Tami_Hughes' Blog

Did you see my story Monday on County Supervisor Elizabeth Coggs' proposal to give supervisors a $300 a month "transportation allowance"?  Her proposal cited the growing districts they manage and of course, the growing gas prices.  In our interview she also pointed out that board members have not had a raise since 2000.  But here's the thing, Coggs only lives a few miles from the courthouse and when asked how many miles she does rack up a month, she didn't even know. 

$300 is a lot of money per month, considering they don't even keep track of their mileage.   HOWEVER-- She also pointed out that Milwaukee aldermen do get a "transportation allowance" of $337 a month.  They also make close to $23,000 a year more than county supervisors.

So what do you think?  Do the supervisors deserve a transportation allowance?  What about mileage reimbursement?  Or are they just up a creek like the rest of us?

What a difficult post this is to write... But Packers fans, myself included, I think it's time we took the hint with all this Brett Favre- should I stay or should I go- and realize...  He doesn't want to play in Green Bay anymore.

The writing has been on the wall for awhile, and this just seals the deal... regardless of who is to blame, and I think there's plenty of that to go around... it seems pretty obvious that Brett doesn't want to play for the Green Bay Packers anymore.  And as hard as that is to say, even more so to actually believe... I think we all need to take the hint. 

Am I the only one confused about what's going on in our economy right now?  I'm sure it's part of the global economy, but I'm really, truly perplexed about something.

I covered the story of Midwest Airlines' job cuts on Monday... 1,200 people are going to lose their jobs.  The company says mostly to blame, is fuel prices.  Mike Brophy, an airline spokesperson said, "It's a very, very tough environment for airlines, probably the most difficult ever.  Definitely more difficult than post 9-11."  That's an exact quote.  And it's not just Midwest, as I'm sure you know, airlines everywhere are suffering-- cutting jobs, charging customers more, etc.

So my confusion is... How in the world is this happening, while oil companies claim record profits?  I don't understand this.  How is this possible?  Are oil companies more valuable than the airline industry?  Are their profits worth more than food prices at the grocery store or families being forced to sell a vehicle just to get by?  I just don't get it.  Really, I'm not trying to make a political statement because I'm not trying to blame anyone with this blog-- I truly don't get it.

So-- if you can offer any explanations to end my confusion, I'd love to hear it.

I have said for many years, there is one thing, ONE thing I wanted to do before I die... see Van Morrison in concert.  That's it.  Now of course, I'd like to see my children, grandchildren grow up, etc.... that's a given.  But seeing and hearing Van LIVE in person, is the one extraordinary thing I've wanted to do.

Well, can you believe that dream is coming true next month?  If you know much about Van, he doesn't tour in the US often, and he certainly doesn't come to Milwaukee hardly ever.  My husband did the good deed and got the tickets one night after I went to bed- and I'm going to see him in Chicago!!  I can't believe it. 

His music, it's one of those things, since I bought his first CD in Seattle during Spring Break in college... it was like my soul had been set to music and it grabbed a hold me and still has yet to let go.  It's a magical thing...

So my question-- Any of you have something like that, a song, an artist, a band that sortof "completes" you?

It truly brought me to tears today when I heard of the sudden death of NBC journalist Tim Russert.  I can't recall ever feeling a personal loss over someone I've never even met, but Tim Russert was really one of a kind. 

I've blogged about this before, I've never been so captured by politics than I am now, and number one on that list is "Meet the Press" every Sunday morning.  It's "mommy's time" in my house.  I usually get up, feed my kids, then make them play together for an hour while mommy enjoys her coffee and watches her show.  It really is the only time of the week where I insist on time for myself, and of all the politcal shows, Russert on "Meet the Press" is unmatched.

I can honestly say, my Sunday mornings from now on will not be the same. Tim Russert, may he Rest in Peace.

Is it just me or has your school-aged child been driving you nuts lately, too?  My son is 10 and in the 4th grade.  I'm starting to think it must be a fever for the end of the school year because he can't concentrate on anything, and his brain is always somewhere else!  If I'm going nuts now, I can't imagine what it will be like when he's really home for summer!  Is your kid like this too?

I have always considered myself a news junkie (duh, I sortof have to be, right?)  But this election, I am certifiably a political junkie, too.  I can't get enough of the coverage, the campaigns, the polls; all of it.  So on Tuesday night I had my set on CNN the whole night.  I watched all three candidates give their speeches, listened to all the "experts" react on the panel, I couldn't look away. 

I just think this race has been fascinating... the first black to get the nomination, nearly the first female to do the same... and they would be facing a highly respected and well established Republican nominee in John McCain.  They are all so worthy of our respect and our vote.  I think no matter where you stand politically, this is a great election and I can't wait to see America get involved!

As someone who's watched Idol since almost the very beginning (the last few weeks of season one), I thought it would be interesting to get your thoughts on best Idol moments ever... Here are a few that stand out to me.

Clay Aiken singing "Bridge Over Troubled Water"  I loved loved loved Clay.  Now, he's lost his mind... but when he sang the famous Simon and Garfunkel song, I got the chills.

Fantasia doing "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess... She OWNED it, awesome performance.

Carrie Underwood doing "Alone" by Heart.  Love Carrie, still do.

Katherine McPhee's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", you can't argue with that one.

And from this season, David Cook with his rocked out version of "Billie Jean"... Love him!  Gotta vote this week!

My heart is breaking for my son.  He's 10, and in 4th grade.  We moved to Menomonee Falls last year, and he was really sad, worried when we moved that he wouldn't have any friends.  Well from the very beginning, he met Jake and Josh.  My son is Jordan, so the three 'J's just made sense.  Jake and Josh moved here from England a few years ago, they had the cute English accents and everything.
Anyway, after being best buddies for two years, they are moving back to England.  Today was their last day in school and my son is just devastated.  It's hard as a parent, because I know there's nothing I can say or do to make it hurt less... his friends are leaving, and they're going far away.
IIt all reminds me of a girlfriend I had when I was little, she was my neighbor and she moved away, too.  But get this, when I was in college in Miami, Florida (I grew up in Ohio) I was at the university pool and a group of girls walk over.  Guess who was there- Jamie!  She was friends with a girl that attended Miami and we ran into each other again.  Isn't that crazy?  Maybe one day Jordan will run into Jake and Josh again.

It's not looking good for her is it?  I know, she hasn't had odds on her side in quite awhile but she's running out of time and options.  It seems the only way for Hillary to get the nomination would be for her to do something pretty outrageous (i.e. throw the "kitchen sink" at Obama, etc.).  I also wonder, even if she has a case to make, like let's say she has the popular vote but not the delegate lead, and something happens-- would she lose the respect of democrats or even her suppporters in the process?  I'm not saying she should drop out, I just think it's an interesting topic... So, let's discuss!