Traffic Jam in Internet Metaphors

Information SigAlert? Out on the electronic frontier, with Al Gore doing the media tour on behalf of the Administration’s policy on the use of cyberspace, more people are bemoaning the overwrought term Information Superhighway, which has even spun off further metaphors, such as Infobahn, Information Speed Limit and Information Passing Lane.

Internet junkies are already cringing in anticipation of the Information Country Road, Information Driveway, Information Parking Lot and--who knows?--maybe even an Information Accident Investigation Site.

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Soccer Fans Exposed: Sure, Americans have a reputation for behaving boorishly abroad, but has anyone seen what’s been going on around the Rose Bowl lately? During a recent trip to Pasadena, we’ve noticed a multinational throng parading around in nothing but boxers. And no, we’re not talking about the athletes.

Unfortunately, the exposed flesh we’ve been forced to confront definitely belongs to the World Cup’s spectators. Perhaps it’s time they hung up a sign at LAX saying, “No shirts, no shoes, no pants, no visa.”

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Is Coffee Drinking Allowed?: So what’s a funky coffeehouse space good for in this day and age? Well, this sign we saw at the Tropical Bakery in Silver Lake seems to cover all the bases. It says, “Back room available for poetry, music, acting, AA, CA, NA meetings, etc.”

And if that alone doesn’t tell you this is L.A. in the 90s, then the last line will: “No smoking.”