...drove early Friday from Oakland to Reno in order to avoid looming storms over the Sierras -- Rockette Bob's "Reno Cacophony Work Truck," impounded months ago by the police, went up for auction this morning. No one made the opening reserve bid of $200. Everyone came to get a close look at it. Most sneered, calling it a monstrosity. Not surprising; just a little while ago, some vandals tipped his decorated pedicab into the Truckee river.

The night before, we drank wine at the Wonder Lodge and talked about the future. We couldn't come to any consensus about whether or not anything is really worth it. East Jesus is a week or two away now. Whenever I think about it, there's an empty feeling inside me. Flies, trash, feces, thieves and deadly summers. But also freedom in many flavors, quiet and sunshine. All I look forward to is picking up my Springfield Armory XD .45 ACP 4" on Tuesday. And then moving.

I left the auction, feeling struck in the stomach with a soft, invisible club. I played $4/$8 at the Peppermill, drank a pint of Anchor Steam, won $20. It rained all the way home. Black skies tunring gray turning black again. Snow high in the Sierras. And rain. Lots and lots of rain.