A bit of a milestone yesterday, as I took the dogs to the park for the first time since March. My foot is still sore, but I figured I’d better give this cortisone shot a workout. And we had lots of fun: we went swimming, and played with other doggies, and had tug of war with a stick. All-in-all, a good time. Except it was too damn hot. Sadly, thunderstorms moved in last night, and the doggies don’t like thunderstorms. So, not much sleep for me last night.

Stephen Strasburg has been promoted by the Washington Nationals from their AA club in Harrisburg to their AAA affiliate in Syracuse, where he’ll be making his first start tomorrow night. You’ve probably never heard of him, though he’s apparently a pretty big deal, being a pitcher who possesses a 100 MPH fastball. Strasburg was the #1 pick in last year’s MLB draft, and has already signed a $15 million contract (which should go a long way around here). He isn’t expected to be in Syracuse for long, though, as he’s on the fast track for the majors, and is expcected to get about six starts here before moving on up to DC.

Speaking of big news, Aerosmith has been announced as one of the acts at the NY State Fair in August (presumably we’ll have enough money to pay them). Back in the day, that might have excited me, but now? Not so much. I’d hoped to see Roger Waters doing The Wall this October in Buffalo, but, sadly, was not chosen as part of the presale drawing for tickets, and will probably have to pay out the ass for tickets. Plus I have nobody to babysit the dogs. Oh well.

It’s looking like the furlough of NY State employees (including me) for one day a week until a budget is in place is going to happen, as the NY Legislature can’t even be bothered to work a five-day week to try and get something in place (not to worry, though; they continue to receive full pay). Our Governor now seems to be saying that he’d be willing to forgo the furlough if State employees would agree to a week’s pay lag instead, but it’s hard to tell, ‘cuz he seems to keep just throwing shit at the wall to see what sticks. So, the good news is, I get an extra day off. The bad news is, I’ll be screwed out of 20% of my pay.

Not today, though, so I gotta go.