The tort system is supposed to deter companies from committing deliberate and negligent acts of wrong on consumers through faulty products etc. This it does. The thing that needs reformed is the fee structure. Consumers get 35%. Laywers get 65%.

Example 1. TDAmeritrade has a security breach and its mailing list os appropriated by a financial services spammer. They settle the class action lawsuit by awarding a "spam protection software" to each subscriber affected (value approximately $75) in a claim pool of $1M. The lawyers take home $1.879 MILLION.

Example 2. Whirlpool has a water heater that has defective thermocouples, ignition, and/or thermocouple control assembly. Customers get a free part ($56) from a pool of $1M and have to pay for repair or installation (-$100). The lawyers get $2.035 Million.

OMG. I did something to my hands. I can barely move them without crazy pain. I have them wrapped in my heating pad and popped a couple tramadols. Both hands, all fingers and my wrists. Ow. Ow. Ow.

In a stupid act of insanity, I put my car into the ditch on a muddy road over in Missouri. No cell phone reception. Reliance on technology sucks. I had to walk 2 hours in the cold wind to find the main road. I didn't know where I was, and it took the truck driver another hour to find me. I was going to visit Dancing Rabbit Eco-village. I was out on a country road trying to find a cemetary following the directions of a little old lady from the very small town. It cost me $100. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. I had to stop in another small town, Kahoka, to power spray the mud off my car and from inside the wheels and calipers. Missouri mud and gravel made my car shake from unbalanced wheels.

I don't know why I thought it was a good idea to drive 3-4 hours one-way after the big return journey from New Orleans. My body is protesting this morning.

Oh, the cemetary? I found it while driving with the truck.

You wish you had my life problems...

I went out to look at the 2008 chrysler sebring convertibles. My 1998 has 110K miles on it and I was thinking about replacing it. I was looking at program cars (2008 models with 5K miles sell for around $19K instead of $34K). Points in the 2008's favor? FLEXFUEL. I couldn't believe it when I looked at the 2008: The new sebrings have NO leg room in the back seat unless you are a munchkin and there is NO cargo space in the boot. In 1999, I chose the sebring over other convertibles because of these two things. Surprise! I don't have many oompa-loompas as friends. The old body has room for 2 sets of golf clubs plus extra baggage in the boot. The new one barely has room for a knapsack; I'd never get a dead body suitcase in there. The new body design is boxy like a cut down pt cruiser and handles like a tank crossover vehicle not a sportscar. I am sorely disappointed.

However, I'm sure that this means my 1998 will last forever another 100K considering I give it indecent loving good care. It burns through a quart of oil every 3K, but hey, it's time to change the oil right? Maybe I'll just spend a couple hundred and get my baby detailed and looking like new so the cosmetic issues don't weigh me (or my image of me) down.

Edit: OK, OK. All I really wanted was a new shiny-shiny. I've decided to spruce up my girl and ride out the storm of desire.
wo xiang mei er, mei xin, bian shi tou

Open 4 am the day after thanksgiving
All for your consummate pleasure
Found by a 3.5 inch portable navigation system
for $124 (service plan required)
Five foot inflated, lighted snowman
just to let your neighbors know
Sweaters for the whole family
Save, Save, Save.
Extra 20% off at 5 am
42 inches of visual excitement
at least 20 minimum per store
in the fine print
Did you not read past the flash?
Pinot noir to heighten the bliss
Bath and towel sets for him and her
Don't forget to whiten your teeth.
Yes. Yes. oh GOD, YES!
I want the EVENT of a LIFETIME!