1_ What part of today was your favorite?

I actually had two portions of the day today that definitely are tied for my favorite.

First, I dropped by the Salvation Army this morning to donate two huge garbage bags full of clothes I simply do not wear any more. As silly as it sounds, I felt pretty good about donating the clothes rather than just discarding them. Some of those shirts I didn't want to part with - they were so darn comfortable, yet I've had them since college!

Second, while I ran back and forth to JCPenny and Kohl's today to buy NEW clothes this afternoon (which I'm extremely happy about, in of itself), the short trip to the grocery store was the most exciting. Not only to get some fruit and veggies, but to buy that Strawberry Sorbet from Haggen-Dazs! I swear, if I could get a lifetime supply of this stuff, I'd be in heaven...

2_ What part of today was your least favorite?

When I found out I'll have to spend the money I had earmarked for new tires on the car for bigger repairs... See below for the gory details. Bleh!

I just realized that I hadn't written my "favorites" in a very long time. So, here goes... I need to get back into routine, doing these things!

1_ What part of today was your favorite?

I didn't do much of anything today! ;) I really needed a day to catch up on some sleep and today happened to be that day. After two nights in a row of drinking (because of my birthday, then Halloween!) I hadn't had a good night of sleeping. I got plenty today - getting almost a full 12-hours of sleep! Yeah, you read that right! Almost 12 hours! I didn't end up getting out of bed until almost 5:00pm. I showered up, then went to Kohl's and JC-Penney's to do some shopping. My parents, sister and brother-in-law all got me Gift Cards for both places, to get some new clothes, so that's just what I did. So, that was another favorite part of my day. I got a few new shirts and a pair of new khakis. I still have a fair balance remaining on the Gift Cards, so I'll have to go back and get more. I had to go today (Saturday), though to use those coupons my sister sent me. They were only valid today!

2_ What part of today was your least favorite?

Not getting home last night from the Halloween party until 6:00 am! I probably could have stayed at Kelsey and Jadie's apartment (they offered), but I had sobered up quite a bit and since two of the guys I was there with, shacked up with their women, I felt a little out of place. I get bummed out enough just thinking about being single, I don't need to be around people that are semi-conscious and making out (among other things!) in the next room. No, I don't need that! :)

1_ What part of today was your favorite?

KF called me this afternoon, wanting to hang out and knowing we hadn't in quite some time, I decided to drop by her house to spend some time with a close friend. I've been trying to spend time with friends outside of work lately, and it seems to have worked today, especially. I had a great time, it got my mind off work-related issues, and I had some laughs! We certainly need to hang out more...

2_ What part of today was your least favorite?

Not being able to take my sister's phone call any longer than I did earlier this evening. I haven't talked to her in a few days and I had some things I wanted to talk to her and my brother-in-law about. I'm going to make a point to give her a buzz tomorrow.

I apologize I haven't continued this in over two weeks. Vacation and some personal issues have gotten in the way since my last "favorite" post.

Either way, I'll attempt to keep this going...

1_ What part of today was your favorite?

Finding out the fixin's on the car will be paid for! I've had some issues going on with the car since vacation and I found out that the dealership will need to replace the ECM (whatever the hell that is). And, according to them, is still covered under an 80,000 mile warranty. With the car now nearing 73K miles, I'm sure glad I'm dealing with this now rather than a year down the road, when I'll probably be over the 80K miles.

2_ What part of today was your least favorite?

Watching that Cubs game this evening. While it turned out great, the game went back and forth and was very frustrating to watch! Those damn middle relievers need to get in the groove!

Since I was driving all Thursday evening and throughout the overnight, I apologize to not have my "favorites" listed for yesterday.

1_ What part of today was your favorite?

Pulling into Bluffton at 10:30 this morning! Boy, was that a long drive! ;)

2_ What part of today was your least favorite?

Having a that nasty aftertaste from snacks on the way home. It was a "wonderful" blend of beef jerky, Lays Cracker Crisps (Zesty Herb & Parmesan), and energy bars. Mmm... ;)

1_ What part of today was your favorite?

The end of the work shift... ;) After that, it was technically vacation time!

2_ What part of today was your least favorite?

Filling up the gas tank. I know it will be one of just several over the next 24 hours and I know I'm going to spend a fortune on doing so! Bleh! It's a small price to pay though, to finally see my family and some friends from back home.

1_ What part of today was your favorite?

When Alfonso Soriano hit the 3-run Home Run to win the game today for the Cubbies! They blew a 5-run lead and coughed up another win for Rich Harden, so it was awesome to see them come back and win this game.

2_ What part of today was your least favorite?

Having to come home and start packing rather than go out for a drink with my co-workers. I hadn't exactly been invited, but I noticed they dropped by The Tavern (a bar in the CanadInn) after work tonight. I almost wanted to turn around and meet them anyway, but I knew I had things to get done here at home. I shouldn't be spending money anyway. So, I guess I shouldn't be too down-hearted about it. ;)

1_ What part of today was your favorite?

The drive to Fargo turned out be a great time... I got the camera cleaned out and working great (for a VERY affordable price!) and had Thai for lunch. You really can't beat that...

2_ What part of today was your least favorite?

The confirmation this evening I received from a particular new friend. I'll elaborate on this in a separate post... See above...

1_ What part of today was your favorite?

Let's just say I had a "special someone" send me a chat message on Facebook this evening. While this thing is all new, she's beautiful and seems like a good person. We'll see where it goes...

2_ What part of today was your least favorite?

Waking up. I slept very good today, for some reason - and didn't want to get out of bed. A far cry from the past few nights, when I haven't slept particularly well. A restless mind, never helps...

1_ What part of today was your favorite?

Getting out for my run... While it wasn't the greatest day (weather-wise), it felt great to be out in the fresh air and to get some exercise.

2_ What part of today was your least favorite?

Letting my overrides for the Mid-term Minnesota forecast expire. Work-related stuff that doesn't go your way is always disappointing and this was certainly no different. I basically had to start all over in my Mid-term (24-48 hr) forecast for Minnesota this evening.

You know, I was watching that special on TV the other night (Nightline, or whichever one of those it was) on Randy Pausch, the professor from Carnegie Mellon that lost his battle with Pancreatic Cancer, his now infamous "Last Lecture," and his love for life.

I can't sit here and say I wasn't moved and touched by what he had to say during this interviews from the past and how he cherished his life, his wife and his kids. This guy, someone I've never met and had never heard of up until that point is now someone I want to know more about. I haven't watched his "last lecture" yet, but I will. It's over an hour long and I want to find the right time where I can sit and watch it with my full attention. I went out and bought the book yesterday and I've read about half of it already. It's a great inspirational read. It makes me feel lucky to have been able to fulfill some of my childhood dreams, myself. That's what his entire "Last Lecture" was about.

One thing I caught from the Television Special the other night, however, was the one thing he said to his kids every night before they went to bed. It's something I now want to ask myself every day.

1. What part of today was your favorite?

and

2. What part of today was your least favorite?

They're great questions and one's I'm going to start answering every day. Starting later tonight, of course. Because today... isn't over yet!