Jump start

What happens to the karma balance on a day like today. Spare the air day. Free mass transit until 9 AM. Too bad I did not hear about that until it was in the past.

As I was about to drive 8 miles to my office in the next town up highway 101, my neighbor indicated he needed a jump. His VW Passat was parked head in, in his garage. He has a steep driveway. I thought at first that we might push him out so my truck could be face to face with his car, on the level street, but no. He had just l o n g enough jumper cables; I put the truck as far as I could into his garage, at a perilous slant, and held it there while he performed the hook up between my battery and his.

I had fired up the 98 Ford Ranger and backed out as usual; that is quickly with no time to waste gas and smelly exhaust in front of my house. I do not let the truck 'warm up' before driving off. So on a slant and unable to turn off the engine, I needed to get the idle up before it stalled cause it was not warmed up. Kicked off my left strappy clog and moved my left toes into position across my right foot on the brake, in order to rev the engine and keep the idle going.

See my truck is a standard five speed, the break pedal is small, not double wide like on a automatic. Only one foot fits and there is no way to switch feet without letting it roll slightly. Not an option under the circumstances, and no the parking break will not hold the truck from rolling on an incline. I was real happy with myself at the time for having the coordination to make that genius move.

But, I was reminded later, not only had a I made a sinful solo commute on 'spare the air day', but I had enabled another slacker to do the same. Ha! Good Samaritan my eye! I was so proud of myself, so proud to be an American, so proud of the Discovery space shuttle's successful launch just moments before.

Modern life is confusing. Did we waste fuel and pollute the environment or make a giant leap for mankind and maybe do a good deed for the day. I would feel better about the karma balance if I could walk to work.

Surprise Party - shhhhhh

invite

I gotta get there somehow.

Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince

HPDay1

Don't call us, we are busy reading. No time for sleep or chores. Late into the night Friday night I received two messages from Amazon, stating that the special copy I had pre-ordered for us would be delayed until the 19th via USPS. So I suggested standing on line at the local Border's for the midnight party and book sale (30% off). Gotta have our Harry Potter 6.

That accomplished and tucked in at 3AM. We got a late start on our reading jag Saturday. And lo, the doorbell rang insistently around noon. Little barking dog did not scare the postman away. He was determined to deliver our copy of Harry Potter from Amazon. Cool! Now we have two copies.

The lesson: well there are at least a few good reasons to celebrate HPDay2005,
1) JK R rules the earth
2) Amazon and Border's stock should be soaring
3) Friends will get in line to read your extra copy
4) Your rainbow boas can entertain the other folks in the midnight bookstore queue
5) It is really hot outside, so chilling and reading fits the weather just fine

Sunday Morning Service

MtVMarket
Every Sunday morning, all year, rain or shine, the Mountain View Farmer's Market offers church goers and non-church goers alike, a selection of mostly organic, fresh fruits and veggies and baked goods. We have made it a traditional Mother/Daughter activity that gives us a chance to spend time together. Even if we decide to argue about stuff, it is a comfortable time that I really enjoy.

July 4th: Camping on a crowded beach

CApoppies Don't usually camp on a major holiday weekend but the opportunity presented itself and I was unable to resist. Campgound on a bluff with the waves crashing below and fireworks going off all day and all night.

I'm reading "Dahlgren" by SAMUEL R. DELANY. This is a sort of stream of consciousness, that has occasional insights that resonate and reverberate for me; from early 1970's when I was at Stony Brook. 'Rap' has certainly changed meaning since then.

I nap, snack, walk on the beach, hang, shower, read, nap, sun, walk over the dunes to another beach, watch the sun set, build a fire, listen to the surf, sleep, wish for coffee, a hot crisp waffle appears (thanks to new friends). Get cleaned up and wait for other friends to go out to eat Thai food at Bangkok West, drink champagne and Chambord, smoke, follow them home over Summit Road to sleep in my own bed and take in a professional fireworks show. Then, Amie and I go back over 17 for two more days of lazy beach camping.