It's the first Thursday in November.

It's something past 11:30 pm. I'm sitting in an 8 x 10 room with 3 computers, two TV sets, 3 scanners, a shortwave tuned to a local repeater, and a window that looks out on a main street. Everything is on; the volumes are muted somewhat, however.

I have erased most of what was on my whiteboard, save for several words I intend to get around to looking up one of these days. Or not.

Several minutes ago, I fixed a bag of microwave popcorn. Nasty stuff, but eating it keeps me awake. My cat checked out about twenty minutes ago. She's snoring on the desk under the light, behind the CPUs.

I am watching for hackers. Big hackers. Little hackers. Bored hackers. Dumb hackers.

So far, it is quiet.

The streamers on CNN flow by like some sort of neon river. Every once in awhile, I hear one of the scanners lock onto this ongoing conversation about one of the local sports teams. One of the speakers has tickets to an upcoming match. He is proud of that but fearful of the future. Even he is willing to admit that security protocals can't eliminate all the potential risks. Somebody else wants to know the time. The dispatcher breaks in to report a fight near a campus bar.

Typical Thursday night in a college town.

In ten minutes, it'll be Friday. . . . .

-- Anonymous, November 01, 2001

Answers

Welcome to Frisky Friday.

It's midnight.

-- Anonymous, November 01, 2001

There are some similarities here. I'm watching Fox, listening to the scanner, and posting stuff. One the scanner, a Level Three (highest) Hazmat call is in progress--someone received a letter containing a white powder. It's probably a hoax but you know how that goes.

All the cats are quiet, Sweetie too! Zucco is settling in, loves the security of his cage because the big 'uns are a bit intimidating and he knows he's lowest on the totem pole. He gets exercised twice a day in a closed-door room. He'll let me know when he's ready to venture out and give it a go with the others. Meantime, he's getting more and more affectionate, has discovered heating pads, and purrs almos constantly. We think he was dumped here, poor little guy.

Tomorrow The Hungarian and I are going to put up about a dozen signs for the mayor, "Stick with Nick!" Hey, it's marginally better than the former mayor's slogan: "Vote for Harry!"

-- Anonymous, November 01, 2001

I'm just sitting--sort of--here, with a buggered-up neck, killing time til my next torture session with the PT.

i couldnt drive today, so hubby will have to take me.

I''m beginning to think i'd be better off with a bottle of tequila and a bag of weed.

maybe two bags, lol. damn it even hurts to smile.

-- Anonymous, November 02, 2001

I'm coming to your house. Sounds like you have the cure for my knees too. What time would be convenient?

-- Anonymous, November 02, 2001