California Sto

People in other states refer to a driving technique called a "California stop," in which a driver rolls through a stop sign.

Here is evidence that we in California aren't even patient enough to paint the whole word on the pavement.

Anachronism Day

We thought today was Bastille Day, but it turned out to be Anachronism Day.

The radio broadcaster at the baseball All-Star Game, noting that many people had decided to take photographs of a hometown batter coming to the plate, remarked about the "thousands of flashbulbs going off."

I bet zero flashbulbs went off, but the broadcaster demonstrated himself to be of a certain age.

Later I learned that my wife, when driving home, had seen a young man crossing the street and holding a boombox to his ear. That seemed like a throwback, too.

I would type more, but I have to go repair my buggy whip.

Marines and mules ...

... and donkeys, mainly. As an admirer of Marines, I enjoyed this story from today's LA Times, about young Marines working with pack animals at the training center near Bridgeport.

They do it for a terribly serious reason: to be able to lug the gear they need up the mountains in Afghanistan. But the writer manages to capture the enthusiasm and optimism of young men who have volunteered to do dangerous work.

I also recommend the slide show accompanying the story. There are a couple of photos of the Marines working to pull, and push, their animal up the hill.

God bless 'em.