The one thing you don't want to happen is that you start talking about common systems, for example, and you get the gold-plated toilet out the other end.

The ongoing issues are the strength of the economy and whether or not the pace of the recovery is in fact slowing down. One of the important things this week will be to see the extent of the damage.

The only down side is it seems like you've been practicing forever, when it really hasn't been. It just feels that way. This week, they're paying attention to what you're talking about. Everything picks up a notch because you're going into the home stretch and finally playing a game.

The only reason they were talking about that is they were expecting us to have a losing season. And I don't. So I just hope nothing gets to that point because that'd be tough for both of us.

The only reason we are talking about this (wheel tax) is to get a vote (for the EMS budget), and I have a real problem with that. The feeling I'm getting here tonight is that I'm buying (Williams') vote so that he'll get the Capital Improvement Plan in gear for 2005.