Another Email Survey

1. Do you own any power tools? Yes, Black and Decker rechargable screwdriver.
2. Did you pass your driver’s test on your first try? No. I had a little trouble parallel parking. Got a 100% the second try, though.
3. Would you rather have a constant itch or a constant headache? Constant headache - isn't that what Darvosets are for?
4. What color looks best on you? Blue, slate blue to be specific.  Makes my eyes stand out more.
5. List 3 foods you don’t eat. Celery, broccoli, cauliflower (Do you see a pattern there?)
6. In the shower, do you use bar soap or liquid soap? Bar soap. I usually end up spilling the liquid soap. 
7. When is the last time you rode a bike? 2000, a bike I just had to buy on sale at Wal-Mart. I rode the bike twice. Sad, I know. Would anyone like to buy it?
8. Have you signed the petition over at one.org yet? Sure have, and am wearing the One bracelet, too. 
9. Have you ever had braces? No.  My teeth had cavities, but at least they were straight
10. If you could re-live one year of your life, which year would it be? 1981.  The year I graduated high school and started college.  I would do over the last half of the year - instead of going to a 2-year college, I would go to a 4-year and get my degree out of the way. 

A Memorable Memorial Day

I took my Dad to the Bats game Saturday night.  It was his first trip to a Bats game, and his first visit to Slugger Field. We had a great time. We both enjoyed our great supper, a double fried bologna sandwich; we laughed at the Blues Brothers; we  enjoyed father-daughter bonding.  And the Bats managed to win the game,even.  It was a great evening, but I could have gone home a happy girl before the first pitch was even thrown.

The players had been introduced, and the announcer asked everyone to stand up while the organist played the national anthem.  The crowd of 6,000+ was on their feet, looking in the direction of left field as our flag was waving in the wind while the national anthem was being played.  A third of the way into the song, I heard something - it was a voice singing along with the national anthem, and it was coming from right next to me.  My father, a proud Navy veteran who served during the Korean War, was singing the national anthem.  I can't think of a more fitting tribute to the veterans and soldiers than this. I can't begin to tell you how proud that made me feel.  I was glad I was wearing dark sunglasses, so nobody could see the tears in the corners of my eyes.  It sure made this Memorial Day memorable.

Link Of The Week

This has been a "school's out" week for me, even though I'm not in school.  I've had an extra-curricular activity almost every night.  So I have to give props to BLGMama for coming up with this week's Link Of The Week. 

I remember my first official typing class back in 9th grade.  It was on an old Smith Corona manual typewriter. After a week or two of the class, I was disgusted and thought I would never learn to type.  But thanks to perseverance and to the guidance of my typing teacher Miss Schmitz, today I am able to type over 100 words per minute.  When I think back to those typing class days, I can't help but think of  that old manual typewriter.  Now, thanks to Uncommon Goods, I can own a piece of that old typewriter.  Go to http://www.uncommongoods.com and you can buy a necklace or bracelet made from actual keys from an old school manual typewriter.  You can bet that I'm going to order a necklace with a "P" key, that stands for "Puddin."  They have a lot of cool stuff on the site.  If the ruler stool wasn't so expensive, I'd buy it. 

Farewell, Eddie Albert

I'm sad to report that Eddie Albert has died.  He was 99 years old.  While his career in movies and tv spanned over 50 years, Albert was best known for his starring role in the hit tv show "Green Acres."  He portrayed Oliver Wendall Douglas, a New York lawyer to moves to a rural town and becomes a farmer. Oliver's wife Lisa was portrayed by Eva Gabor, and was one of the funniest characters from the old-school comedy shows.  Albert was nominated for Academy Awards for supporting actor in "Roman Holiday" and 'The Heartbreak Kid."  Besides the 1965-1971 run of "Green Acres," Eddie Albert co-starred in "Switch" from 1975 to 1978, and was a semi-regular on the 80's soap "Falcon Crest."

During his career, Eddie Albert did some cool things besides star in "Green Acres."  He appeared as a clown and a trapeze artist in a one-ring Mexican circus.  Albert got out of his contract with Warner Brothers studio by joining the Navy in World War II.  He served in combat in the South Pacific, and received a Bronze Star for a rescue mission. 

"Green Acres" was one of my favorite shows. When I watch the reruns today, I realize how cutting edge the writing was for the show back in its day.  I never heard the name Eddie Albert that I didn't picture him in his trademark Mr. Douglas vest, white shirt and tie. As a kid watching the show, I never wondered why Mr. Douglas would dress up like that to do his farming.  Mr. Douglas was plagued by the antics of Eb his hired hand, Mr. Haney, the county agent Hank Kimbell,Arnold the pig, and the handymen Ralph and Alph. I could just hear him muttering now "Oh, for the love of..." to which his wife Lisa would ask "Who's Ofer?"  They just don't write stuff like that for comedy shows today.  Mr. Douglas also had to endure other hardships as he moved from New York City to Hooterville: his wife Lisa's cooking.  Hotcakes were apparently the only thing she could cook. And they were like rubber.  In one episode, Mr. Douglas used the leftover dough from where she cut out 3 hotcakes as a head gasket to repair an old truck he borrowed to take his vegetables to the market.

I found an appropriate quote from Eddie Albert: "I don't really care how I am remembered as long as I bring happiness and joy to people."  That you did, Eddie.  Thank you for making us laugh.  As long as there's cable tv, your memory will live on.  Green Acres is definitely the place to be.

You're the Ninth Caller

I've always loved listening to the radio.  When I was a kid, I would listen to my cool transistor radio and call the radio stations in feeble attempts to win their contests.  During my years of listening, I was only able to get through twice and be the acutal ninth caller.  The first time was when I was 10 years old - I won $100 for answering a trivia question about the rodeo; the second was when I was 35 years old - I won a pair of tickets to see Kenny G. (Note: I won the tickets for my Mom.).  Radio stations still give away concert tickets, cash, and other cool prizes, and thanks to the cell phone, we can even try to call the station from our car.  I still try to win concert tickets, but don't have any luck when I call from my cell phone.  I've spoken with others and this seems to be a universal problem: you call the radio staion, it rings enough times to make your heart start pounding while you think you're actually going to be the winner, and then you get the pre-recorded voice "Thank you for using Verizon Wireless (or insert any other cell phone company).  We're sorry but your call did not go through.  Please try the number again." It's frustrating, but not nearly as frustrating as when the people that win don't even know what they've just won.

