I have eaten enough in the last two nights to last through next Thursday's fast. But will I last? Tune in next week to find out.

I don't have much time to go into detail, but, suffice it to say, Atlanta was totally awesome!

I will be off soon to celebrate 5769 with the family, so L'Shana Tovah to everyone (or, if you're a Broadway lover, L'Shoshana Bean Tova Feldshuh).

Twelve hours from now, I should be sitting on a plane, eagerly awaiting takeoff to Atlanta.

I know what you're thinking, and no, I have not yet begun to pack.

It's four outfits. How difficult could it be?

Plus, I've got both my cell phone and digital camera batteries charging at the moment, so I'm technically multitasking.

The weather up there should be nice, not too hot. I'm bringing my sweater, just in case I need it.

Besides, that's the one item I've already packed.

I have no complaints about today, per se, but I am getting a little annoyed that a certain someone has been asking me whether I'm all packed for my trip yet. (I leave in 36 hours.) This constant nagging began on Friday evening, and hasn't let up. (My bet is that it won't until I'm in the car on the way to the airport with packed bag on my lap.)

Anyway, how long does it take to pack for a three-day trip? I say not long. In fact, I could probably wake up two days from now, take a shower and get dressed, then pack -- and still have time left over for enough of a breakfast that I won't be tempted to buy something at the airport or on the plane. Only time will tell, I suppose.

Since yesterday was Emmy Day, that means it's time for my post-awards wrap-up!

First, the memorable moments:

• Brad Garrett, Patricia Heaton and Doris Roberts doing "holy crap!" in the montage of classic TV catchphrases in honor of Peter Boyle.
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus reminiscing about "The Contest" after a clip from the episode is shown over a reproduction of the Monk's Diner set.
• Martin Sheen sitting at the Oval Office desk, reminding people that everyone involved in "The West Wing" won an Emmy for their work -- except him. Also, that people should get out and vote.
• Josh Groban doing a medley of TV themes.
• Kathy Griffin commanding the audience to "get up!" to honor Don Rickles.
• Steve Martin's introduction of Tommy Smothers on the occasion of his commemorative Emmy -- from 1968.
• Stephen Colbert pulling out a bag of prunes and eating them as he explained that we've had eight years of prunes and we need more.
• A winner for "John Adams" talking about the times when politicians spoke articulately and with intelligence -- and then getting unceremoniously cut off.
• Mary Tyler Moore awarding Tina Fey her Best Leading Actress Emmy. If that wasn't a passing of the baton, I don't know what it was.
• The American Express ad with Martin Scorsese and Tina Fey. (True, this wasn't part of the actual ceremony, but that should give you a clue about the rest of the show.)

And pretty much everything else was a disaster, up to and including the five reality host nominees who were tapped as hosts. Oprah Winfrey opened the show with such class, and then handed it off to a quartet that had no business doing any sort of emceeing. I did enjoy the way Jimmy Kimmel drew out the actual awarding of the Emmy, much like is done on the reality programs themselves. However, I hope they don't make a habit of it.

Oh -- just for the record, here's how my favorites did, by the numbers:

• "30 Rock" -- 7
• "Pushing Daisies" -- 3
• "How I Met Your Mother" -- 1
• Kathryn Joosten -- 1

It's Emmy Day, which means it's the equivalent of a national holiday in my house. I don't watch much television lately, but I still have to watch the awards. Plus, tonight is the 60th anniversary show, so there'll be a lot of tributes to the Golden Oldies of TV. I like the sound of that.

Anyway, I thought I'd go through the categories that include shows I watch and tell who I think (or hope) will win. Sound good? Let's go!

Note: Some of these categories were already handed out during the Creative Arts ceremony. I didn't watch that, so it's still a surprise for me.

Outstanding Art Direction For A Multi-camera Series

The only two nominees here are "How I Met Your Mother" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine." Since I watched both these shows, I don't care who wins. Either way, I win.

Outstanding Art Direction For A Single-camera Series

For this one, it's "Pushing Daisies" for me, all the way. The "Pie-lette" episode was nominated, and it should win. However, it seems it's the year of "Mad Men" -- it was the most-nominated show -- and it was nominated twice (out of six nominees) in this category, so it's chances are better than average that it'll pull out a win.

