if we're to have a state, we should have a constitution. sure. and, it should be enforced judiciously and difficult to amend.

but, it should be amended from time to time, too.

in the end, constitutionalism is just another kind of religion and should be resisted just as any other religion should be.

it is more likely that you will see israel stand with the turks in trying to fight the saudis off.

a strange thing happened this morning.

we'll talk about the cats later. maybe. i'm hoping we don't have to.

but, i got some ide drives. all 40 gb. 3 for $10. i know at least one of them works. i'll install after i get some rest...

the strange thing is this: i went to take out the old drive and i noticed something was loose inside, sort of like a blown light bulb. i shook it a little to prove to myself it was really broken, after 19 years. a little piece of metal fell out; it could have been the leg on a chip, perhaps.

i tried one more time.

...and it spun.

but, it took me up to the block screen i see when the power cuts. this requires a reinstall. the system is, in fact, designed for easy reinstall.

but, see, i've long suspected that the block screen is a sign of a dying hard drive, so i'm going to install on one of the new drives and see if it fixes it.

the more exciting thing is that i didn't lose my script.

i guess it solves the mystery: i seem to have blown a component, and the broken piece seems to have maybe created a short, i guess. the drive seems to work. but, for how long? i should put it aside and try something new.

updated actual spending totals:
22.58 (bicycle) + 32.77 (shoes) =    (6th)
55.35 + $10 (hard drives) =    (8th)
65.35

i was woken up this morning and need to get back to the sleep that i missed.