What to do?

I just realized that today is August 6. That means tomorrow is my parents' anniversary, the first one since my father's death. I think it's tomorrow, anyway. Year after year after year I've gotten the date wrong. Usually I think it's the 10th.

I have no idea what to do. I don't know what my mom will do. The good news is that my aunt and uncle are in town, so at least she has some people in the house with her. I suppose I'll just go over there tomorrow night. Any brilliant ideas?

Explanation

I knew the government was behind this!

Possible explanation of 35W bridge collapse.

Update: that web site is scary

35W

So...umm...yeah. Not so good times in Minneapolis. My softball teammates, Deb, and I were scheduled to meet at a bar very close to the now-collapsed 35W bridge before heading to the Twins game. I must have arrived at the bar about three minutes before the bridge went down. Deb showed up less than 10 minutes after me and said she saw smoke. She thought it was dust from the construction, as the news hadn't spread yet. And we were maybe 1/4 mile from the bridge.

I'm sure Ben or Tim will soon tell their father's tale. He was driving across the bridge when it started to collapse. Their dad actually had to drive up the falling pavement. He looked in his rearview mirror and saw no more bridge in place. I have no idea how fast he was going, but it sounds like he was damn fortunate. I know their father pretty well and wasn't surprised when Tim said his dad said something like, "I'm fine. No scratches on the car." My guess would be that the incident sunk in a little more last night and through today.

Anyway, I'm happy he's safe. I'm sad about all the people who were not so lucky.

Update: Read Ben's post for more details.

Guitar Hero

This is a photo from my first and only foray into the world of "Guitar Hero." I dominated Deb, and you can see why. She bothers to look at and pose for the camera. Me? I give a token smile, but my eyes never leave the screen.

Movie Previews

I don't see many movies these days, but that I doesn't mean I'm immune to previews...

Extremely Excited: No Country for Old Men

Mildly Excited: The Darjeeling Limited

Looks Kind of Crappy: Beowulf

Will Have to Go Alone: Dynamite Warrior

Would Love to See But Will Probably Forget: Lust, Caution

Wish They Hadn't Remade: Sleuth

Ben Will Try to Convince Me to See: King of Kong

Yeah, yeah

Yes, I've been lazy about posting lately. We've had a busy 20-day run at work, I spent some of that time in San Francisco, and my laptop at home was rendered useless by a lightning strike. Excuses, excuses, excuses. I apologize, okay?

My brother, sister-in-law, sister, and potential brother-in-law all reside in San Francisco, which explains the visit. As noted earlier, my sister-in-law is pregnant. Six months down. Three to go. Babies still take nine months, right? Science hasn't figured out how to cut it to nine weeks or something? She looks good - pregnant glow, pregnant waddle, etc. I think my brother is starting to cope with the idea of a baby breaking up his normal schedule. I didn't see my sister too much - something about a three-day BAR exam (Mon-Wed) and a trip to South Africa (starting Thurs). Busy life, she has.

Anyway, I hope to get a new laptop soon so that I can adequately and more frequently post from the comfort of my apartmentstead. Life could get busy again soon, though. Last night Karah appointed me as Death. Could be a tough job. We'll see.

Collector's Item?

On Wednesday night, ace third basewoman and struggling adept number-two hitter Angie purchased cans of Budweiser for our softball team. Said cans included images of Dale Earnhardt, Jr., the overrated NASCAR driver. Somehow two cans of the bubbly delicacy were left over at night's end, and she gave one to me. The Budweiser is safely tucked away in my fridge and may now be a collector's item...

Bud to Dale: Git 'r Off my Can!

Then again, I said similar things about all the baseball cards I accumulated a couple decades ago, and those cardboard coasters aren't worth crap.

What about Morpheus?

Regular readers of Fark.com probably already saw this story, but I'm pasting it here, too. Why? Well, I have a crazy question.

Let's pretend you are a big dog at, say, the British Museum, and the historical center housed a bunch of tablets with cuneiform inscriptions. And let's say the museum held those tablets since, say, 1920.

Do you think you would have an expert maybe take a look at those there tablets within the first 87 years of them sitting on display? Or just let them sit there and try to guess what they say?

Lunch

"It is better to be happy than wise."
-My fortune cookie

I disagreed and refused to eat the whole cookie. There's no way Confucius said that.

"Life in a Cage"

I'm not sure if I feel more (1) sad for Amber and Jaxon Willits or (2) respect for Reggie's dedication to his craft.

I'll let you be the judge of their dwelling choice.