The Bastard Machine

I know Tim Goodman of the San Francisco Chronicle calls his blog "The Bastard Machine". He's referring to the TV set.

But I'll put my Bastard Machine up against Tim's anytime. Check out this little home-destroyer:

Looks pretty smug, doesn't it? You would, too, if you'd just managed to earn an early retirement and simultaneously screw someone out of several thousand dollars.

Looks like the Trek Carbon-Fiber Bike Fairy and the Gibson Guitar Wizard may have to cross me off their list for awhile. I'll be singing the Busted-Down Water Heater Blues.