I don't usually go for memes and questionnaires, but for some reason, this morning I felt like actually doing this one that I got from my old friend Gilbert. Apparently, the way it works is that you send it to any and every person you like and they answer and do the same, while replying to you with their answers. It's a good way to find out some things that maybe you didn't know about the people you consider friends.

Yeah, I know, I always feel like these things are a little silly, but what the hell, right? Check it out here.

On Friday, I received word that an old childhood friend of mine passed away. There were no details about how or when, not even a way to get in touch with his family. It pretty much took the wind out of my sails for the rest of the day. I tried to get through my day at work, just so I could go home and have my weekend to sort through my thoughts and feelings about it.

And with all of the death and destruction from Hurricane Katrina in the news, it's gotten to the point that I don't want to hear about it anymore. Really. I know that's probably a bad thing to say, but it's the truth.

Then yesterday, being the fourth anniversary of 9/11, I think everyone in this country takes at least a moment to count their lucky stars and think about what they have to be grateful for. It's my hope that most people take this day to think about their loved ones and express that to each other. But with that comes the memory of it all, the memories of witnessing the destruction of thousands of lives right before our very eyes.

Today at lunch, I went out to my car to get something in the trunk. I open it, get what I need and close it. Around 5:30, I start winding down for the day and get ready to leave. I grab my things from my desk and head for the door. As I'm walking out to the car, I go for my keys...

Nothing.

Oh crap. I instantly knew what had happened. It surprised me and it didn't surprise me. Still, I decided to go back to my desk and check there, just in case.

Nothing.

Now I'm pissed. I mean, I'm right there on the edge. It takes everything I have to keep myself from just grabbing some random item and throwing it across the office. You see, this has happened to me one other time, at the same place, for the same reason. I ended up just kicking myself that time too. Apparently, this is a curse I must live with.

Last Friday, as I left the house for work, I stopped to get gas a nearby station. While filling the tank, I took a walk around the car and did a quick inspection. It sounds a little nerdy I’m sure, but I got into the habit of doing this a few years ago, especially once there was a child in the car.

Usually I just give everything a quick glance and don’t really worry about it, but this particular morning, I noticed that my right rear tire was low. I had to do a double take, because it was just barely low enough to make it stand out. So I went into my glove compartment and grabbed the tire gauge to measure the air. Before I did that, I pressed against the tire with my hand and that said it all. The tire was pressing inward with minimal force.

All right.

Easy enough, right? Just fill the tires with air…but I had three things standing in my way.

So we're renewing our insurance at work, and while I need to add my baby girl and get dental for my son, I just dread anything having to do with insurance. It's just not a subject that goes down easy with me. I suspect that's the case with most people out there as well.

The fact that insurance policies and programs are still confusing for the average customer says a lot about how much insurance companies are willing to separate you from your cash. I mean, the concept of insurance--that's been around for ages. Insurance companies pride themselves on their long history of serving customers and providing coverage above all else, but why is it that the process hasn't gotten any easier?