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I didn't get very close to a morning walk today, because a fever thermometer intervened.

These new digital thermometers are just great. Not only do they beep when they're done, but if you cross your eyes you can see the fever temperature increase right before your very eyes. It's blurry, though.

expires=Oct 15 2002 stories=10 days=8 pools=XML, Blog, Ruby

Long walk with the dog. Passed my first "Microsoft dot net" clothing sighting. A young man waiting for the bus had a "dot net" jacket. Advertising is everywhere, except on Air France airline hostesses. They get a clothing allowance which they are required to spend on clothing that makes them look like women.

Speaking of fragrance, on the way back I caught a whiff of incense from the Hare Krishna incense factory located about a mile away. Usually we're upwind, but because of the hurricane weather, the wind came from the east this morning.

Final treat from today's morning walk? I was greeted by a hummingbird who wanted me to take his photo. I did get a snapshot, but his head was hidden behind one of the bird of paradise flowers that grow all over our neighborhood.

No morning walk today. Why not? Jury duty. My experience on a jury was a great reason to start up "www.PainAndSuffering.com". Like many other jurors I arrived early, mainly because I like to keep my stress level low. Also, I hoped we would finish early. I badly wanted to leave, so I didn't want to delay the proceedings for even one minute by my absence.

So, I arrived early, leaving plenty of time to look over "The Mojave Road," a book brought in by one of the other jurors, describing various points of interest along the old government road that winds its way across the desert from Nevada towards Los Angeles.

Reading about the old Mohave Road was actually quite fascinating, and you can read about it yourself by visiting mojaveroad.com or if you have a friend with a four wheel drive vehicle, you can convoy out there and visit some of the historical sites. October and November are the best times, or March after the mud flats inundated by the rainy season have dried up a little bit.

I was pretty doggone happy that the trial was over, and the plaintiff got her $198,000 for medical expenses past and present, plus of course pain and suffering. It's a good reminder to drive carefully and not run over any pedestrians walking innocently in crosswalks.

expires=Oct 01 2002 stories=10 days=8 pools=XML, Blog, Ruby

Picked up a piece of fast-food trash this a.m., and had quite a surprise. It wasn't a McDonald's wrapper! But there was an interesting messageg waiting when the dog and I returned.

"Jack," said the message which had been taped to the door, "please don't leave the garbage out on the porch. I have been having trouble with ants and grease will just leak out and cause problems!". It was signed, "Miguel."

Fortunately the door it was taped to was not my door. expires=never stories=10 days=8 pools=XML, Blog, Ruby