well, it is Friday the 13th

[flea]

mr. flea broke down on the highway on the way home tonight. As breakdowns go, it was smooth and convenient; he was on 147 just south of downtown and right by an offramp with a convenient gas station. He called a tow and had him drop the car at the mechanic's, then swing by the YMCA to pick up Casper, then swing by the house (all within half a mile of each other; the mechanic is a block from the YMCA, actually). So they arrived via the front door and I looked out to find an immense flatbed tow truck in the street! Needless to say, Dillo was charmed.

Given the sudden total lack of power and the car's age, it's probably a timing belt. Good thing this didn't happen on a deserted stretch of I-85 in South Carolina, eh?