Poor Nissantruck was violated last night. While sitting innocently in a hillside parking lot, strange hands burst through the King Cab window and messed about inside. The fine vehicle’s dignity was stolen; it was left all messy inside and exposed to the elements.

Per tradition, it was a stupid crime. The loser grabbed my gym bag, but left my clothes and one shoe. Besides the bag, he probably got some swim goggles, some deoderant and lotion, and a cheap pair of iPod headphones. He tossed the papers around but doesn’t seem to have taken anything, not that the resale value on my battery warranty card is worth that much. I haven’t found my glasses yet, but the prescription was getting pretty old anyway.

And failing to recognize true value where it exists, while I was cleaning out the glass shards I discovered the family jewelry had been passed over.

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The big lesson from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake is that major cities can survive and rebuild after large-scale natural disasters (New Orleans, take note). The ongoing lesson though is just what destructive force the earth can unleash when one of these quakes strikes.

USGS has put together a new set of computer simulations of just what happened during that temblor. [via S.F. Gate] Watch the movie showing the shock waves traveling out at 13,000 miles per hour along a 300-mile faultline. Scroll down and watch the simulations of what the same quake would do to some modern structures, including the Golden Gate Bridge. Stand in awe…  OK, unstopable destruction is working for me this morning. Probably time to try the decaf again.

As much as we both like dead pig cooked in a wide variety of manners, I was going to ignore the recent news articles about the possibility of a healthier, bio-engineered pig. Kinda thought the hype about a healthier greasy meat product was a bit pathetic. Kinda like the ads referring to chewing tobacco as a safer nicotine delivery system.

Then I got one of my little e-mail newsletters from the National Prostate Cancer Foundation. Lo and behold, their lead story this week was drawing the link between the added Omega 3-whatevers produced by the newer, shinier pigs, and recent research in those same Omega 3-whatevers in helping “prevent the spread of aggressive prostate cancer to other parts of the body.”

I like bacon and ham. And pork chops and ribs. Lots of pig parts make good eating. To the extent possible, they are all beloved and essential parts of Malnutrition 2006™, the official diet of Howling Point. I certainly would have preferred to go into an all-bacon regimen then do the radiation thing. I would have loved to have BorgHealth filling my weekly prescription for McRibs. I’ll bet it’s even Atkins-friendly. But it still comes across wrong. And while I never thought I’d say this about any pork product, it comes comes across as a bit tasteless.

Got my sample ballot last week for our Special Primary Election to replace our recently incarcerated ex-Congressman, Duke Cunningham.  So how do you replace the most corrupt congressman ever caught?  Eighteen candidates in a free-for-all.  Fourteen Republicans, two Democrats, one Libertarian and one Independent fighting for a job where if the winner can go two years without getting indicted the term will be seen as a success.

Most don’t seem to have websites, and I can’t even get information on a couple of their platforms by Googling.  Lots of names crossed out for not even running an internet-competent campaign.  Most of the rest all seem to be running on a combination of forcing their family’s values on everyone else, posturing on illegal immigration, and touting their conviction-free records.  There may be an exception or two to the mix, but regardless, I’ll vote for one of them on the 11th.  Yay democracy!

Lots of nothing going on this weekend, except for an evening out to watch V for Vendetta last night.  Natalie Portman was outstanding. Two thumbs up for the drama and a standing ovation for the political commentary.

Next weekend should be busier since Crew Classic will be down at the bay here.  Rowing, Cal athletes winning, alumni tent, and this year, Micky!, direct from Chicago. Sunshine, grilled meat, some music and keg beer all in abundance.

Feeling better, but had a client on the phone tell me I still sounded sick.

Swam for sanity, to try and clear the mind of that bouncy feeling, but really need to do a lot more laps or find another way to unwind.
Tired, but happy to be heading out soon.  Unwinding may take place.

Work is here to be done, but my sinuses are clear for the first time in two weeks, the temperature under the beautiful blue sky is 75 degrees, and the mind just keeps wandering off.  Kinda like Pongo’s.  Took a walk on the beach this morning hoping it would settle me down a bit so I could focus, but one grande coffee from the ubquitous coffee emporium and one 256 MB memory card later, I’m still bouncing off the walls.  Please help me.

Trying to do some research on the history of a local surf spot this morning only to find out that we have the top spot on that particular Google search.  Still thinking about what that does for my confidence in their other search results.

Palms are ten years old.

I’ve used a few models over the years, but didn’t get hooked until I picked up my first Tungsten E about two and a half years ago. It got smashed in a roadtrip accident, but was quickly replaced. Portability without bulk.  Synced accuracy at my fingertips.  And through Avantgo, a balance of news and tabloid-trashy reading available whenever I’m stuck in a waiting room.

For a coyote to get to Midtown, it has to be a very adventurous coyote,” Mr. Benepe said. “It was a very curious kind of coyote.

So what happens to an adventurous and curious soul in New York?  He’s hunted, tranqed, thrown in a truck and shipped off to a “rehabilitation center.”  So much for you humans claiming to support diversity and independent thought.