The 2008 session is over - woohoo. Time to start using that accrued comp time, get some sun, some beauty rest, start running again and sit next to Anthony. Time to have my life back. And be a real human being again and not a walking government zombie determined to pass a tax bill. It's Monday and I only have to work 6 more hours to get to 40. I seriously can't wait to clean my house and do laundry.
Julie @ 11:20 AM Permalink |

In bed by 2:00 AM.
8:00 AM Committee Hearing on a beautiful Saturday.
Postponed to 10:00 AM (which we were informed of at 8:00 AM).
Postponed to 11:30 AM.
Postponed to 12:30 PM.
The email system is messed up and won't let me send out notices.
Asked to move my car out of my coworker's (who isn't here and told me to park there) spot, so a Senator can park there.
The cafeteria is closed.
There's no money left in the ATM.
The governor is insisting on a crappy tax bill.
And there's a big party going on outside.

Happy 150th Birthday Minnesota
Julie @ 7:52 AM Permalink |

I've only seen Anthony for a few hours on Sunday and one on Friday.
I've only ran two days out of 12.
I'm totally breaking out.
I've eaten more Jimmy Johns than in my whole life prior.
I've made many copies of "runs" and passed out numerous amendments.
I've taken a roll call vote on the fly and didn't mess it up.
I've been at work for 167 hours.

You can pretty much keep up with what's happening at the capitol by checking these blogs hourly: PPress' The Political Animal and MPR's Polinaut. Usually, if they are still here, I'm still here too. But we're doing good things for Minnesota, right?

We keep ourselves going by thinking about that we've earned more than a week's worth of comp time. And starting tomorrow we can't earn comp time, so once we've hit 40 hours, we just stay home for the rest of the week. As long as it's after Monday at midnight.

For a while there was a rumor that I was running for the house 4A seat, because that's what it said in the Bemidji paper. But no, I don't think that's what I should do at this point in my career.

But today is Friday, it's sunny, I have a cute outfit on, I got a latte from Kopplin's and Monday doesn't seem too far away. Everyone needs to pray that they strike a deal, that both houses approve it and that there is NO special session.
Julie @ 6:57 AM Permalink |

Monday, we stayed late at work to wait for the house to pass their version of the tax bill. Around 9:30 PM, we decided to make a pot of coffee - a very strong pot. At about 10:00 PM, they finished. Thus, I was sent home jazzed up on coffee and could not sleep. I decided to make the best of it, so I got up and picked out a blank card, a pretty label from Etsy and some coordinating papers for a Mother's Day card.

Finally, on Thursday, I embroidered the card while I was waiting for conference committee to start. Then, I lined the inside of the lilac card with a navy paper and a white and yellow stripped paper.

I added a little note, addressed, stamped and got it in the mail.

At work today, I got a call from my Mum, saying that she had received my card and that Rep. Moe had dropped off her pink tulips and peonies. Then, we talked about state and local politics. Happy Mother's Day Mom!
Julie @ 8:43 PM Permalink |

"Due to the fluid nature of the legislature, we sit on our asses."

Julie @ 2:13 PM Permalink |

That's what Conference Committee is like. Except, you have to get up and go to work the next morning and do it again.

My life is: Wait for conference committee to start. Wait for conference committee to end. Repeat.

At least this year we have laptops. Hallelujah for laptops.
Julie @ 9:10 AM Permalink |

It was a pretty day, so we took a little trip over to Minnehaha Falls. I had never been and it was fun to walk around in nature. And of course we had to make a stop at DQ before we went home.

And I guess, some of the retaining walls have been flagged as ready to fail. Yikes.
Julie @ 1:55 PM Permalink |

Furlough

I'm back at work today, listening to the house debate their version of the omnibus tax bill. But here are some pictures of the Club 3 Battle of the Bands Finals from Friday. Anthony had been a judge for some of the semi-finals, so we were on the guest list - woot. We love nights out in Mpls for the cost of parking.

We were there to cheer on his former drummer's new band Hyland and our personal favorite Furlough. We braved all the little high school hipsters and enjoyed a great show.

The second half was on Saturday and we didn't go, but apparently, none of our favorites won.


Yea for good hair on a rainy night.


Hyland


Furlough
Julie @ 1:08 PM Permalink |

I cleared my bosses afternoon schedule (he was in session anyway) so I could leave work early to beat some of the rush hour traffic. Thus, I scored a good table near the sound board and merch table and got to watch sound check. Anthony and Melissa arrived later to enjoy $2.50 Premium taps and the excellent waitress service.


As always they put on a rockin' show. I sang along (at times perhaps, too enthusiastically) with every word and danced in my chair until we finished our burgers and moved closer to the stage.


They are a sweaty bunch.



I can barely contain my excitement.

After this I recommended the jalepeno burger and the bacon cheeseburger. Anthony laughed at me.

Pretty much in love with them and their music. I don't understand why you don't all listen to them! Go to listen on their website, they'll be back in August.
Julie @ 11:12 AM Permalink |

So, Summer doesn't seem so close anymore. Cause, it's been 30° for the last week and every once in a while it snows some more. But, I saw this picture of a Minnesota remodel via Apartment Therapy yesterday and it has me dreaming of those two weeks in May when everything smells lovely and bushes of purple flowers line the freeway.

Also, I get so much joy to see the lily and tulip sprouts popping out of the ground at my house and around town. I can't wait for the peonies.
Julie @ 7:41 AM Permalink |