It seems like very seldom do I hear the winners yelling and being excited because they've won; instead of hearing them yelling "Oh my goodness!! I can't believe I won tickets to see _____!",  the first words you usually hear from today's radio contest winners is "What did I win?" They probably could not care less about what they won; I think they just want to be able to say they won something.  And if the truth be known, they probably won't even attend the concert or event they won tickets for.  

There's another thing about radio contest winners that frustrates me. After the DJ informs them that they are the correct caller, they'll ask for the winner's name.  Then they ask the winner where they live.  Invariably, the winner will hesitate and say "Uhhhhh, Louisville (or substitute any neighborhood or town.) Not only do not know what they just won, they're not real sure where they live, either. 
 

I Feel Old

I visited my second set of parents last night, our dear friends PW and Dr. Joe.  They are some of the coolest people you'll ever meet.  They always have peel-and-eat shrimp for me whenever I visit - and not the small ones, either; they pull out all of the stops for Puddin and serve jumbo shrimp.  While we were partying last night, PW mentioned she hadn't been feeling well this spring, and she was going to have some tests to make sure everything is ok.  Dr. Joe is an ENT specialist, and PW asked if he'd heard of a group of female internists that was recommended to her.  Dr Joe pulled out his trusty physician's registry and looked them up.  This registry was huge, and reminded me of a yearbook from school - every M.D. in Jefferson county was listed there, along with their picture.  He looked up the first doctor on PW's list, and slid the book across the table and showed her picture to me. It looked like it was this her junior high school picture. I felt very old.  I told PW "You can't see her - she's too young.  We need to find you one that looks like they have experience." Yes, I realize that was a prejudiced statement, but I was being sarcasting and funny, folks. I wasn't serious.  But half of the doctors in the registry were younger than me.  I'm 42, and while I realize I'm not a young thang any more, I'm far from being over-the-hill.  Needless to say, the other internists in that group looked as young as the doctor in the first picture.  I looked through the whole registry from cover to cover, and Before anyone leaves me hateful comments about this, let me go on record and say that I know that their age has nothing to do with their capabilities, and this group of internists did come highly recommended.  So I'm sure they are all very good doctors, and I would have no qualms about being treated by them.  The general practioner I see is younger than me, and I think Dr. Mehta rocks.  When she diagnosed and treated me for pneumonia a couple of years ago, she took the time to call me at home a few times to see how I was feeling; she didn't have a nurse call, she called herself.  That impressed me.

On my way home last night, I thought more about this and realized this must have been how my Grandma and Grandpa felt the first time they saw our family physician Dr. Ambach.  At the time they started seeing Dr. Ambach, they were in their 50's while Dr. Ambach was in his 30's.  I'm sure they thought the same thing - "He's too young to be a doctor."  To our family, Dr. Ambach was the best family physician that ever walked the face of the earth.  He treated my parents, grandparents, and even delivered me.  He was honest, and didn't pull any punches nor sugarcoat things, and he genuinely cared about all of us, just as I'm sure the younger generation of doctors do.  If I were a doctor, I know I would pattern myself after Dr. Ambach.  I hope that they all will look back on their childhoods and are able to find great mentors to pattern themselves after. 

My Mama Told Me You Better Shop Around

The Curious Journal had an interesting article yesterday.  To heck with using online dating services or going to bars or other places where singles go to meet somebody - now singles can meet the man or woman of their dreams at a singles night at Wal-Mart.  This isn't like other singles meet-a-thons, where singles get a card and they look for whoever has the matching card.  (For example, a woman with a Cleopatra card would look for the man who has a Marc Antony card.) At Wal-Mart's singles night, single shoppers looking for love tie a red ribbon on their shopping carts and go about their business shopping and looking for the infamous falling prices.

Singles night at Wal-Mart made it's debut at stores in Germany four months ago.  Wal-Mart representatives say it's been highly successful.  The article said that the singles nights are being held at one store in the U.S.  I did some research but couldn't find the location.  My guess is that it isn't anywhere in Kentucky.  Besides using the red ribbons, bachelors and bachelorettes can also stop by designated "flirt points" set up around the store.  The flirt points are stations that feature singles-oriented products, like pre-packaged meals.  If you ask me, they should have their flirt stations set up by the products that singles really buy - M&M's, Bud Light, and Crest Whitening Strips.  Hmmmm I wonder if the crane game is a designated flirt point?

I'm far from a matchmaker, but I have a suggestion for singles if they want to meet someone in a store - the fragrance counter on "Men's Night Out."  You know what I'm talking about - a week or two before Christmas, some of the super grocery stores will have a special night for men to come and shop for perfume for their significant others.  They usually give a big discount that night, too.  I unknowingly walked into a Men's Night Out at a Super Krogers this past December when I went there in search of perfume for Mom from Dad.  Other than the woman at the cash register, I was the only other woman in a 50 feet radius of the fragrance counter.  During my 10 minutes of shopping, two [nice looking] guys asked my opinion on perfumes.  Sure, they were most likely attached, but I was flattered nonetheless.  I know what you're probably thinking, "Puddin is getting ready to condone and encourage single women to steal a man away from his wife or girlfriend while he's shopping for their Christmas present."  Au contraire.  Based on the law of averages, there has to be some single men there shopping for their Moms or Grandmas.   

Farewell, Howard Morris

Every morning, I have my first cup of coffee while I watch the beginning of "Good Morning, America."  During the show, they run the top headlines across the bottom of the tv screen.  I was sitting on the edge of my bed, drinking my coffee when one of the headlines caught my attention: "Howard Morris, portrayer of Ernest T. Bass on The Andy Griffith Show, died at age 85."  Ernest T. Bass was my favorite character on "The Andy Griffith Show." Ernest T. only appeared in 5 episodes of the series, but the character was unforgettable. My generation will never forget the phrase "It's me, it's me, it's Ernest T." or 'How do you do, Mrs. Wiiiiiily?".  

One of my best friends, TG, who now lives in Honolulu, Hawaii, was without a doubt the world's biggest Ernest T. Bass fan.  He could recite almost all of Ernest T.'s lines from those five episodes.  "Mountain Wedding" was our favorite Andy Griffith episode of all time. In the days before the VHS vcr's, I remember TG and I watching this episode over and over again on my Sony BetaMax vcr, from where I taped it off of WTBS. In case you don't remember this episode, Andy and Barney go up in the mountains to help the Darling family get rid of Ernest T. Bass, who wants to marry Charlene Darling.  This was Ernest T.'s debut in the series.  Andy has Barney dress up in a wedding dress and veil and they trick Ernest T. into thinking he's marrying his beloved Charlene, when in fact he has just married Barney. 

