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P.S. We're bringing back Does It Work... and it's going to be better than ever. I've got some big ticket items on the way...

In the meantime, here's a little something for you.

A Visit to The Albatross

For the first time, we went to The Albatross. The chance at smoking a hookah was enticing enough, but the BYOB factor made it almost irresistible.

On my inaugural trip, I didn't bring any beer or alcohol. I just brought an eagerness to tryout a new place. And I brought Jim, of course.

We met up with some of our friends who were already smoking out of a hookah. I think they bought blackberry-flavored tobacco. The hookah also had fruit punch instead of water in the bottom. I thought it was a nice touch.

I was really surprised how clear the air felt inside the lounge. I expected the smoke to be overwhelming, but it was really easy to breathe.

The Albatross has a fair amount of college-like charm. I had the chance to talk with the owner, and he said a hookah lounge in Springfield was well overdue. He said it was fairly typical for a college town to have one or two hookah bars. I once smoked out of a hookah at Riad's, but that was several years ago, and I'm not sure if the restaurant still has hookahs. I really got a good impression from the owner, and I liked his approach to opening an establishment that could be, at times, misunderstood. By that, I mean he told me he wouldn't be selling any questionable herbs, like K2. Though the establishment's been open since the fall, it wasn't until December that The Albatross brought in the hookahs, and it seems like there's been some careful planning in doing so.

On a side note, I was especially impressed with the vintage matchbooks.

I am not a smoker, but I had a lovely evening at The Albatross. Next time I go back, I may even bring a beer or two.

Crashing a Cardinal-Korean wedding...

I didn't really crash a wedding, but at first, it felt like it.



A pastor of a Korean church in Springfield invited me to a traditional Korean wedding...

He said it was for Josh Kinney (yes, the St. Louis Cardinals pitcher) and Jorni Kinney. The couple officially got married in New York back in November, but they also wanted to have a traditional Korean wedding in Springfield. Jorni graduated from Kickapoo High School and met Josh when he played for the Springfield Cardinals.

It may seem a little weird to others that Jim and I were invited without knowing the bride or groom, but it wasn't really weird, at least not to anyone at the church... A lot of Korean people were invited just to support the Kinneys! Earlier in the week, Pastor Yoon from the Korean Presbyterian Church off Grant Avenue asked if I could come. It was his first traditional ceremony at the church, he said. I wasn't sure if he wanted media coverage... but when I asked, he emailed, "Praise the Lord!" He said it would be a neat story to feature for cultural reasons.

I emailed Jorni this week, and she was fine with it. She is such a nice girl...and so pretty! She also looked very beautiful in her Korean wedding dress. I actually got kind of sick for Korea when I watched her and Josh go through all the things we did back in October with Hyun Jeong and Glenn. I think it brought back good memories for Jim, too. Oh, and even Josh had to wear a light colored hanbok, like Jim's! Josh's hanbok was peach and blue... not quite pink! Look below to see what I mean!

Anyway, I wish the happy couple a lifetime of happiness! And, if you want to see some video of their Korean wedding, check out KSPR News at 10... Mike Scott has "the highlights" in sports!

*Thank you to Pastor Yoon and the Kinney's for letting us witness their special day! And the Korean food was great, too! If you're interested, the church teaches Korean language classes every Saturday... and they are truly a multicultural congregation!

BREAKING NEWS: Makeup deal of the day!

Most of you probably won't care about this, but I had to write about it.

Secret: Many news people are told to wear fake eyelashes. Do they? Depends.

Do I? Yes. (mine are so straight, even when I curl and curl...)

Fake eyelashes can get really expensive... but I just ordered some from E.L.F... at 25-cents a piece! (http://www.eyeslipsface.com/eyes/false_lashes)

It's a steal, even by E.L.F standards.

Then, I found an online code to help with my order (type CAROLINA) and save 50% on orders of $15.00 or more. (I think it's just up to $7.50, though)...

So, I went a little nuts. I ordered 100 pairs of fake eyelashes... for $24.95. You can't beat that price anywhere else.

I know it sounds crazy, but I get so sick of buying eyelashes and spending $3 or $4 a pair.

