A cement mixer collided with a prison van. Be on the lookout for hardened criminals.

If you're wondering why this picture is appearing again, so am I.
As instructed, I called Pat after church to hear him say he was working on the VW body right then, but probably wouldn't have it done in time for me to pick up that afternoon, and he had to return to Las Vegas last night. He will "definitely" have it ready next Sunday. Well, except for the fenders, which he'll have done, "probably the following weekend."

AAARGH!

I read something depressing this morning in the book of collected columns written by the late David E. Davis Jr. while he was editor at Car & Driver Magazine. In this particular column he writes about a cross-country drive he made in a brand new BMW 318i.
"Where is the factory that produces the entrees for America's blizzard of Cork 'N Cleavers, Beef 'n Bourbones, Eat 'n Parks, Branigans, Flannigans, and Snarl 'n Slobbers? Since all of these places have more or less identical help, ('Hi, I'm Debbi, I'll be your waitperson tonight, and if there's anything you want, just ask me'), it follows that they must all get their main courses from the same source as well."
What depressed me was the date of that column - June, 1983.
In almost 30 years we haven't progressed past that same inane introduction used by waitstaff.

I almost want to get a job in a restaurant just so I can surprise customers when I first approach their table.

"Good evening, folks. You don't care what my name is so I won't bother you with that detail. Besides, it's a little known fact that we don't use our real names here anyway. The last thing I want is for you to call out to me next Saturday afternoon when you see me at the mall.
'Hey, Bill. Yeah, you. The soup you brought was cold. So yes, I stiffed you on purpose.' 
"Nope. You call out, 'Hey, Bill.' and I'll keep on walkin'. 'cause my name isn't Bill and I won't even hear you.
"So, if you've decided what you want to drink I'll bring it out to you. If you're ready to order now I'll put it in right away, or I can come back in a couple of minutes when you've decided. Then, I vow to come back one time only, after you've actually had a chance to taste your food, and ask if everything meets with your approval. But before I ask, I'll say 'Excuse me' rather than butt into whatever conversation you may or may not be having. If you want me for any reason at any other time just set this red marker on the edge of your table. Trust me, I'll notice it there in short order and come right over. When I see that you've finished eating I'll come to clear the table and ask if you want dessert, and I'll have the check ready if you don't.
"So, what would you like to drink?"

Joanne will be here sometime after noon tomorrow. I've never met her but we've talked on the phone twice. She drives a BIG truck. I'll have pictures here tomorrow night.

I saw a Prowler on the freeway yesterday on my way home from church. Very rarely see one on the road. This one had been modified and looked good, but they started out looking sharp. Plymouth just blew it by putting a lame V-6 in it. I've heard several experts say they'll be collectible some day, and that shops are going to start dropping V-8's into them.

It now looks like there may be a very different side to the Trayvon Martin story. We'll see where this settles.
What's puzzled me is the widespread demand that Zimmerman be arrested. Unless I have it all wrong, you can't just arrest someone without charging them with a crime. And to charge them you need at least some evidence that a crime was committed and the person arrested committed the act - otherwise known as probable cause. For the cops to arrest Zimmerman without that evidence would result in a lawyer getting the guy released, and the potential for a lawsuit for false arrest. So why are so many people who should know better outraged that he hasn't been arrested?
Haven't they ever watched Law & Order?

I don't know, but even if it's hyperbole it illustrates some crazy elements of the problem.
Chuck Woolery on the Solution

Title IX is 40 years old this year. They're still debating its value and unintended consequences. I'm pretty sure women's NCAA basketball wouldn't be on ESPN were it not for that legislation.
I enjoy the distaff side of some sports more than the men's version, and basketball is one of them. The ladies play a more tactical, old-school game, not the run and gun macho game the men play.
This year we're pulling for Baylor's undefeated women's team to go all the way because Matt & Marcie, one of the initial four couples that started Pathway, are alumni.
Go Bears!