Outstanding Casting For A Comedy Series

In this show, it's "30 Rock" against "Pushing Daisies" for me. Either one is fine, although I enjoy the guests on "PD" better. I realize that I'm a theater geek, and these folks might not be as well known as, say, Jerry Seinfeld or Al Gore, who guested on "30 Rock" this season.

Outstanding Cinematography For A Half-hour Series

This could be the most difficult category -- for me, that is. I have three shows in the running here --"30 Rock," "My Name Is Earl" and "Scrubs." I have to go with "Scrubs" on this one, because "My Princess," with its homage to "The Princess Bride," was like a 30-minute movie. Just brilliant. I must say that this category loses credibility points because "According to Jim" is nominated. Really? They couldn't find something better? Shame on you, ATAS!

Outstanding Comedy Series

I watch both "30 Rock" and "The Office," so I'd be happy if either of them won. But, they've picked up the last two years' worth of statuettes, so maybe it's time to spread things around to "Two and a Half Men." I watch that, too, but not all the time, so it's a draw.

Outstanding Costumes For A Series

Obviously, I'm all for "Pushing Daisies," but I realize "The Tudors" or "Mad Men" have a better chance. Period dress and all, you know. So, we'll see.

Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series

This one has "30 Rock," "Pushing Daisies" and two episodes of "The Office." So, any of the four out of six would be OK by me.

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series

OK, this one has four from "30 Rock" and one from "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Watch -- the "30 Rock" nominees will split the vote, giving the nod to "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series

Three "30 Rock" episodes, two "Desperate Housewives" and a "Monk." Well, I'd say "30 Rock has a great chance, unless Kathryn Joosten sneaks in there. I like her, so I'll make an exception.

Outstanding Hairstyling For A Multi-camera Series Or A Special

This is an actual category? And they lump multi-camera series in with specials? That doesn't seem fair. But, I'm going with "Two and a Half Men" because it's my guilty pleasure.

Outstanding Hairstyling For A Single-camera Series

Same first question as above, but I'm going with "Pushing Daisies." "Mad Men" or "Ugly Betty" have a great shot, too, though.

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series

Tony Shalhoub has won before for "Monk," so any of the other four would be great. Thanks!

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

Both Tina Fey and Julia Louis-Dreyfus have won before, so I won't be upset if they don't this time. America Ferrera has before won, too, so it's really anyone's category. If they're gonna pick a newbie, I'd prefer Mary-Louise Parker over Christina Applegate.

Outstanding Makeup For A Multi-camera Series Or A Special (non-prosthetic)

Well, this is a mouthful! "Two and a Half Men" should win, period.

Outstanding Makeup For A Single-camera Series (non-prosthetic)

Another mouthful, but at least it's a more fair category. And "Pushing Daisies" all the way.

Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup For A Series, Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Two words: "Pushing Daisies."

Outstanding Music Composition For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special (original Dramatic Score)

I only include this because I watched "Oprah Winfrey Presents: Mitch Albom's For One More Day" after reading the book. I didn't notice the music.

Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (original Dramatic Score)

This one makes the cut because I actually notice the score in "Pushing Daisies," and it's fabulous.

Outstanding Picture Editing For A Comedy Series (single Or Multi-camera)

"30 Rock," "Pushing Daisies" and "The Office" are all contenders, so there's a 60 percent chance that a show I watch will win. Go me!

Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (half-hour) And Animation

"30 Rock," "The Office" and "Two and a Half Men" each have a chance here. Same as above.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

Jon Cryer, Neil Patrick Harris and Rainn Wilson are up against Jeremy Piven -- who has won before -- and Kevin Dillon from "Entourage." Spread the love, will you? First choice is Doogie Howser, followed by Duckie, with the Schrute guy a distant third. Any will be OK, though.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

Kristin Chenoweth is brilliant in each episode of "Pushing Daisies," of which there were only nine last season. The one where she sang "Hopelessly Devoted to You" to a dog was especially good. Holland Taylor has been doing great work on "Two and a Half Men" for years, so she's my second choice.

Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series

Two episodes of "30 Rock," plus one each of "Pushing Daisies" and "The Office" are up against "Flight of the Conchords." I think I have a good shot at being happy with this one.

