A snippet of Dan Jacobs on internet radio. Sounds like I’ll have to pop for some new music soon.

I plan to do some reorganizing soon, but for now, you can reach me at spacebarblog@gmail.com

While this has its uses, perhaps there’s a neglected area here. Much has been made of the fact that fireflies are disappearing in alarming numbers, and there are none in California. What if this same procedure were to be applied to moths?

Every night, we could watch as the night lights up.

Tempers are short around here at tax season. I get a generous share of solicitors, mostly gardeners who can spot my palm, redwood, and five giant oak trees from miles away, and sense a college fund growing. Generally, I tense up when the doorbell rings, and even more so after a workday that has been less than stellar. When I got no answer to my ‘Who is it?’, I shouted that I was working, and what did they want anyway.

Imagine my chagrin at finding my mailman of many years, running early, package in hand. When I apologized, he confided that he carries his ‘piece’ when he answers his door at night.

I can’t remember the proper name for these, but they are profuse right by the window where I work.

There is another store, which shall go unnamed, where I occasionally go for tshirts. Their sales are somewhat confusing for me, being an infrequent customer. Prices on the items, though marked down, might be further discounted upon checkout, always a pleasant surprise.

My purchases came to $19.19. Sometimes I will give the change, most times not, as it seems to befuddle some clerks, who might be embarrassed to call for help, and wind up giving me additional change and a few bills back. In this case, I gave the clerk a $20 bill. She gave me back a penny, thanked me, and went back to her folding.

Me: (getting out glasses to check receipt) Uh, how much did you say it was?
Clerk: Is there a problem?
Me: Yes, I think you owe me change.
Clerk: I gave you back your change, ma’m.
Me: (indicating receipt) Silent, holding out hand
Clerk: Oh, uh, right. You know, these cash registers, they tell us how much change to give the customer. Uh, well. Here. I guess I just saw the 1 there on the register.

Before heading out to Target and other such stores, I look at their ad, and make a list. If I don’t make a list, I will head briskly into the store, and suddenly realize that I have no idea why I am there. Last week, I needed a shelf, the kind they had on sale for $9.99. Upon reaching the register, I was somewhat surprised when the clerk rang up $29.99 for the item.

Me: Um, I thought that was 9.99.
Clerk: No, ma’m, that was last week that we had it on sale.
Me: That’s okay, then, I don’t want it.
Clerk: Let me scan it again. (scans shelf)
Me: 12.99?
Clerk: Yes ma’m.
Me: (glancing at growing line behind me) That’s okay. I’ll just take the other things.
Clerk: You don’t want it?
Me: No.
Clerk: How much did you say you wanted it for?
Me: 9.99.
Clerk: (ringing up 9.99) Okay, here you go.

note: When I got home, I doublechecked the ad. I was right.

Doublechecking the In-N-Out cheeseburger calories , I stand corrected. It is 480 calories, not 400 as previously thought. It is a nitpicky world in which we live.

Last night was errand night, and I only had an In-N-Out cheeseburger (I did eat the whole bun this time). Drank water. A spoonful of peanut butter before going to bed. That’s 500 calories. Plus I made it to Costco and Walmart in the same night, which is worth extra calories to be redeemed in the future. A man in a motorized cart ran over my bare heel as I waited in line at Walmart, which adds a pain bonus of another 500 calories.

There will be a night walk tonight, and possibly tomorrow night, maybe even Sat. I will pump my arms, and move faster.

The dregs of a carton bought at least 6 months ago, Double Rainbow Ultra Chocolate. Actually, the thought of one more fake popsicle was too much to bear today, when it is like summer outside, and I have to stay in to do more taxes after work.

A sampling of his works, and a look at his technique.

From Almuth Tebbenhoff

Out in the weeds, a note of grace. Actually, many, many notes.

Closer to home, giant waves , and time to get out the shorts and sandals, it’s going to 80° today!

Ingrid is not quite out of there, and here comes Willy.

Award winners for 2004.