I hate it when a story doesn't come together. Tonight I was supposed to be chasing down an obit story about a gentleman who was one of the first African-American chefs at the Yorktowne Hotel in the 1960's. Sounds like the man led an interesting life. Of course, if the stupid funeral home would just call me back, I would have a story right now. Bastards. Also got sent out to the District Justice's office for a copy of an affidavit of arrest one of the real reporteers needed. I walked in and was told I could not have a copy, but could copy the thing down. So I did because I want Michelle to get her story done. Why do the law enforcement officers in this town make it sooo hard for us to do our job?! Again I say, Bastards.

Had a tough night at hockey last night. As you may or may not know I have a very bad temper. Usually I can control myself but if something or someone gets on my bad side then look out. During our scrimmage at the end of practice we were practicing doing line changes and while I was on the ice (at the other end on the other side of the rink mind you), my coach started yelling instructions to me. I couldn't hear him very well and indicated that I couldn't hear him (tapped my helmet). Well then the girls on the bench started yelling at me too. This made matters even worse because I couldn't tell what anyone was saying to me at all! After I came off the ice my coach yelled at me for not doing what he was saying and that was when I let him have it. If memory serves me correctly the exchange went a little something like this:

"Staley, what the hell were you doing out there?! Why weren't you covering the man I was telling you to?"

"It's f***ing hard for me to hear you when I'm all the way on the f***ing side of the ice and everyone else is f***ing yelling at the same f***ing time!"

"Well then, f***ing listen to me the next time." Coach was trying to make me laugh with this one. I was not in the mood.

"F*** you Stevie."

And I sat the rest of the time. I do really need to control my temper issues but damn it, how was I supposed to hear my instructions with everyone yelling soemthing different at me at the same time. Ugh. Also had a run in earlier with one of my team mates earlier as well as messing up my shoulder that didn't help my mood. I need to move on though, we play Lancaster on Tuesday and I can't afford to get snippy with Steve or my team mates.

Duke lost yesterday. Around the time they were down by 13 points in the second half I got disgusted and turned on MTV to watch reruns of Real World. At least Coach K didn't make any excuses. He has a young team this year and yeah, they were undefeated but up until yesterday they hadn't really played any contenders. Sorry Chad but there is a definite difference between the Terps and Demon Deacons. What the hell is a Demon Deacon anyway? If my Dukies had to lose I am glad it was to a Maryland team and not some bottom feeder from the Big East or SEC. Now they need to just regroup and start thinking about the next game against NC State. UNC is coming up too and as it turns out, I will be able to see the game on Feb. 5 since we don't leave for Ireland until Feb. 6. Woo-Hoo!

Speaking of Ireland, we got our itinerary. Talk about a packed 4 days! The only day we will have to ourselves will be the first day we are there. God, I'll probably be so tired I won't feel like doing anything. Yeah right. Who am I kidding? I'm going to be so wired I am not going to come down for a month after we get home. I think Alicia, Dave, Marti and I intend on going to a local pub or two that first night. Can't wait to see what the pub culture is like over there. I hope it is going to be everything I have ever dreamed of it being.

Came to a major decision Monday. As I was sitting at my crappy full-time job contemplating why, after almost 5 years, I am still at that place I decided that if I did not have another job by the end of the summer (Aug. 31) I would seriously consider going back to school to get my teaching certification. Way back in the dark ages, 1993, when I started college I had inteneded on being a history teacher. Why, you may ask? I like history and that seemed the most logical thing to do. But I digress. After my first two years as a park director the need to be around small children for 8 hours a day kind of flew out the window. Sooo, like a dimwad I dropped that part of my major. Stupid, I know. God only knows there is nothing you can do as a history major. Here I am again, ready to go back and finish what I started. I think part of it is that I see room mate Marti at her job (she teaches 7th & 8th grade language arts) and she loves it. She loves going to work in the morning and actually looks forward to school starting up in the fall. Right now I'd just be happy to have a job I even half enjoyed.