Liz, how are you today?
I'm doing really well. Sleeping until 10 and then napping again from 11-2. I am going to the Beck concert tonight so I am pretty excited.

You recently returned to Minnesota after a year in Detroit. Tell us about that year away from home.
My year in detroit was absolutely amazing. I worked in a social service agency assisting homeless and low income individuals. I lived in the ghetto and loved every day of it (with the exception of two - the day my car window was shot out and the day our house was broken into). Detroit was incredible and the people were so wonderful. Don't ever expect to talk about how terrible Detroit is around Liz Burke. I am very quick to defend it... and then judge you for your ignorance and closed mind.

Are you glad to be back in Minnesota or are you missing Detroit?
I was away from home for five years and I am so thrilled to be home. I miss detroit a lot but not as much as I love being home. It's nice to be surrounded by family, friends and everything I grew up with.

What is your favorite current song?
Favorite current song = "I'm Lonely" by the White Stripes.
Current favorite song = "Jackie Wilson Said" by Van Morrison.

Looking back, what was your favorite Omaha moment that involved us visiting you?
That's a really hard question... We had a lot of incredibly fun times, didn't we? It was probably my birthday party when Jason was outside shirtless rolling in the snow on my deck, Chris Ahrendt took a shot of 151 and subsequently ran outside and threw it up, my neighbors showed up with a shrimp tray and someone peed on my other neighbor's tree and Kristi had to deal with their fury the next morning. Yeah, it was either that or the time Nick Sandbulte came to Omaha.

Was there ever a time in your life when you thought you were terminally ill?
Nope. I did just recover from a killer tonsil infection. But I always knew I would pull through that one. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty resilient.

What are the odds you'll ever don a Valleyfair game op uniform--even for a day--again?
The odds would be a lot higher if I actually knew someone working there. Slim to none.

Who is one former Valleyfair co-worker that you often wonder "what ever happened to that guy?"
Once in a while Abdulahi Mohammed crosses my mind, but mostly I wonder what Mai Vang is up to.

Do you think there can ever be another trip like that spring break trip to Vegas in '04?
Never never never. I will never top that trip. However, I do think it would be awesome to go on another road trip in a mini van with the same crew and perhaps the addition of one or two more members. I hope we attempt another trip; I just know it will never be Vegas '04.

Bobby Pflugh calls you from a cell phone. He's stranded in the middle of nowhere and he broke his leg. It's pitch dark out. He hears wolves howling. You are the only person that will answer his call. He tells you he'll reward you kindly if you help him. What do you do?
Call him a cab. KIDDING! But how did Bobby get my number? Of course I would go get him! But no blood in my car. I'm pretty laid back unless it involves my car.

How are things going with your boyfriend Curt?
Things are perfect with good old Curt. I just spent the weekend with him in St. Cloud where he insisted on referring to me as Skanky Ass. Obviously, he's reallly good to me. We've been together for over a year and I'm not even getting sick of him! It's a Liz Burke record! This might be a perfect time to tell everyone his last name is Assmann. Which leads me to the second part of this question...

Are there wedding bells in the future?
I love the son of a gun, but I'm not holding my breath for any proposal, and neither should you. We are far from that. Plus, I would have to come to terms with my last name being Assmann and I am not ready for that quite yet.

Are you still planning on being the best man at Luke Katuin's wedding?
Definitely. We were just talking about it the other day!

Do you still keep up with the Twins? If so, how disappointed are you with the 2005 season?
Yes and very. It's something I don't even like to talk about. I am only excited to go to the games when they play the Tigers.

So what is next for you? Are you going to take that marketing degree and start the career?
I was thinking about social work or marketing but after an interview at a social service agency, I realized that I am not ready to do it again. Social work wears you down and drains you. So now I am looking at doing something with that marketing degree I worked on for four years.

What is your favorite quote from one of our friends?
"Want to buy some good pot?" - Guy in Vegas
"Screw Celine Dion!!" - Travis
or
"I'm full" - Travis
"Full of shit! Finish those fries!!!" - Glanzer

Well thanks a lot for your time, Liz!