It's a weird thing for me to have to resort to the Friday Five for inspiration, but this one's as good as any.


1. What vehicle do you drive?

A. A gray 1987 Plymouth Colt hatchback held together by multiple rust stains, a few entomologically-oriented bumper stickers, and sheer orneriness.


2. How long have you had it?

A. Depends on what's meant by "you". Rick bought it new in (of course) 1987. We got married the following year, so it's been ours ever since. "The Clot" has pretty much been my commuting vehicle since I started my first bout of grad school in 1992.


3. What is the coolest feature on your vehicle?

The fact that it got Rick and me from Watertown, Massachusetts to Kalamazoo, Michigan; that move was the best decision we'd ever made.


4. What is the most annoying thing about your vehicle?

Well, it's a moody teenager, isn't it?


5. If money were no object, what vehicle would you be driving right now?

It would be a smallish car, preferably a gas/electric hybrid -- and the steering wheel would be on the other side of the vehicle.

Just a little whimsy from my past, for a cold fall day. Keyboard accompaniment (in 5/4, yet) optional .....

I'm standing on the spot
Where my ancestors came
From their apartments
And they rose up from
The parking lot

What a chance you took
What a thing to do
Did you bring me here
To look like you?

We know these things about them
They used the tools at hand
And walked upright to their sedans
They traded silver for a piece of ground
And held their heads up high
Except when someone stronger was around

If I find myself
With nothing else to do
Will I bring somebody here
To look like you?

They built us a castle
We took it apart
And took off with
A running start
We raced across the floor
Climbing up the ladder
Faster than they ever climbed before

You never told me
But now I see
That you brought me here
To look like me.

It's time to rise
To rise and shine
It's time to rise
To rise and shine
It's time to rise up from
The parking lot
It's time to rise up from
The parking lot
It's time to rise up from
The parking lot
It's time to rise up from
The parking lot

Lyrics (and music) copyright 1982, copyleft 2003, by JKS.

We're having a painted lady outbreak here in southwest Michigan. The map (maintained by an entomologist in Iowa) doesn't show my report yet, but probably will include a dot for Kalamazoo before long. On several occasions this week, the little nomads have actually outnumbered the migrating monarchs.

Not much other news. Way too busy. Not organized enough. More coffee.