Anyway, that's all for now. Maybe I'll come back tomorrow and post the winners. I say maybe because I have a tendency to forget to follow through with these things. In any case, I wish you and yours a happy Emmy Day.

Today, I had to go to the mall to pick up a few minor items. It would've been a quick, in-and-out excursion, but that all changed when I found an awesome parking spot.

Sure, I got what I needed and was back at the car within 10 minutes. But, since I had such a great spot, I figured I shouldn't leave it so soon. And so, I went back into the mall.

I'm not saying it was a mistake, because it wasn't. (My cousin was having a book reading/signing at the bookstore in the mall, and I made it there 10 minutes early. Too bad the 50 copies of her book couldn't make it off the truck in time.)

Anyway, my quick trip turned into a four-hour adventure. Luckily, while I spent much more time than expected in the aforementioned bookstore, I only dropped $20 there. That's not bad for a Saturday, right? I mean, at least I didn't go into triple digits.

Because if I had, I might not have been able to stop at the supermarket afterward and stock up on groceries. (After all, groceries are lower than books on the totem pole of importance.)

Boy, was this a busy week -- and I have the headache to prove it!

So, for the next 48 hours, I will be doing nothing but relaxing, vegging out in front of the television, and maybe reading a little bit. But, that borders on work, so we'll see what happens.

If all else fails, there's always Bamboozled.

I've been talking lately about how much quicker I get to and from work, now that the office has moved to Fort Lauderdale. And even though I'm spending less time on the road, I'm still working long hours at the office.

I'm going to chalk it up to an unusually busy production schedule, and cross my fingers that next week is easier. (Actually, I know next week will be easier because I'm going out of town for part of it.)

I left work earlier than expected today, which put me on the highway in the middle of rush hour.

Sure, it only took 25 minutes to get home, but it felt like an eternity. It's amazing how quickly it takes for a shorter commute to spoil a person.

Today was my first day in my new office. It was absolutely fabulous! I could go on and on about the interior design and whatnot, but I was so busy working that I barely noticed anything that wasn't within my workspace.

Oh, yeah -- it took me 20 minutes to get home tonight. Enough said.

It's a good thing I was told to work from home today. If I'd had to go to the office, I would've probably called in sick.

It all started when I awoke in the middle of the night with a runny nose. I found cold medicine, but it was the non-drowsy variety. I debated whether or not to take it, and decided I would rather have a nose that didn't run, even if it meant I was going to be awake. (Frankly, a runny nose keeps me from sleeping, so one out of two ain't bad).

I took the medicine at 2:30 a.m., and I was in what I like to call a meringuey phase for the next 12 hours. It eventually wore off, and I didn't take another dose.

Boy, is sitting in front of the computer all day exhausting!

I finally decided to bathe at about 5:30 p.m., but didn't really feel like going out for dinner. (Sorry, Unk!) I guess when you have a low-grade fever and don't eat much, you get tired. And, since I was working, I couldn't even take a nap in the middle of the day.

Of course, by the time I realized just how tired I was, it was too late for a nap. I'm going to have to stick it out until 10 p.m., and go to bed as usual.

I got my first gift of the 2008 holiday season today. It rocked!

Actually, it was a 22-year-old movie that I had taped off TV 19 years ago, but I never bought it on DVD, so I loved it! Thanks, little sis!

I don't know what's going on with the weather patterns lately, but it was sweltering today!

This afternoon, I spent a few hours running errands at a shopping center. As I went from store to store, I tried to stay as close to the building as possible -- as in, wherever I saw the shade. It was a covered walkway, but the sun found its way to me sideways.

The high was in the mid-80s and the low was in the high 70s, but it felt like it was in the low 90s. And it still does. And the sun's not even up anymore!

I guess that's the price you have to pay to live in South Florida.

Today I was lucky enough to be able to attend a workshop in Fort Lauderdale, so I did not have to assist with the office move or sit at home all day, waiting to read Web items.

The workshop was excellent, and three of my co-workers were there, too! I caught up with an old friend, and met three new ones.

When it was all over, we strolled down Las Olas Boulevard to Timpano for some after-workshop drinks. We were done before 5 p.m. Every Friday should be this good.

