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It's 10:30 p.m. and I just took my Ambien and I want to bang this out before the Ambien bangs ME out. Yeah, I'm a responsible guy, huh? I must wanna make sure I get to work on time. Pfffft! Think about it! this is ME we're talking about, besides, I have the next couple of days off. More on that in a second.

Tonight was the premier of "The Next Iron Chef." Now, I love to cook and I love watching Food Network, especially "Iron Chef America" and anything with Alton Brown in it. When it comes to other shows like "Hells Kitchen" or "Top Chef," I catch them occasionally, but not all the time.

I have been anticipating this for weeks and I have to tell you, it didn't disappoint. I know of several of the chefs competing and it looks like it's gonna be a BLAST! As of tonight, I have my money on John Besh. He owns a couple of restaurants in New Orleans. Not that I'm showing any preference for the home-town boy, I just like his style.

Also worth keeping an eye on, in my humble opinion, are Michael Symon and Jill Davie. Traci Des Jardins was the first to exit, but she was stuck trying to make a savory desert using salmon roe. Sorry, Traci. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the mini-series.

A friend of mine and some of yours, Moose, turned 30 Sunday. She spent her birthday with her mother who is slipping fast. Read Moose's blog to find out the particulars. Those of you who know her, drop by and give her a word of encouragement, won't you? Those of you who don't, send a prayer or something for her please.

Tomorrow, I am off work because my MIL is undergoing surgery. No one seems to think it is a very big deal and even though she is going to have to stay in the hospital for at least one night, they are calling it outpatient surgery. I don't know about that. I am not familiar with the particulars of the diagnosis, but I do know that when I hear the words brain, tumor and surgery in the same sentence, I get a little worried. Me, my wife and kids are going to the hospital to be with her and the other sisters that have come in. If you have any good thoughts left, think one for her. She has always been awesome to me and I love her very much.

I'll let you know how things are progressing later, right now, I'm heading to bed. G'nite, and thanks.