I did some research on Howard Morris, and was surprised when I read his long list of tv and movie credits.  Morris was the voice of many beloved cartoon characters -- Atom Ant, Beetle Bailey, and Jughead Jones (from "Archie"), and he did voices on "The Jetsons" and "The Banana Splits."  Morris was also the voice of The Hamburgler in the early McDonald's commercials.

Somehow, I think when Howard Morris was waiting for St. Peter to open the Pearly Gates, I think he probably knocked on the gates and said "It's me, it's me, it's Ernest T."

Gas Price Update

Gas prices had stabilized here in the 'Ville for the past couple of weeks, so I didn't post an update.  Yesterday, I'm embarassed to say I was screwed at the pumps once again.  I was running on fumes when I pulled out of the parking lot at work yesterday afternoon, so I knew I needed to stop at the first gas pump available.  I pulled into Thornton's at about 5:15, and [reluctantly] filled up the BMW for $2.09 a gallon.  I ran a couple of errands, and when I passed by that same Thornton's just three hours later, imagine my surprise when the sign said $1.97.  So, everyone in Louisville, run out during your lunch break today and fill up.  I'm guessing they'll probably jack the prices up before the holiday weekend starts. 

I think from now until gas prices are back to a buck and a half a gallon, I'm only going to buy $5 worth of gas at a time, in case this happens again. 

Thank You, AOL and My Faithful Readers

I'm very happy to report that for the second time since I started this journal this past July, AOL has chosen TWIT as an "Editor's Pick" this week. How cool is that?   I would like to thank the editors at AOL for believing my journal is worthy enough for this esteemed title, and I would like to thank my faithful readers for being so . . . faithful. I couldn't publish this journal every day if it weren't for your support, encouragement, and cool topic suggestions.  Thank you all for giving me my 15 minutes of fame.

After reading my friend Lachlan's journal last summer, she inspired and encouraged me to start my own.  I reasoned that my wit and sarcasm was too great to be kept within the confines of my circle of friends and co-workers, so I thought I'd give it shot.  I thought it would be good creative outlet for me, but I had no idea that people would read my daily musings on a regular basis. Since AOL announced TWIT as one it's Editor's Picks on Sunday, it's gotten over 1000 hits. I'm amazed.

Here's a little known fact about yours truly: I started writing a novel 17 years ago.  A very dear friend since childhood, PhD, gave me the idea for the novel, and away I went.  I poured my heart and soul into it, and for almost 2 years, I worked on it. I took some writing classes, and even sent the first few chapters to some publishing companies who expressed a bit of interest in it.   Life and other things got in the way, and I never have finished it.  But I hope to start back on it this summer and if I can stay focussed, I plan to finally finish it. Never fear, faithful readers - I promise TWIT will continue regardless of any other creative endeavors.  The journal is a part of my life now, and thanks for making it part of yours.

Feel The Karma

A few weeks ago, the country's focus was on mothers.  We've all had one, and lucky people like me still have one.  Married people are lucky enough to have acquired another mother: a mother-in-law.  Mothers-in-law have gotten a bad rap - they're usualy the subject matter for jokes and they get the brunt end on sitcom tv shows.  A friend at work has the coolest mother-in-law that I've ever heard of - his mother-in-law Vicky plays on the Kentucky Karma, a team in the National Women's Football Association (NWFA).  How cool is that? 

Vicky's one of the smallest players on the team, only 5' 3" tall and 120 pounds, and at age 51 she's the oldest.  But she still plays and still kicks ass.  The NWFA's t-shirt even says so - it reads "See Jane Run. See Jane Pass.  See Jane Kick Your Mother's Ass." I think in this case, it should say "See Jane's Mother Kick Your Ass."  Vicky list's skydiving as one of her hobbies.  It that doesn't make you tough, I don't know what else would. 

She's retired from Bell South, and this fall she'll be a junior at U of L.  My friend said that his mother-in-law had been interested in football and always wanted to play, so when she heard about a new Louisville-based team starting up in the NWFA, she tried out.  She plays an end on the team, and holds the ball for the kicker.  She's a mother, so you KNOW she's tough. 

The Karma isn't doing so well in it's first season, in spite of Vicky's efforts.  Their record is 1-3. They have away games this Saturday and the next, and then they'll be back for a home game on June 4.  Let's show our support and cheer them on. 

Link Of The Week

Regardless of whether they admit it or not, I think everybody wants their 15 minutes of fame.  Some will get it by being on the radio or tv or by getting their picture in the paper. Others might go through life without ever having a taste of fame.  Thanks to the fine folks at Jones Soda, everybody with a computer and a downloaded picture can get a feel of what it's like to be famous.  Just go to http://www.jonessoda.com/gallery/submit.php and follow the instructions.  In just a minute, you'll be able to see what your picture would look like on the label of a bottle of Jones Soda.  They'll pick some of the photos submitted and if you're lucky, you could see your picture on the bottles of Jones Soda. 

While you're at the Jones Soda gallery page, please take a moment and vote for the picture I submitted last week.  On the gallery page, do a search for "Carla" and then look for my picture of Pancho standing in front of his red barn scratching his back.  Thanks for your vote. 

Nana's Rose Bush

The storms have moved out, and it's a gorgeous day here at The Compound.  This is the 'rents' favorite time of the year.  They are at their happiest when they're outside puttering around in the flowers and the garden.  Here's some pictures of our gorgeous rose bush in the backyard.  We call it Nana's Roses. 

Here's the family story behind the big rose bush.  Our neighbor's, Ed and Alice, were like a second set of grandparents to me. Their house was my second home when I was little.  Alice's mother, who we all called Nana, would come up from Glasgow (Kentucky, not Scotland) every few months to visit, and I loved her to pieces.  One spring, she brought a piece of a rose bush she had in her yard, and Ed and Alice were able to grow a bush from it.  A few years later, they gave a piece to us, and Grandpa and Grandma nursed it and were able to get our own bush started from it.  Ed, Alice, and Nana are all gone now, as are Grandpa and Grandma, but I see them everytime I look at Nana's rose bush.

