Only Ohio could screw up EZ-Pass. I think the idea behind the technology is to allow those who have the transponders to easily glide through the toll booths with limited waiting. But on Day One, these geniuses decided to have zero dedicated lanes to EZ-Pass. That's right, at both I-77 and Route 8, there were no dedicated lanes.

So, we had to go among those who still had tickets and were unaware of the price increase that was about to hit them. Therefore, there were many confused drivers and really long lines. Backed up onto the Turnpike in both cases.

Today, lo and behold, there were dedicated lanes! However, I had to deal with a cheater who had a ticket in front of me at Route 8 this morning. The guy saw no waiting, he knew he had no EZ-Pass, but he went there anyway. I realized now that these booths are not equipped when someone jumps the line like that, so someone has to reset the machine so it can take a ticket. And that I means I'm behind the guy...fuming!

I-77 worked like a charm this evening though. Massive lines at the ticketed booths. But nary a soul at the lone dedicated lane. I easily passed 40 cars in about 5 different lines to go on my way. I can't think of a better commercial.

Meal of Links

The 100 Greatest Live Albums. No Pat Travers? I'm kidding. Biggest omissions: "Live Bullet" by Bob Seger, "The Last Waltz" by the Band.

Did Jon Stewart hurt America with his "Crossfire" attack? Look what replaced it.

The "Seinfeld" reunion start Sunday. Sort of. "Curb Your Enthusiasm" has been pretty, pretty, pretty good this year.

I want one. Like down the street from me.

Exercise Yard

This is a very long read. But a good one. How one pathologist discovered the disease of what is going on with former NFL players who go off the deep end. The story of Mike Webster's brain and how the NFL would not accept the findings of its study.

Visitor

46 Across: Hedren of "the Birds" (5 letters) Answer: Tippi

I think the surveys must be in at the Ohio Turnpike Commission. Since the calendar has turned, the toll-booth workers are downright pleasant. From a "Hey there!" to a "Hey!" to "Have a safe evening!"to "Thank you, sir!". To be fair, most of them are already friendly, they just seem more conversational these days. Maybe they need the $100 "Say Hello" Contest.

Meal of Links

With all of the hype that preceded the announcement, Apple comes out with AppleTV and an iPhone. Gotta see the reviews, but I am curious to see where this goes. AppleTV is 40GB, my iPod is 60GB, so that's the sort of stuff you have to slug through when considering a purchase.

Four Republican candidates for President. The only one who has had one wife is the Mormon.

15 foods you gotta have. Difficult to imagine liking all of them.

Exercise Yard

I admit, a wee part of me watched that Ohio State game last evening rather gleefully. But I never thought they would get rolled over like that. And was Ted Ginn's injury serious or was that his NFL Combine showcase on the kick return and he shut it down?

Meanwhile, the Buckeyes should be glad they are not coached by this guy.

Visitor

26 Across: So-called "King of Vibes" (13 letters) Answer: Lionel Hampton

I feel it is time for some "Turnpike Toll Booth Etiquette". OK, I understand we live in the Dark Ages while traversing the Ohio Turnpike. There is no E-Z Pass, the food should be upgraded and the tolls cost too much. Admittedly, they do a helluva job keeping it clear in bad weather.

However, the main disappointment is the drivers who don't know what to do when entering or leaving the Turnpike via the Toll Booth. When entering, you roll your window down before you get to the booth (regardless of weather!), grab the ticket and take off. You DO NOT wait till you arrive at said booth and do this:

Roll your window down.
Take ticket.
Figure out a place to put your ticket.
Roll up window.
Then take off.

This makes the driver behind you, namely me, start my day by uttering expletives that you can hear because my window has already been lowered.

When exiting:

Look for the shortest line.
Have window down before coming to the booth.
For God sake, remember where you put the damn ticket.
Have correct change (Doh! In an easily accessible place!), if possible.
Do not pay with a $20 unless your toll is above $10.
Don't be a Chatty Cathy with the booth attendant.
When you're done, MOVE!

If these procedures are not followed, this makes the driver behind you, namely me, continue my day by uttering expletives that you can hear because my window has already been lowered.

Having said that, I use the electronic Turnpike card. That way, I don't have to mess with finding change, or having the attendant drop my change, I can say "Hello." and "Thanks a lot!" around a quicker transaction.

That is all.

Meal of Links

Had a great time last night. For a change, I did not have a lot to drink. Well, not the strong stuff, anyhow. That El Diablo can be a cruel mother. A two-hour wait for a table at Fat Fish Blue necessitated a trek to Flannery's. It seems the Trans-Sexual Orchestra was at the Q. Huh? I don't get them. Anyhow, we ended up at Johnny Mango, so I could have an item for lunch today. I wonder who is having the smoke-free blowout parties this weekend?

"The Office" this past week was way out of control funny, with "Prison Mike" and Ed Helms on the banjo. Well-written episode by the UK writers, Gervais and Merchant. Jim and Pam said not one word to each other in this episode, but the non-verbals spoke volumes. Genius.

Ask Ms. Dewey anything. Anything at all.

Exercise Yard

Trying to determine if Fathead is a better name than Wallbangers. I guess if they had any Italians, they'd be Floorlayers.

Visitor

20 Down: "If I Had a Hammer" cowriter (6 letters) Answer: Seeger