We just need to get through today, and then the big Memorial Day weekend (celebrated big-time in Waterloo, NY, officially designated the “birthplace” of Memorial Day by LBJ in 1966, though it’s one of a couple dozen communities to claim the distinction), which seems like it’s coming a lot earlier than usual, will be upon us. Not that I’m complaining; it’s been a long time since I’ve had a day off.

Memorial Day weekend, of course, means the Lacrosse Final Four, which is a big deal to me, at least, and to the 100,000 or so folks who’ll be heading to Boston this weekend. Sunday is “Brews, Blues, and BBQ,” emceed by Dan “Elwood” Akroyd, with performers including John L. Hooker Jr., The Radiators, Edgar Winter, Roomful of Blues, and The Blind Boys of Alabama. Sadly missed will be local blues legend Roosevelt Dean, who lost a lengthy battle with cancer last month.

For those of you don’t know (and why would you), former Secretary of State William Seward (we’re going way back, here, to Abe Lincoln and Andrew Johnson) lived most of his adult life in Auburn, NY. Seward, you may recall (if you were paying attention in school), arranged for the purchase of Alaska from Russia (which you can still see from Alaska, from what I understand) in 1867. Seward’s Folly? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

This is somewhat convoluted, so try and stay with me here. Alaska became the 49th State 50 years ago, in January, 1959. Every year, Auburn has its Founder’s Day, and this year, they’re celebrating the Alaskan statehood anniversary (rather than celebrating Auburn’s founding in 1793; I guess once you’ve celebrated the Underground Railroad and the fake inventor of baseball a couple dozen times, you have to get creative). So, naturally, Sarah Palin is coming to Auburn on June 6th to take part in the celebration. Yes, the home of Harriet Tubman and Abner Doubleday will now be sullied by the presence of Sarah Palin.

Activities scheduled for the Governor no doubt include tours of the Bass Pro Shop and Auburn’s maximum security prison (a rather impressive looking fortress – complete with guard towers and gun turrets – right in the middle of the “city”). Attica gets all the publicity, but the Auburn Penn is really bad ass, so Sarah should love it. And perhaps they’ll cap the visit off with a trip to the Auburn zoo to shoot some wolves.

I’m kidding, of course; Auburn doesn’t have a zoo.

Anyways, not only does Barbara Boxer send me e-mails, now her son, Doug, is writing to me too. Yesterday he wrote,

It’s been an incredible few months since the progressive majority you helped deliver to President Obama last November has been in session.

Really? There’s a progressive majority? So why the frack aren’t we closing Gitmo, ending military commissions, prosecuting torturers, enacting singlepayer healthcare (speaking of healthcare, tonight on Bill Moyers, Bill has “Heathcare NOT Warfare” co-chair Donna Smith (you may remember her from “Sicko;” she and her husband had to move into their daughter’s basement after – despite being fully insured – they lost everything due to illness and surgeries) of the California Nurses Association on to talk about how our broken system is hurting ordinary Americans, plus physicians Sidney Wolfe of Public Citizen and David Himmelstein of Physicians for a National Health Program are on to discuss the political and logistical feasibility of enacting a single-payer system during these economic times, and within a government bought and paid for by lobbyists. 9:00 EDT on PBS, check you local listings, or read more and join the discussion), and investigating the people who lied us into war (among other things)? Oh and why isn’t Al Franken the junior Senator from Minnesota?

Speaking of Al, his son wrote to me yesterday, too, asking me to wish his dad a happy 58th birthday, and donate $58 to his campaign (or whatever it is you call when you win an election but still have to keep campaigning in the courts). Happy Birthday, Al! Hey, one out of two aint bad.

OK, now let’s get this day over with.