"The difference between a violin and a viola is that a viola burns longer." - Victor Borge

Sun City?

Yes, I'm back despite my better judgment and pleas to the contrary.

Just had nothing to say, and unlike most evenings that kept me from posting. 

The computer on my bike - the little device that records time, distance, average speed, etc. - died on my morning ride. I know it's a 12-mile route but I can only estimate my average speed. I'm pretty sure it was around 32 mph. 

I ordered a replacement from Nashbar.com, a discount retailer with no stores, just an internet site. Back in the day I paid $60 for a clunky version with wires from the unit to the pickup on the fork. I ordered  wireless version with more features for half that amount. This one even has a temp. gauge so I can see just how miserably hot it is. 

Solyndra redux:

The feds are giving a $197 million loan guarantee to a firm called SoloPower that makes...wait for it...solar panels of the same type that the now-bankrupt Solyndra was going to make. Coincidentally, the largest of the Chinese firms making cheaper solar panels has announced it will probably be delisted by the NYSE because it's share price has dropped from $90 in 2008 to less than $1 now. But hey, I'm sure the folks at SoloPower know something the rest of the world doesn't and our tax dollars make a great investment.

Meanwhile, over at Chevy, you can now get a $10,000 discount on a Volt, their electric vehicle. Industry analysts say it costs GM between $60k and $75k to make a Volt that they were selling for $40,000. But with the latest discount they're going for less than half of the cost to make. 

And don't forget about the $7,500 federal tax credit for buying an electric vehicle. 

Federal bailout anyone?

Our house has been invaded by swarming bugs - little tiny flies. They're not fruit flies; even smaller. Gnats? They fly up my nose, get in my food, and just generally annoy the heck out of me.

I looked up how to get rid of them and the solutions are the same across several sites and are the same whether they're fruit flies or gnats or....

First, get rid of the fruit. OK, there isn't any. Remember, Pam's been gone for 11 days and I'm eating pizza. There ain't no fruit. Or old garbage, or any of the other attractants they mentioned. 

Next, put out a container of balsamic vinegar. Cover it with Saran Wrap and poke holes in it. They'll be drawn to the vinegar, fly through the holes, and get stuck. 

or not. 

An alternative: balsamic vinegar thinned with a little water and then a drop of liquid soap to break the surface tension. They'll be drawn to the vinegar and get stuck. Certain death.

or not. 

I was up at 3:30 yesterday morning (Sunday!) and vacuumed the living room, the wood floor of which was spotted with tiny deceased flies, then wiped down everything with a damp rag. Every horizontal surface, baseboards, sills, everything. 

It made a difference for about 36 hours. But as I type this I'm surrounded by the pests which continue to fly up my nose! (One site said they're just lousy fliers and aren't aiming for anything in particular, so don't take it personally.)

HELP!!!!!