats and raise miniature goats. Is that the ultimate? Just not sure. I don't want to be alone the rest of my life. The older I get the less likely I will find a nice girl to share our lives. It was hard enough for me when there was a pool to choose from but now where I live there just isn't many available date-able women. oh well. I was told recently to dream big, I'm tired of dreaming. I want to be doing, being.

Nonesuch #306 rock rock rock, the telephone rock

Been on the phone since 1pm(it is just after 4pm here) trying to cancel my old cell phone service. I also called this morning before graduation, was on hold for an hour, never talked to anyone. After graduation I went to the Sprint store near me. They couldn't disconnect me but they let me use their phone. Was on hold for another hour on two lines trying to talk to someone. Finally just left. The store people were great. One even said we know our customer service center sucks. I said you guys are great. They didn't have to call from there for me.

In the past hour have talked to 4 different people, two of which I got disconnected from. Finally talked to someone who could disconnect me and they tried to talk me out of it.

I told them: "I have been on the phone 3 hours trying to cancel and you want to know why I am canceling?"

She tried to sell me another phone, lower my bill, etc etc.

and I said: "It was your company's spam calls trying to get me to add another line after telling you several times that I did not need another phone. I asked to have the calls stopped; your customer service said they had no control over those calls. That was when I decided to cancel."

She tried to interrupt but I continued.

"I was in a sprint store today when a customer came in complaining that a sells person had given them wrong information about a discount and mail-in rebate on a phone, then had mailed them a phone whose cell number was associated with a person in Alabama. They got charged for a 5th phone when all they wanted was 4 since the last one was to be an upgrade. It turned out that the rebate and discount this sells person made to them does not even exist. And you want to know why I do not want your service anymore?"

She disconnected me and will send my final bill. What should have took 5 minutes took going on 4 hours. And you know, they are #1? #1 in the worst customer service, period. Not just cell phone, but across the board.


(I decided not to say what company this is but if enough people ask, I will post it.)
It has come to my attention that I mention the company name several times in the post so you all know anyway.


Anyway, time for me to get something to eat.

Get off my damn lawn.

Nonesuch #305 The Apple Dumpling Gang

Apple Dumplings

Ingredients:

2 (16 ounce) cans refrigerated biscuit dough (I use Pillsbury® Grands! butter Tastin biscuits)

4 apples - peeled, cored and quartered

1 cup white sugar

1/4 cup water

3/4 cup apple cider (non-alcoholic kind)

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (You can add more for flavor)


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F (175 C)

2. Butter a 7x11 inch baking pan (I used Butter Flavored Pam when I ran out of butter) Seperate biscuit dough in to 16 pieces by splitting the biscuit in half and then in half again. Flatten each piece of dough into a circle. Wrap each biscuit section around each apple quarter and place seam down in the pan.

3. In small bowl, combine sugar, apple cider, melted butter, vanilla and cinnamon. Pour mixture over dumplings in pan. Bake 35-40 minutes until golden. For more flavor, sprinkle cinnamon on top of the dumplings once you remove them from the oven.

Try with a side of vanilla ice cream.

nonesuch #304 but all i've ever learned from love was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you

Weekends were made for Guinness

Long weekend for me, didnt do much but it feels like it has dragged on forever. Not that that is really bad but its not that good at least for me. I am working this evening, only 3 more hours to go. Longer hours due to exam time. Had one student ask if we could stay open all night, if so, he would be here studying.
Yesterday went to a surprise 25th anniversary party for my supervisor and his wife. It had been planned for over 3 months and they had no clue so the looks on their faces were priceless when they showed up at the place. I have a picture of the cake and I may post it later this evening of I have time. The food was good, it was a potluck. There was bojanlges and KFC(I did a taste test), mac and cheese, pigs in a blanket. I brought my apple dumplings which I know he really likes and it was gone in no time. Barely had to wash the pan out, it even looked like it had been licked clean. I had some cherry poundcake made with cherry wine, oh may it was so good.
His oldest daughter put together a video to celebrate her parents, with pictures going back to their college days, their wedding, and her brothers and sisters growing up. It was well done. My supervisor came close to breaking down at least 3 times during their speech. It was really nice.
Played some lotro. Made 20th, and made over 200 silver which is pretty good for a few hours running around. I was able to purchase the good 20th level skills and a most of the skills I had not been able to buy at the lower levels.
Went by Sonic before coming into work. Got the sonic cheeseburger without lettuce or tomatoes with fries and vanilla dr pepper.

**update** cake pictures posted

nonesuch #303 Friday Flower

taken yesterday morning with my new cellphone camera
white iris

nonesuch #302 Chicago pics

Schaumburg Sunrise

Chicago skyline(barely) from my hotel room

TV in the bathroom

32 inch HD LCD TV in the main room

candle and wineglasses

morning view out my window

nonesuch #301

Here are the screen shots from lotro I said I would post. Chicago pics are coming soon.

Perian(me) and Cruadorn(my friend G)


Perian


Perian, companion and the dragon


Perian and the dragon


Perian is a hobbit, like Bilbo and Frodo. He is not an elf.

nonesuch #300 Someday there'll be a cure for pain

Seeing CW's clone/twin of course has brought back memories of CW. We did have good times that first year or so. It all went downhill when she started to not like where I work. Its hard to keep a relationship going when you are not getting support with the very thing that is paying the bills and on top of it all was your dream job for years and now you are doing it. I always supported what she wanted to do from this job to that one to another one back around to another. If it sounds strange it was. She once commented that she gets bored easily and when she does she moves on. I wonder now if she meant jobs or men or both. Yeah, both.