At 4 p.m. this afternoon, I finished what I was reading, closed down all the open programs on my computer, shut the machine down and began unplugging everything that was attached to an electrical outlet.

I placed all the cords and small pieces in pink bubble-wrap bags, each with a "13-A" sticker on the front. I put stickers on my computer, my monitor, my printer -- even my trash can.

And then, I left 1000 E. Hillsboro Blvd., Suite 103 -- forever.

It's the end of an era.

Next week in Fort Lauderdale!

Today I made what may very well be my last trip to the Publix at Hillsboro Square. It was a bittersweet moment when I told my cashier and bagger that was the last time I'd see them.

You see, I have a long history with this Publix. Actually, it's only been seven years, but it seems like the end of an era. Let me explain.

When my office moved from Hollywood to Deerfield Beach, the only positive spin I could put on it was that there was a Publix just across the parking lot, in the Hillsboro Square shopping center. My co-workers and I could be lazy about planning our lunches, and just meander over, walk the aisles and pick whatever we were in the mood for on any given day. I'd say that, during any given week, we went to Publix at least three out of five days. We made friends with the people at the check-out, deli counter, sushi counter and the try-this-easy-recipe booth. Once, when a group of four of us got split in two and we couldn't find each other, one pair went to the manager, who got on the P.A. system and told the other pair to get a move on and meet them at the front of the store. I even did my regular food shopping there, after I was finished with my work for the day. This was handy if I was out of milk (or something) and I needed to pick some up without going out of my way on my drive home. (You know, rising gas prices and all.)

Less than a year into our tenure in Deerfield Beach, the Publix was knocked down so that a bigger, better one could be built in its place. I want to say this process too about nine months. Much like some pregnancies, those nine months seemed to go on forever. If I wanted to go to Publix to get my lunch, I had to jump in the car and drive up the road to Boca Raton -- that's in a whole other county -- to go to the pink stucco Publix on Camino Real. It was small, and its parking lot was always full. In nine months, I think I went four times.

When the new Publix opened, many of our old friends, who had been relocated to other stores in the interim, returned to greet us. Sure, there were other places we could go for lunch, but Publix was our favorite. And, it seemed, we were some of their favorite customers.

There is no Publix near the new office. But, if there was, I don't think I'd go there. It'd be like I was cheating on my Publix at Hillsboro Square.

This morning, I woke up an hour and 15 minutes later than usual. When I arrived at work an hour later than usual, I told my co-workers I had experienced an alarm clock malfunction.

Apparently, no one found that as clever as I'd expected them to. I get points for creativity, though, right?

And, just so it won't happen again tomorrow, the first thing I did when I got back home tonight was check to make sure my alarm was already set.

If my stomach could speak, what would it say?

I got the feeling that my stomach has been trying to talk to me all day, what with all the gurgling and moaning coming from inside there. Maybe it was hungry. Maybe it was full (of gas). Maybe it was not pleased with last night's meal. Whatever it was, I hope it passes before bedtime, because I'd really like to get a good night's sleep tonight.

I have never sent a text message. I am in awe of those who do, what with the fingers flying faster than anything. You'd think they were practicing for some sort of sport. I know: They're going to be adding it as an event in the 2012 Olympics. (Yeah, right. Text messaging is a sport like cup stacking is a sport. In other words: It's not.)

Lately I've noticed that people are text messaging like it's going out of style. I was at the grocery store checkout, and the clerk at the register actually ignored me and my six items so she could immediately read and reply to an incoming text message. I know that supermarket register clerks don't have access to their e-mail accounts -- like those of us who sit in front of a computer all day do -- but the whole act of taking focus off the task at hand to tend to a personal matter really rubbed me the wrong way.

Sure, I occasionally send personal e-mail during business hours, but I don't have a customer waiting while I'm doing it. And that's a huge difference.

Today, my family gathered to celebrate my cousin's 35th birthday. It was an intimate affair; a sit-down-at-the-table-and-eat-on-real-plates-with-real-silverware barbecue.

The good news is she's my older cousin, so I've still got a bit to go until I catch up with her. The bad new is she's only nine months ahead of me, so it's closer than I'd like.

I have spent the majority of the past 60 minutes in tears.

