once it took me six hours to drive from Chicago to Kalamazoo due to flooding and torrential rainstorms

If you're coming in this afternoon, you've got a good chance of "torrential rainstorms," as well as a tornado or hail--nasty weather today!

Here's what my dad said:

Well, we still take I-196 to I-94 to I-80/94 to I-294.

Construction still on I-80/94. You can check http://www.gcmtravel.com/ for info and video feeds.

To me, it's more about timing than route.

Avoid the highways between 3pm and 7pm if you can. Closer to 5pm you are, the worse it is. Travel to Illinois at the end of the week (Thurs/Fri) and back to Michigan on Sunday or Monday. That way you miss the weekend vacationers going to South Haven and the like.

Thanks, Kalshane.

You're welcome.

Is the city vote happening, or has it been postponed? I don't want to miss it, but I had a vague recollection it should be happening around now.

I think it was pushed out to allow for the Seattle and Phoenix info being gathered.

I have two bids and a hysterical screaming orphaned 3 week old kitten in my lap. I don't see being able to do much for the next little bit.

Poor baby kitty! God, three weeks. So wee.

Think hyperactive month-old human baby with knitting needles attached and the voice of a banshee. Also, unclear on the concept of human hand versus feeding bottle teat. Even with the evidence of the milk and the teat being re-proven to her every three hours.

Kill me now. I'm looking at the Ramada's bid and wondering what planet they're on; the minimum catering/bar tab to comp the smaller ballroom is $1200 more than the Holiday Inn, and the rooms are $10 more a night. Very nice people, very nice hotel, but I don't think this is competitive with the HI.

Tell me I'm not evil for peeling the kitten off, putting her in the cat carrier, locking her in the bedroom in it, and turning up Pentangle to drown her out while I try to get some work done? I didn't get 90 minutes of sleep last night and this bloody book is on a deadline.

Also, JZ, if you happen to peer in, I know you and David a list of stuff you love to show people here in town. Can you e me with some of them? Need to put the pimpage together, if my damned head doesn't explode with lack of sleep or my hands don't fall off from this damned disease first...

Tell me I'm not evil for peeling the kitten off, putting her in the cat carrier, locking her in the bedroom in it, and turning up Pentangle to drown her out while I try to get some work done?

Of course not. Kitten mamas need sleep and food, too.

Can you e me with some of them?

We'll send it to you over the weekend, Deb. Good luck with the kitten.