Yom Kippur (or Yum Kippur, as the Queen Dee lovingly refers to it as) starts tonight. What is Yom Kippur (you ask!) and what's the deal with the no eating thing? Basically it works like this: on Yom Kippur, you're supposed to take time to reflect and repent for all of the crap you pulled over the previous year (hey, nobody's perfect....). As a way to demonstrate your sorrow, observant Jews will not eat from sunset tonight until sunset tomorrow. Obviously there are exceptions to this rule. For example, young children are not expected to fast nor are people with medical conditions (diabetes, low blood sugar, etc). Rabbis have debated and dissected the whole fasting thing for thousands of years. I find it fascinating that in 2008 we still participate in this ancient ritual.

I got promoted at work this weekend. It doesn't get me a pay raise or a company-paid vehicle, but it does give me and my business card a lot more street cred.

My morning ritual includes checking my BofA statement online, mostly to check for fraudulent activity. I recently had to cancel and re-issue a check (the bride and groom lost it) and was shocked when BofA whack-a-doodled me with a $20 surcharge. I kindly explained the situation to the woman on the other end of the phone and within about 90 seconds she put the funds back into my account. I was floored. She answered my call on the first ring, spoke English (with a heavy RI accent but that's ok), didn't put me on hold, and didn't need to transfer me 47 times. Take note, Verizon.

So I have a date this weekend with a guy that a year ago I probably wouldn't have considered "my type". Eg: he's polite, has a great job, has no visible alcohol dependancy issues, volunteers at his local synagogue, and check this out (a biggie for me) he's from New England. Pahkcah02 may be developing a bit of a crush.

If you need me, I'll be dedicating my time in service of my country this weekend. That's right, I'll be shopping. Drop me a line if you want in.