The Whizzinator Strikes Again

You heard it first on TWIT, folks.  We are on the cutting edge, and once again, TWIT brings you the news before it makes the headlines.  Just last week, TWIT gave you, my faithful readers, information about the Whizzinator, a fake penis that holds and discharges clean urine, enabling drug users to pass urine tests.  Now it seems that the Whizzinator has moved on up to Capitol Hill.  Our lawmakers are trying to put a stop to the Whizzinator and other products that claim to help drug users pass urine tests.  A congressional subcommittee has voted to subpoena the owner of Puck Techonology, the company that makes the Whizzinator.  They also subpoenaed the owners of two other companies that sell similar products.  "These companies seek through deception to make a buck by violating our trust and compromising our security," said Rep. Ed Whitfield, a Kentucky Republican who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee's oversight and investigations panel. It is a risk we simply cannot tolerate. This panel will uncover how widespread these products are and recommend the necessary steps to end their use," Whitfield said in a statement.  Thank you Rep. Whitfield for taking care of these shiesters.

The House committee is also checking into companies that make products such as teas or other drinks that promise to flush out drug ingredients in urine.  The owner of one such company said that he will cooperate fully with the investigation.  He said that users of his company's products, which include drinks and capsules, must be "clean" for two to three days before using them to pass a drug test.  The company feels they don't help people cheat on their drug tests; their products merely accelerate the cleansing time.  Riiiight.

This raises some questions.  Would a man have to wear the Whizzinator to work every day, or at least keep it in his locker or in his lunchbox?  The majority of drug testing in the workplace is random, so unless they have someone in HR to tip them off, they wouldn't know when they would be tested, and ultimately wouldn't know when to wear the Whizzinator to work.  So I guess they would have to keep it in their car or at work.  As for the drinks or capsules, would the drug users just get into the habit of using those products every time after they smoke, snort, injest or inject illegal drugs?  I know those products aren't cheap - they probably cost as much as the drugs.  Maybe I'm seeing this from an old school point of view, but to me, if someone has to fork over $$$ to buy these products in order to pass their drug pee test, they have a huge problem.  I wonder if the Whizzinator company and the other companies that manufacture these products drug test their employees?

 

Farewell, Frank Gorshin

I was saddened to hear that Frank Gorshin died yesterday.  He was only 72, and had been battling lung cancer, emphysema and pneumonia.  His wife of 48 years, Christina, was at his bedside when he died. 

Even though he made dozens of movie and tv appearances during his career, Frank Gorshin will be remembered for his role as the Riddler on "Batman" from 1966 to 1969.  How can we forget the Riddler and his green suit with the big black question marks on it?  I think the Riddler was one of the most nervous of all of Batman's villans; he wasn't as laid back as Catwoman.  When I was in the second grade, there was a kid in our class that just bounced off the walls all day long.  He looked like Frank Gorshin, so we all called him the Riddler.  He took it as the ultimate compliment.  On Halloween that year, he dressed up in a green suit and looked dead-up like THE Riddler. 

Frank Gorshin was an awesome impressionist.  He was called "The Man of 100 Faces." Frank said that Sammy Davis Jr. taught him to do impressions.  I remember when he guest-starred in an episode of "Charlie's Angels" in the show's first season.  He played a character called Harry Dana, who was an entertainer on a cruise ship where the Angels were working undercover. His impression of Edward G. Robinson in that episode sticks out in my mind. If you're a Munsters fan, you might remember when Frank Gorshin appeared in "Herman The Tire Kicker." Gorshin played "Fair Deal Dan", a shiester used car salesman that sold Herman a lemon. 

If you remember any of the "Batman" episodes with the Riddler, you'll recall how he always told riddles to Batman, Robin, Commissioner Gordon and Chief O'Hara.  My favorite riddle he told was this: What's black and white and full of fuzz?  The answer: a squad car. 

You can watch Gorshin's last tv appearance tonight, as he stars in the season finale of "CSI".

File Under: WTF?

Since January 1, Jeff Tweiten has been waiting in line.  When you add it all up, that comes to a total of 139 days.  Tweiten hasn't been waiting for a heart transplant, nor has he been waiting for the end of the world; he hasn't even been waiting in line at the DMV.  This 27 year old from Seattle has been waiting for the premier of "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith."  For four and a half months, this guy has been camped out on a blue fuoton couch on the sidewalk in front of a movie theater in downtown Seattle.  The theater will be showing the movie at midnight tonight, and on his way back home to his own bed in his Seattle apartment, I wonder if Jeff will ask himself "Was this worth giving up over four months of my life?"  Somehow, I kinda don't think so. 

During his 139 days of camping out in front of the movie theater, Jeff has been called a loser, a geek, and a bum, just to name a few of the printable things he's been called.  The articles I read about Jeff say what an intelligent and artistic man he is.  I'm hardcore, but I think I would have go along with the "loser" title on this one.  I've seen movies a few times on the first day they premired at the theater, but someone camping out on the sidewalk for four and a half months is just crazy. I wouldn't stand in line for four and half hours to see myself star in a movie, much less four and a half months.  The article said that he has also seen each of the Star Wars movies about 1200 times.  Does anyone else think the term "obsessive-compulsive" might apply here?

I'm no HR expert, but somehow I don't think you could pass this leave of absence off on the FMLA.  Realistically, if you were a company owner, would you want to rehire someone that left their job for four and a half months to wait in line to see a science fiction movie?  Unless your name was George Lucas, I don't think so. 

Now I Know How Brad Pitt Feels

The darned paparazzi - always sticking a camera in your face at the most inopportune times.  For the past few weeks, they've been after Brad Pitt and Angeline Jolie, but this weekend, they left them alone and were stalking the celebrities up in Cincinnati.  They set up their cameras with long zoom lens and were taking pictures of the celebs on the bank of the Ohio River.  I managed to give the paparazzi the slip most of the evening, but I'm afraid one relentless photographer snuck through and got this photograph.  Just look at the big smile on country star Terri Clark's face - she's evidently thrilled to have her picture taken with Puddin, so I let the photographer get this one shot. 

I'll send you a copy of this picture, Terri.  And I'll be sure to autograph it for you.

Interesting Things Seen On I-71 From Louisville To Cincinnati

1.  an orange (not smashed, either)
2.  construction worker's hat (I would have stopped to pick it up, but there were cars behind me)
3.  one black flip-flop (I think it was Adidas)
4.  the fender from a car
5.  seven abandoned cars (not at one time; spaced throughout the 100 miles from Louisville to Cincinnati)
6.  a dead vulture or some other huge bird
7.  six men hitchhiking and holding signs that said " to Cincinnati" (also spaced throughout the 100 mile stretch)
8.  no billboards advertising the riverboat casinos (Argosy and Rising Sun could take some lessons in advertising from Caesar's)
9.  white toilet seat
10. Pilot Travel Centers (an awesome place to get gas and to shop for cool truck driver stuff)

Link Of The Week

As you know by now, I love going to concerts, especially when they involve a road trip and an overnight stay in a cool city.  As a matter of  fact, I'm getting ready to head up to Cincinnati after church today for the big country concert of the summer, the "Two Hats and A Redhead" tour, starring Terri Clark, Brad Paisley (the Two Hats) and Reba McEntire (A Redhead).  I hope to post some pictures from the concert on here tomorrow for you, my faithful readers.

