MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2003

Archives: Today's Log - 11-16.03 - 11.14.03 - 11.13.03 - 11.12.03 - Home

STARRING: Brandon Hanson, Bon Jovi, Chris Ahrendt, Betty Bell, Jordan Krogman, Doug Flutie, Shannon Stewart, David Ortiz, Jorge Posada, Carlos Delgado, Alex Rodriguez, Carlos Lee, Angel Berroa, Bret Boone, AJ Pierzynski, Alfonso Soriano, Stacey Hackbart, and Donna Hazelwood.

"Gotta Drive 45 Miles to Shop"

Sunday I went to Sioux Falls in the late afternoon with roommate Brandon Hanson to do a little shopping.  It turned out to be a day full of good finds... and bad ones, too.  Our first stop was Best Buy, where I picked up the new Bon Jovi album "This Left Feels Right" for $11.99.  That's a pretty good buy.  The best price I could find on that album in Madison was $19.99 at Pamida.  That's a rip-off.  I also bought some CD-R's and jewel cases, which I definitely need.  Next we went to Saver's.  I wanted to find some good retro vintage clothing for Saturday's gathering in Sioux Falls at Laura's house.  Brandon has a good eye for queer stylings, so he helped me pick out a doozy of an ensemble.  I got four garments there for $22.  Next we went to Wal-Mart to get some Christmas stuff.  Brandon and I both wanted to buy a tree and some lights.  We each bought two sets of rope lights for our own rooms.  The blue ones I picked up were a bastard to hang up, but they look pretty sweet.  We thought we'd run into roommate Chris Ahrendt in Wal-Mart, since he was supposed to be working.  We didn't see him, but we saw his brother Bryan Ahrendt, who informed us Chris was suffering from a severe hangover.  Next we went to the mall to eat supper.  We foolishly went to China Pantry, where they were closing down and had only one dish left.  I didn't realize that until it was too late, however, so I had to pay for it.  Not good.  After fueling up, in was back to Madison.  I drove a little slower on the way home since I now fear hitting deer at night.

"That Darned Attractive Cheerleader"

I currently receive two magazine subscriptions in the mail, and I don't want either.  Not that I don't enjoy reading ESPN and Maxim, but I could find better things to spend my money on.  I signed up for subscriptions to both while walking through the Burnsville Center in August.  I was sitting on a bench eating a Cinnabon when a very attractive girl in very skimpy clothing in her mid-20's approached me and asked me to help her with a survey and answer some questions.  I figured it would be no problem whatsoever, and answered her questions.  But she was really trying to sell magazines in hopes of sending her college cheerleading squad to Acapulco.  Needless to say, I fell into her little trap and told her I would renew my subscription to ESPN.  She was exuberant and gave me a big hug and kiss on the cheek.  She didn't stop there.  She practically begged me to get another magazine.  I said sorry, I couldn't afford it.  She looked very disappointed.  She leaned way over, exposing her breasts part-way, and whispered, "I think you're pretty cute."  I was becoming somewhat uncomfortable, but she kept insisting.  "Well," I began.  "I guess I could renew Maxim."  She was filling out the card before I could finish talking.  "Great!  We're almost through," she said.  "Now I just need $45 cash."  Cash?!  Is she crazy?  "I don't have any cash on me," I said.  "And I don't have an ATM card or anything."  She then directed me to a friend of her's who would allow me to write a personal check to her and she'd give me the cash I needed.  So, I couldn't get out of that one.  Before I left, the girl again asked for a big hug and again kissed me.  I told her to call me sometime and I'd get her into Valleyfair for free, and she assured me she would.  Never heard from her, and the magazines are stacking up in the bathroom, going virtually unread. 

"A Year Ago Tomorrow"

November 18, 2002.  It was a Sunday night, and Chris's birthday.  Brandon wanted to run to Jubilee and buy some groceries, and Chris and I decided to ride along to film the excursion.  From the time we left the dorms to the time we got back 45 minutes later, the camera never shut off, as Chris and I did play-by-play and analysis of Brandon's every move.  "An interesting move as Brandon opts for the handbasket and not the cart.  That is a bold move by Mr. Hanson," Chris commentated.  Hilarity was in the cards that night, as Brandon was very openly ridiculed by the two of us.  Chris in those days used much more profanity.  After grocery shopping, Brandon drove to Taco John's to buy some supper.  As he went through the drive thru, Chris and I got out of the car and taped everything.  Brandon locked the doors in a childish attempt at getting back at us.  It was a very humorous outing, and the tape was watched a large number of times by many people.  Any attempt at doing this again could never match the original.

"Briefly..."

I received a nice note from Grandma Bell today.  She informed me that the family was up in Doland for a visit and it wasn't quite the same without me and Jordan there... I found an unopened bottle of Foster's beer in my car trunk today.  How it got there I have no idea... This weekend I accomplished very little along the lines of homework.  I deleted many MP3's from my hard drive and downloaded a trial version of Dreamweaver... The Chargers fell flat on their faces today in Denver.  Doug Flutie's magic was nowhere to be found.  The Vikings also suffered another defeat in Oakland... Monday afternoon we finally learn who wins AL MVP honors.  My ten choices from first to last are as follows: Stewart, MIN; Delgado, TOR; Ortiz, BOS; Posada, NYY; Rodriguez, TEX; Lee, CHW; Boone, SEA; Berroa, KC; Pierzynski, MIN; Soriano, NYY... I figure I should actually stay the full two hours at the Science Center every day this week for work.  Last week I put in 4 of my possible 11 hours.  It doesn't matter to Hazelwood if I'm there or not.  It's me that suffers as I don't get paid as much... I received a nice call from Stacey Hackbart today.  She wondered about the security deposit from our summer apartment and I assured her I would slip it in the mail tomorrow... If you are reading this, you are living life to the fullest extent.

That's all for today

Ryan