As I entered the crosswalk in the early darkness, I heard a rhythmic scratching on the asphalt, faint but purposeful next to me, and as I reached the other side of the road, something small and fast shot past me and plunged hurriedly into the bushes having used my body as an unknowing cover until safety was in reach. I had a wonderful visit with my hair stylist, who is now my friend, or perhaps my friend who is also my hair stylist, talking about the art of place and the current state of nerd pop culture.