Rear-ended last July at a somewhat treacherous off ramp on the 118 freeway, but didn't pay a penny. The folks in the Ford truck were congenial, no one appeared to be under any influence and no air bags went off. My bumper and trunk had dents, with the latter being understandably sticky opening and closing but able to be unlocked and relocked.

I didn't pay a penny, but someone did. The bill came close to $3-k and the laundry list of parts furnished when Blue Bossa returned to my clutches (my first car without a clutch; oops, Trotsky's ghost is stirring) put Johnny Cash's "One Piece At A Time" to shame.

Bottom line: nothing is simple these days. All is modularized. I mean, even my rear windshield was replaced. I do not remember that as being a factor!

Over the last several years I have shaken up a pair of "satellite" watches to the point they make nice references on the dresser but can't reliably be worn anywhere before they show pseudo New Year's 2001, drop the balloons. Now I'm retired and Midnight Oil's "Diesel And Dust", not to mention the shocks from the "Bang a Can" factor, are behind me and a third one in the form of a Sharper Image solar model has performed well, though the smaller case date line on the bottom misses pieces now.

Of course, I generally know what date it is---it's future shock around the clock. Of concern now is the wrist strap breaking through at one point. So off to my jeweler, generally able to restrap other watches in a minute, only to hear an initial "Oh, oh." It seems the strap and case all are one and I need to contact the company and purchase such and he'll install.

Modularization problems, they're all of a piece.