Some things just take a long time..

In particular, getting safety/emissions inspections on the last day of the month. Ordinarily I wouldn't wait so late, of course, but I drove in 2 days ago and replaced a mirror and light yesterday. Passed emissions with flying colours (and the machine is cool, it's like a computer game to keep the vehicle speed within a pair of moving lines for the several minutes the test takes :), failed safety due to worn front brakes and a loose axle bearing.. I can fix the former, my dad can fix the latter. You know brake pads cost almost $50/set (4 pads)? At any rate, was something like 6th in line, probably waited some 3+ hours. I did have time to read some 80+ pages of my Arthurian legends book, though :)

(Also dropped some stuff at SERVE, mailed a bunch of stuff for my mom at the PO, and bought new brake pads.)

And I get to see Ali tomorrow! =)

Oh yeah..

Animal shelter has a new rule: Animals must stay in cages, and you may not put your fingers in the cages, unless you intend to purchase said animal. This because someone got bitten the other day.
1) How in the hell are you supposed to pick an animal based solely on apperance? They have personalities, y'know.
2) I'm all for signing a waiver saying I won't sue the shelter if I get bitten or scratched, if it means I can handle animals.

Going to scream now.

5 disconnections from AOL in well under an hour because "The service has stopped responding."

Update, 6:50pm: 6, 7

*blink blink*

Holy shit.. Amy Hawkins's sister Kristin is apparently the 2nd best speller in the country, in this year's National Spelling Bee, out of 258.
(In the past two years she tied for 22nd and 32nd places, respectively.)

Her results

AOL news story

CNN news story
Washington Post news story

Mmm, truck.

Truck now has new brake pads (needed to pass inspection), newly grease-packed wheel bearings (one needed it to pass), and a replaced wire connector on the battery powering unknown device(s) that had corroded off.

In the morning, doc checkup for the TB test, dentist appt; in the evening, play with Ali; Saturday evening, play with Nathan Clark; at some point before I go back, play with Lindsay (friend from summer crew) and Anne Starling..