The kind people at Dell apparently do not understand the meaning of "power cord" to the great unwashed end users of their computers. The cord comes apart into two pieces, but together they comprise the "power cord" unit. When I ordered a new "power cord" I fully expected to receive both portions, neither of which functions without the other. Note that I did not tell them I just wanted the portion with the skinny cord that ends in a chunky rectangular box that has a little green light on it that, scarily, stays lit for a few moments after it's unplugged. Nor did I specify that I only wanted the part that plugs into the rectangular box on one end and the wall on the other. Unfortunately, the Dell people translated my order for a "power cord" into just the skinny cord part, which was worthless since I had already turned in the entire defective "power cord". Assumptions bite me in the ass again.

There were leaves covering the courtyard at work today. The hardscape, as landscapers like to call it, is surrounded by cherry trees that blossom for a few precious moments in the spring, causing the occupants of the second floor window offices to feel as if they are floating in a sea of pale froth. At least I did when I was in one of those offices. Now I have a view that stretches for miles, from the green dome of a local college to the church spires of the town I drive through every day on my way to work past the condos sprung like fungus on the sides of the hills. The leaves on the ground were actually from the birch trees, the earliest ones to give up the season. I read an article a few years ago that posited that the new year really starts in September with the back to school beginnings and freshly sharpened pencils and all that promise of the year yet to come. I tend to agree.

I had about 3 hours of sleep last night, which may explain some of the choppiness of this entry. I've been trying out the light therapy (like that used by people who experience Seasonal Affective Disorder in the dark months of winter) again that the sleep doctor prescribed, but so far it has failed to shift my sleep patterns any. Without a job or kids or a life of any sort, I would fall asleep at about 3:00 AM and sleep for 7 hours or so. The sleep doctor suggested, with a straight face, that I change my work hours and convince the kids to get themselves up and ready for school. This woman does not live in the same universe that I do.

Books: I'm trying to start Now This by Judy Muller, but am having trouble getting past the first page. Not a good sign.

Movies: The Fifth Element. For the nth time. I really should buy this one, but then I'd be denied the pleasure of stumbling onto it at some odd time.

Cats: They keep tipping over their damn water bowls, and I keep walking into cat-water on the mud room floor. I didn't get to Petco this weekend to buy them new non-tippable bowls, so they have another few days to amuse themselves with this trick.