endless commercials.

Sam and I took a walk around Burlingame today. We walked around, spent some time in the freezer section at Walgreen's, bought some books at the independent bookstore.

As we were headed back, one, then two, then three firetrucks sped toward the grocery store. Then an ambulance raced behind them until they all stopped in the parking lot. Intrigued (we truly belong here sometimes), we turned with the excuse that we'd buy some spinach dip and a baguette. We walked inside and followed a stray firefighter. He headed to the dairy section, where several men fully dressed from head to toe in uniform picked up cartons of dairy and soy milk.

We asked the guy at the check-out counter what had happened (who we knew from high school, typical Burlingame occurrence). Without hesitation, he replied: "a small electrical short in the dairy aisle."

Three firetrucks. One ambulance. A small electrical shortage.

There are some days where it is just oh so clear that I need to get out of here.