Roger Ebert and The Notebook

Roger Ebert gets a star on the Walk of Fame? He deserves it; but it would have been nice if he and Gene Siskel could have received the honor together.

Friends recommended the movie "The Notebook" to me Sunday night. I've always been a James Garner fan and would like to see his performance here. Note: I hear this movie may be disturbing to those who have had family members with Alzheimers.

Zona Rosa, Barry Road, and the new job

There's a new shopping area that opened up this past month in the North KC area. It's called Zona Rosa and it's located at Barry Road and I-29. My brother-in-law says the new shopping facility looks like the back lot of a Disney studio. The builders patterned Zona Rosa after a couple of shopping areas in Kansas City. I think it reminds my of KC's The Plaza. The stores are even high-priced (at least, I can't afford to shop there). I do want to try the Hereford House (a steak house) when it opens up in a couple of months. Anchor stores of Zona Rosa include a Dick Sporting Goods and Barnes and Noble.

With the development of this shopping area comes the added problems of road construction along Barry Road. I manage to avoid this area on a daily basis. The only time I have trouble is when I travel to a hardware store--my drive path takes me through this area.

I stopped by work on Wednesday night to check on notes, memos, and due dates for some books checked out. I found out from co-workers that one on my computer lab employees put in her resignation. This means my first duty with the new job on July 1 is to find a new person. Oh what fun...........

Garage and Mom

Thanks to my sister and brother-in-law, we were able to finish the cleanout of my garage. A second car can now be parked in the garage and my step ladder and extension ladder are now hung along the concrete wall.

On a personal note, today is my mom's birthday. She would have been 70 today.

Cleaning the garage

I've been cleaning out my garage this week. This includes three trips to the recycling facility and three giant bags of trash. Also, I inherited some sheetrock, siding, and crown molding from the previous owner of the house who apparently remodeled the kitchen before selling the house.

Garlic and antique shops

Today I will stop by Border's and request a garlic cookbook. The book is a birthday gift for a friend who has a deep passion for garlic.

I discovered that Platte City, MO has about three or four antique shops. I might drive the twenty miles north to explore those shops during my vacation time.

The Kansas City area has been locked into a rainy weather pattern. I have been unable to work on any outdoor projects around the house.

First novacaine experience

Yesterday, I went to the dentist to get some dental work done. I'm getting a night guard to help me with my teeth grinding while I sleep but I also had to get some cavities filled. This meant I took my first injection of novacaine. Not really a dramatic experience considering a few years back I had a steroid shot injected directly into my eyeball.

Warranties, Cars, and car rentals

During the first week in June, I took my car into the body shop for structural repairs. About a month and a half ago, my Protege was rear-ended by a SUV. The other driver took full responsibility over the accident. While my car was being fixed I drove a 2005 Chevy Silverado extend cab pickup truck. It had all the bells and whistles. The truck was so huge I could not park it in the garage of my house. I asked the rental agency how much a truck like this cost and they said roughly $33,000-$35,000. Gulp!

Anyway, I got my car back last Friday. It's amazing to note that once a warranty runs out on a new car, things start breaking or are in need of repair. I am keeping a list of things needed for the Protege: new AC, new side mirror, new air-flow sensor, new actuator for the back left rear door lock, new tires, new brakes...well, you get the idea.

First time for everything

I'm not one for keeping a journal, but I thought I'd give it a try. I'm on vacation for two weeks here in Kansas City. I'm spending it reading and working on household projects.

I'm reading Truss' "Eat Shoots and Leaves" this week and I like what I'm reading so far. Truss makes it clear how we abuse our punctuations in the English language.