Running, Drowning, Dancing

Back in high school, a friend of mine from the swimming and water polo teams used to joke that there were only thee kinds of sports. Running sports, mainly track, cross country, and soccer, centered around running. Then you had your falling sports, like diving, skiing, and snowboarding. Finally, there were drowning sports: swimming, water polo, and boating. One could infer from this taxonomy, he argued, that we all would rather drown than run. This was meant to be amusing for its hyperbole, but in my case it's actually not all that far from the truth.

Anyway, I'd rather run than dance.

Edge Cities

I just found Joel Garreau's Edge Cities online, apparently the complete text. I can't stop reading it; he's talking about my home.

True Friendship

Went to see Star Wars, and wound up driving three freshman guys down to the theater. One of them, let's call him Andy, plays in the band, and had to come directly from a rally. This meant he was dressed in bright orange and yellow boardshorts, a plastic cowbow hat, and a shiny black-and-silver zebra-striped top that would have been skintight on a man two sizes smaller. His friend, who I'll call Mark, knew that Andy wouldn't have time to change, and decided to don a ard hat, work boots, and orange constuction vest, just so Andy wouldn't be the only one dressed weird. That kind of thing brings a tear to my eye, you know?

When anyone at the theater asked what they were dressed up for, both would answer simultaneously. "Star Wars."

My Roommate's Name Stolen!

By Chris O'Donnel on this Fox show this fall. Ha-ha.

Smog Check

I can't just head down to the corner gas station to get a smog check done, because I drive an old car and two years ago I failed the test so spectacularly that my ride was labeled a Gross Polluting Vehicle. It's been fixed, but I'm still on a sort of smog probation, and I have to get my testing done at a special test-only station. Tracking one of these down was an enormous hassle, but I eventually found Jorge's Smog Shop. Jorge was helpful and friendly, and had me on my way minutes, and I'd certainly go back next year if I was still going to be in the area.

As I pulled out, I reflected on this. The point of test-only centers, as announced by signs proudly posted all over Jorge's shop, is that California drivers can do to one confident that unethical merchants won't make them fail the state-mandated tests in order to drum up more repair business. Test-only shops are forbidden by law do repairs or even recommend a repair shop. So far, so good. I was had just thinking about how solicitous customer service would make me a repeat customer twelve months down the line, so I immedaitely sthought of what else would bring someone like me back. Doesn't that give Jorge pervesre (from the regualtors' perspective) incentive to be especially lenient, so that customers with smoke-belching wrecks will keep coming back year after year? What keeps a test-only smog station from just rubber-stamping everyone that drives through? Are there spot inspections? Statistical tools?

Anyway, I'm just happy to see that I passed.

Post Secret

I can't imagine that you're at this site without havinbg seen this already, but there you go. It's wonderful. I think I'll add a link.

Wow. Scary Accurate.

You Are 22 Years Old

22 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

Road Trip!

Going to Vegas fro three days, because it seemed like a good idea yesterday afternoon. First: visit Drake's and Budweiser breweries, Jelly Belly Factory on the way.