I know the long way well. I've never driven the shortcut before. It gives inter-state travellers a rather, shall we say, unapealling view of this city. Having grown up here, I think its rather lovely, the sight of the ships and the large unloading cranes and the water and the way the highways cascade through the shipyards and duck under the water, reemerging on the other side of the city.

For a dollar, I get to go underwater. The tunnels lost their novelty long ago, when I realized they were not unique to this city. I guess I was in fifth grade. But I hadn't ever driven any of them personally until today.

My first toll. Another milestone.

:~:

The school parking lot, ~7:30am:

"Come on baby make if hurt so good..."

From out of nowhere Liz walks up to me, giving me the look that says WTF is going on over there?!?!.

Later I laugh, as she hums the song in homeroom, unaware.