I've been waiting for this concert for months.  Just as it was when I was a teenager, the anticipation of a concert is almost as exciting as the concert itself.  If you like going to concerts, please check out http://www.pollstar.com.  You can enter in an artist/group, a venue, or city and it will bring up every concert listed for that particular search.  I usually just put in "Louisville, KY" and it will give a list of concerts for the next two years.  Talk about getting your tickets early.  As I always say, there's nothing like planning for a good time.

 

All Aboard

For the past ten or so years, Dad and I have had a running joke about the infamous BBQ Train.  For those that think we've totally lost it, here's a picture of it and the story behind it.  The "Choo Chew Bar B Que" is simply a trailer that has been designed to look like a small train engine.  But it's no ordinary trailer - inside, it's a barbeque grill and mini-kitchen.  The only time we see it out and about is Derby week. It's parked on Cane Run Road, so Dad and I look for it on our way to church, and the location just happens to be a few blocks from my office, too.   A few days before Derby, you can count on seeing the steam, er, smoke, coming out of the Choo Chew, and you can stop by and get some great ribs or chicken. 

This past Sunday, the day after Derby, on our way to church, sure enough we spotted the Choo Chew.  As always, I didn't have my camera with me.  Yesterday morning, I was outside taking pictures of Mom's gorgeous rose bushes, and decided to take the camera with me and do a drive-by in hopes the train Choo Chew would still be there.  Sure as I was having good luck on Friday the 13th, the Choo Chew was still parked there at the station, er, empty lot.  So here it is - proof that the Choo Chew Bar-B-Que train is not a figment of our imaginations.

Lucky Friday the 13th

Even though it's Friday the 13th, today has been a very lucky day for me.  Thursday the 12th didn't turn out so good - I had to fork over $$$ to get the climate controll module replaced on the BMW.  The shop assured me that frost would now form on the windows when I crank up the a/c; I told them I would be the judge of that.  But enough of that bad misfortune; I won't dwell on that.  I'll just focus on the good luck I've had today.

If you'll remember, a couple of months ago, I posted a picture of my missing Foster Grant sunglasses, and asked you, my faithful readers, to be on the lookout for them.  I bought another almost identical pair and have worn them for the past two months, but they just didn't feel right. They looked cool, but they weren't my old ones. Yesterday afternoon when I picked up the BMW from the shop, I found the missing sunglasses. They were in their case, down between the console and the seat. Rejoice, rejoice. 

Round two of my good luck occurred this morning.  This past Sunday morning, I was frantically searching through my bedroom and the rest of the house for a pair of black dress sandals to wear to church.  They're as comfortable as a pair of houseshoes, and I was almost sick over not being able to find them.  The last time I'd worn them was early fall - I was going somewhere after church that Sunday, so I brought other clothes to change into, and I remember putting the shoes in a canvas tote bag.  I found the tote bag Sunday morning, but couldn't find the shoes.  I wore another pair of uncomfortable black sandals to church, and as soon as I got home, I got online and ordered another pair.  I got an email yesterday saying that had been shipped and would be out for delivery today.  Yes, you guessed it. I found the missing sandals this morning.  More rejoicing. 

This substantiates my Missing Item Theory - if you lose something, go buy another one, and then you'll find the one. 

The Whizzinator Strikes Again

Today's guest writer is Greg, a co-worker, faithful reader and TWIT's sports consultant. 

According to an earlier post on TWIT, http://journals.aol.com/puddinprp/ThatsWhatImThinking/entries/896 a Louisville man was arrested for using a device to help pass his probation related drug test.  Now, this type of device is hitting the national news scene.

According to ESPN news, an NFL football player was caught with what is called “The Original Whizzinator” in his possession while trying to board a commercial airplane. Per ESPN, the airport security personnel hand checked his carry-on baggage after a tube of toothpaste set off their alarm.  While searching, they uncovered vials of powder resembling illegal drugs.  They also found a simulated penis with bladder bag and heating pads.  After determining that the items were not drug or bomb related, they allowed the player to go.  Unfortunately for the player, having possession of “The Original Whizzinator” could be in violation of NFL rules.

In essence, this player has reduced himself to the same mentality as lowly, ordinary people who are on drug related probations similar to the Louisville man.  To be fair, the player is saying the apparatus is for a relative who he was taking it to.  Also to be fair, the player was suspended once in NCAA football for failing a drug test and has failed the NFL drug test twice.  A third failure in the NFL brings a year’s suspension and no pay.

The thing that’s bizarre about these two affairs is the business “The Original Whizzinator.”  After doing some investigating, I’ve found that the Whizz people actually have products that help women as well.  Imagine that, a company that is based on helping people maintain an activity that could potentially endanger both the person needing the drug testing assistance and they people around them.  As evidence, I’ll mention the picture on the company’s website.  It shows what looks to be a construction worker, wearing a hard-hat and smiling while he is taking his drug test. That’s all we need, more inebriated/drugged-up heavy power machinery operators thanks to “The Original Whizzinator!"

With all the free publicity “The Original Whizzinator” is getting thanks to ESPN and other news outlets, I’m sure that the Whizz people’s orders are increasing.  If only they had a product that could help a writer come up with a TWIT worthy column before a deadline . . . . what a minute, I guess they did!

Gas Price Update

Many apologies to you, my faithful readers.  I was remiss in posting Monday's Gas Price Update.  Here it is, better late than never:

Most expensive:  B-Line Food Mart, Cane Run Road  $2.09

Least expensive:  Speedway, Cane Run Road  $2.04

Congratulations, Kenny and Rene

TWIT would like to congratulate newlyweds Rene Zellweger and Kenny Chesney on their marriage this past Monday.  The ceremony took place on the Caribbean island of St. John in the U.S. Virgan Islands, Kenny's home.  This is the first marriage for both.  The couple have only known each other a few months - they met at the Concert of Hope tsunami relief benefit in January, where Chesney was singing and Zellweger was answering telephones.  Did anyone see this coming?  Who knew?  I give them major props for keeping this on the down low. 

