Technically, it’s still sept 29 for another 3 minutes. But i figure by the time i finish this it will be the 30th, so i’m gonna post-date it. Hey, i’m the boss here, it’s whatever i say, sahright? This working late at thriftway thing has kind of screwed up my sleep schedule (which was pretty irregular already). At about 9 i start thinking it’s bedtime, but then come 10:30 i’m wide awake and ready for another round. So i stay up late watching tv or surfing, or usually both at once, and find myself (like right now) sitting on the living room floor hunched over my laptop at the coffee table in the wee hours of the morning. You know, i think i actually do have a desk, but it’s piled so high with computer parts, post-it notes and paperwork that i’m not sure there’s still a desk under there. Plus, i can’t see the tv from there. And i think it’s a carried-over habit from the hotter summer months, when it was unbearable to sit anywhere near the west-facing windows - which is the precise location of said desk. Either way, i’m going to have a curved spine from always sitting over a laptop, to match my ulcers and those nice cavities i keep developing. It says “organ donor” on my driver’s license, but i have a feeling they’d be hard put to find any salvagable parts…

Speaking of thriftway, that is going well. I’ve settled down to 2-3 shifts a week, and they’re sometimes 4 hour stints, not always the 6 hour longies. Doing a 6 after doing 8+ at jls (John L Scott) that day really wipes me out. That reminds me - i was going to iron my shirts for thriftway tonite, so i wouldn’t have to do it tomorrow between jobs while i’m trying to wolf down dinner. Doh! Good thing it only takes one hand to microwave a pizza bagel, so i can iron with the other. Anyway, my coworkers at thriftway are turning out to be pretty cool, and i was even able to get the latter part of this coming week off. Why, you ask? Well…

…so i can head back to MT for a long weekend! I’ll be in Missoula wed nite sometime (probably late), spend thurs visiting family (and Ann!), and then on to Bozeman friday morning, to spend the weekend with Danielle and enjoy the homecoming festivities. Sara is flying back for the weekend, and everybody who’s anybody will come back to town for at least a little bit of it, so it should be a great chance to see everyone. I’ll try and take a zillion pictures, and i got all my dialup settings ready tonite for traveling, so i can keep you updated on my adventures. Probably won’t put the pix up until i get back, tho, cause… Hello! Dialup! I’m really excited to go back, to see Mom and Dad and the grandparents, and to see Danielle and meet her new kitten, Ferris, and to hang out in Bozeman as an alumni (i paid my alum association dues, baby!). It’s my first vacation since i went to Bozeman to pick up Danielle in may, and my first time driving the Max back to MT since i moved here last october. So i’m really jacked, i’ve already started packing, and i’m wishing and hoping and praying that the state of idaho hasn’t had a chance to gravel their roads yet…

Steph, Annie and i are sitting here in the living room, being crazy and learning new things on the internet. We just came back from ice cream on the beach, it’s a beautiful sunny saturday. So, in a new thing for the news, we have guest dj’s today! So, heeeeere’s annie:

Annie:  Hi. Brian is in some wonderful prison garb today and he has some new hair stuff, I’m really surprised he didn’t mention it in the run down of today’s events. Last nice day of the “summer”, good to spend it on a beach. I’m giving the computer back because they are reading Dilbert now and that is cooler than this.

Steph:  This week i learned that if you’re willing to drive down to the King County courthouse and listen to the judge talk to other people about their traffic signs, you can save nearly $80 on your speeding ticket…not terribly productive, since you also have to pay for parking and go at their convenience, but, $80 is $80! Loving the sunshine and cooler days. Come on November!

Neato. Anyone else who wants to come visit me might get a chance to contribute, too.

Mariners won last night, in a dramatic comeback - as is their signature style. Down 1-2 until the bottom of the 8th, then Mike Cameron hit a homer and brought in Boone off second, putting the M’s up by one. Then Sasaki held off oakland in the 9th and kept the win for Seattle. It was a great last couple innings, and Patrick, Wes, Matt and i had a great time! It’s always fun when your team wins… and now they’re still in the running!

Work’s almost over, it’s sunny and beautiful out there! Patrick just called me with an extra mariners ticket, so i’m going to the baseball game tonite! Rock on! Patrick rocks!

Only three more months until Christmas! Um, okay, yeah. It’s really foggy today - got to try out my new fog lights, they’re super neato. I’ve got tonite off, finally, and i’m heading downtown with my first thriftway paycheck to do some shopping and be downtown-y. I haven’t been anywhere near downtown (except for work) since Danielle was here (of course, that’s because i’ve been broke). Now, before you think i’m going to go blow a bunch of money, i’m not. Not that i don’t want to, mind you… I’d love to go lay down some plastic at kenneth cole. But not this time; i need some khakis for work, it’s totally a legit venture. Gap emailed me to say they’re on sale (isn’t direct marketing neat?) and i might check out the sale sweaters, too (hey, it’s fall, i’ve gotta keep warm - it’s an investment in my health!) Besides, i already spent my fun-money monday at home depot… :D You know, as much as i try to not let money run my life, it sure seems determined to do so. Maybe that’s just because i never seem to have enough of it… grrr. Guess it’s time to start “investing” in the lottery…