Packed like lemmings into shiny metal boxes

Contestants in a suicidal race.

Why I thought of a Police song this morning as I watched the D pull in is beyond me. It's true, however.

I got a nice respite from Pinochet who went home with a toothache. Let's see: pain in the ass last week, computer crashes. Pain in the ass this week: toothache. Karmic justice? Mais, oui! Oh, it's so nice to have quiet.

I've really decided I have no time for intense, chaotic people anymore. I grew up around them. I've had to work with them. Some of them have even been human enough to pay me for my services whether it was editing, cats, dog-walking, babysitting, or answering phones. All these chaotic creatures draw and suck out energy, which in turn makes me tense and unagreeable. I'm rather nice around easy-going people. I turn into Dexter with feral fangs and claws bared when these other types come around. They like the attention, I've learned. They want the control. They love to manipulate and blame the other party. I've learned more about people in the last decade by simply observing than by having my phone ring off the wall as it did in the 80's during my Dawn/L'amour/Stiff Stuff years. It's a different type of fun, I see.

Now I've got five good friends. Not 15. It really simplifies everything. Jesus, I even have less cats! I used to have 5, now I have 3. Quality, not quantity, is the winning element. That's factored into my weekends, my books, even my job hunt. It might take longer, but it's more concentrated. And that's good.

Let's see what happens tomorrow: another interview, and hopefully, I can spring for half a day. If Pinochet feels better.

I think of his famous quote, "They will fear me, but they will fear me with respect." I've got no respect for this one. Another imitator to the throne. Bag O'Rocks haunts us still in these parts...