then she appeared

So today on my dinner break I took a stroll over to the Mall next to my building to see how the Apple iPhones launch was going. The stores are all closed until 6pm so that (according to Steve Jobs) people don't have to take off from work to get an iPhone. The reality (of course) is that it's so that news teams can get nice visuals of hundreds of people waiting in line — free advertising!

I guess advertising only goes so far, though, because one thing you can't do for Apple without being hassled by a giant security guy is take a picture of the (CLOSED AND BLACKED OUT) front of an Apple store:



I was snapping pictures of the people in line and just took this one when a guard practically ran up to me and told me not to do that. I asked why, he said "because it's private property". I wish I knew the rules of what's legal in photography a little better, because after all I AM inside a mall. So the MALL might be private property, but the OUTSIDE of a store is not normally private property (anything visible from a public area is fair game, I know that much). The guy basically followed me almost to the door of the mall, and I argued with him the whole way. He asked me if I'd like to discuss it with the police. Nice huh? Way to promote a warm fuzzy feeling about your phone, Apple.

I'm thinking I will NEVER buy an iPhone now. Bite me, Apple!

Other pictures from the event.

OK, I can't even follow my own advice about stopping. It's a brand-new day and I'm back on the trail.

Whoo-hoo! This is an amazing letter.

I think this is my favorite bit: "Bienville built New Orleans where he built it for one main reason: It’s accessible. The city between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain was easy to reach in 1718.

How much easier it is to access in 2005 now that there are interstates and bridges, airports and helipads, cruise ships, barges, buses and diesel-powered trucks."

So apparently the fire marshall at the Astrodome has declared it full. Sorry for the ridiculously long bus ride, but there's no room at the inn. Good luck now!

And Michael Brown has been added to my ever-increasing list of villains today, under a special category of "where the fuck have you been all week, pal?"

Unspeakable. Lying, stupid, clueless, thoughtless, and uncaring. That's who *I* want in charge of FEMA, yep! How come if everyone is focusing on saving lives so many lives are still being lost?!

No, it's much more important that we stop the property loss! Get those looters! How DARE they steal from supermarkets? Or steal clothing? FOR SHAME! Shoot 'em! Shoot 'em all! Quick!

Could this be more absurd? HELLO?! THEY DON'T HAVE ANY ELECTRICITY to READ your WEBSITE! And probably DON'T HAVE A COMPUTER, even if they HAD ELECTRICITY, BECAUSE THEIR HOUSES ARE UNDERWATER!!

"To begin clean up, collect tools and cleaning equipment. Gather items such as buckets, rubber gloves and boots, eye goggles to protect eyes from splashes, paper towels, scrub brushes, rags, sponges, bleach, cleaners, trash bags, spray bottles, and fans for drying. "

.... pick through the bodies of your loved ones, pets, and the splintered remains of your home to find these things ....

I think I might be a little burnt-out...

Another improvement (this one less immediate, and less personal): I will no longer buy bottled water. I've been fretting about the landfills enough as it is, lately, and I can at least let this tiny fraction of my guilt go. If my town's water isn't good enough to drink I will go back to filtered water such as Brita or Pur.

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