great bursts of fire there's this spectacular footage on CNN of a burning industrial plant in north st. louis. it showed burst after burst of flame shooting the sky - the plant made oxygen tanks. a reporter who sat at the far end of the newsroom stolled our way because she says she was hearing so much mirth come from our side of the room.

"just to tell y'alls know i'm here," she said.

we were imagining scenarios for the poor red toyota sitting just beyond flame lick's reach. in order to get to the car, fire had to cross iron fence and about 1.5 yard of sidewalk, and a tree. parked behind the toyota is a black suv.

"will the owner of the red toyota, please move your car," we joked. you hear this announcement in the middle of solemn gatherings where the last thing on your mind's your car, where it's parked, and whose other car it's blocking.

"honey, did you move the car?" we joked. this from the wife of a man who said he parked the car further than usual and said he'd move it later in the day.

gas tanks rapidly exploded one after another. fire seemed to just skirt water firefighters poured into the burning industrial complex.

"hey! that's my car on TV! he said he'd take care it!" yelled a friend who lent his car to a friend he thought he could trust.

ahaha. sigh. yes, we realize the situation's direness. there doesn't seem to be an illinois connection at all. i hope there's no one hurt.  ¶ 6/24/2005 03:57:00 PM