Jeff O'Neill was traded off to Toronto for a future draft pick. ACK! What little remains of "my canes" from a few years back! There was another article from the News and Observer this weekend (Raleigh paper) that discussed Bates Battaglia's potential and interest back with the Canes. I'm really interested to see if they'll low-ball an offer to him. If not, I can only fathom where he'll end up playing.

Yesterday I flipped through the local newspaper and saw the story on Jim Brazill leaving the Chiefs too. I hate change, but this one definitely is sad. Couple this with all of other changes for this season and I get a little tense.

Not much else to report. I really need to get down to the arena at some point and do some planning for seats. Time is near, I MUST decide if I'm flexplanning this season as well or giving in to a season ticket.

The latest production of Shakespeare in the park was quite good entertainment. We lucked out and the weather was perfect this year, no torrential downpour, no frigid temperatures. Our little crew, Beff, Slipster, Rex, CJT, B-Rad, and I headed to the Haven post play to catch a few drinks. I wasn't out too late, for a change and rested well last night.

Today it is time to get a few things done around the house, change the fish water, general cleaning, and the like. I figured the best thing to get on top of first was putting together a few things that were sitting and waiting to be put to use. So I pulled out my fancy-shmancy new drill and hung my doorway scrolls, installed my birthday doorbell, and put together yet another bookshelf. Of course in the first two uses I managed to break a bit, go figure, but that's not the worst. A couple of the screws on the scrolls broke off before going in the whole way, now what! I guess I shouldn't complain, this still leaves me more home-repair oriented than my ex. I think the only thing he managed to screw in all the time I knew him was himself.

"Love's an elusive charm and it can be painful -Garbage"

So I get first word of the morning from Ms. Angela that Peter Steele of Type O Negative is going to be in a vampire flick called Tao of M. This should be interesting, something fun to look forward to since I'm quite the horror film fan. I love Angela dearly as she is another woman who tends to keep her finger on the pulse of anything of interest. It's good to be in the know.

This afternoon the announcement shot through my email that Steve Hildebrand (Ernie) is headed to the San Diego Gulls. Good to know he won't be at a close rival.

Tonight is the big play at Stackhouse... good times and fluffernutters to abound!

Last evening we hauled over and did some more painting at Beff's new place. It's really coming together and her house is so completely going to be a home. There are too many people who look at a house that is up for sale and can't see past the need for a fresh coat of paint or some cleaning to see the gem underneath. I am thrilled for Beff as her gem gets shinier and shinier. Next thing you know she'll be getting married and popping out babies in that place! Ew. I'm not repainting if a toddler "repaints" a wall!

At least I got some sweating in last night working there. It's definitely cooled off in Jtown in the past few days but working at that pace in a house that was closed up all day gives you a bit of a glow. After an evening of work, it's time for an evening of lazy. I'm presently comfortable on my couch listening to the birds outside and watching a movie. Maybe I'll crash early tonight, if the dogs conceed to an early bedtime that is. After the movie, maybe a nice book.

Speaking of the dogs, now I have two anorexic dogs. Well, ok, Vixen isn't starving, but she's not woofing down all of her food immediately and she's not begging from the second I walk in the door. Maybe it's just the heat. Either way, it would be nice to get Satin to eat just a little more each night.

Tomorrow evening is our planned outing to the Band of Brother's presentation of Love's Labours Lost. Our crew for this event gets larger each year. Fluffnutters all around! I can't help but think of Rex when I think Fluffnutters, but then I also think of Smores, which I know he associates with me.

Ernst hangs up the referree skates and takes a gig in charge of the refs? Wow. Ineptitude is truly rewarded.

Welcome back to Demo and a hello to our new rookie d-man Jeremy Downs. Now, back to the plethora of work awaiting my attention. *groan*

"You really broke my heart. -ColdPlay"

Many thanks to Beff for wielding the camera with such skill. Here are a few that I was eager to share with the world. Yum. If Bates were a jerk I don't think I'd think as highly of him, but he's been nice both times I've gotten to talk to him and DAMN he has that wicked sense of humor that I so completely melt over. Here's to seeing him back in a Canes jersey (even if they are going to Reebok - blah) or in a Pens jersey this year ;)

Anyhow, I'm home, I'm unpacked, I'm already wishing I didn't have to get up in the morning and go to work. Getting approached multiple times down south has made me fight off a bit of a pissy feeling. I'm living in Johnstown, I know I HAVE to be here for a reason, but yet I've been here for the better of two years now and I've spent a majority of that single. I don't NEED to have someone, but it sure would be nice to think that there was some prospects in this area as I don't plan on being an old maid. I really need to not give into the temptation that is sending my resume to former coworkers in NC.

We easily slept through breakfast this morning and headed out just in time to catch lunch. From there a bit of marble slab and some other light shopping and running around before returning to the hotel for a nap. Yes, we're that old, we need naps. After refreshing ourselves as such we headed out for a nice little Italian dinner and back down to Glenwood south to Aura.

