And now for the latest news in the “Did You Know” files:

I was watching BET — as “The Handbook” requires me to do as an African-American — Young Jeezy’s verse in Akon’s song, “I’m So Paid”, includes a Phelpsy reference. You know Mike loved that. I’m not going to lie, though. I did roll my eyes. Add in the fact Akon’s voice is equivalent to nails on a chalkboard to me and we have a wonderfully memorable moment…for me to poop on!

On a serious tip, though. It’s great to have a swimmer receive a shout-out in any mainstream song. It’s a big deal. Immortalized in pop culture. Having said that, I would have preferred a Lochtenator shout-out instead. Maybe next time.

Watch the video below. The reference about 2 minutes in.

Our favorite swimmer/coach tandem is no more. I don’t know what we’re going to do with ourselves. No seriously. As Swim Aids, our world is now officially crumbling.

Yes, I know this post is overly dramatic, but we need a little somepin’ somepin’ around here, wouldn’t y’all agree? None of us are really on suicide watch or anything. We’re just bummed.

Don’t get us wrong. We love us some Bob-Bow too, but he’s no Paul. Bob has never made any of us a mixed CD. He also doesn’t run over people in order to sit with us at meets. Maybe if he started doing those things, like Paul does, he’d be top dog in our eyes. But as it stands now, there just isn’t any other coach even remotely as cool and Paul Yetter. Just keepin’ it real, yo.

I know, I know. I suck. That’s already been established many a time ’round here. Ask anyone.

Here’s the Jason Lezak video from his interview on the Ellen Degeneres Show back in September. I just know I capped it, but I can’t find it for the life of me! But, in my defense, I have over 300 GB of captured video from my TV card, so things sometimes get lost. It just sucks that it was Jason’s interview because he almost never gets tv airtime.

I’d apologize for the quality, but #1, it’s not my video (I found it on YouTube) and #2, any video is better than none, right? So enjoy!

I’ll have you all know that I do still have the Tara “What Not To Wear” video, and I know where it is! It’ll just take a little more effort to cut out the commercials because I have the attention span of a flea.

Now what was I saying again?

As much as it pains me to say this, The Swim Aid is leaving Minnesota early.  Weather is starting to get bad here and in South Dakota, and their is talk of highways closing in South Dakota.  And I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be stuck on a SD highway with nothing to see but corn!

We’re really bummed we can’t stay for the whole meet, we still had some serious chatting to do!  So if you were getting up the nerve to approach us yesterday – sorry!  Should have been faster!  Oh, and remember – don’t be a finals ho, yo!

Because it took me so long to make up my mind if I wanted to go to this meet (I know – what was I thinking?!), I was unable to get deck passes, but it’s okay, because we had some good seats in the stands!

After spending some serious dough at Mall of America and getting through the hell known as Minnesota road construction (seriously, who puts detours IN DETUORS?!?!), we arrived to the meet, just 10 minutes late.  But we still got to see our favorites swim!  We even got in a brief chat with The Lochtenator!  We just reminded him to say the word and we’ll get some Heineken to his house ASAP!

We were supposed to get a snowstorm today, but it never came!  Hopefully it won’t mess up our plans for tomorrow!

Oh, and word to the wise: no grown man in his sane mind would risk jail time to be with a 13-year old.  So doing the “bend and snap” bit is probably not encouraged.  Don’t embarrass yourself anymore.  Kay?  Thanks!

And you thought no Swim Aids would take on the wind and snow in Minnesota for this Grand Prix!  Ha!  It’s like Spring Break weather here for me!  If you don’t believe me, you should think about taking a trip to Brookings, SD!  Brr!

So anyways, this is by far the smallest Swim Aid turnout for a meet – JUST ME!  However, my friend Amanda is with me to keep me company.  We couldn’t make prelims or finals today due to a test in my last class today, but two days of swimming should suffice!  After all, who knows when my next meet will be!

I guess the big news here is that tomorrow is supposed to bring a touch of a blizzard.  That’s nothing for me, but I hope some swimmers brought their coats! I’ll be inside all of the time anyways – hotel, Mall of America, pool.  Awesome, no?

Well, I guess that’s all for this update.  Short and sweet.