Poor Sarah!  Yesterday, she had to schedule last-minute oral surgery because her wisdom teeth were killing her.  The extraction was overwhelmingly a success and we were in and out of the office within 15-20 minutes.

By dinner time, all Sarah wanted was something cold to sip on.  Being the good husband that I am, the dog and I drove over to the McDonald’s to pick up a dinner for me and a milk shake for the patient laying on the couch back at home.

Keep in mind, Sarah and I are new to the neighborhood, so I’m not 100% familiar with the streets around our block.

On the way home, I made a bonehead decision.  I made a left hand turn on a street that after about a block turned into a one-way street.  I realized that I was driving down  the one-way when I noticed that the cars parked on both sides of the street were facing me as I continued to drive.  Because it’s a city block with no driveways, I couldn’t simply pull in, backup, and turn around.  I had one of two choices:  stop, put my car into reverse and get out of dodge or I simply proceed down the street or proceed with caution.  I chose the later.

Naturally, when I reached the end of the block, one of Chicago’s finest was sitting there waiting for me.  I sure felt like an idiot!

I explained the error of my ways.  “How long have you lived her, sir?” asked the Chicago Police officer.

To make matters worse, I told the truth, “About two months.” 

“You’ve lived here for two months and you still don’t know the streets on your own block?!?” responded the officer.  He proceeded to ask me for my drivers license.

He ran my ID and I assume he saw that I have a pretty clean record.  As he handed me back my ID, he asked me what I did for a living.  I replied and he responded by saying that he loves the radio station.  After a quick talk about the importance of paying attention on the road, he let me off the hook with a verbal warning.

SCORE!

However, by the time I made it home, Sarah’s milkshake had already started to melt.  Ugh!

• This is almost unbelievable!  A woman jogger from Philadelphia was found dead last night after a large tree branch hit her on the head as she was running through a park.  Investigators believe a 30-foot-long branch snapped from a tree and struck her, causing severe head injuries and a broken neck. 
• Ok, so more details are coming out of Hollywood about why Paula Abdul quit her gig with American Idol.  According to “The Hollywood Reporter,” sources allege that Abdul wanted 20-million-dollars to continue with the show, verses the roughly two-million-dollars that she was paid for her role on the show last season.  “Idol” reportedly offered their now former judge a 30-percent raise and a multi-year contract, but the greedy host wanted more.
• I know it’s wild to start talking about Halloween already, but I couldn’t resist sharing this story with you.  Kate Gosselin’s famous blond mullet may be a popular Halloween costume this fall.  Instead of going to the hair salon to get your own Gosselin do, why not just visit http://www.buycostumes.com and buy a wig?  According to the Daily News, for $14.99 you can own the star’s asymmetrical hairdo. The site says that the “sleek and so stylish” wig will make people think you have eight children.
• This weekend, join The New FRESH 105.9 at Soldier Field for the Chicago Bears Family Day.  The gates open at 10am, but before you go in, stop by the FRESH 105.9 tent located outside of the stadium.  Although I’m not sure what we’re giving away, I do know that we’ll have some pretty cool prizes, provided by the Bears and Meijer.

According to the World Health Organization, it’s possible that a Swine Flu outbreak is on the way.  Ironically, I’m feeling a little under the weather.  Nice!!

With Mike LeBaron on vacation, I’m pulling double-duty this week covering the FRESH 105.9 morning show and afternoon show.  As such, I’m not certain if I’ve come down with complications due to my summer allergies or if I’m feeling run down because my sleep schedule was abruptly modified.  I took a little blue pill … uh I mean a little white pill earlier this morning (Claritin), so hopefully it will kick in soon!

• What came first, Michael Jackson or a limestone statue of an Egyptian woman?  I will admit, the the likeness is remarkable!  Check out Michael Sneed’s column from this morning’s Chicago Sun-Times and see for yourself!
  Click here to read more.
• Netflix fans, ever wonder how it all works?  Yesterday, the Chicago Tribune’s Christopher Borrelliran a fascinating piece on how the dvd’s get from their warehouse in northwest suburban Carol Stream to your front door.
  Click here to read more.
• The personal fraud protection company LifeLock guarantees the security of your identity under their employ. So much so that, in a nationwide ad, CEO Todd Davis posts his personal social security number on the side of a van — daring identity thieves to give it a shot.  Turns out, they did. No fewer than 25 motivated thieves stole Davis’ social security number — with one successfully receiving a $500 loan. LifeLock maintains its diligence, claiming that for a nationwide ad, only one case of stolen identity isn’t too bad.  Hmmm….
  Click here to read about other marketing flops!
• On TV tonight is one of my guilty pleasures, ABC’s summer filler game show series, “Wipeout.”  On the show, contestants work their way through an obstacle course, competing for a $50,000 prize.  Hey, I know what could take this show to the next level:  “Wipeout:  Celebrity Edition.” 

Well, it’s official!  Paula Abdul says her “American Idol” days are over!

Late last night,  American Idol judge broke the news to fans via her Twitter page.  Over five separate Twitter posts, Paula wrote, “With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to #IDOL. I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all …being a part of a show that I helped from day 1 become an international phenomenon … What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me … It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month … I do without any doubt have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all.”

Paul quitting Idol isn’t really shocking, as there has been rumors floating around Hollywood regarding the singer’s future on the show.  Last month, Paula’s reps hinted that she might not return to the show, as they were unable to reach an agreement with Idol producers. 

Naturally, the media’s always looking for a scandal to report.  Could the real reason Paula’s leaving the show be a result of Kara DioGuardi?  Earlier this week, it was reported that judge Kara DioGuardi, who joined the show last season, had signed on to return to the show.

The ninth season of “American Idol” is slated to begin next January on Fox.