Classes ended yesterday, exams start tomorrow. I work exams hours tonight, just an extra hour but that extra hour can really get to you. And I work Sunday evening for a few hours since my co-worker worked for me exam weekend back in December. Its the way we roll, hehe. All the extra hours we work, it all works out. The end of the semester came too quick. Where does the time go. I had things I wanted to do, did some of them but not all. Still waiting on passport so may or may not go to England this summer. Maybe in the Fall or during winter break in December. My parents might not like that but I tell ya, I have been saying since 1989 "I am looking for a dare to be great situation..." and just when I think one has come along, it dissolves away not immediately but over time, slowly until I realize, "huh, where did that go?" So, as I get older I am going to try to take more opportunities. I have said that before, I am not holding my breath so no one else should.

The trip to Chicago gave me the travel bug again but then I remember I am not crazy about flying. It is just so convenient.

I will be posting some lotro screenshots as early as this evening. Really depends on how much is going on when I get into work. It is reading day so it may be very quiet. We also have a breakfast at 9pm on reading day where faculty and staff serve the students pancakes etc. I also will be posting some pictures from Chicago.

nonesuch #299 I drove to Chicago, all things go, all things go

I didn't really drive to Chicago, I flew, but that is the only song I could think of at the moment to fit the postings. Now, right of the bat, I didn't get laid. The drought continues. But on to the trip details. I made it to the airport in about an hour, really good time considering it was the end of rush hour and there was a lot of traffic on the road, just not going the direction I was.

Got on the shuttle, made it to the terminal, already had my boarding pass printed out so got out my license and made my way to security. They took my laptop, gave it the once over, asking me a few questions about operating systems, which ones I used etc. Basically some small talk and probably some security questions thrown in to make sure I knew what I was talking about. Got the rest of my bags and made my way to the Gate. And then the waiting began. About 45 min before we were to board the plane, they announced that due to weather delays we would be leaving at 3:00 instead of 12:55pm, so at least 2 hour delay. We finally boarded around 2:25 with a departure time of 3:03. We all made good time loading the plane and as we were getting ready to head out to the runway, they pilot announced we would have another 1 hour delay and if anyone wanted to exit the plane to wait in the terminal he would go back. I don't think anyone did so we proceeded to the runway. Meanwhile, the guy in the seat next to me ended going to the same conference as I and actually works just down the road in a similar position as myself. So we talked "shop" for the flight, once it took off, and hung out at the conference. He is also going to help us with a few projects in the coming months.

We finally get to O'Hare, it is rainy and windy(of course) and maybe 50 degrees. About a 20 degree drop from where I left. I then went to look for my shuttle pick and I ended up walking all around O'Hare looking for their desk maybe 30+ min, finally found it and shortly after, the driver came and took a group of us to his van and we headed off to the hotel. Now, I had plans to meet folks to go to Medieval Times that night but I had no idea when or where I was to meet them or what. By this time it was after 5 and I just wanted to get to the hotel, check in and make my way to Medieval Times. Which I did, put my bags down, went outside and took a cab to the castle. Some of the best $70 I have ever spent. Good times, good food, a beer or two was had. But never did meet up with the folks. I found out later that the woman who organized it couldn't go and had left a message for me at the desk but I didn't get it till I checked out. Oh well. I sent her an email telling her what happened. I come back from that and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is on HBO. So I watch that and that is when my TV starts to act up. It would turn itself off oh every 20 min or so. Once the movie was over, I was watching the poker championships and it happened a few times so I decided to turn it off. But, until midnight, it would turn itself on every 10 min just long enough enough to wake me up. Scary stuff. A friend said had I ever heard of "Poltergeist"? Not funny I tell ya.

Woke for first day of conference and made my way to breakfast. And who should I see but CW, or at least I thought it was. It was a girl I had met at the conference last time I went that looks just like her. And now they look even more alike. Granted it has been over 2 years since I have seen CW but kinda hard to forget what the woman you were going to marry looks like. They say we all have twins, but why does my exes twin have to be in the same profession as I am and attend the same conferences? I know, the clone/twin is not her but not only do they look alike, they talk, walk and act so similar it is just nutty. BUT, the clone/twin is pretty cool. A group of us from this area went to dinner Thursday at Woodfield Shopping area(the largest in the country)and then we all hung out at the reception Friday night.

The sessions were great. I learned a good deal of stuff that I have brought back to show my co-workers.

They fed us very well, snacks at every break. Breakfast and lunch provided for us with dinner at the reception provided. Plus, beer, wine and for the first time mixed drinks provided for us at the reception. I had one of each of the mixed drinks and then settled in on miller lite till they closed down. I was looking forward to a hangover but it didn't happen.

Saturday, the conference ended late afternoon. I took a cab to the Woodfield area I think to Portillo's for a couple of Chicago style hot dogs. Incredible, I got a regular and chili dog. Ate one there, took the other back for late night snack/breakfast. I also had Chicago deep dish on another night I was there. Not a bad meal was had at all.

The room was very nice. The hotel being maybe a year old had very little wear and tear. I have some pics to load to show you all some of the hotel, my view out my window and a few other things.

It was good to get away for awhile but it is good to be back, just in time for final exams and graduation.