It’s off to Minneapolis for me in the morning at...get this...4AM...the airlines suck...that’s all I’m saying.

Right now I’m packing. Seems that the weather where I’m going isn’t going to be so incredibly warm...what’s a girl to pack? Layers? But I don’t want to check my luggage for such a short trip...how will I fit it all in my small bag? Yeah, yeah...lots of other inane thoughts are running through my mind right now...like...why did I find myself alone at the bar during a family party at a restaurant yesterday watching the Rutgers game? I went in for a drink & then couldn’t leave. I think I might be a sports obsessed...guy?? (Nope...I checked for a penis...whew...still not sprouting one...how glad do you think I was? I’ll answer that...very glad).

OK, I’m going to go now...still gotta recharge my iPod for my long trip. I downloaded last season’s ending episode of The Office (gotta love a show that can make you laugh AND cry) & will watch it during my layover in Chicago.

I’ll be back next week if Minneapolis doesn’t swallow me up whole.

Have you ever been to a place that you had absolutely no expectations of?

I mean no expectations at all...no prejudgements...good or bad.

I only ask because I'm going to Minneapolis next week & know very little about Minnesota at all (or do they say Minas-oh-dah?).

Hubby has business in the the City of Lakes...(that's what their web site is calling it). I'm tagging along for a couple of days because I'm always up for a chance to wander & be surrounded by new scenery. So far I've found some potential things to do...there's an awesome art museum & scupture garden to devour, I could see a Twins game (but they are playing KC) or even venture to the Mall of America...any other ideas (who knows the ins & outs of Minneapolis...anyone...anyone)?

Also, I've got a daunting 2 hour layover in O'Hare...any tips to keep a girl busy while alone in an airport?

I started my day by spilling a huge mug of tea
all over my keyboard as I was getting to my desk at work.

As I was mopping it up...

A coworker walked by,

"What are you doing?" They asked.

"Hailing a cab"...I said.

Friday could not have come soon enough.

From the looks of this damaged photo...seems I went to school in something like 1908...

My dear old sentimental dad showed me a box he found in his basement.

My parents have moved several times since my childhood...

& he's dragged our childhood treasures from place to place in boxes..

He'll never part with them.

Some of the boxes got involved in what looks like a flood.

The stuff started to smell funky.

So we went through it together.

This pic is me in 1st grade.

We'd just moved again.

I had to start a new school in May.

They were almost done with the year (you can see on the right side of the pic...boxes...they were already starting to pack for summer break)...

I was terrified.

My teacher didn't quite get that.

She made me stand in the front of the class & say hello.

It was the single most horrifying moment of my short little life.

My heart beat so loudly I was sure that the other kids could hear it (& see it cartoon-like pounding out of my chest).

My knobby knees shook.

All the other girls wore one ponytail...I had 2 pigtails...they let me know that wasn't the way it was done there.

"Tell the class where you're from"...she said.

"France"...I said...not really trying to be funny (what? I panicked & that's what I came up with...pulled it right out of my ass...I'm guessing).

The teacher just looked at me & made me sit down...she was going to do this whole big deal thing about looking on a map to find where I'd come from...but apparently lying took the air right out of her tires.

The teacher took my photo (was I being punished? Why am I standing in the miniature little kid's closet for the photo?) to put up on the board.

Mine was the only photo up on the new kid freak board.

Some scars don't heal.

By the way...Mrs. Hoffman...

Frog, log & dog do not rhyme in my universe.

Today has become a silent prayer.

Got this interesting question off the Brain Candy site:

If you had no fear of anything, what 10 things would you do?

(Oh...I like this question)

In no particular order...

1. Jump out of a plane.

2. Shoot someone (hey, she started it).

3. Move to a desolately beautiful beach.

4. Start a new career.

5. Meet some of you guys in person.

6. Be naked more.

7. Always say what's on my mind.

8. Travel abroad alone.

9. Buy it...even if I can't afford it.

10. Eat enough chocolate to actually satisfy myself.

There are sooo many more...I'm still thinking...

What would you do?