I guess I can now add them to my list of Favorite Celebrity Marriages, Past and Present

Kenny Chesney and Rene Zellweger
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
Clint Black and Lisa Hartman
Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward
Sonny and Cher
Chris Robbins and Kate Hudson
Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams
Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor
Eddie Fischer and Elizabeth Taylor
Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcett
Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood
Dave Navarro and Carmen Electra
Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson
Mick Jagger and Jerri Hall
David Bowie and Iman

I Love My Trane

Yesterday, a historic annual event occurred at The Compound:  it was the day to flip the switch on the central air conditioning. 

April started out unusually warm - it felt like we went right from winter into summer.  Then the middle of the month the spring rains came and brought winter temperatures again.  But it started to warm up last week, and by this weekend it was downright hot.  With the warm temperatures came the days that I dread - waiting out the 'rents to see who would be the first to turn on the air conditioning. 

I'm warm-blooded by nature; I get it from my Grandma.  She and Grandpa had a window unit in their bedroom at home, and in the summer, I could go in there to play and take naps in the afternoons. If it was really hot, I would seek refuge in their back bedroom, but otherwise, I would be outside.  I really didn't mind the summer heat until nighttime.  We had an attic fan, and in the evenings, we'd all stick a shoe or book in the door way of the rooms and close the doors, leaving a space for the air to flow through.  We got buy, but it was just annoying having to listen to the traffic outside.  That's the part that I hate the most about weeks leading up to the flipping-of-the-switch. 

We didn't get central air in the house until I was 17 years old.  I remember sitting back in my bedroom, which faces west and gets all of the afternoon sun, trying to type a term paper for a class at school.  It never occurred to me to take the typewriter back to Grandma's room; I'd heard that all good writers suffer for the cause, so I guess I was in martyr mode or something.  Anyhoo, a few days after that near-suffication in my bedroom, my parents told me and Grandma that we were getting central air installed.  Grandma and I thought we'd died and gone to heaven. 

I had an ally in Grandma while she was there - because of Grandma's congestive heart failure, Mom or Dad would flip the switch and turn on the a/c at the first sign of warm temperatures. But when she went to the nursing home, I was on my own.  I know you might think I'm being hardcore about that, but that's the way it was.  As Mom and Dad got older, the more they started to enjoy the nice cool air in the house.  But it still was a waitinggame to see when they would flip the switch.  I would make subtle hints in the morning before I left for work, like "They said there's a chance of rain today.  I'll shut my windows just in case", letting them know my room was locked and loaded for the flip of the switch.  Yesterday, I did the same thing.  It must have worked - when I came home, the tell-tale signs were all around me: the back door was closed, the kitchen window was closed, and the best sign of all, I could hear the gentle hum of the air conditioner compressor beside the house. 

Ruthless Interrogation At Walgreens

It's true that April showers bring May flowers, but along with the flowers also comes allergy season.  This spring has been brutal.  I've talked to people who don't even sneeze during the spring months, and they've made the first of many trips ot the drugstore and allergy doctor for relief from the sneezing and itchy, watery eyes.  It's been rough for me.  I think we feel worse when we see the weatherazzi give the pollen and mold spore index during their weather forecasts.
The levels have been in the high category for a few weeks now, and they say it will be like this until the end of May.  Lovely. 

I ran up to Walgreens last night to get a box of allergy relief medication.  I'd thought about calling my allergy doctor today and begging him to refill my Zirtec prescription, but it would be the same vicious cycle that it always is: "Sorry, but we can't refill the prescription.  You'll have to come in and let the doctor examine first."  Sorry, but I'm not going to take off from work, come in there and wait for an hour in the waiting room filled with sneezing people, and pay you for an office visit and exam that consists of the doctor looking in my nose and ears.  This spring, I'll take my chances with the OTC stuff. Stacy recommended that I get Tavist D, so that's what I got. Since the new meth laws went into effect, I had to get the stuff back at the pharmacy. I walked up to the counter there was a huge line with a PAT working there. I stood there in line as patiently as I could, and breathed a sigh of relief when it was finally my turn.  Actually, with my allergies, it was more of a wheeze than a sigh.  But you get the picture. I asked the PAT for a box of Tavist D. I had my money already out and almost handed him the cash when he started to scan the UPC code on the box. Then the PAT put the box down, and started the interrogation. Here's a transcript of our conversation:

PAT: I have to ask you what you need this for.
Puddin: OK, then ask me. 
PAT: (With a quizical look on his face) Huh?
Puddin: You said you had to ask me what I needed this for, and I said ok, you can ask me.
PAT: (Still with quizical look) So, what do you need it for?
Puddin: The pollen and mold spore levels are in the unhealthy range, and it makes me sneeze all day long.  So I'd like to purchase this box of over-the-counter allergy relief medication.
PAT: OK. But you know that some people use it to make meth, don't you?
Puddin: Oh, really? (I felt like crap, but I was having fun with this) You can't be serious?
PAT: Oh yeah.  They use it to make meth.  They make it in meth labs in people's garages and stuff.

Need I say any more? The sneezing and itching doesn't seem to bad when compared to what I had to go through to get the allergy meds.  It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase about the cure being worse than the cause

Happy Mother's Day, Mom

To my Mother, Minnie -- Happy Mother's Day, Mom.  You're the best.  Thanks for putting up with me and my shenanigans.  I have a spotless criminal record, and there's not much dirt they could dig up on me if I ran for public office, so I'd say that you and the Lord did a pretty good job of getting me through the past 42 years. 

She'll probably give me grief for posting this picture of her, but it's hilarious.  The t-shirt she's wearing is from Rod Stewart's "Out Of Order" tour, and it just kills me. This was taken a couple of weeks ago when she and Dad were putting up the Martin birdhouse.  It's not your typical Mother's Day tribute picture, but she laughs and makes jokes about the t-shirt when she wears it, and I think life is about laughing and enjoying it, so I think it's very appropriate. 

She got a new gardening hat, gloves, pants, and knee pads, so I'll have to take a picture of her new Mother's Day gardening attire for another journal entry. 

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.  I love you.

Link Of The Week

I could type paragraph after paragraph about songwriter and guitarist Pam Rose, who I got to see Friday night.  But it's hot back here in the house, and the pollen and mold spores in the air are making me miserable, so I really don't feel like staying back here in the computer room any longer than necessary tonight.  So go check out Pam's website at www.pamrose.com.  You can read about her career, see some pics of Pam with some very cool people, and you can listen to samples from the songs from her "Morpheus" cd.  Click on "Music" and then click on "buy it" and it will bring up a separate page where you can hear a two-minute portion from every song on the cd.  You can even buy the cd while you're there.  I hawk too many products on TWIT, nor does something get the TWIT seal of approval unless it's too awesome for words.  But I highly recommend "Morpheus."

