Sorry for not posting since the dark ages. But I haven't really received any proper chastising. Except from Timmy. And I don't usually listen to him. Haha.

But here I am again. Ready to report on the state of things. First of all, in the news...

July 1 State government shuts down
More than 9,000 workers were off the job on the first day of a partial state government shutdown due to a budget impasse that has dragged on for months...

July 3 Amid shutdown, lawmakers take a holiday
A Saturday matinee performance of the Minnesota Legislature's theater of the absurd brought no sign of a quick end to the state budget impasse...

July 10 Shutdown ends, but state not in the clear yet
Minnesota lawmakers had little time to toast the end of the state's partial government shutdown as they plunged into a new round of negotiations aimed at avoiding a second stoppage...

July 13 Budget passes; session is over
Despite an unexpected one-hour government shutdown caused by an electrical power failure at the State Capitol, the Minnesota Legislature wrapped up work on a two-year state budget...

Thus ends nearly two weeks of legislative absurdity.

Now that Minnesotans can once again acquire fishing licenses, the family is heading up North to the lake cabin for some relaxation time this weekend. I'll be off the radar screen for a few days. I plan on doing some reading, some card-playing, some canoeing, and I might even sink the rowboat once or twice. Good times...

Otherwise, life has commenced as usual. I found out a few days ago that the school district has run out of funding to pay me. My boss is working on finding money from other sources, but as of right now, I'm not certain that I'm working for any compensation at all. Oh well... three cheers for volunteerism!

Not a lot else worth mentioning. My computer has a virus. My room's a mess. I should probably get to bed before I have to get up again. Only one more early morning before my long weekend. I'm home free!