My allergies are killing me. I’m up late for the third day in a row, way past my bedtime contemplating going to the fridge and having a nice tall glass of diet cherry vanilla dr. pepper but that would probably keep me up even later. I remember a time before the days of mass produced vanilla dr. pepper having a debate with a friend about the merits of vanilla coke versus vanilla dr. pepper. I’ve got to say, I think I lost that argument since you can’t find a vanilla coke in my fridge and there are about 3 bottles of dp chilling on the bottom shelf.

I’ve also started a new addiction, Sudoko. Who would have thought arranging numbers in 3x3 boxes could bring so much entertainment?

My dad’s birthday is today, my sister’s next week, and my brother’s the following week. I have yet to buy any presents (M & J if you’re reading this- don’t worry I still have time!). I prefer giving books as gifts but in looking back through my collection of great books I think I have already gifted my favorites (if you’re thinking that I regift, I do. But I don’t regift books- then what would I have to reread?). My brother and numerous friends take the brunt of my book-wielding gifts. I think thus far J has received Perks of Being a Wallflower, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, Lamb, and a couple books by Douglas Coupland and David Sedaris. I don’t think I have yet inflicted Sarah Vowell or Gregory MaGuire upon him… hmmm… that’s a thought.

And speaking of books, I’m reading a collection of short stories by Salman Rushdie, Step Across This Line. I’ve only just begun but it is definitely a good read. His writing is so impactful and intelligent but still so enthusiastic and funny.

Oh, one more thing, has anyone else heard about Warren Buffett’s incredible donation? I feel like no one even knows about this. Both Warren Buffett and Bill Gates were on Charlie Rose the other night talking about the impact that Buffett’s approximately $31 billion (with a b) gift will have on the Gates Foundation and the size and scope of philanthropic projects the organization can take on. I brought it up at work the other day, mind you I work in a nonprofit, and nobody knew about it. I’m curious to know how a historic donation of more than 84% of the 2nd richest man in the world’s assets don’t seem to be newsworthy to my colleagues?!? I do admire Buffett for a comment he made when asked about what he would leave monetarily for his children "I left them enough to do anything they want but not enough to do nothing at all." He also stated "I’m not an enthusiast for dynastic wealth, particularly when 6 billion others have much poorer hands than we do in life." It’s refreshing to know that in a culture based on what one can accumulate in a lifetime, people that have everything are most revered for what they give away.

As much as I would like to ramble into the night, I do have to attempt to get some sleep since I will have to wake up for work in the morning.

So I had to work late tonight. Shocking, I know. You would think after the season ended that perhaps there would be so down time. Though I can’t complain; rather than face a day of work tomorrow I get to spend the day attending a conference with events titled "There’s a Speaker Born Every Minute" and "How a Trapeze Artist Turns Donor Data into Dollars". I know what you’re thinking; the event of the century. Pretty close; I believe it may rival Barnum Bailey. Though my friends are gallivanting in Namibia and Ethiopia I am learning the intricacies of corporate philanthropy v. corporate sponsorship. I jest but in all actuality I think I may be quizzed on this on Monday.

I leave you with this; my quirky but irreverent survey of questions made especially for you. I figured out that Im tired of you all answering the same old questions with the same old answers so try this survey on for size.

Inside or Outside the Lines? Outside

Charles in Charge or MacGyver? I want Charles in Charge of my days and my nights

Own or Rent to Own? Definitely Own

Dr. Who or Dr. Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Who could resist a guy with 2 hearts?

Ira or Philip Glass? Ira

God, Satan, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster? The Pastafarians are incomplete without a noodly appendage

Madame Talbot or Archie McPhee? It’s a difficult choice between tombstone art and devil duckies

Kinky or Perry? My governor is a Jewish cowboy

Power Wand or Pleasure Pump? Want to take a guess?

Bush or Hedge? Nader

Rock, Paper, or Scissors? Paper beats rock

Brangelina or Tomkat? Both make me throw up a little in my mouth

Vintage or Old? vintage

Twins or Identical Cousins? They laugh alike, they walk alike, sometimes they even talk alike

Crazy or Insane? Debatable

Elvis or Elvis Impersonator? How about Jonathan Rhys-Meyers

Boring or Banal? Banality is my middle name

Just a quick FYI to those of you who have yet to see The Break-Up. First of all, fun movie, love Vince Vaughan and Vincent D’Onofrio… Second of all, two words: Old 97’s. Yup, the Old 97’s are featured in the movie and you can hear 3 fab songs and see Rhett and Murray. What better reason to go to the movies this summer?

The countdown has ended and the fiscal year has prevailed- and I didn’t quite have to sell my soul to help get a balanced budget- I just had to forfeit my dignity by begging our donors to make just one more gift… I’m surprised more people didn’t hang up on me; rather, they courteously let my call go to voicemail so I could leave a lasting memory on their answering machine that goes a little something like this:

"Uhm, hello. I’m calling from the Sym. and I would like to thank you for your support this year AND also let you know that today is the last day of our fiscal year and we are trying to balance our budget as we embark on our music director search. I would like to invite you to consider making an additional gift to help us reach our goal. And again, thanks so much for your support.

Do you like how I started off thanking them for their previous gift and then went right in for the kill? I especially like the phone calls where people said "Well, I just gave $2K…" and I would say "We truly appreciate everything you do to support the Sym. Please consider an ADDITIONAL gift beyond your current support" followed by a verrry long pause and finally "But I just gave $2K…it’s all I can give!" Click.

But alas, we have a balanced budget and my dignity is restored, at least until the end of next fiscal year or until Bill and Bizzy’s upcoming party for which I fear my reputation precedes me…