Scene: 10 a.m., outside Trader Joe's in Emeryville. Some workmen are standing on the sidewalk, having coffee and presumably taking a break from their construction job at a neighboring store.

Heard: The men seem to be talking about their respective cell phones and/or cell phone service plans. One of the men complains that his phone sometimes shows that he is out of range, even in the middle city. His friend speaks up just as I walk by.

"You think that's bad. You get out in the middle of the country . . . man, there are holes bigger than shit."