Shakira and Korean dancers...

This aired on ABC during my birthday (how did I miss this?!)

But, my pal Emily showed me this tonight... the funny thing is, these are real Korean dancers... doing real, traditional drumming! I'm not sure I'm sold on the mix of traditional Korean drummers and Shakira, but I really do appreciate the effort.

Jim and I saw Korean drummers when we were in Seoul back in October. Check out our experience!

Lazy Fridays and Wayback Week

I've been really slacking off today. It's the first time I've had a day off... and done absolutely nothing! I literally watched two movies, the news, several TV shows, updated my Twitter and Facebook accounts probably a dozen times.

And I don't feel guilty about it. (Though I have family coming into town late tonight, so I guess I should start cleaning!)

Anyway, this is in honor of Wayback Week: (More on Facebook!)

Life is a series of pissed off blackouts

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I am so super pissed I can barely see straight. As I type this, I'm on hold with my insurance company, strapped to my computer trying to find glass companies...

Someone broke into my car between the time I got off work last night and the time I started going to work this afternoon.

It practically happened at my front door, as you can see my front porch in the background.


I've never had any trouble in my seven years of living in Springfield. Until, of course, I bought a house in my favorite neighborhood. In September, someone stole my scooter, feet away from our front door. Today, someone bashed in my front passenger door and ransacked my car. News folk will recognize... they left my spare IFB (earpiece for news)... though I will definitely have to disinfect it.

I'm mostly mad at the jerk(s) who did this. Then, I find myself getting mad at Jim because we always fight over the driveway. My argument is that our personal car should go in the driveway and the company car should go out in the street. He gets home before me so I've always lost that one. It's a fight we had back at our old house, too. Now, I'm stuck with calling the police, the insurance company, the car shop... and looking for rides to and from work, the car shop, and am stranded without a car. Let's hope it doesn't snow or rain! I'm left with a ton of frustration. I love Jim, don't mean to complain. Just so mad!! Blacking out as we speak!

AAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH. No offense to St. Benedictine, but I could've really used his help overnight. At least the thief (theives) left him to fight another day.

By the way, I'm also irritated that the police won't come to my house. What will it take for people to get the services they need? Vandalism and theft leave people feeling so vulnerable, and it's really sad that in this day and age, police don't have the resources to accomplish helping solve the crimes that are most likely to happen to people. I'm not blaming police. I want to know what we can do to change that. Taxes? I could rant on...

**NOTE** A big thank you to Sandy D., Bob D. and Curtis H. for coming to my aid. It was really unnecessary, but the Greene County Sheriff's Department took fingerprints just before 5 p.m. Wow, I'm impressed! What professionals!

Life is a series of embarrassing moments

I guess it's not that bad, but it felt really awkward at the time. Kind of like my life, really. But, Slick Willie Shaw was such a great person, and I really was fascinated and awestruck by his amazing talent!

In the meantime, the Harlem Globetrotters will be in Springfield January 21. We are giving away 4 tickets! If you buy them, you'll have to pay between $20 and $70 each! Click here for details... and watch Joe do the butt-bump! (*We also have another contest going through our promotions department... that will get your kids a chance to be near the bench! If you want details on that, email me!)

Minnie the Rottweiler is a Local News Star

My Shape Up Shoes!

I'm not trying to brag, but my Shape Up Shoes are all the rave at work! People keep staring at them and trying them on... it's been fun. (Sorry the pic isn't very good.)

The question is... do they work?

The jury's still out.

I wanted to try the Reebok or the Skechers shoes, but I DID NOT want to spend $100! A google search led me to the Shape Up Shoes... for just $39.99. Still a little expensive, but they definitely won't break the bank.

What I hope they DO break... is my bad posture. I also hope to shape up my legs. (These shoes promise to work out your legs and butt without hitting the gym...)

I asked Jim to get them for me for Christmas (we decided not to buy presents this year, but we each got one.) Women swear by them! I will say, I can notice a slight burn when I walk in them for a distance.

I'll keep you posted on this one. In the meantime, here's a story that KABC out of Los Angeles did: