I spent the first day of my work week unexpectedly trolling around Newark while waiting for my car to be serviced. It had a bout of overheating over the weekend, so in anticipation of driving it down to L.A. this weekend i thought it best to have it checked out. No cheap, quick fix here ... both cooling fans had shorted out, which cost me a handsome sum. Knowing nothing about the inner workings of automobiles, i always feel like i'm nodding along and hoping the mechanic's charm is an indicator that they know what they're doing.

As a reward for devoting my weekend to writing programs for her, Veronica bought me a long-awaited PS3 on Saturday. However because of my aforementioned computer commitments, my experience with it has thus far been limited to installing the system updates and playing ten minutes of the impressive Motorstorm. I'm excited to do more racing through the mud, as well as to check out the most acclaimed game of the system's infamous launch, Resistance: Fall of Man.

We got a new refrigerator a week ago Friday, made by heretofore unknown contemporary appliance manufacturers Fisher and Paykel. It's a very slick stainless steel, bottom freezer model that fits snugly in the petite space allotted to it in our kitchen. So our home overhaul continues. I've said it before and i'll undoubtedly say it again, our kitchen is basically done. With this (however intermediate) sense of completion, we've outfitted our kitchen with fresh groceries, with an aim towards keeping it stocked. I always tend to get more done in the morning when i've had a bowl or two of Life cereal to kick things off.

I moved out old series 2 Tivo out to our rec room in the garage, so we now have Tivo on every television in our domicile. The future is here. Now if i could only get them all to talk to each other.

I played some more Motorstorm yesterday. That game is freaking hard. Either that, or i'm a complete dunce when it comes to off-road racing. What do you mean, i have to slow down going into curves? Damn mud! Stop nudging me, you jerks! I tried out Resistance for a bit, and got housed there as well. It certainly looks beautiful, but it didn't completely grab me on my first investigation. As always, i need to master the game mechanics. I found myself wondering why i couldn't take cover behind a pile of rubble and poke my gun cautiously over the top to pick off my enemies. You know, Ghost Recon/Gears of War style.

I've got to stop watching All My Children ... i was pointing out errors in continuity and realism in an episode last night. Like metaphysical singer/songwriter/transgender/jackass Zoe putting a hot frying pan on a coffee table after making breakfast. Adopting this line of criticism could keep me busy for weeks.

I enjoyed the second installment of the impromptu sketch comedy show Thank God You're Here! last night. Especially Harland Williams's domination of the scenes into which he was thrust. Brian Posehn looked lost, but as always his slightly stoned demeanor was enjoyable. With the rise of shows like Lost, 24, and Heroes, my consumption of television has dwindled. I like checking out the occasional sitcom, but i just don't have the time or attention necessary to keep up with continually evolving storylines, especially those as dense as the aforementioned programs. I understand their rise in popularity, as audiences want shows that evolve and don't just tread water. However, as with Twin Peaks, by the time my curiosity is piqued i'm 10 shows behind and don't have the patience to sit down for a marathon catchup viewing.

V's Mini's windshield is cracked for the second time in three months. I was hoping we could get it replaced for free under the new windshield warranty, however the glass people couldn't help but notice that the new crack is the product of a rock impact and not any defect in the windshield or the installation. Dammit. Time to call our insurance agent again. Maybe we'll have to buy a cover for the car to protect it from errant missiles showering Veronica's work parking lot.

We're off down to La-La-Land this weekend for V's cousin Millie's graduation. Hopefully the new cooling system in my Jetta will prove effective during the six hour drive up and down the central valley. Poor doggie will be revisiting the environs of the Mission San Jose Animal Hospital boarding facility.

Back home to my PS3 and Xbox 360. Oh sweet video distractions.