BEEP....bEEp....bEep...beep...----------------------------

My iPod is terminal. It's not gonna make it.

I've been having issues with it for some time now. Somehow while trying to update the software on my iPod, I managed to screw up my entire iTunes, then not be able to sync the iPod once iTunes was fixed.

Last night I tried to sync it 5 times. The first time, it started beeping (I didn't know it could make noise without headphones -- never a good sign). It beeped it's little SOS about 10 times, then the error popped up on my screen, then the iPod disappeared from my devices. I tried again, this time the iPod was super hot, beeped for help/oxygen/morphine about 5 times, error message, disappears. 3 more times with the same result, each time with fewer pleas for help.

After leaving it all night, I have 9 songs and about 15 empty play lists on my iPod. (In no particular order and for your enjoyment, my songs are "Freak Like Me," "Natural Woman" (Kelly Clarkson version, thanks Allen), "Let Me Fall" (Josh Groban), "Where are you Christmas?" (Faith Hill - how the CRAP did that get on here???) "Philosophy" (Ben Folds - thank GOD there's one good song on here), and Lake Woebegone Updates, including advertisements for the Sleep Number Bed and Pillsbury's new Website.)

If by some stroke of luck the genius bar people at Apple can fix it tonight (2 months past my warranty, of course) I might start believing in Christmas Miracles all over again.

If not...it might be time to cash in some of my winnings for a new one...but then the dilemma...do I get a Nano in my favorite color, a classic to hold all 18,000 of my songs, or a touch iPod because, c'mon, it's TOUCH iPOD!!!!!

Feel free to vote in the comments. I'm looking for any and all feedback before ordering one.

See Kate. See Kate be busy. Busy, Kate, Busy.

I've been busy. So incredibly busy. See how busy I am? So busy I'm blogging at work.

Yeah, right.

I've been working on material for my other blog, which I'm guessing all 4 of my readers will be given the super secret access to, but in the meantime, I'll just tease you with - wait, just wait -- it will be worth it.

Anywho, I've been busy. Lots of important things to do. Like buy a Christmas tree. And make wreaths by hand. And plan a party. And go to work at unGodly hours to flex my powerpoint muscles.

Monday I was to report to work at 7:00 am. Which means I have to leave my apartment by 6:00 am*, which means I have to set my alarm for 5:30 am, even though I really should get up at 5:15 am, which means all night I play the game "if I fall asleep right now I can get 5 hours, ok 4 hours, ok 3 hours....ok screw it I'm just getting up." (*in Kate-world, leaving by 6:00 am means at 6:10 am I'm hopping around on one foot trying to put on my socks while not so silently cussing about this ridiculous time to go in to work to be bolding text and changing fonts and can you make the moons blue I really like when moons are blue and all sorts of other v v important things.)

This may not come to a surprise to you, but I am not a morning person. I worked one summer where a few days a week I had to be at work before 6 am and if not for the endless free coffee supplied there, I would not have come back for a second day.

All this said, yesterday was a long day. The final deadline to have all the slides done, printed, and sent was 3:00 pm. At 4:15 pm, I was told I could go home. But by then I was v v busy on actual important things. And then I got this email:

Subject: Caps Tickets
Body: I know it's late notice but I have two tickets for the game tonight if you are interested.

.....

Free??? Hockey Tickets??? For Tonight???

Within 3.5 seconds, I responded back that yes I want them. Right now. And I will be there. And no I'm not tired. And holy crap me like hockey.

15 phone calls, texts, and gchats later, I headed to the game by myself with an extra ticket unclaimed. Oh well, I thought, considering who is giving me the tickets, they should be pretty good seats and when all those hot russians hit the ice to break the Devils in half, I would be ignoring whomever I brought anyway. And I won't have to share my snacks.

I headed to will call, picked up my tickets, glanced briefly at the section and took off. I never remember how the arena is set up. What is ground level: the 100's or is there less than a 100 section?

I found the right spot, was pointed to my seat by a very knowledgeable usher, and headed down. Here's my view:




I'm not tired. Not one bit.