Really, I should have known better than to think there's such a thing as free parking in this damn town. My friend Karen parked her car in my apartment's garage while she's on vacation this week so she could be closer to National airport. I know full well that my complex requires a visitors pass for cars without a resident permit -- but the bastards charge $3 a day for this permit, even for guests of residents. Now, I'd never seen anyone checking for permits, certainly never a car being towed out of the labyrinth that is this parking garage. So I told Karen all this, mentioning there was always the option she could risk not getting a visitors pass. I mean, really. So she decided to take the chance. Turns out, however, this was ill advised. Her car got towed, and bailing out a car you don't own is not easy, I am learning. Luckily, I was able to get in touch with Karen, so she has to fax a letter to the tow place saying I can leave with her car, and I have to rumage through her glove compartment to find her registration to prove that she owns it. Fun times! But she is faxing today, so I should be able to pick up the car tonight. I feel totally bad that it happened, but luckily Karen is a super-cool girl and wasn't at all panicky or mad when I told her what happened. Guess we both learned a lesson. D'oh!

Not much else going on. Emily came for a visit last night on her way through town. And Geoffrey's brother Joe is coming tomorrow to stay a few days and pick up his new Saturn Ion, which resembles a turtle, but still manages to look cool.

So apparently retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark is now considering a run for president in 2004. I hope he does, because I think he's a smart guy and could be the guy to help pull us out of the bad times we're in. Also, he's hot.