In August 2006, we had the first ever Yat-Together at Fresco on Maple Street. So, we went back in August 2007 and August 2008 like a couple returning on the anniversary of its first date to the same site. Cute, huh? At right, Kelli takes charge of gathering the money for the bill. Unlike at Superior Grill in May, we didn't stiff the waiter by a penny. Of course, this time we weren't overcharged on our debit cards.

IT'S HARD TO SAY 'I DO' WHEN I DON'T

There were six people at Wednesday's Yat-Together. I was the only one not wearing a ring. Dammit, I knew I should have worn my Loyola ring. No, seriously. Everyone else is either married or engaged. Thanks a lot for missing the meeting, Greg.

At right, the Four Horsemen of the Yat Rings. From the bottom left going clockwise: Kelli (married), Amanda (married), Amy (engaged), Christina (engaged).

As I sat back and enjoyed the company, I thought about how far we've come (Raise your hand if Matchbox 20 is now stuck in your head) since graduation. I didn't feel left out because I was the only single one. That's fine. I'm not ready for any kind of commitment at this point. I did feel left out in the sense that everyone seems to have a little more going for them. Kelli is going for her master's degree. Amanda just got a better job. Christina is planning a lawsuit and a wedding. I didn't tell her this, but Amy had a certain glow about her. And me? Well, all I could say at the meeting is that my blog has rave reviews and I'm having a pool party next Friday.

THE TINA CURSING CORNER

(You down with TCC? Then please vote in the poll at the right for your favorite comment.)

My mom still is venting about the most recent light bill. "You need a second job these days to pay the fucking light bill."

The DVR taped Numbers again for some unknown reason. "Who said to fucking record it?"

We are watching the King of Queens, as we do every Friday with our seafood. She blurts out: "A fuck buddy. That's all you need." Then, later. "What the fuck is a marionette?"

We are discussing engagement and wedding rings. "You don't know what the fuck you're talking about."

I'm watching the Cubs game on my computer. Mom is watching soap operas. "They're going to kill Eric off the fucking show." Then later. "The fucking jury is upstairs. I ain't never seen that before."

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CHRISTINA: FUTURE MILLIONAIRE

Christina wasn't in the best of moods Wednesday. She came late because she had to be at an inspection at her condo in Metairie. On Saturday night, a pipe burst when the person living above them was doing laundry. When Christina and Ronnie came home from a crab boil (I don't think I've ever been to one of these; I feel empty inside now), there was water on the floor and all over their clothes.

Fixing the pipe and cleaning up is one thing. But that's not all that is bothering her. You see, Christina came to find out that this wasn't the only time a pipe burst in their condo. Christina's convo (paraphrased) with a worker at the complex:

Worker: Sorry about that pipe, Christina. And the second time it's happened to you. That sucks.

Christina: Um, second time?

Worker: Yah, this happened last year to you right?

Christina: I moved in in January.

Worker. Oh, a pipe burst in your condo last year.

She tells this to the guy who sold her the condo's right-hand man, who basically admits this to her. What a moron! In the documents Christina signed in January, the owner states that there have been no problems in the past with pipes, etc. Then, Christina pays an investigator person $475 bucks (there goes her trip to Disney World) to come and look at the mold forming from the water. The investigator finds mold that could not be caused by the pipe bursting. This just keeps getting worse and worse, which coincidentally is what I said about #3 and #5 on my most painful moments list.

Christina then remembers her dog got sick and something formed on its head a while back, but the vet said it could be any number of things. Now, Christina thinks it may have been caused by the mold. In her talks with the person she bought the condo from, Christina has surmised that this guy is trying to weasel his way out of the situation. He also happens to be a lawyer.

The whole time I'm listening to this story, I'm thinking one word: LAWSUIT. Christina has documented every step of this process. All she needs now is a good lawyer. If she wins (and this sounds like a winner to me), she has promised to pay for a future Yat-Together at a fancy restaurant. I think I'll get the steak.

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IN THE SPORTS WORLD

A couple of quick thoughts on sports.

-- Favre is a Jet. At least this nonsense is over. Until next year, anyway. Hopefully, the Dolphins hurt him in the season opener in what I'm calling: the Ultimate Battle of Good and Evil.

-- Pargo's agent says he's going elsewhere since the Hornets are sitting on their thumbs. I think this is a bluff. Pargo wants to stay. He just wants more money. And he's hoping this move gets the Hornets to bite, er, sting.

-- The Olympics started. Wake me up for the medal round in basketball.

-- Saints' opening drive was impressive last night, especially Brees. Meachem was a good sign. Reggie had two nice plays negated by penalties. At least he showed something.

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AMANDA NO LONGER SERVING THE DEAD

Amy's engagement wasn't the only news of the night. Amanda got a new gig: Director of Communications at a local high school. Pay increase. Pretty much her own boss. Good for her. In the bad news category, she won't be allowed to give detentions. Bummer.

Amanda learned she got the job on a Thursday morning. She tells her boss she's leaving at noon. Her boss goes all bitch on her. The Bitch tells Amanda to write down specific instructions of how to complete the tasks she's in the middle of working on. The Bitch doesn't let her say goodbye to individual co-workers, sending out a mass e-mail that day. The Bitch tells her she should work the next day (Friday), even though Amanda works a flex schedule allowing her to be off every other Friday, of which the next day was one.

Amanda does the instructions for the task. The Bitch says they weren't specific enough. The Bitch says she's disappointed in Amanda for leaving the company. What? Shouldn't she be happy? It's a terrific opportunity. 

Let's just say she's not leaving the company on the best terms. You could say, she's dead to them. (OK, that was hilarious. Note: The company is a funeral parlor.)

Amanda can't wait to get out of there. Her last day is Wednesday. You could say she wishes her tenure there would just come to a dead stop. Sorry. Had to do one more.

The previous Director of Communications got the school in the T-P 33 of 36 weeks. Talk about setting the bar high. Good luck, Amanda. If you need help, don't call me. I can't help. Just make stuff up.

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I DIDN'T SEE A FLASHY THING THIS TIME EITHER, K

I think I'm in the clear of getting a ticket for "running" the red light last month. It's been close to a month since I had the close encounter of the red light kind. Just as I begin to think I didn't caught, I run a yellow light Thursday at Carrollton and Canal, another light with a camera. When I got through the intersection, the light was still on yellow. It seemed close. Cross your fingers, kids.

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PARTING SHOTS

Beth comes by the sports department, picks up her umbrella and leaves.

Beth: I couldn't find any (of my) umbrellas this morning. Then I realized I left them all in the sports section."

Jelly is discussing future school options for Jack. I come in at the end.

"And if I send him to Jesuit, he might find a boyfriend."

THE DAILY TOP LIST

The top 5 nicknames I've had.

5. Hot Lips.

My high school girlfriend gave me this. Told all her friends. They told my friends. Anyway, I've gotten a lot of comments on my kissing over the years. For real.

4. Gener.

This was given to me by Jason Bolte, I think. His friends started calling me this. And most of my Uptown friends still call me Gener.

3. Goofball/Knucklehead.

From my boss Marcus. I think he likes me. I think he really likes me.

2. Genius/Gene-Yus.

Many people have called me this over the years. Mostly because I am an actual genius. Bob put a unique twist on it by calling me Gene-Yus on AIM.

1. Knubs.

My fifth- and seventh-grade math teacher Mr. Patent gave me this one for my crew cut. I used to shave all the way to the head. Many of my grammar school friends I've kept in touch with use this name every now and again. But it's my favorite.