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Thanks to a measly two cent difference, I was forced to buy stamps I usually wouldn’t buy. I have nothing against Lady Liberty OR U.S. flags, but together they quite possibly form the ugliest stamp known to man.

Why, after any rate hike, does the Postal Service tend to rely on these terrible American Pride designs? Even single colored stamps would get me more excited.

Maybe I’d send more mail?

The Olympics. Once a moment to be glued to the television until bedtime each night. But that was before NBC quite possibly turned an otherwise news-worthy show of good athleticism into an entertainment fiasco.

Also there, but often forgotten, are the thousands of still photographers from every major paper in this country and across the world. The Chicago Tribune’s Scott Strazzante was sent with a few other Tribune company photogs to Turin and he’s been regularly updating a blog called Olympix.

Although sporting one of the most clever names in blog history, he does do a really great job showing the behind the scene chaos that we face at every major sporting assignment. His candor is also surprising, even criticising photo editors and the assignments he’s given:

“I’m always a little squeamish when I am sent to an event and the editors already have an idea in mind of the photo they’re hoping for. It’s pre-visualization and when it happens, the photos often don’t match expectations.”

God, do I know how that feels.

Other Chicago Tribune Olympic blogs:
Globetrotting by Philip Hersh
Wake up, stupid by Rick Morrissey
Prego in Italy by Melissa Isaacson

This needed to be mentioned this very instant.

My neighbor downstairs is having her weekly women’s group sing-a-long, complete with guitar strumming. There is also a tornado siren going off somewhere in the neighborhood.

Combined, these separate events make my house the coolest place in Peoria. And I will tell you about it soon enough.

I felt this strange urge to leave a placeholder right here.

For when I wake up, a matter of hours.

Many months ago, I was rolling my cart down the “teeth aisle” at the grocery store and steeling quick glances at the rows of whitening products sitting on shelves. I’d be the first to admit that my teeth are not perfect, thanks to my stubbornness to avoid braces at all cost. I mean, my teeth are alright. They form a general “U” shape in the mouth and seem to do a splendid job mashing and tearing. Good enough.

I decided I was in the market for some new mouthwash. I mean, I didn’t think TOO much about picking out a blue-green bottle… but just as I was reaching for the standard Listerine, I saw something.

A blue bottle labeled Crest Pro-Health Rinse. It looked very business-like, with a proud line that said “Alcohol Free” right on the front. Hmm. And just as effective as Listerine, but without the burning? Into the cart you go.

As soon as I got home, I poured some of that fantastic space-age liquid into a cup. I rinsed, felt pleased that it was so comfortable, and spit.

There were BLUE FLAKES. All over the sink and even some between teeth. I felt uncomfortable, like I had just spit while talking. And maybe a little embarrassed that this mess came out of my mouth.

But not to worry, says Crest!

I notice blue specks in my sink after I spit out the rinse. What are these?
The active ingredient in Crest Pro-Health, CPC, as well as the blue color can bind to bacteria and specks in your mouth, making them more visible when you spit into the sink. This is a sign that the product is working and is not harmful. Some consumers find that running the sink before expectorating the rinse helps prevent the blue debris from sticking.

Cetylpyridinium chloride. That’s why my sink is full of tiny blue pieces.