Pam Rose, You Rock

Having lived in Louisville all of my life, I've celebrated Derby Eve a "few" times over the years. I was brave enough to go down to Central Avenue when it resembled Bourbon Street at Mardi Gras; I've waited with hundreds of other people out in the street below the Barnstable party waiting to get a picture of a celebrity; I've partied down at the Chow Wagon.  I have to say that last night was my best Derby Eve ever.  Sorry to disappoint any of you hardcore partyers, but last night's Derby Eve didn't involve the least bit of drunken debauchery.  I spent Derby Eve at a concert by the awesome songwriter and guitarist Pam Rose. 

There were only about 20 people in the audience at the Plum Alley Theater in Elizabethtown, but Pam performed as if the place was filled to capacity.  I had to stare at her hands a few times during the concert - I was sure she had a few extra fingers when she was playing.  I've played the guitar for 30 years, and I'm not easily impressed by guitarists but last night, I was blown away.  It's hard enough to play perfectly with standard tuning, but when you add in playing with open tuning or other non-standard tunings, you've got to be a pro to pull it off.  And Pam Rose sure pulled it off last night.  She could have played there for days doing just songs she's written or co-written, and the mixture from her 3 cd's was the perfect sample of her talent.  Her version of "I'll Still Be Loving You" was awesome.  I bet she wishes she had a dime for every time that song was performed at a wedding in the 80s and 90s.  The song went to #1, and was in the top ten on the Adult Contemporary charts for a half a year.  It earned Pam a Grammy nomination, and was BMI and ASCAP's Song of the Year  "Please Don't Make Me Say Goodnight", a cut from her "Morpheus" cd had me on the edge of my seat.  "Morpheus" is Pam's first solo cd.  The highlight of the concert was a song she dedicated to me, "Safe In The Arms Of Love."  It was on Pam and songwriting partner Mary Ann Kennedy's first cd "Hai Ku."  I had asked Pam if she would sing "Love Like This", one of my all time favorite songs, but she said that she only sings that with Mary Ann, so she asked me for a runner-up song.  It rocked. 

If you've followed country music for the past twenty-plus years, I'm sure you've heard tons of songs that Pam Rose has written or co-written.  That's how I became a fan of hers.  I've always been a big country fan, and when I would go buy albums, there would be at least one or two songs on there that would just reach out and smack me.  I soon discovered those songs had a common denominator - Pam Rose was listed as one of the writers.  She and her writing partners were creating songs that truly reached out and touched the listener.  I did some research (this was the days before the internet) and found the address of Pam's publishing company, and wrote a letter to her and Mary Ann, saying how their songs really touched me, and how important the songwriter is to the music world.  Even with their busy schedules, they took the time to write a letter back, and for the next few years, we corresponded and kept in touch.  Through the past few years, I would see where they would be performing in Nashville, but was never able to go down and see them.  Then a few weeks ago, I read where Pam was going to be in Elizabethtown, so even though the concert was on Derby Eve, the big party night of the year in Louisville, I didn't give a second thought about it.  I knew I would be there.  And I'm glad I did. 

Once Again, Who Cares?

When the media hasn't been talking about Jennifer Wilbanks this week, they've been all over the American Idol scandal going on right now.  Corey Clark, a wannabe contestant from the 2nd season, is blabbing all over town about how he was coached by American Idol judge Paula Abdul, and how they had an affair that lasted a few months.  In spite of Abdul's efforts, Clarke was kicked off of American Idol after the show's producers found out he "failed to disclose his criminal history," said a Fox spokesman.  Clark was arrested and did some jail time for assaulting his sister and four police officers.  Looks like the coaching really helped him, didn't it?

This scandal has been made public this week because Corey Clark wrote a book about all of this, and as we all know, scandal sells.  ABC really stirred up the hornet's nest this week when they dedicated an entire episode of Prime Time Live to the American Idol scandal.  (Did I mention this is the May ratings sweeps?) They showed pages and pages of cell phone bills that listed hundreds of phone calls between Abdul and Clark.  Did I forget to mention that Paula Abdul bought the kid a cell phone, and told him not to give the number to anybody because it was their "special phone"?

Just like they did with the Jennifer Wilbanks drama, the media has gone crazy with the Amerian Idol scandal.  Once again, I say who cares?  I don't think adorable Paula Abdul would seduce a PAT like Corey Clark.  I know that phone records don't lie, but I have a hard time believing that Abdul would be so stupid to do something like this. Clark came across as an opportunist, and since he has no apparent talent, I think he figured that since he would be able to sell any records, he could sell some books.  I don't think this will hurt American Idol - it's too huge.  Unless they come out and say it was all rigged like professional wrestling, I think the show will go on for years. 

Paula Abdul Update                                                                                                This just in:  Paula Abdul will appear on this weekend's episode of "Saturday Night Live."  Everybody please tune in.  I'm sure they'll have a hilarious sketch about Corey Clark and his alleged "Paula-tics".

 

Who Cares?

Up until this week, when anyone said the phrase "runaway bride", you thought of the Julia Roberts movie.  Not any more.  Now we think of Jennifer Wilbanks.  In case you haven't read the newspaper nor watched the tv news in the past week, Jennifer Wilbank is the bride that ran away a few days before her wedding.  Her disppearance sparked a nationwide search; law enforcement officials thought it might be another Lacy Peterson or Lori Hacking case - a young woman goes out jogging and never returns.  I'm thinking this was the reason for the media frenzy over this case.

Here's a quick re-cap of the case:  Wilbanks called 911 and her fiance, John Mason,  from Albuquerque, saying she'd been kidnapped.  The more she talked to law enforcement officials in New Mexico, the more her story began to unravel.  She first said it was a spur of the moment thing - she simply had cold feet.  But after hearing all of the shenanigans she pulled to orchestrate this, I think she has a cold heart, too.  A week before she disappeared, she bought a bus ticket to Albuquerque.  She left the house to supposedly go jogging, went somewhere and cut her hair off so she wouldn't be easily recognized, and then started her bus journey across the country.  She stopped in Texas, and then took another bus to Las Vegas, where she stayed a couple of days. While in Vegas, she stayed at Treasure Island.  I wonder if she got to see the big pirate show?  After a couple of days in Sin City, she got back on a bus and went to Albuquerque.  Does this sound like a spur of the moment case of cold feet to you. 