ABC, CBS and NBC simultaneously broadcast one commercial-free hourlong telethon (for lack of a better word) to benefit Stand Up To Cancer. According to the organization's Web site, this is its mission:

Working with the top experts in cancer research, Stand Up To Cancer is forging a new way to develop breakthroughs that will end cancer. We’re putting together the best and the brightest minds in cancer research – those on the edge of accomplishment – investing in their projects and taking the bureaucratic obstacles out of their way. We are building interdisciplinary “Dream Teams” of scientists, clinicians, technicians and other experts who will focus on a specific cancer problem. We’ll track their progress in real time, so that everyone who invests can see how their participation is creating real change.

Funds will be administered by the American Association for Cancer Research, the largest scientific organization in the world focusing on every aspect of high-quality, innovative cancer research. Together with their scientific Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee, comprising world-class scientists across several disciplines and patient advocates, the most promising projects will be identified.

This is huge. In the U.S., one person dies of cancer every minute. If we could work to cure cancer, the 1,500 Americans who die of it each day could live full lives.

I lost one grandmother to cancer; my other was a cancer survivor. I have had classmates, co-workers and friends affected by cancer. It does not discriminate; everyone is at risk.

It's time to stand up to cancer. Together, we can beat it.

With exactly two months until Election Day, talk has turned to politics in my office, specifically the major parties' presidential tickets.

Most people are for Obama/Biden, and can't understand how A) McCain picked Palin as his running mate, and B) that ticket could possibly win.

I try to stay out of it all because I don't want to get too upset about things. But, I did manage to dig out my "Choose or Lose" shirt from 1996. (Nowadays, it's not old, it's vintage.)

Regardless, we are two months away from electing a new president. It will be historic because either A) the first African-American president will be elected or B) the first female vice president will be elected.

All I know is it's going to be a really long two months.

I've come to the conclusion that there's an actual upside to working long hours: By the time I get home, there's just enough time to eat dinner and relax before going to bed without getting bored in the process.

In other words, I'm actually being a bit productive during the evening hours, without wearing myself out completely.

And, as a bonus, I am finally digging into my too-high pile of unread books. Right now, I'm into Nina Schuyler's "The Painting," which takes place in 1869. The action shifts from Japan -- where a ceramic artist lives with his wife, who paints to escape from her life -- to France -- where a wounded veteran originally from Denmark catalogs a Paris shop's incoming shipments, including a ceramic bowl wrapped in a beautiful painting -- as two simultaneous stories are told. I'm not that far into it, but so far, so good. I'll give more of my thoughts when I'm done

Another busy week at work, but, as luck would have it, there are only four days to cram all the work into this week. I put in a 10-hour day that seemed more like six hours. And I only say it lasted that long because I ate lunch and two snacks while I was there. If not for that, it would've seemed like a really productive two-hour day.

When a national holiday is big enough that I get a day off, I do my best not to waste it.

Naturally, I went to IKEA, with about 80 percent of the rest of the immediate world who had the day off, too.

Luckily, I found a parking spot easily, and made my way into the store and over to the elevator.

As I made my way along the winding path of the second-floor showroom, the thing that struck me as most interesting was that there were plenty of books on the shelves. In fact, there were several copies of the same book on any given shelf -- as there were several copies of the same shirt in any given closet -- and they were all in Swedish. The familiar authors were Michael Frayn (Noises Off), James McBride (The Color of Water), Anita Shreve (The Pilot's Wife) and Irvine Welsh (Trainspotting). I couldn't tell what books were on the shelves -- I don't speak Swedish -- but I felt good about knowing who the authors were.

When I finished with the upper level -- I knew I was done because I ended up at the cafe -- I took the elevator back down, and ended up in the marketplace, where there are all sorts of smaller items for the home. Once you're through there, you end up in the warehouse, where there are rows of shelves of flat boxes of unassembled furniture. I took a pass on those, and headed straight for the food market. There wasn't much there, but it was next to a snack bar. Feeling a bit hungry -- it was time for my afternoon snack, which I forgot to bring with me -- I headed for the exit, and back to my car.

It took less than two hours, and didn't cost me anything but time and little bit of gas. Maybe next time I go to IKEA -- I think I'm good until 2009 -- I will actually buy something.