Okay. So you clicked the link named "plates" and you are wondering if this has something to do with dinner plates, tectonic plates, boiler plates or maybe photographic plates.

None of the above. How about license plates!!

One day when I was about 10 or 11 years old, I was standing outside my grandmother's house on 8th street. A car drove by and stopped at the corner waiting to turn. I noticed the gold/orange New York license plate had the number 148-HDL.

Why would I remember that number more than 25 years later? Because my father's 1976 Ford Granada was 149-HDL. Just one digit away! With upwards of 17 million possible letter/number combinations, it was pretty neat seeing that plate.

Recent events have helped reprise my interest in license plate. When HBO decided in 2005 to cancel its original drama Carnivale, it was a crushing blow to the many fans who faithfully followed Ben Hawkins and Brother Justin Crowe toward their inevitable battle for the future of mankind. Luckily, cast members bought some of the props from the studio and donated them to an auction to raise money to hold a Carnivale fan convention.

Well, take a guess at what Carnivale props I bought!   

A few weeks later, these Jennifer Garner plates were for sale on e-Bay.

I might not ever buy another license plate again. But if something special comes my way...

jy