We went on our hunt for an air conditioner yesterday... It's embarrassing to be part of the unthinking herd reacting too late to a situation. This is exactly the feeling I got as we picked over the meager leftovers that were left by some savage mob of more timely shoppers inspired by the recent heat wave. The big disappointment was our first stop, which was to Sears, a place that had provided us with some very smooth shopping experiences in the past. We waited over 20 minutes in the merchandise pick-up area before we were informed that the unit we had been sold was not actually in stock... but even worse, when they learned this, they went off to tell our salesperson, rather than us, about the problem. This was one of several uncharacteristic glitches there, leading to suspicions that their recent change in ownership is starting to bear rotten fruit. I can only hope I am wrong about that, seeing how much we used to like that place.

On the bright side, I've discovered that the recent rearrangement of the layout in my office places the old air conditioner (which only turns out to be, as Miracle Max would out it, mostly dead) pointed right at the back of my head. It's been some time since this small older unit has had the horsepower too cool this office, but it is pretty effective when blowing directly on my neck, so at least I have a fall-back plan for enduring the heat wave besides just melting.

R.I.P.: Leslie Smith, 87, a creator of popular Matchbox miniature automobiles (thanks LoonyBomber) and Actress Anne Bancroft dies.

Waiter, there's a Link in my soup!	Thanks Mike Martinez, Ant, and EvilToast.
Play Time:	80s Lyrics Quiz.
Stories of the Day:	Man With Chain Saw, Sword Is Let Into U.S. Thanks Jeff. U.S. inmates finally take over the asylum. Man's remains go missing in mail. Thanks Devster.
Science!	Another Natural Threat to Florida Feral Hogs. Chilli bombs to combat elephants. Wind farms pose low risk to birds.
Auction of the Day:	Rare Map Identifying 'America' on Auction.
Media of the Day:	Keltech Strikes Back
Follow-ups:	Chinese gamer sentenced to life. Thanks Luka. Bush Aide Softened Greenhouse Gas Links to Global Warming (registration required).