Interesting article about the Palestinian version of Sesame Street. [link]

I'm making crab cakes. I hope it ends well.

Me too.

The "infamous" Pioneers of Tomorrow mentioned in that Sesame Street article as one of the other children's options on Palestinian TV is this: [link] Warning: extremely annoying mouse character voice. Also, violence, but completely ridiculous violence that doesn't seem like it needs a warning as much as that voice does.

I need to get from JFK to downtown Brooklyn, right near Jay Street-Boro Hall. It looks like taking the A will only be an hour or so total, but is this one of those only-if-the-trains-are-running-properly (and they never are) scenarios?

I don't think the A is doing anything funny in the near future, but you could always take the LIRR to Atlantic Center and switch to the 4/5 or 2/3 - it's more expensive, but also faster and on a real schedule.

Well, it was a lovely lazy day. I loafed, I read, I watched some TV, listened to some music, caught up on the board, did some of my normal weekend chores.

Then I made the mistake of leaving home. A large pickup truck ran a red light as I was starting a left turn. I saw him in time to stop, but not before the nose of my little Saturn was out in the intersection, and not in time to try to back up. He was over the speed limit, didn't slow down, and I don't think he swerved at all. He hit me just forward of my front left wheel, and spun me a half turn to the right.

I have a sore shoulder from where it banged against the door, but I'm not otherwise hurt. The other driver wasn't hurt. His pickup is fixable. My Saturn is...not, really. The engine compartment is crumpled inwards about a foot from the left, and since the car is 15 years old and over 170,000 miles, it's not really worth the value of a replacement hood or quarter panel, let alone the major mechanical work to the frame, the electrical system, the cooling system, and whatever else was damaged that was not immediately visually obvious.

The other driver was cited for running the red light and not having proof of insurance. Tomorrow I find out whether he was really insured or not, and get on with the task of finding replacement transportation. For now, I am borrowing my uncle's minivan, so at least I can get to work.

I've got some phases of grief to work through. Right now I'm mostly feeling "I shoulda stood in bed."

I'm not in good financial shape for replacing the car, and I don't have much confidence in how much help the insurance companies are going to be, for a car with such a low value.

Tomorrow I find out whether he was really insured or not, and get on with the task of finding replacement transportation. For now, I am borrowing my uncle's minivan, so at least I can get to work.

Good luck!

signed, Still bitter after the woman without insurance hit me (while taking a left) while I was walking legally in the crosswalk.

Oh, and her license was expired. Her expired license required her to wear corrective lenses, which she wasn't.

See? Still bitter.

eta: How sore is your shoulder? Good thing it wasn't worse....

I'm sorry about your car, dcp, but I'm glad you weren't hurt worse. Good luck with the whole insurance thing.

Oh, geez, dcp. Very glad you're OK(ish - sorry about your shoulder), but that just stinks. I hope the insurance companies come through for you.

Oh crap, dcp. Insurance ~ma for you, that you can have some satisfactory resolution.