Still in Shreveport, driving back today. I didn't get anything too wonderful, although we did eat at the Mr. Gatti's pizza buffet. I also had a peanut buster parfait at Dairy Queen. That was all fun, but now that I'm on the road it's back to MetRX bars. I started to read Fire Upon the Deep, depending on how much I drive I might read more of it today. ll retire the tracks in the automation system. I had to write the VBScript that controls the AudioVault process via COM, which was tricky. I'm not that acquainted with the ins and outs of VBScript, and I had almost no documentation on the AV interface. It's cool, though. You mark what songs you want to delete, press a button, and AudioVault goes nuts. Really, the whole thing is just a fancy button pusher, but it does in 60 seconds what it takes a person 30 minutes to do.

I haven't bought anything from eBay in several years, but today I bid on a pair of Visor Prism travel chargers, one for AC and one for the auto. If I was thinking, I'd had done this two weeks ago so I'd have them in time for my Orycon trip. Carrying the full charger is a pain in the butt because it is so bulky, but it is the only way I have to charge the Prism. Since it is my eBook reading platform, I have to bring the cradle or else not read them. These things are selling for less than $10 apiece, about 1/4 of what they retail for, so why not? This is the good part about using products that have been sunsetted - when all the peripherals get cheap as everyone dumps them. I missed it when Staple put all Springboard modules on sale, but it will come for other retailers and this time I'll be watching. GPS for $20? Sure, I'll take it.

Writing this one from a hotel room in Meridian MS. It seems like the lower-to-mid-level hotels have this sick game going on called "See what is the most miserable spread we can field and still call it a 'Continental Breakfast'". This one is not the worst one, but I've seen some lousy ones lately. 4 pieces of bread, a jelly pack, a boiled egg and a few mini-donuts. Have at it, our respected guests! Now when I check in, I inwardly laugh at the mention of the continental breakfast. At least this morning, I got a few mini-danishes.

It didn't occur to me until last night, but I'm going to be in Louisiana on my free day. I can eat anything today! I wonder if gas stations in north Louisiana all sell boudin the way the ones in the south do? That was some of my favorite stuff when I lived in Lafayette. Every store with a gas pump has a little fryer and is selling fried chicken and boudin balls. I also liked the boudin links. One Sunday morning I answered phone calls for the KRVS annual pledge drive, and T. Coon's restaurant had donated some food. I ate two boudin links, full of tasty meat and dirty rice, and before I had finished I could feel chest pains starting. I thought I would have a heart attack on the spot. Mmmmmm! Dangerous but delicious. I can only hope for the same this jaunt. I'm not holding my breath for much Cajun culture around Shreveport, though. Too far north. The Cajuns used to joke about how everyone that lives north of I-10 is a Yankee.