We found a hamburger stand that displayed the cost as "17." No cents, Just "17." I don't know about you, but I believe there is something inherently wrong in paying 17 bucks for a hamburger. With a little more research, we found a burger for $12.59; which we shared. Add on a beer for each of us, you got yourself a $31.84 lunch.

So, you ask, "What does a $12 hamburger taste like?" Let's just say, in comparison, a Vernie's or Q-burger could easily bring $49.95 at the JFK airport.

During our visit I was introduced to a show I had not seen or heard of before, "Survivorman" on the Discovery Channel. As far as I can tell, the star is dropped in the most god-awful places on the globe for a week or so at a time. The episode I watched, he was in an Amazon rain forest, and he had one match for the duration -- and it rains a lot. He drinks muddy water that looked like it could gag a maggot. He also eats bugs and stuff.

Although this isn't my cup of tea (muddy or otherwise), it gave me an idea for a TV show that I could star in -- "Survivorman for Wienies."

To start my first episode, imagine my voice in a hushed tone. Surviverman used this tone to explain his plight and avoid being eaten by jaguars or something like that. I will be using this same tone for effect only. Here goes:

"I have been dropped off by my crew at a LaQuinta about a mile from the Harrah's Casino in Kansas City. I will be here for three days. I have no car to get to the casino. I have been given only $100 for the trip. This will be tough stuff, as three days, only a hundred bucks and a crap table just don't go together well. To add to this dilemma, there is no room service. The ice machine is at the other end of the hall. And only a true continental breakfast is served. Why do I put myself in these situations?"

The second episode could find me confined in a suite at the Ritz with the only TV channel being Fox News. I'm getting a cold chill just thinking about it.

Speaking of motel rooms, I received this from my good friend Berle. He wrote that when he traveled a lot for his past employer, he got the chance to stay in some of the swankier hotels.

When he checked in, he was often offered "turn-down service." His reply, "I would decline, and tell him/her that I could get that in the lounge."

Now that there's funny.

I love politics and the last couple of weeks reminded me why. First of all, on the national level, there was my governor (of Kansas) on C-SPAN testifying before a U.S. Senate Committee. She was introduced by former Sen. Robert Dole. She did a great job in her two-hour stint and is expected to be easily confirmed as secretary of Health and Human Services.

On the state level (in Kansas), State Treasurer Dennis McKinney visited Hays, Kansas. He was interviewed by the local media, including Hays High School's Channel 13. He spoke to a class at FHSU on local and state politics. He visited a local credit union that does business with his office and toured the city of Hays offices and fire department. He also toured the Hays Welcome Center and visited with Jana Jordan, Ericka Gillespie-Weintz and Mike Michaelis.

Treasurer McKinney is no stranger to Hays, as he most recently served as the state House Democrat leader and is a good friend of our state representative, Eber Phelps. During his visit, McKinney was very generous with his compliments of our community.

And locally, we held our school board and city commission races. Local races are my favorite kind of politics. I especially like to follow the campaigns of first-time candidates.

Congratulations to Mayor Barb Wasinger for being returned to the commission. Henry Schwaller ran an aggressive campaign, and I was happy to see him return to the commission. It was disappointing that commissioner Allan Lytton was not re-elected. I have become good friends with Allan and his family and he truly was in office for all the right reasons. He was quoted as saying this was his last run for office, but I hope he reconsiders.