Day 172

I'm typing this as I sit in my mom's office, listening to Howard on Sirius, while Leah is on the computer job searching online. The good news is that she has a few meetings set up with people helping her find a job here, including one today. I think she is getting more acclimated here. People have been so nice. While I am in Canada next week, she is going out to lunch three times with new friends. I have to make special mention of one in particular - Steph Frankel. She is a Chicago native who married a Clevelander and moved here a couple of years ago, not knowing anyone. She knows how it is to be in Leah's position and she couldn't be nicer. Like I said before, my main concern here is making sure Leah transitions as smoothly as possible.

Work is getting busier. I just need to get through my mid-August big review with my top client and I should be all good. Travel picks up starting next week when I head to Toronto. It will be a good thing though. I cannot sit in my mom's house all day everyday like I pretty much have over the last week and a half. I went to the Tribe/Tigers game Tuesday night with my old friend Dise who I haven't really hung with in years, as well as Jeremy and Jared. All it takes for the Tribe is having my in the stands. I am now 2-0 and they have scored a combined 23 runs in those two games. Just a note - the new Mini burgers at the Jake may have overtaken old reliable, the three piece chicken dinner as my go to meal. We will see what happens at my next game August 8th.

On a sad note, Tommy Cole, the brother of my good friend DC, died of an apparent heart attack at age 42 on his way up to visit his brother at Camp Robin Hood, the overnight camp DC now owns the camp. When someone I know passes away, it just stings me. I have completely changed since my father died in that aspect. While I only had hung out with Tommy on a few occasions, I just feel so horrible for the family. It is never easy to deal with, but it makes things so much worse when someone dies so young. I know I sound like master of the obvious, but it is very true. My deepest sympathies go out to the entire Cole family.

This Christie Brinkley/Peter Cook marriage story. So Peter Cook, Brinkley's 4th husband, was essentially outed by his 19 year old mistress who he had been having sex with for two years. She worked for Cook and was a toy store clerk. He was giving showering her with money and gifts, mostly to keep her quiet, and the fact that he is old enough to be her father. Cook has been getting killed by the New York tabloids, and while I do think this is a scumbag move, take a look at Christie Brinkley here. This is now her 4th failed marriage. She must be doing something wrong. You may say to yourself, who cheats on Christie Brinkley? More proof that with many men, no matter how hot your wife, girlfriend, etc may be, there is always someone hotter out there in the beholders eyes.

Lastly, on the news last night was the guilty plea of former Tribe star Albert Belle to stalking charges in Arizona. Belle was arrested three different times for stalking, once he was charged with putting a tracking device on his ex-girlfriend's car, following her around, and threatening the man she was with. What was so crazy was how bad he looked. He put on at least 40 pounds, had a big beard, graying hair, and looked older and scarier than ever. Albert, up until he left, was by far my favorite player. Anyone who watched the Tribe during the Belle era can't deny that he was one of the best hitters you would ever see. Nobody was more clutch. He hit so many big and memorable home runs during the 94-96 seasons. He was fearless and everyone feared him, including his fans. Not only was it amazing that this was on the news here, but it was THE LEAD STORY. Classic Cleveland right there. We watch the channel 3 news at 11, and I must say after years of watching the news in Chicago, it reminds me the difference in the TV markets. How is the Albert Belle plea the lead story? Strange.

Quick birthday shoutout to the first lady of Waite Hill, my Aunt Linda.

Days until we move into our house: 36
Song of the Day: "Definition" by Black Star