I've had this damn cough for over a week now, just hoping it'd go away on its own. I never got sick really - never had a fever, nausea, upset stomach...just a cough. So now that my "cough medicine" has run out (it didn't really help much anyways), I've decided to go with the home remedies. The honey and tumeric idea offered up by a co-worker didn't work (though he says it needs to be done daily). The gargling with salt water didn't work. So I think I'll just stick with WebMD's "hydration" idea:

Prevent dehydration. Fluids may help thin secretions and soothe an irritated throat. Dry, hacking coughs respond to honey in hot water, tea, or lemon juice.

And since I've basically run out of anything that would coat the throat (though I'm going to try hot tea & honey later), I've resorted to a fine alternative - mead. This is what I've got - Apis Półtorak Jadwiga Mead. It's by far the highest rated mead at Ratebeer, and I just love the stuff. It's a bit harsh at first (17% ABV) but it goes down oh so smooth and has the most amazing honey aftertaste. And while it hasn't gotten rid of my cough (yet - the mead treatment just started tonight) - at least it could get me a buzz if I have enough of it.

URL: Coughs -- Home Treatment

This picture comes from an article about a certain someone's favorite author, Ann Coulter. Apparently, during a speech last night, two men went on stage and threw pies at her (missing from point blank range nonetheless). This picture is of the protestors outside of Coulter's speech. I'm fine with protesting and all, but I just don't get one of the signs. Perhaps an "enlightened liberal" could clue me in?

Iraqi babies are good eatin'

URL: 01_1_2.jpg (JPEG Image, 300x256 pixels)

For a while, I've been wanting to rant about the Red Sox, but didn't really have the time, nor the inclination. Well, here we go.

There are just a small few teams that I hate in pro sports. The Sacramento Kings are probably right up there. I also hate the New York Yankees and the Detroit Pistons. I never really had anything against the Red Sox - other than the fact that they knocked out the Angels in 1986. I used to actually root for them if there were no other teams I wanted to win in the playoffs. Well...now they're right atop my list of hated teams. They even surpassed my hatred for the Yankees. I actually respect the Yankees. I don't reepect any Red Sox player (other than maybe Curt Schilling). They're a bunch of rag-tag misfits and I hate their arrogance, their attitudes, and their underdog mentality.

What people fail to remember is that they were favored to beat New York in Vegas. They were not the underdogs. This stupid "curse of the Bambino" is idiotic. But by virtue of the "curse" and their drought without a world series title, everyone's jumping on the bandwagon (just as they jumped on the Cubs bandwagon last year). Well, like the Cubs lost last year, I'm hoping that the Sox fall as well. Not only do none of the players on the Red Sox team deserve a ring, inflating their egos any more could be dangerous.

In conclusion. Most hated teams: Kings & Sox. No longer the Yankees. No longer the Cowboys. No longer the Celtics. Screw you Red Sox and your stupid "nation."

URL: ESPN.com - MLB Playoffs 2004: Series Page: St. Louis vs. Boston

Well, with the November filing date, I guess the next training class would be from February through July (see link below) - so that would fit my schedule perfectly - I'd just have to shape up before then.

URL: Basic Academy

As long as I can remember, I've wanted to work for the FBI or the CIA. There's always just been a certain amount of intrigue involved, a different task everyday, working to help your country. But unfortunately, from what I've gathered from both the FBI and CIA job sites, I'm not qualified. I can't even apply to be a "clerk" because I don't live near a city in which they are hiring. So while my job at the bank grows more and more tedious every day, I've been looking for other things to do. Monster.com has led nowhere as I've sent out multiple resumes without success and, quite honestly, the jobs I sent resumes for don't even sound all that interesting - but at least they would give me experience in a related field.

Yesterday, while continuing to pour over fbijobs.com and finding nothing I even remotely qualify for, I once again decided to check in on the City of Orange's job listings (linked below). Apparently, they're hiring police (though it seems to be a continuing hire schedule) - not only are they hiring police, but right now, they're taking applications for police trainees - where they'll actually pay for your POST training - a requirement before joining a department. So once I complete POST, assuming I have good scores and all, it would seem that I'd already have a job lined up with the Orange police, which would be amazing, and from there I could begin to work my way up through the ranks, and if possible, eventually transfer into the FBI - as I would finally have a skillset that would be useful to them.

Of course, this is all conjecture. I'm not sure if I'll apply for the trainee position this time around (deadline to apply is November 16). I'll most likely see if they will be having another trainee hiring period after this one so I can finish my B.A. and then go into POST with a degree (though I'm sure I can get through mid-December even after applying). It's all just evolving right now and I have no idea what's going to happen, but I doubt I can tolerate my current job much longer, nor do I thinking staying in the field makes much sense for me at the time.

URL: City of Orange, CA - Jobs

No explanation needed.

URL: Ashley's Story