SOMEONE STOLE MY (clearly marked) LEAN CUISINE OUT OF THE FREEZER.

I am displeased. Oh yes, I am greatly displeased.

Yesterday, we were privileged to attend possibly the best game we've seen the Devils play this season -- Patrik Elias scored four goals in a row, Scott Gomez had five assists, and goalie Martin Brodeur became the only goalie in NHL history to record 40 wins in four separate seasons. The Devils shut out the Islanders 6-0, inspiring Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro to snap his stick in two after the last goal slid into the net. I don't like DiPietro much -- he's been an arrogant ass ever since the Isles made him the number one pick in the league in the 2000 draft -- and it was painfully obvious yesterday that although he's eventually going to be a very good goalie, he's not there yet.

NBC News has fired journalist Peter Arnett, saying it was wrong for him to give an interview with state-run Iraqi TV saying that the American-led coalition's first war plan had failed because of Iraq's resistance. Arnett has apologized for the statement.

A couple of weeks ago, I realized that today was the only day for the next few weeks where I had nothing scheduled on my work calendar. I went to the Bossman, and asked if I could take a personal day. He encouraged me to do so, and so I did.

I still woke up early, but I cleaned the kitchen, put away almost all of my clean laundry, went to the park and did some power-walking in the beautiful weather (accompanied by my fabulous Christmas present), hit the grocery store, and then brought home subs (I know that it's really a hoagie, but if you say "hoagie" around these parts, people give you the blank stare) for lunch for me and the husband.

I also gathered up some recycling, took a nice, long nap, and cleaned the bathtub and shower curtain. Now? Kicking back and watching some TV. It's been a wonderful day.

"You are not homosexual if you commit one homosexual act," replies Rosenthal. Everyone is promptly confused.

I don't know what to say about this case, except that Antonin Scalia scares the living CRAP out of me.

Scalia also participated in the following frightening exchange:

"If this law is struck down, do you think a state also could prefer heterosexuals to homosexuals to teach kindergarten?" asked Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist.

A state government would have a hard time showing the need for such a policy, responded Paul Smith, lawyer for the two men charged in the case.

"Only that the children might be induced to follow the path of homosexuality," said Justice Antonin Scalia.

In other words, Scalia believes that if a state's residents feel that a particular behavior is immoral, that in itself is a rational basis for upholding a law prohibiting it. I can't adequately explain how much that frightens me.

I got this in my Amazon Gold Box today. Is there really such a clamor from people who carry around their Crock Pots with them that Rival felt the need to produce a carrier??? Those things are heavy when they're empty; I can't imagine lugging mine around when it's full.

Tonight: Reality TV Lover's Dream!

8 pm Survivor
8:30 pm American Idol
9 pm Bachelor Premiere

*camps out in front of television*

Contrary to rumor, I am still alive. I'm very busy at work and also doing a bunch of home renovation-type stuff. Also, I'm not blogging about the war (it makes me sad and exhausted), so that leaves little in the news for me to comment on. I'll be back soon.

It's not that I'm not interested in posting. I'm just tired, and still congested, and wanting to sleep the weekend away.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the country's second-largest union, has filed suit against four large pharmacy benefit managers, accusing them of inflating prices for prescription drugs.

The lawsuit, filed in California jointly with a consumer advocacy group, names Merck-Medco, Express Scripts, Advance PCS, and Caremark, accusing them of steering health plans and consumers to more expensive products and also improperly withholding rebate payments.

Last weekend, a story in the Times caught my eye -- it was a sad one about a young professor and author, Amanda Davis, who was killed along with her parents in a small plane crash in North Carolina. I was saddened and intrigued, mostly because she was young and because she had just come out with an apparently well-reviewed novel.

McSweeney's has dedicated the front page of its site to Amanda Davis, and the remembrances there are funny and poignant and sometimes heartbreaking. I'm planning on picking up a copy of Wonder When You'll Miss Me. It's apparent that the answer to that question for anyone who ever knew her is "As soon as we knew you were gone."

A jury decided Tuesday that Bayer AG of Germany was not liable for injuries an elderly man claimed were caused by the drugmaker's cholesterol medication Baycol, which the company has recalled from the marketplace.

However, this case is only the first of about 8,000 claims for damages due to the statin, and Bayer fears that its potential liabilities in these cases may exceed its insurance coverage. Stay tuned.

