Friday, 04 May 2001 | 250,000th mile

Yesterday my car drove its 250,000th mile, and today I drove it over a concrete beam. From the noise it made, I was sure that I'd just lost the lower belly of my car, but when I got out to check, I didn't see anything I recognized as part of an Accord. Is it time to die, at 250? I don't think so. It's really tempting not to look under there.

The DoubleTake Documentary Film Festival is going on in Durham right now. Durham, the secret city, as my friend Richard calls it. I'm taking pictures for the festival, which, today at least, has been a frustrating experience, since I have time only to listen to filmmakers talk about films I'd like to see, but I don't actually get to watch any of the films. That's not the fault of the festival—part of my payment is actually a pass to all of the shows; rather, it's the fault of a full-time job, one that ironically allows me to take this assignment in the first place, thanks to its proximity to the theatre. Tomorrow I plan to get my fill of interviews and hand-held cameras.