Opening note: any "approval image" wider than Dokuma's will not be put in the content block: I'm not making the sidebar any wider. Sorry.

Oh, what a weekend to recap.

I've been so busy, it's been all I can do to actually stop to write this.

Okay, I haven't been that busy in the evenings, but gosh, time just flies when you're blowing computer-controlled enemies sky high.

Or at least 4 stories high.

Yes, Dok, the title "Tunnel" is from the song "Tunnel." It was the theme song for the playoff run. Sorry it took me so long to address that comment.

Amanda's second interview of Friday went well enough. She got some more answers, and, more importantly, a salary range. Salary is important when shopping for rental property: can't rent something you can't afford.

We found a couple of nice places, a few places she wasn't going to afford anytime soon, and a lot of places whose leasing offices weren't open on Saturday. Like she quipped: "Don't these people realize Saturday is the only day people have to shop for apartments?" We found a reasonably nice one available at Frenchman's Creek, not too far away from my place. By some miracle, the place didn't flood during Katrina, which means the unit's price doesn't incorporate a refurbish cost. In other words, at least for this lease period, it's below market.

We also went to Mid City Lanes, at the corner of Tulane & South Carrollton. We rented Lane 18 for an hour Saturday night, and she beat the pants off me: 339-270 in a single series. It's not that I was going easy or anything: she beat me straight up. I am mortal.

We would've stayed for the live band at 10, but 1) the Saints were still playing when we got done at 8:30, and 2) Mid-city isn't that pleasant a neighborhood after 10 o'clock at night.

Also, two more things of note.

1) I found out how much my dress watch cost: $65. This is too low, as the cost to repair the water under the crystal is going to be at least $125. Thus, any birthday present you had plans of giving me can be in the form of cash, to post-purchase defray the cost of a new watch. I'm thinking of Fossil, or maybe Citizen, because I'm not a Rolex person. Any specific models anyone wants to recommend?

2) I found a Chris Rice CD, Smell the Color 9, at the Family Christian Store Friday, for $1.90. Yay.

And, at 9:40 AM today (about 2¾ hours ago), Amanda was called to tell her she got the Covington job, and that she starts the day after Labor Day.

-KIE

P.S. Mark your calendars now for October 4, to be in New Orleans. It's a Thursday. Reason coming later this week.