On the drive to the workout this morning, Kris and I were a good ways behind another car in the car pool lane. We were chatting away, having a nice morning together on our way to the gym, talking about something or other of no importance.

As we came off the 85 N to 101 N ramp, the car in front of us suddenly veered to the left! Kris' reactions were quick as he let up on the gas, started for the brakes and reached to pull the car to the left, all to avoid the accident happening less than 50 yards in front of us, the veering car behind a large truck.

As we watched, the car lurched back to the middle of the lane and continued at the same speed.

What the? Kris and I were puzzled.

Until we realized the car had violently swerved to avoid a pothole in the road.

One that could be seen for more than the 50 yards we were behind the car. We were a little flabbergasted, but made light of the crazy potholes on the freeway, the ones that JUMP! out at cars, tackling them when the driver is least cautious.

Another mile or so up the freeway, a car merged from the 3rd lane into the 2nd lane, next to the carpool lane. We were still in the carpool lane, still behind the car that barely dodged the jumping pothole. Suddenly the car swerved again! This time to miss the car merging from the third lane into the second lane beside him.

Because, you know, cars are often more than a car width wide. You know.

We chuckled again, then watched in amazement as the car pulled left on its own, then swerved back into the middle of the lane, narrowly avoiding the truck two car widths away from it, merging into the third lane.

Kris turned to me, after giving the driver a little (okay a lot) more room, and commented, "Huh, the car pulls left."

Second practice of the year tonight. Still cold. I arrived late, to see the team running the four lines drill. Oh, my, I was so happy to see that! They weren't sure about what they were going to do at practice, but they started out very well!

We had a new girl come out to practice tonight. I don't think she even had cleats. She played pretty well, for a complete beginner. I hope she had enough fun to continue to come out. Her reactions to my directions reminded me of how much of the sport's terminology I take for granted. Just because I yell at someone to clear, doesn't mean she's going to know what the heck I'm telling her to do. Or to cut deep. Or to clear wide. Or to stop clogging. Or to force home. Or to start the stall count. Or to mark. Or pivot. Or throw to space.

Lots of words, and phrases and meanings that are so ingrained I'm unable to immediately recall not knowing what they mean.

Kate showed me a Macbook Air after practice. I both wish I could buy one and am glad i can't afford it at this point. I haven't worn out my current computer, which works very, very, very well for me (knock on wood, or aluminum as the case may be), so I won't be upgrading, or laterally-ing to a MB Air (it won't drive my birthday present). Which is fine, I'm still happy with what i have.

Wait, did I really just say that?

Today's cleanup suggestion makes a lot of sense:

... aaaaand ... is already in play in our house. I guess we're more organized than I thought.

Not that you can tell from our house.

Organized to me means there's a place for everything, everything is in its place, and those places aren't a jumbled mess. Of course, even with everything a jumbled mess, I can still find most everything in the house. Just ask Andy where the thermostat (and instructions!) were.

Ooooookaaaaaaay, I guess the kitchen can use some fixes, though, so I'll go ahead and try this. Everyone who's been to my house and seen my kitchen knows, owning one of every type of appliance (except the microwave and broiler) means there's a lot of cooking items in that kitchen.

A lot.

Mom forwarded me an email exchange from when Kris and I first brought Bella home. Mom visited us the weekend after we picked up Bella.

From: Vicki
To: Eric
Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 11:50 AM
Subject: I'm here!

Hi,

What a cute dog they have! They had to go all the way
to Salsaulito to get her so ended up bringing her back
last night. What a AARRROOOO! Nothing at all like 
Trixie - this is HOWLLING and SINGING! So funny.
She's about half as tall as T and kind of stocky, brown
and white. Very friendly and seems to be acclimated
already to the surroundings. Kitt and I were in
the backyard talking about the compost bins and Bella
snuck over and grabbed something unidentifiable off
the top of the heap.

So Kitt's gone off to work until 230 - I'm doing some
homework and then working in the yard with Bella (who
is now laying outside in the sun ... just like home).

See you soon XXOOXX

   From: Eric
     To: Vicki
   Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 11:50 AM
Subject: RE: I'm here!

glad to hear all is well.  

But...where are the pictures???  you got camera, you
got computer, you got dog...  

i want a howling video.

how well does she dig?

   From: Vicki
     To: Eric
   Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 10:41 PM
Subject: RE: I'm here!

I have a howling video! Will send that tomorrow! She's
got a BIGGER howl than Trixie - goes on for a lot longer.

The woman that Kitt got her from said that she didn't
dig. Ha! Bella went outside and didn't come back for a
while ... there she was, in the raised garden beds,
digging. Kitt brought her in and Bella headed right
back out.

More later ... it's getting late ... I'm fading. It's
been a fun day ... I'm glad I'm able to spend some
time with Kitt. Thanks.

V

   From: Eric
     To: Vicki
   Date: Thursday, August 14, 2003 9:16:38 AM
Subject: RE: I'm here!

yup; beagles dig.

You know, I'd hate to be a guy reading this get-organized list. I mean, what is a guy going to do with fuchsia sandals? Hell, what would I do with fuchsia sandals? Oh, yeah! I don't!

Another one of the "this would be a great suggestion, if only it actually applied to me and my lifestyle" suggestions.

I don't own that many shoes. I have one pair of really nice shoes from Katie. I have three pairs of cleats. I have two pairs of running shoes. I have two pairs of just walking around shoes. I have two pairs of sandals: one sporty and one dressy. And I own one pair of black flats (come to think of it, also from Katie).

The cleats are in my ultimate bag. My running shoes are by the door, with my walking around shoes and sandals. My flats are next to Kris' shoes by the front door.

And the really nice pair of shoes from Katie is in Kris' closet, with my other really next clothes in my 3 feet of closet space.

So, yeah, the wobbly trees and ferris wheels don't really apply to me. Maybe someone else could use the suggestion.