There's been talk about a lot of churches (even some lefty ones) really skirting the lines this election, but as others have said, I don't think it's technically illegal if they don't specifically tell you whom to vote for.

Kalshane, because of gut issues, I gave up coffee (and eventually tea) for almost 10 years. My problem wasn't with the caffeine as much as the acidity of it. Kicking it was tough, but it was doable. The first few days were the worst.

Yeah, I needlessly bit a co-workers' head off today because he made a smart-ass comment when I said I couldn't have chocolate at lunch. I need to apologize to him tomorrow. (We all make smart-ass comments to each other all the time, so he wasn't out-of-line by doing so. I was just overly sensitive.) The sedation yesterday probably didn't help either, as my wife informed me tonight that I'm always super cranky the day after sedation, which was news to me.

My gut's more or less better so I can drink it again, but I still only have one cup a day. A second if I am the walking dead.

That's encouraging. Hopefully I can eventually get everything healed up to the point I can "cheat" every so often.

That's definitely not the case. I saw what my friend Stéphane was making back then, that team's pay for its non-stars was roughly in the same ballpark as my salary at that time. They'd have wanted insurance or the team to pay so they could eat the month of the doctor's visit.

It does depend on the the league the player is in, and the age/rank/talent of the player, but while the baseline salary for the American Hockey League is $42,000, the average salary for a player is $90,000. Under the current bargaining agreements, ECHL and AHL players are covered with insurance for their on-ice performance and are eligible for off-ice health insurance, year-round, not just when they're playing.

I'm not saying players stick around the US to make it rain doctor's visits and surgeries, but they are covered by insurance regardless of their citizenship or access to the Canadian single-payer system.

New Orleans: It's like 80 degrees outside and the Convention Center is fucking freezing. OF COURSE.

I was there last week, it was ARCTIC. However, I have learned my lesson from conferences and always dress in layers.

Cable guy en route, cleaner en route. Can't do anything until one of them is done. No work, no unpacking.

Always frustrating when there's stuff to do, but you have to wait on someone else before you can start.

Apologies rendered to and accepted by co-worker. So at least that's not weighing in me.

And hey, look at that, the Cubs actually won last night. (With the way the past decade has gone: Swept twice in the NLDS in 07 and 08, then swept in the NLCS last year, I was concerned they might continue the pattern and get swept in the World Series.)

I have zero motivation today. If anyone sees it, please return to owner.

I have zero motivation today. If anyone sees it, please return to owner.

Did you check under the couch cushions? That's where our remote goes.

I don't actually need motivation today as everything is out of my hands and depending on my team to do the pitch today. More a fretful anticipation.

So you can have my usual thimbleful of motivation.

All kinds of ~ma, David, now and at 2 pm. I'll cross everything, too, just to be safe.

esse, this was years ago and a couple leagues below the AHL—the now defunct CHL. I think all but a couple of players on that team would have started doing backflips if told they could make $42k a year playing hockey.

All manner of ~ma sent out, David.