Pseudo random Thursday

This morning, in keeping with the random acts of kindness theme of yesterday's When butterflies attack The butterfly effect posting, I did some paying forward of my own. Over the past week or so, I've started seeing a cyclist who seems to be on the same morning commute schedule as I am. It's not Suicide Boy. This guy is riding a racing bike with head and tail lights, wearing the de rigeur lycra clown suit, and traveling at just under 25 mph, so he's obviously no rank beginner.

I question the wisdom of riding through a single-lane construction zone in the dark, but if you're going to do it, doing it at 25 mph will probably keep you alive longer than doing it at 10 mph. And yet, as I found myself behind him I was rather alarmed to note that his taillight wasn't really visible until I'd gotten to within about 15 yards of him. If I hadn't seen him come through the intersection before I turned on to the street behind him, I might not have noticed him until it was too late. So, when we both had to stop at a red light, I eased up next to where he had pulled off to let the long string of cars pass, rolled down the passenger side window, and tried to get his attention.

"Dude!" I yelled, half awake and unable to think of some more intelligent greeting. "Hey dude!"

He turned, warily, and looked at me.

"Uh... you probably want to stick some fresh batteries in your blinky. I couldn't see you until I was almost on your wheel, and I was looking for you."

"Really?" he said and seemed genuinely alarmed. "I'll stop somewhere on the way. Thanks."

Pay it forward... dude.

September searches

For once, I've got a few that are, if not as hilarious as some of yours, at least mildly entertaining:

• mute the misfire How many times have I got to explain that I'm lactose intolerant? It's a medical condition.
• wwf thanksgiving 2005 pie fight Sounds a whole lot more interesting than a couple shiny, half-nekkid guys bludgeoning one another with folding chairs.
• random rash on the upper forearm So, what? It moves around from one day to the next?
• midriatics How the heck did that get in there? I don't even know what that word means (belatedly, "drugs that dilate the pupil"), so as with Susie's making me #1 on the fr@uterism search engine hit parade, I blame one of you guys.
• ez rider magazine Sorry, but I think that's a whole 'nother kind of biker.

It's only 10 o'clock...

...so how can I be hungry for lunch already??

[For those playing at home, that was the one truly random bit. -Foo]

Spamatazoa

• BIG PLANT STATE from Hoodia Weightless Yahoo Serious' cousin, I presume?
• Don't think youth can't be returned from Juana French Ya-wanna?
• don't be cooped up from Mandy H. Bender There's gonna be a jailbreak
• ru ready from Windy Knight [self censored]
• Great CAVERNOUS from Artichoke There's a joke in there somewhere... ere... ere... ere... ACK!

Now playing: Mazzy Star, So Tonight That I Might See