And the twist ending is its really snowing in San Jose...

The official high in Livermore today was 108. They measure that in a downtown plaza with trees and fountains. I'm just saying, because my truck thermometer told me the air temp hit 114 degrees at one point.

This point would be the one where I had to unload 260 feet of all-thread (10 foot lengths, but 1 inch thick) by hand in a dusty lumber yard.

Yes, today was craptacular.

( But we must first return to last night. )

Not even a near meltdown in the 9th could ruin our mood. No, that was left to CalTrain. There's an express train that is supposed to leave 15 minutes after the game. Because of the "Spare the Air" day free rides program, the train filled up almost as soon as the game ended. So we had to take a local. Which meant we didn't get home until almost 0100. I get up at 0500 for work.

So, massive heatwave, not enough sleep, and a crappy day combined to make me miserable. No need for details, just rest assured that I really disliked my chosen career at a few points today.

But the weekend is here, at last. Tomorrow is the Grand Social Event of the season, Kylie the Wonder Baby's First Birthday Party! We are also going to try to make capplor's anniversary party before heading to see the San Jose Giants.

All this in what is promised to be record-setting heat.

Aside from that, I have some writing to do. I'm tearing the Concordat apart again (luckily I'm doing all this before trying to sell it.) and have an idea for a set of simple, fast brawling rules for Traveller.

( Gaming geekery )

This is why I support concealed carry laws.

8 Grocery Employees Stabbed in Tennessee

A knife-wielding grocery store employee attacked eight co-workers Friday, seriously injuring five before a witness pulled a gun and stopped him, police said.

Elartrice Ingram, 21, was charged with nine counts of attempted first-degree murder, police said. The attack apparently stemmed from a work dispute, investigators said.

Five victims, one in critical condition, were admitted to the Regional Medical Center, the main trauma hospital for the Memphis area. Three others were less badly hurt and treated at another hospital.

Ingram, chasing one victim into the store's parking lot, was subdued by Chris Cope, manager of a financial services office in the same small shopping center, Memphis Police Sgt. Vince Higgins said.

Cope said he grabbed a 9mm semiautomatic pistol from his pickup truck when he saw the attacker chasing the victim "like something in a serial killer movie."

"When he turned around and saw my pistol, he threw the knife away, put his hands up and got on the ground," Cope told The Associated Press. "He saw my gun and that was pretty much it."

Police arrived within minutes and took the Ingram into custody.

One citizen with a gun. No shots fired. And how many lives saved?