I was pleasantly surprised that we were actually approached a few times while out. I, of course, scared them away - despite telling myself to be nice and trying my damndest to talk. I'll never get use to talking to strange guys. Not guys who are strange but people we don't know strange.

There was a group of bachelorettes there, and this one guy decided to give them a show. Thanks buddy - we all got that show. To have so many women turned gawking had to have boosted his ego. The movie "the Full Monty" was playing on the club televisions when we got there. Ok children, what do we call this? Forecasting. It was a good night. *smile*

Do we really have to head home tomorrow? I miss this place. Do I get approached in bars in jtown? Well aside from some males trying to show up their teammates, no, no I do not.

Baaaates. Is it redundant if I repeat my whole rant from January?
Ok. There is a picture or two to share, but we'll just wait until I get back home to do so, since I don't have my camera cable with me.

Today (yesterday at this point) we did a good bit of shopping, starting with the Canes' store and heading over to Southpointe. After a long day of walking and shopping (I bought THE lampshade I've been searching for - and found THE perfume), we headed back to the hotel to quickly change and it was time to head back out.

"Lucky B's" was, of course as I expected it to be, as highlighted above. I know you wish you were me. I had a fist full of fabulous ass. Yum. The bar itself was pretty cute, something I can see myself owning. It's rather funny given that when I lived in the area I had bought and read a book about bar and tavern ownership and had a friend pull information from the state to learn all about NC liquor laws.

The beat on the internet (an article I found, and I hear it was on WJAC last night - in ADVANCE of the press announcement) is that we might have Frank Anzalone coming in as coach for the Chiefs. He has coached most recently at Lake Superior State... which is cool since that's where Bates went to college, however they were not there "together". Looking at Coach Anzalone's record in recent years I'm wondering however if he was just plagued by bad teams or if there is more reason for concern with him stepping into the coaching role at an even higher level. Of course I doubt highly that anyone with the power to make this selection would pick anyone that would put us at a disadvantage, so we'll just see how things play out.

Other hockey news:
Jeff O'Neill's brother was killed in a car crash. Many prayers and much sympathy to his family.

Ovechkin has decided to play with the Caps this year, a good thing if I am forced to cheer for them again, however I doubt that will happen. I'll just have to advise Batesy where to play when we talk to him this weekend *grin*

I am now in NC, I only skimmed my emails so if you didn't get a reply, don't be surprised - I'll get to ya later. :)

So here's the catch up. We drove all day, of course, and got in just in time for dinner. Off to Connolley's for some good grub and good bsing with the B&A-crew, Joe and even Andrew! A job offer or two later, ok, let's face it you were BEGGING to work with me again *laugh* and we headed back to get ourselves ready to head to Legends for the evening.

I never thought I'd see threesome conceding to a spanking but it happened. Why didn't I have my camera with me? Joe being the chivalrous knight that he is sent an odd gentleman packing and we came back to CRASH for the night. You know it's been a long day when Slippy sleeps beyond 5am.

New coach announcement this Friday the 22nd at 1pm for the Chiefs. *huge grin*

I thought it was cruel and unusual what my dear sweet sister did to me with her birthday card as it clearly proclaimed my new age to the world (and my postman). But to find today that a "friend" went and posted my age on her blog? Ugh. You people are killing me here.

I was having a pretty fabulous day, despite my expectations that I might be found weeping at some point. The morning went quickly and lunch spawned a bitchin pair of pants from Hot Topic. I also opened my gifts from the Slipster which I'm pretty excited about - more hockey books to read *woohoo*

This afternoon I get back to another scorning for being able to think for myself and to try and get work done on my project. I'm a bit pissy about it, but I'll get over it and will respond as any bitter individual would by hyper-following the rules set forth for me.

On to happier things, just a few hours longer and I'll be heading to Toona with a great big crew for sushi :) Phil, Kirkus, Beff, Slipster, Davey T, CJT and I will be slamming some fish, well at least those of us brave enough to do so anyhow.

Wee! Happy birthday to me :)

I really use to adore the rain. My dad would sit out on the front porch watching the storm and I'd tend to join him. It's always been a fond memory. After repeatedly being pounded with rain to the point of flooding however I instead get nervous and jittery when the heavy rains start. Needless to say it's raining again and I am NOT focused on work.

Gratefully there is plenty of room for Satin and Vixen to get up out of any water that may come in, but I have to worry about the washer, dryer, freezer, dehumidifier and all of those other things sitting in water. Never mind that a sump pump could get stuck as it did many years ago when Grammy and Pappy discovered the water problems that were to come.

Sick, I'm literally sick thinking about it. I'm still sore enough from Saturday's ordeal that I just physically can't do this again right now. Anyone know a mason who can lay more concrete block for me to help direct water?

"I don't want it no more. -Candlebox"