“Both people and nations are shaped through the fire of adversity.”

— John Adams

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After serving as a HOBY panelist last night at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, I was encouraged to sign up for a Facebook account by the 160 high school sophomores who attended the conference.

(As if I need another avenue to spend my time while online.)

As such, I give you my Facebook profile.

In what has become a less-than-sincere olive branch from me to you, let’s be (Facebook) friends.

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This Fortune article sums up beautifully how us twentysomethings feel about our jobs.

Thoughts?

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Every other month I get together with my mom, aunt and two cousins for a girls night on the town.

It’s my turn to plan our activity and I’ve decided on a night of Bingo.

No joke.

Does anyone in the Omaha area know of a Friday or Saturday night Bingo game we can join? The more senior citizens, the better. We want the full-on Bingo experience.

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I don’t know what most men think about this story, but from a female perspective, halting Aunt Flow’s visit altogether just doesn’t seem natural to me.

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Legendary Rocker Ted Nugent Supports M.R.C.
Promotion of May 26 Benefit Concert Includes Appearance on Z-92

OMAHA – What began as a Memorial Day fund-raiser for children who’ve lost parents to combat in Iraq and Afghanistan has caught the attention of legendary rocker Ted Nugent.

Upon learning of the May 26 benefit concert organized by Matt’s Rocket Collection, Nugent quickly agreed to not only provide signed memorabilia as raffle items, but also vocally support the event.

Nugent will join M.R.C. in promoting the event tomorrow on Z-92’s “Todd-n-Tyler Show” at 10 a.m.

Nugent also voiced promos airing on a number of Omaha radio stations.

Visit www.mattsrocketcollection.com to hear Nugent’s spirited endorsement of M.R.C.’s event this Saturday.

That’s just part of the buzz that has built for Saturday’s show, which will be held at the Velvet Lounge, 76th and Cass streets.

A number of local retailers have stepped up to show their support for this extremely worthwhile cause. Russo’s Guitar Center has donated a Fender Stratocaster guitar, which will be raffled off on Saturday. Other raffle items available at Saturday’s benefit concert include Omaha Beef tickets and Subway restaurant gift cards.

M.R.C.’s debut album, And There Was Rock, will also be available Saturday at the Velvet Lounge with proceeds going to the scholarship. Tracks include “All The People Say,” “Omaha Rock and Roll,” “Go Juice and Vodka” and the title track, “And There Was Rock.”

On Saturday M.R.C. will pull out their blistering performances of “Thunderstruck” and “Whole Lotta Rosie” as part of their AC/DC Salute to the Troops.

All donations accepted will be donated to American Legion Post #1 in Omaha, which will ensure proceeds fund college scholarships for children who’ve lost their parents serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Music fans and those looking to support the scholarship program will receive the following based on donations made at the door:

• $10 donation: one raffle ticket
• $15 donation: free M.R.C. CD and one raffle ticket
• $20 donation: free M.R.C. CD, a Subway gift card, 96.1 FM The Brew collectibles and one raffle ticket
• $30 donation: free M.R.C. CD, Subway gift card, 96.1 FM The Brew collectibles, free Omaha Beef tickets, $5 coupon for the bar and one raffle ticket

Items for the raffle include:

• Autographed Fender Affinity Strat Guitar, courtesy of Russo’s Guitar Center
• Autographed Ted Nugent guitar picks
• Autographed Ted Nugent collectible hunting posters
• Concert tickets/backstage passes to a Ted Nugent concert
• Autographed Ted Nugent hunting magazines
• Autographed Ted Nugent NYPD baseball cap
• Autographed Omaha Beef game ball

Show Details
M.R.C. will headline the May 26 fundraiser with a full night of music, songs off of their new album and a special M.R.C. AC/DC Salute to the Troops. More giveaways and a motorcycle show are part of activities earlier in the day on May 26. Visit www.mattsrocketcollection.com for more details.

Bike Poker Run
The event will also include a poker run with prizes for best in show and best hand. Dual check-ins for the poker run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at either the Velvet Lounge or Cabella’s (with an 8 a.m. show/shine contest). The 112-mile run includes stops at Rusty Rooster in Yutan, Stacks Bar in Springfield and at the Double Down in Plattsmouth. The run finishes at the Velvet Lounge at 7:30 p.m.

Special Thanks To:
Russo’s Guitar Center (114th Street and West Dodge Road)
Subway Restaurant (50th Street and Underwood Avenue)
Omaha Beef
Omaha City Weekly
Ted Nugent
About M.R.C.
The band features Matt Tompkins (rhythm guitar, vocals), The mean old bastard (lead guitar, vocals), Ben Tompkins (drums) and MMFP (bass, vocals).

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Some of you may have heard that my dad is set to wed, for the third time, this December in Jamaica. (Yes, yours truly is attending the ceremony while perfecting an end-of-year tan that could, quite possibly, become my Best Tan Ever. Stay tuned.)

As such, I now have three females in my life, all of whom were married/will be married to my dad.

On Friday, I pop out to my mailbox to find a separate letter from all three women in my mailbox. And I took a photo to prove it.

The letters were:

• a postcard from my mom, sent while visiting my sister in California;
• a “get well” card from Robin, my dad’s second ex-wife, sent following my visit to the ER last weekend; and
• a “thank you” card from Pat, my dad’s soon-to-be wife, sent after I gave her a small gift for Mother’s Day.

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I wake up Saturday morning thinking it was merely a pulled muscle on the right side of my lower back.

No big deal, right?

I assumed I made some awkward move while dancing (more awkward than usual, mind you) to Matt’s Rocket Collection at the Barley Street Tavern Friday night.

While I’m popping Advil for much of the day on Saturday, the dull pain waxes and wains and I don’t give it much thought.

That is until the pain transforms to the blinding variety around 2 a.m. Sunday. It’s throbbing something terrible and nothing I can do will reduce or eliminate the pain.

So I look to my boyfriend with painful eyes, pleading he take me to the nearest ER.

By 5 a.m., after a series of tests and shots and questions and answers, it’s determined I have a kidney infection in my right kidney.

I’m given a shot of something in my lower back to alleviate the pain, plus prescriptions for an antibiotic and pain pills.

Four days after my ER visit, I’m pleased to report that the pain is gone and I’m well on my way to a healthier Wendy. And I never, ever wish anyone experience a kidney infection as severe as this. I shutter just thinking of the agony I experienced Sunday morning.

Ouch.

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May I present what has become one of my Top Five Possessions.

Thanks, Woz.

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I’m working to raise $100 for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fund-raiser.

Please make a donation if you can.

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