I had an idea

Remember when light bulbs used to *POP* when they burned out? Well, last night the one in the bathroom was flickery, so I turned it off then turned it on so that I'd be ready for the inevitable jump I always do. Nothing. Just out. Now, come to think of it it's been a long time since I've been surprized when reaching into a dark room and flicking on the lights. Years, really. Is this a new function of lightbulb technology? I hope so 'cause I just HATE when that happens.

Spring Cleaning

Spring is in the air, and soon enough in the ground around my new house. As some of my listening audience will recall I can be very optimistic when it comes to envisioning a yard full of growing glory. It's kind of pathetic actually when the sad truth is I have no experience, no natural ability and no connections. But O the visions of Tropical Wonders! I was actually quite close once, pleasant but a far cry from exultant, when I had come back from Hawaii and begun to accumulate bird o' paradises, bougainvilleas, and of course the famous plumarias. All kept in pots. The pot requirement was two fold, one that I could manage a plant in 44" of top soil, and two that I didn't own and didn't believe I would remain at the Norco property long enough to enjoy "real" gardening and I'll be darned if I'll put plants in the ground for somebody else to murder. So began the pot collection. And the plant collection. But with the passing of H. Plant and his progeny, so passed my desire and belief in my plant-y dreams. One by one each of the pets in pots began to go to seed, dry out, become gangly, and finally succumbing to neglect. Skip ahead a year and I find myself in suburbia, with a yard FULL of potential (real estate speak for unfinished). I felt the familiar tingle of hope. Empty pots begging to be filled and arranged. A faux veranda. A misting system. Ahhhhh, I can feel the cool and the green already! As I put the spade in to begin turning over some dirt I thought I heard a small yippee escape from below.

Sometimes, the best communication happens when you're on separate bikes.

I eat my peas with honey, I’ve done it all my life
It makes the peas taste funny, but They Sure Stick on the Knife!

I’ve done all my personal computing, 1997 to be exact, on AOL. It was for lack of understanding at the beginning, for familiarity through the years, but truth be told, even after all this time, it is because I am still a little afraid of the internet and I still feel like I will miss something if it is not pre-approved by AOL. So when AOL tells me that I need to do something, I’ve been loyal, they believe and respect me, right? And so I’ll do it. Upgrade my security and firewalls? Sure. Upgrade to the newest version for MY benefit? Nice. A new reporting system to capture where and when a problem with AOL has occurred? Hurrah! I’ll do it.

So just now as I was signing on, once again seeing the all too oft given “encountering a problem, AOL must shut down” but with it was offered a gentle maternal pat and the words that cooed “do you want to report this problem?” I dutifully and hopefully pushed “yes” and in a heartbeat an error report was
1) prepared
2) connected to the server
3) checked for the status of this problem
4) completed

What’s wrong with this picture? The report was generated because of system lock up on connection, furthermore they have now established shutting it down, and yet they are able to prepare/connect/check/send and complete in a flash? One of two things is afoot here: either connectivity is available to them when it is not available to me or… the report is a sham. A lie. A patronizing way to placate the uninformed. NO! Aol wouldn’t do that to a loyal customer. Would they?