I swung through Columbia today with two tasks on my mind: “stealing” a blazer from my Dad for Tuesday’s interviews, and taking my car for my bi-annual VEIP. The blazer came with some work: my folks are away on vacation, and three large (and heavy) furniture boxes were on their porch, as well as a UPS for my sister. Once I’d moved those inside, I certainly felt like I’d earned the blazer (and, yes, I asked my Dad for permission).

VEIP was great. It’s right down the road from my parents’, and over another road, and down another, then a left and a right. It was totally empty. There were two open lanes, I was in and out in under ten minutes. The guy running the test didn’t even ask me to get out of my car and we talked about his buddy who went head-first in a Celica into a Mustang, and his car (a Honda), and gas mileage, and then I was done and gone: I don’t think I’ve ever been through VEIP that fast. So, if you’re in need of a VEIP and are in the Columbia area, hit ‘em up around noon on a Thursday, and you’ll be out right-quickly (they’re off Owen Brown Road somewheres).

I came back from West Virginia yesterday afternoon. The vacation was relaxing — I read, I grilled, I drank, I watched Ken Burns’ “The War” at night. Once again, the trip home (it’s not even a two-hour drive) reinforced just how absolutely horrible other drivers are: I nearly got killed by some bimbo who decided that checking her mirrors, using her turn signal, or god forbid actually turning her worthless neck to visually check the lane she wanted to mer — er, swerve — into was clear. Thankfully, I pay attention and I’m sharp on the brake. Her car, a big old white Mercury, clearly served as a testament to her driving skills: there wasn’t a non-dented, non-smashed surface anywhere. Clearly, it has saved her life many times. Should you see this vehicle on this state’s magnificent roadways, give her a wide berth: she doesn’t know where you are in relation to her, she doesn’t care, and I can’t imagine she’s got very good insurance (if at all).