Day 162

To start today, I have got to send mad love out to my good friends and loyal blog readers Andrew and Jules Rafal. Yesterday in the 3 PM hour in Scottsdale, Arizona, Andrew and Jules welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Winter Harlow Rafal, she was 5 lbs, 6 oz, and close to a month early. Jules had as rough of a pregnancy as anyone can have. She suffered through a disease called Hyperemesis, which essentially affects the mother's ability to keep anything down. Jules was literally throwing up every day during the entire pregnancy, was very weak, had to get IV's at the hospital almost weekly, and obviously could not work. As hard as the pregnancy was, Andrew told me last night on the phone that her labor was very short and she only had to push for 20 minutes. So in the end, it worked out great for them. Congratulations out to Andrew and Jules, and welcome Winter to your new crazy world that we call "Raffe Style."

Less than a month to go here. Time is really flying by. The weekend is almost already here. The highlight of the weekend is Saturday afternoon. Gregg and Dave are taking me on a food tour of the city. Gregg is famous for his knowledge of restaurants whether it be here, Kansas City, or abroad. He goes on food tours of other cities once or twice a year. So in honor of the big move, we are doing up Chicago. Gregg told me the itinerary is a secret - the only place he will divulge is Hot Doug's because it the only place I have mandated. Knowing Gregg, we will be eating Barbeque on the deep Southside where we are the only white people in there.

Still no offers on the condo. Another showing on Monday has produced nothing so far and another open house awaits us on Saturday. Its getting to become such an old bit. I know it only takes one person, but I have no patience. I am my mother's son. Luckily, Leah is very patient. She has to be to be married to me for almost 5 years. It is pouring out right now and Casey is in full freak out mode underneath my chair.

My work has picked up in the last two weeks. Summer is the biggest season for us and it has kept me very busy. On top if that, my boss gave me another account to manage, Sysco Canada. We had a guy living there and he quit a few weeks back. They have split Canada in half, east and west coast, and I am now in charge of the east. We just hired a broker in Toronto who I will be managing. I have to go up there probably 4 times a year, but with the broker in place, the work will be minimal, but it helps my bottom line immensely. Before I leave, probably during my last week, I have to go up to Toronto and train our brokers with my boss - a day and a half trip.

I know I am sounding like a broken record, but I am disgusted with my baseball team. After getting swept in Milwaukee last weekend, we just lost two of three at home to the sad sack Cubs, two in blowout fashion. But what is most disturbing is the fact that the supposed ace of the staff and team leader C.C. Sabathia admitted to quitting during his putrid performance in last night's 9-2 loss at the Jake. As for why he quit, Sabathia said, "As a professional, that's never happened to me before. I just lost focus. On one play, I went to back up home and dropped my glove." He went on to say "What was inexcusable tonight was for me to give up." "I'd like to apologize to my teammates, the fans, my family and whoever else was in the stands. That's the first time in my career that's happened to me. I just lost focus." The lack of focus, sleepwalking through games, and overall lack of energy is proof to me that manager Eric Wedge must go. He has lost this team. Worst of all, they are nosediving while Minnesota, Detroit, and Chicago never lose. They are sinking to the bottom of the AL Central. Not exactly what I had in mind for my summer.

Anyone catch Britney Spears on Dateline last week? What a piece of trash she has turned into. She was chomping on her gum like a 14 year old, she cried about how the paparazzi won't leave her alone, and overall sounded like a washed up hick. The sad thing is she is only 25. Now I don't feel the least bit sorry for her. She chose to marry that t-rex Kevin Federline and have his kid with a second on the way. She couldn't have come off worse if she tried in this interview. Who I do feel sorry for is her publicist who will assuredly be fired within the next few weeks for allowing this interview on the air.

There is now another countdown listed below...peep it.

Days Until Leah Stops Working: 10
Days Left in Chicago: 25
Song of the Day: "Keep Risin to the Top" by Doug E. Fresh