Got a really cool envelope of information from my 1st cousin, once removed Janet Hoskey Kvidera. (Art and Ethel's daughter) I've been touch with her regarding some family history information. Because she is the oldest grandchild, she had a lot more details then I ever imagined, including pictures. The package included 1 picture of all 6 kids of Vance and Julia's, many other ones over the years, some of Vance and Julia, other large family pics at gatherings, etc. Some funny ones of my dad in there when he's a little kid, with his brothers. Other things included group sheets of each family, with their children. I don't know most of my Webb cousins. And many great pieces about my great-grandpa Vance wanting to play baseball. Apparently, he was offered the chance to go pro (or close to it) but his Dad told him he couldn't. Therefore, he became a mechanic and farmer, neither of which it sounds like he enjoyed. An interesting look at a guy I didn't know much about.

Our scanner crapped out on Saturday night. Mike's on the kick of scanning these obituaries he has into his geneology program. It's cool, because it allows you to automatically insert them with the person. Anyway, as I'm sitting in the den with him (i'm counting how many shot glasses I own) we hear this big crack. Test it out for awhile, takes 15 minutes to scan, then it freezes the computer. Pick the thing up and see this small metal object floating around on the inside. Hmm, I think it's broke. We drove over to Best Buy to simply look.....but bought. It's a Microtek, and is a much better upgrade from the $30 one we had that lasted 3 years. This new one has one touch scanning, copy, to email, and the coolest part: a device that scans slides and negatives. It doesn't do a great job, but it works just the same. With the new printer we have, printing and scanning has become a sweet deal. I haven't set foot near the computer since then, as Mike has taken over.

Work has slowed to a crawl, which hasn't happened since January. And even then, it only lasted a week. No more details on the legislative battle. The Attorney General has filed suit to take money from the endowment away from MPAAT, which is a group that is funded similarily to us. If they get the ax, it doesn't look good for us. Thank god the last 5 days have been quiet in the news for us. Last week was a nasty one between radio and TV. As Jesse Ventura said, "I thought we got over this lyrics business in the 60's." No, I think it was over in the 80's after Tipper Gore didn't get much further with it. To quote the dude from Twisted Sister, "Tipper Gore is a twit." I might have voted for her husband, but.....

The Osbournes tonight. I have to say this has become the highlight of the week, along with The Real World and Tough Enuff. Yesterday at work the guys kept having me do my Sharon impression. It's the one when she raises her voice up really high and says stuff like, "there's a little voice telling me to go to Tiffany's." My secret wish is to be able to conquer the British accent. I can do some, but not others. I've tried doing Irish but that's even harder. Anyway, I can relax with my Ozzy tonight.

My back is fricking killing me lately. I don't know what happened and why, but it seems like it's my neck and middle back. I've tried heating pad, moist heat, and last night a cold pack. Since we're going to Iowa this week, which means sleeping on something other then a bed, I'm a bit worried. I don't know if I need a chiropractor or a good massage. And, the damn car place won't call me back with an estimate on my CV shaft that needs to be replaced. It has to get done soon because it' s starting to get dangerous to drive it. $300 here I come! Fix your car or go on a vacation is a real shitty decision to have to make.

Last week was a busy one...


Mike's sister gave birth to a healthy 5lb 15 oz baby boy on April 15. Name: Alex Michael. Uncle Mike is quite proud to say the least! We drove up to Duluth that same day to visit-it was cool. The funniest part is this: we left St. Paul at 1pm and it was 91 degrees. When we arrived in Duluth at 3:30, the temperature in the harbor was 39 degrees and there was zero visibility because of the fog. How's that for April in Minnesota???


Went to La Crosse with my step-sister Janelle on Thursday. She was accepted there and wanted to check out the school and see if she wants to go there. She is having conflicted feelings about going, because she could go to Winona State and be done in 2 years. If she transfers to WI she'll probably have to go 3. I told her that she had two options: stay in rochester and your life stays the same and you may never move or go to La Crosse, meet new people, have fun and do something with your life. She's leaning towards getting out, which is good. SHe lives with her boyfriend and I really think she nees more then just that in her life. She's got a wicked good GPA going and is smart, so I think she'd do well. The problem has been that she needs someone to walk her through this stuff and help her figure it out. Her mom wants to help but can't, and she doesn't want to bother Dad. So, I volunteered and we had a pretty good time. She met with her advisor and figured out what she has to take and then we got a tour of the campus. I wish I had gone down there for a tour-I like it better then River Falls! I'm hoping she can find a way to get there.


Didn't do much but drive most of the week, with having to go to Rochester on Wednesday night, to get up early and go to La Crosse Thursday. We're leaving for Muscatine, Iowa on Wednesday night, and I have to say I'm not looking forward to being in a car for another 5 hours. Yuck.


West Wing should be really cool this week, with interviews, Clinton, etc. The Osbournes are on the cover of Rolling Stone this week. Good article.

My quote of the week: "Dad, I hate Jack..." Ozzy: "What do you want me to do about it? If it bothers you, just ignore it." I don't know why that's funny. I hope some of you were able to see Saturday Night Live-Horatio Sands Ozzy was the best skit I've seen in awhile.


Second quote today, this one from my dad: "random thoughts from a cluttered mind...." that's me for the week.