I need some advice. For the past few years, my drinks of choice at the local watering hole have been:

(1) Ketel One vodka and cranberry juice.
(2) Amaretto sour.
(3) A Cosmopolitan (occasionally).

I’ve quickly become bored with my staple beverages. I’ll occasionally order a beer (Budweiser or Miller High Life), but it’s not often.

Can anyone recommend a new drink I can try, based on my current likes?

Next week I was scheduled to attend a breakfast featuring CNN’s Anderson Cooper. Because of the Pope’s passing, UNO was forced to cancel Cooper’s speaking engagement for the second time. The UNO folks told me yesterday that they hoped Cooper would reschedule. I hope so. Breakfast and Anderson Cooper, all for $12. What more could a person want?

While reading earlier this evening, I thought how I would react if I no longer had access to my Macintosh and all she offers: email, Web access, my mp3s, photos, the list goes on and on.

And as embarrassed as I am to admit the following, I shall: My mind quickly slowed its pace. A world without technology would create a lengthy list of inconveniences and hardships I’d rather not experience. It’s quite sad, really, how mentally and emotionally attached I’ve become to technology; specifically, my Macintosh.

(shiver)

The right side of my stomach cramped up something fierce this morning while at the Y. It could be because I didn’t properly warm up before my run; or, that I haven’t seriously exercised for about a week. Either way, I spent 40 minutes moving on the treadmill this morning, be ir running or walking.

So there.

I just read that Tegan and Sara are coming to Omaha for a May 5 show. They’re opening for The Killers, who had to move their Omaha show from May 5 to May 22. So, since they’ll already be in Omaha May 5, they’re going to play.

Are they worth seeing twice in the same month? I’m going to The Killers and will see them at that time.

Your input, please.

Turns out that renting a car while my Elantra is being fixed will be a breeze. I’ll pay $20/day for two, maybe three days. And best of all: They’ll have my rental car at the dealership on Monday. They’ll also take me back to the dealership when my Elantra is ready. Hooray! Monday can’t come soon enough, that’s for sure. I’m ready to make my Elantra pretty again.

I’m finally getting settled in my new office at work. I bought a business card holder for my desk today. I feel so very grown up :-) I think I want to find a nice candle set or something to sit on my desk. It’s a big desk and, right now, it looks pretty bare.

I spent most of the day listening to my iPod using my computer speakers at work. I cannot believe how much of a difference it makes to have music (and, music I enjoy, might I add) while working. It gives 8-5 a whole new meaning.

Five minutes and counting until “Sex and the City” reruns on TBS. Gotta go!

XOXOXO

Every time I visit the New York Times Web site, my eyes are immediately drawn to the striking black and white photos that accompany the newspaper’s celebrity obituaries. I wish I had a classic black and white photo of myself. I’d rather not wait until I die, though, for such an image to be published.

There’s but one black and white image I love, but it was from years ago. I want a current one.

Hmm…

Now that I’m not working at Nu-Trend, Saturdays have a whole new meaning. And yesterday was no exception to this rule. Matthew and I ran a handful of errands, which included stops at the Nebraska Humane Society (to buy a new toy for Frank the Cat) and Backshelf Books (to add to our ever-growing at-home libraries).

At Backshelf Books, I picked up used copies of “The Rule of Four” by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason; and “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius” by Dave Eggers. The latter title includes about 20 pages of corrections and additions. I’ve never heard of a publisher including this in a book.

I’m excited to begin both. I’ve been hungry for a “Da Vinci Code”-inspired work since last year. I may pick that up after I complete “Microserfs” which I am loving to bits.

After our errands, Matthew’s cousin John, who lives in Chicago, came over for dinner. We grilled salmon and vegetables. Everything was delicious. After dinner, we watched John’s jazz band play at a local bar.

Here’s a list of concerts I’ll attend in Omaha during the next few weeks — and beyond.

And they say there’s nothing to do in Omaha.

Bah.

M. Ward – April 23
The Shins – May 9
Bright Eyes and The Faint – May 11
Rilo Kiley – May 12
The Killers – May 22
U2 – Dec. 15

Last month, Matthew and I spent three days exploring the state we call home. His Honda Civic was our only ticket to this adventure. And we have the photos to prove it.