The Michigan Daily - Thursday, September 26, 1996 - 13


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YOU mOn brakes and pull the wheel hard to the right, the sounds
of horns blaring from every direction. OK, that one was too close, way too
close. That other driver didn't even look before changing lanes. They call
them the express lanes, but you think '"extinction lanes" is really more
appropriate. Today seems worse than usual. Almost like it's Celebrate
Driving Xonth or something and you're in the
parade. No matter. You're almost at the restaurant. A
very chic, very you-know restaurant that you cannot afford. It is here that
you are meeting your well-intentioned friend whose cousin
twice-removed is in town. Cousin needs a date. Cousin is just right for you
your friend claims. Sure. That's what your friend said about Dream Date Y
last month. The dream ended at the police station. Don't ask. "Sorry," you
tell your friend, "I'm booked."end laughS.
Friend knows you are never booked. An hour later you're cruising for
parking. Five blocks. Six. Seven. Eight. Suddenly, you see it. A space. A
real, live legal parking space. With... can it be? Time left on the
meter. You slow to a stop. Flip your blinker. Stick your arm out the
window for good measure. Sure, it's a tricky parallel parking prob-
lem, but hey, you're a mathematician. You calculate, then begin the
backup. Suddenly out of nowhere, it comes: a cheesy little red sports
car zipping into your space, the driver laughing maniacally.
Your blood pressure rises.
The jerk. You start to pull away but suddenly remember. Well, of course.
You smile. Pull out your laptop. Connect the modem to the cell phone. Go.
Ahh, there it is. OK, download. Now, display. Virtually out of nowhere
a police officer materializes. She gestures at Xister Sports Car.
"Hove this vehicle now, sir." Kister Sports Car argues, but the police

officer is firm. You watch as Xister Sports Car reluctantly pulls
away. You smile. Log off. Power down. Parallel parking is tricky.
Damn, that's good software.
What will the n ext gene ration of sotwr bCo to M/osf and shape it.
Real jobs. Real itern iips. With real responsibility.