welcome to Erie, PA

Computers typically make use of a "central processing unit," or CPU. After careful self-analysis during today's drive, I've realized that I make use of an "Ian processing unit," or IPU. Much like a CPU, the IPU can perform a lot of work so as long as the activity remains below a maximum threshold level.

Herewith an illustrative example: The IPU might be busy with two tasks. First, the IPU might trying to maintain a comfortable speed of 80 miles-per-hour on Interstate 90 westbound while trying not to get blown off the road due to disturbingly-high winds. Second, the IPU might be listening to the eleventh chapter of Bram Stoker's /Dracula/ courtesy of the LibriVox free audio book project. This would leave absolutely no IPU power for such tasks such as, say, noticing when precisely the light on the fuel gauge became lit.

(Emily's Corolla gets 30-35 miles after the fuel gauge lights up, so we were more than fine. Here's where you get to imagine nervous chuckling.)