5.12.98

    Traffic today was horrible. If there's a drop of rain the drivers down here seem to lose their mind. At four in the afternoon traffic crawled along at a stunning five miles an hour -- at best. So, I had plenty of time to examine the debris that had collected along the cement median divider. Yes, I was in the "fast" lane going five miles an hour.

• Hubcaps - 16
• bumpers - 2, one with license plate, one without
• license plates - 1
• bits of metal and tires - too numerous to count
• toilet plungers - 1
• shoes - 3
• baseball caps - 1
• whole tires - 1
• flattened garbage cans - 1
• cups - 6
• deflated beach balls - 1
• large metal springs - 1
• glass - lots
• bagels - 1, at least it looked like a bagel
• animal carcasses - thankfully, none

    Because of the slow-moving traffic I did get to look long and hard at a gorgeous rainbow. It was one of the most brilliant and distinct rainbows I have ever seen, no doubt enhanced by L.A.'s unique air quality. I think I was able to pick out the elusive indigo as well. Smashing it was.

    Monday, T. surprised me with more early birthday gifts: speakers for the computer, Tomb Raider and Myst. We set about getting the SoundCard installed and poring over the games. Clear the desk. Plug everything in. Set it all up attractively. Press power and wait. Hmmmm... where's the picture? Press power on monitor. Turn it off. Turn it on.

Is it working?
No, it's definitely not working.
Maybe you're doing it wrong.
No, I'm doing it right.
Try it again.
Something is screwed up, I think.

    Yes, something was screwed up. One of the itty, bitty pins that sits in the end of the monitor cord was very simply gone. With fear and trepidation in our hearts we followed the cord back to the monitor to discover that yes, this is indeed the unremovable cord.

    That just blows.

    Anyway, so I turned to Tomb Raider on our rented Playstation (due back tomorrow - damn) and did pretty well. T. and I took turns and I think I like the game. Which is a good thing since he bought it for me. I got very into it -- yelling and yelping when things attacked me and going all poseur when I killed them. Yeah, take that you beast.

    I have another job interview tomorrow. This is probably all I'm going to say about it if I can. I wonder if prospective employers read this and prejudge me. I sure hope not. So, uh, if you are or were thinking about hiring me I hope that this little journal here doesn't tarnish your opinion of me. Uh...yeah.