Furlough, Pt. II: Day Five (Thursday)

Hey everyone. HABOTN headquarters may have had some issues with power loss and water in the kitchen this morning, though nothing can be confirmed since I am on furlough and I post-dated this thread.

Sorry for this thread's late arrival.

Take a look at the radar if you're not in the Selma-Montgomery-Auburn area. You'll understand.

Peace and love.

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

Furlough, Pt. II: Day Four (Wednesday)

Hey everyone. Here we are on Wednesday, which means I'm about half-way through my unpaid furlough. Working in the newspaper business isn't exactly the most comfortable sector these days, but I like what I do and I love the HABOTN.

Just re-affirming my commitment to you.

Since this post was created before my furlough, I cannot provide any specifics about 80s Music or Auburn Beat Writer Trivia Quizzes I'm planning to upload to Facebook. That may or may not have happened. If you have the means to check those, though, I'd highly recommend it. They're (going to be) so choice.

Fight the power, damn the man, etc.

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

Furlough, Pt. II: Day Three (Tuesday)

Hey everyone. It's Day Three of my latest unpaid furlough, which Gannett hopes will help offset its challenging financial situation. As a loyal employee, I blame outside problems -- chiefly predatory lenders -- as the reason behind my company's issues.

Suspension of disbelief? Perhaps.

Anyway, I am not able to blog. It's forbidden.

I have pre-loaded daily threads to pop up at 9 a.m. CDT so the conversations that make the HABOTN so delicious resume. Please don't be scared, angered or turned off my my parent company's difficulties. I'm very spendthrift.

Peace and love.

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

Furlough, Pt. II: Day Two (Monday)

Hey everyone. As you know by now, I am on unpaid furlough this week as my parent company, Gannett, slugs its way through these difficult economic times.

As such, I am not able to blog. It's forbidden.

I have pre-loaded daily threads to pop up at 9 a.m. CDT so the conversations that make the HABOTN so delicious resume. Please don't be scared, angered or turned off my my parent company's difficulties. I'm very spendthrift.

Peace and love.

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

Furlough, Pt. II: Day One

Hey everyone. As I have discussed before, Gannett's furlough program was extended into the second quarter and, as such, I am on unpaid leave this week.

I cannot blog. It's strictly prohibited.

I have pre-loaded daily blog posts so HOTTIES still can converse during my absence. Have a nice day.

Derby Day: Gotta pick a winner

Hey everyone. Today is Derby Day for those of us who are from Kentucky, lived in Kentucky or once heard of Kentucky and wouldn't mind hearing it again.

It's a fun race. I attended the 1991 running, won $10 and change on Strike The Gold, owned by Bill Condren and Joe Cornaccia, and that was enough for me. The infield at Churchill Downs is a festive scene amid a pool of malodorous swill. It's fun if you're a 19-year-old college freshman as I was in 1991. The cops only get involved if the potential for physical harm exists.

Everything else is fair game. Everything.

I wouldn't find that community quite so enchanting these days. I don't like mud between my toes anymore.

I'm taking Friesan Fire, pictured above, to win The Big Race.

Enjoy your day.

UPDATE: As usual, my horse finished near the back of the field (18th) and another horse, Mine That Bird, took the roses. The race reminded me of the 1993 Breeders Cup Classic, which saw Arcangues (99-1 shot) cut through a field of contenders along the rail during the final two furlongs.

I'm a nerd, yes.

Photo credit: AP Photo/Garry Jones