Light Traffic
My work commute is approximately 15 miles each way. The drive comprises 0.8 mile to the 580 freeway, then 13 miles on the freeway including a jaunt through the East Bay Maze (aka the "MacArthur Maze" where I-80, I-580, I-980, and CA Hwy 24 all converge); finally, I drive 1.2 miles from the Ashby Avenue I-80 offramp to my work site.

The San Francisco region is known for its traffic troubles... during the height of the dot-com boom, the MacArthur Maze reached the point where it was congested for **16** hours each weekday on average.

Two years ago my 15-mile commute took over 30 minutes and often would stretch toward 40; during one nasty rainy winter day it actually took me ONE HOUR AND FORTY-FIVE MINUTES to get to work. But the economic downturn has had one positive effect: traffic congestion has eased somewhat. That's good b/c I'm a hardcore lead-foot.

This morning was a good example. I covered 15 miles in *19* minutes; of course, that's all fine & good but when my layoff occurs in a few months I will no longer able to enjoy it. Oh well.

Sobriety
The details shall remain between my lips and God's ears, but I will say this much: it's a gift and I thank Him every day for it.

Kitties!
My two cats are my rocks in these trying days. Whenever they curl up with me, it makes my day better.

Chocolate
This one is self-evident. Duuuuuuuh! :)