Last night, the Devils played the Montreal Canadiens at the arena in Montreal. There were loud boos as the American national anthem was played, and Devils player (and Ontario native) John Madden reacted, stating "It's a little embarrassing for me. For years, the U.S. has helped Canada out. I feel Canada has hidden behind the United States for a long time, and at a time like this, when the U.S. asks for help, Canada should be there. Instead of standing pat, I wish they would send troops, whether they like it or not."

Still sick. I think it's a combination of my allergies bursting forth because of the suddenly-warm weather and a really bad cold. I can't breathe in my office building at all, but get me outside, and I'm fine. Weird.

The weekend was good, although I was still pretty under the weather. We had an estimator come out on Saturday for cabinet refacing, and picked out some really nice cherry veneer cabinets (that's the same color, but not the same door design) with stainless steel hardware and some grey and black laminate countertops. I think they're going to look beautiful.

Then we headed off to the Devils-Rangers game, which is always a good time, and were thrilled when the Devils squashed the other side. I was especially cheery when Martin Brodeur made a stellar save on all-around not-nice guy and former Devil Bobby Holik.

The rest of the weekend was pretty low-key. We went to dinner last night and stopped off for provisions at the grocery store on the way home, and watched Six Feet Under and the Dead Zone. Tonight? Flyers vs. Devils. I love hockey.

Which chicago Character Are You?

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Public Service Announcement: This week has well and truly kicked my ass, and now I'm sick with one of the worst head colds I've ever had. I'm hoping to be able to rest up and feel somewhat, you know, human, by Monday. Posting will be very sparse as I nap, drink juice, and whine.

You will perish of fits. Repeat this to yourself:
"Things can work out even if I don't get
my way. Things can work out even...."


What horrible Edward Gorey Death will you die?
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I really wish that I could update the Tivo from work, via the computer. I just remembered something that I wanted to switch around (Buffy is a rerun, and American Idol is two hours, if you must know!) and I forgot to fix it before I left for work this morning. Argh.

Watchdog group Public Citizen is calling on the FDA to ban the antidepressant Serzone, saying that the Bristol-Myers Squibb drug has no unique therapeutic benefit, and has led to at least eleven deaths in the United States as a result of liver toxicity.

In January 2003, BMS removed the drug from the European market after Swedish Medical Products Agency announced that it would require a warning on the drug’s label about the potential for liver toxicity. In the United States, more than 4.5 million prescriptions were filled for Serzone in 2001.

The musicians' union strike in New York City is over, after an all-night negotiating session at Gracie Mansion called by Mayor Bloomberg. Hooray!

And to think that I used to like John Vanbiesbrouck. What a depressing story.

In the continuing weirdness that is my life, my boss is taking me and two of our senior marketing people to the Devils-Thrashers game tomorrow night, where we will be sitting in the owner's box with Joe Piscopo. Yes, you heard me right.

My boss met him at a charity benefit a few weeks back, and now Mr. P. is courting our company to sponsor both the Devils and his charitable foundation. I think it's hilarious that I will be the only person from my company who knows ANYTHING about hockey, and especially about the Devils.

But hey, free hockey. And food.

I'm back, barely conscious, and buried in work. More soon.

Right now, I'm sitting at a desk in a suite at the Four Seasons in Newport Beach, CA, looking out the huge windows to the mountains and the ocean. I'm checking voicemail while dressed in my cushy robe, waiting for room service to bring me breakfast before I'm expected downstairs for a meeting at 10:30.

Last night, I sat outside and ate California Pizza Kitchen yummies on a patio and played chip and putt with about 35 other people. We had so much fun, even though I tended to be more acquainted with the sand hazards than I would have liked. I came back here to find that the kind housekeeping people had seen my note and had left me a huge selection of teas for my coffee service, and had kindly turned down the linens on my huge, fluffy bed for me.

I know that some people hate business travel, and I certainly miss Dave and the kitties, but really? I have it good. It's supposed to be in the 60s and sunny today, and there's not a DAMN BIT OF SNOW ON THE GROUND!

More later.

"Looks like somebody's got a case of the Mondays!"

David Boreanaz as Superman? Oh, my. Oh. My.

Please, let this NOT be true.