All in all, I have to say who cares? I'm tired of hearing about it, and even more tired of seeing her face in pictures on the news and on the internet.  I'm gonna have to side with the camp that thinks Jennifer Wilbanks should be prosecuted for making this up.  Wilbanks could face a misdemeanor charge of false report of a crime or a felony charge of false statements. The misdemeanor carries a penalty of up to a year in jail; five years in prison is the maximum sentence for the felony.  Duluth, Georgia, the town where she lives, is considering suing her for the cost of the manpower hours used in the search for her.  They've estimated the cost to be around $60,000.  I think she should cough up the cash for that, too.  But I guess that's going to be a small price to pay, compared to the what she's going to face from her family and friends. 

If I could talk to Jennifer Wilbanks, my first question would be "Why?".  When you realized you had cold feet about the wedding, why didn't you just tell your fiance "I have cold feet and need some time to myself."  I'm sure your fiance and your family and friends would have understood.  Instead, you cooked up this kidnapping story and put your fiance and your family through hell.  For a few days, they didn't know if you were dead or alive.  Your fiance was probably grilled by the police as a possible suspect in your alleged kidnapping. 

It's just sad that we get so wrapped up in stories like this. 

 

 

Medly Of Songs Played On The Ice Cream Truck At Cox's Park

I took the day off of work for my annual Steamboat Race party at Cox's Park.  It was a gorgeous day - you couldn't have asked for better weather.  In an effort to make a buck, the ice cream truck started making the rounds at about 11:00 this morning and was still going strong when we left at 8:00 tonight.  After listening to him come through the park for 9 hours, I have the medly of songs played on the ice cream truck memorized.  I should - I heard it over and over and over. 

Camptown Races
Ol' Susannah
My Old Kentucky Home
Mary Had  A Little Lamb
Happy Birthday
Rhapsody In Blue
It's A Small World
Theme From "Love Story"
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Que Sara, Sara
How Much Is That Doggie In The Window

Another Airline Horror Story

My cousin from California was here for a few days to take care of some family business, and she flew back home Sunday afternoon.  Actually, she started to fly back home early in the afternoon, and didn't make it home until early yesterday morning.  The reason for the delay? The toilet on the plane was clogged.  This wasn't just an ordinary clog; the stainless steel toilet was clogged with a pair of underwear.

Details are sketchy, but I think it happened on a Southwest Airlines flight from Chicago to Oakland. The plane was grounded at Midway for over 2 hours, while maintenance professionals attempted to remove the underwear.  My cousin reported that they had to pull it out piece by piece.  The flight attendants, nor the captain, mentioned if it was men's or women's underwear. And they didn't say what style they were, either.  I'm guessing the culprit was a pair of plain ol' cotton draw's that accidentally fell into the toilet during an initiation into the Mile High Club. 

My cousin said that Southwest made no efforts to compensate the passengers for this pathetic delay.  She said they didn't offer any free meals or any type of compensation.  Like the Southwest Airlines cardboard box o' crackers they serve in lieu of a meal would have smoothed over having to sit on the floor by the door to the loading gate for 2 hours, but the gesture would have been appreciated.  My cousin said that they didn't even offer the passengers free cocktails once the plane took off, to help mellow them out after waiting. That might have been a smart move on the airline's part - imagine a plane full of pissed off people being offered free drinks; they would have probably cleaned out the ol' liquor cabinet.

Gas Price Update

Most expensive  Speedway, Greenwood Road  $2.21

Least expensive  Krogers, Dixie Highway $2.15 with Kroger card, $2.18 without

Derby 101

Derby week is finally here. It's the one week of the year that Louisvillians live (and in some cases, leave) for.  It's our equivalanet of Mardi Gras, Super Bowl and spring break week all rolled into one.  The majority of Louisvillians don't go to the Kentucky Derby, nor do they ever intend to go.  We all just like the events, parties, and traditions that are a part of the Derby Festival.  For the uninitiated, let me explain a few things about Derby week.  Here's the 4 C's of Derby Week.

Chow Wagon  The main form of entertainment Derby week.  I've never actually seen a wagon at the Chow Wagon, but there is a lot of chow.  And beer.  For those not brave enough to go, the Chow Wagon is downtown on the water front, and it's basically a huge fenced off area with a bunch of food and beer vendors.  It's the place to go to get your Italian sausage and elephant ear fix.  It gets pretty crowded at night, so if you're claustrophobic, you might want to stay at home.

Central Avenue  The street where Churchill Downs is located. Avoid it at all costs this week.  By Thursday afternoon, you won't be able to get within two miles of Central Avenue.  Back in the day, they would block off Central Avenue on Derby Eve, and it would quickly turn into a redneck version of Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras, minus the beads.

Cash  Something you will need a lot of during Derby week, especially if you go to Churchill Downs.  You'll be gouged for everything: parking in someone's yard, paying the price of a six-pack for one draft beer, paying the price of a pack of hot dogs AND a pack of buns for one hot dog, etc.  I think you get the picture.  You'll still need lots of cash even if you don't go to the Derby.  You'll want to eat, drink and get overpriced official Kentucky Derby merchandise at the Chow Wagon or at any of the official Derby Festival events.

Camera  You'll want this with you everywhere you go Derby week.  Trust me - you'll see some interesting sites.  One Derby Eve about 8 or so years ago, I saw someone dressed as Catwoman, complete with the black patent leather suit.  If I'd only had a camera.  You'll see lots of mullets Derby week, too.  In fact, one was spotted today by a co-worker.  I know he wishes he had a camera with him today.

Link Of The Week

Before the days of Mapquest and Travilocity, all we had to rely on were old school maps, and if you or your family were members, AAA Triptiks.  The Triptiks were the travel bible when me and my family took our cross-country trips to California back in the day.  Each page had all of the exits marked, usually with a blue magic marker, and they also showed the staple of gas, food, and lodging. 

I read an article in our newspaper the other day about a site that gave you information about interstate exits, and the gas, food, and lodging that were by the exit.  This was too good to be true.  I had to check it out for myself.  Sure enough, it's simple, and very easy to use.  Just check out http://www.travmatrix.com and see for yourself.

Let's say your're travelling down south. You have a fondness for the trendy Cracker Barrel restaurants, but you also want to find a hotel that will accepts pets.  Travmatrix is the place for you. 

TravMatix was created in 1999 by Ashland businessman David E. Carter, who got frustrated on a trip to Florida when he couldn't find a hotel that would accept his dog. When he discovered that no one had compiled that sort of detailed information about businesses along interstate highways, he created a company to do it.

One drawback to this is that Travmatrix only recognizes places that are right on the exit - if a restraurant, gas station or other place of business is a half mile from the exit, you're out of luck. But I think Travmatrix will get you through.