Sorry we've been gone so long.

First off, lets all enjoy this web find; the ninja cat who moves closer only when you can't see her.



Among the things I half think about when nothing else is going on is the idea that we've all underestimated some other critter's intelligence and sense of self. Not that this applies to cats especially, but I think we have to redefine our concept of intelligent experience to include more than creating art,  tools, god, and having opposable thumbs.

Jeffrey sent us some of the bread. I found that toasting it burned the nuts, and it wasn't as good that way, but a light warming in the oven made sure that butter melted on it and, let me tell you, that was some good eats!. I think it has raisins or something too. It's dense, but not too much so. Density probably helped it get here fresh. More please? It's nice to have thoughtful friends who include you in on stuff even though you're 3000 miles distant.

Another thing to touch on is the tragic train wreck that happened here Friday. We weren't there, nor have we or anyone we know ever been on that line of the LA Metrolink, but this is a tragedy that affects us all here and certainly calls into question the mass transit system here, at a time when we're all trying to use it more and use our cars less.

Most of the line that runs from the Antelope Valley to 'down below' is one way, and if either of the Metrolinks ignored the lights as this one did, it would result in the same thing, except that both would have people on board. Now, some comfort is that the Metrolink is all that runs on our rail and they don't run very fast, since it's curvy, but still; Shakes one's faith.

There's a report here that the Metrolink driver text-messaged a friend one minute before the wreck. Twenty-five people dead for an "lol." 

Let me tell you this, if you're "texting" someone and it isn't about whether cheer leading practice is before or after the pep rally, you're wrong. If you have to shave or wax some hairy part of your body, you are too old to be texting; call whomever you want to talk to. Texting is a complete waste of time. Texting takes 12 times as long to say nothing as calling does. 

And if you ever find yourself texting someone at work, stop and do your job instead, you're a grown-ass adult. Even if you don't have hundreds of people's lives depending on you, like the Metrolink driver. Adults in this country need to start acting like adults.

On a much lighter note, and on the topic of people not actin  like grown-ass adults, we saw the new monorail at Disneyland this weekend, which was the first thing I thought of when JJ asked me on the phone if we died in a firey train wreck, since Grandma Shannon thought we did. I thought (not yet knowing about the Metrolink) "Maybe Grandma really IS psychic and something is going to happen on the Monorail tonight."

Nope, she's just paranoid. And anything that makes the news within 300 miles of anyone she knows is destined to affect her people.

Kelly saw a glimpse of the monorail at 7:00AM back in April, but since then, they've only been operating the crappy Mark V. She saw it again two weeks ago, but I turned too slowly and missed it. Anyway, we finally got to not only see but ride this work of art.

What's cooler than this?



Answer: nothing.

Except if the doors on that one car opened all the way, that would be cooler. I know that they've had some trouble with the Mark VII, and I'm guessing the trouble is in part with the doors. Effing Canadians (they built it). They have two more due to be in service. I think Monorail Blue is there and under testing, then there's Monorial Orange too. Anyway, Red is my favorite already. See it today in the daylight.



That's one badass monorail if you ask me.

By the way, all the other Southern Californians there were completely unaffected by the new monorail. Either they had seen it already or they were too cool to be all interested. Kelly and I seemed to be the only ones who took note.

Me, I need to see a lot more of it until I quit getting  bored.