Morning all:

“Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more.” — Mark Twain

My favorite local PBS station has changed formats. Instead of having my Saturday morning favorite, Echoes, an eclectic range of New Age music, it’s now news. Not only just news, but “News from the BBC”; why is it that news read with a British accent has somehow got greater legitimacy and primacy over that read with a mid-west accent? After all, isn’t Britain the same country that collectively heads out every Friday evening for an all-night pub crawl? I had best refill my coffee mug and stew on the phenomena a bit further.

‘Tis the Season and things are tense in our little household. Especially so for Marcia who keeps the lists, checks them twice, wraps, and packs.

The other day I heard a great joke which I wanted Marcia to hear: “hey Marcia listen up: knock, knock”.

M. wrapping at 100 mph: “get the door it’s probably that UPS again. But, that can’t be since everything ordered is here and wrapped. Dirk you’ve been on-line again and ordered something else, haven’t you? You’re outa control and it’s got to stop.”

D.: “Maaaarsh, for crying out loud, no one is at the door—it’s a joke!”

M., without pausing: “it’s probably something else for Vince. I thought we’d agreed no more, now here you go again. Now I have to run out to get something else for Kirstin. Enough already, it’s just got to stop!”

Patiently I tried again, “Hey Marcia, knock, knock.”

Even though I understood her words, I was flummoxed.

One of the really pleasant bits of the Christmas season are all the well wishes and greetings. That is why it was a bit of a downer to open an envelope and read: “Dear Sir/Madam: Pursuant to section 512 (C) (3) (A) of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act…..” This seasonal pleasantry came from my friends at NBC Universal and Cincinnati Bell Telephone, our internet provider.

It seems that my little WiFi setup was hacked by someone who desperately wanted to pirate HDTV copies of the television show “House”. Since they also immediately suspended our internet connectivity I came to realize that the citizen’s right to a presumptive innocence is temporarily suspended during this season of merriment, peace, and most importantly, good will.

Marcia and I are back on line. However, within two weeks I’ll have to sign a very important looking 4-page legal document that swears that I am a nasty guy. Additionally, that I will hand back to my friends at NBC Universal every digitally encoded and encrypted data packet received.

I think it interesting that NBC apparently cannot keep their ‘doors locked’ to prevent theft from taking place from their own house (pun) in the first place. Then place their heavy hands on me for ‘allowing’ the thief to go ‘racing through my yard’ making an escape with the goods. As they say, stay tuned (another bad pun referencing NBC).

Adrianne organized a group event and last Tuesday we all went to see our minor league hockey team, the Cyclones, ‘strut’ their stuff. I had forgotten just how much fun a good ice-hockey game is to watch. Much to his delight, young Marin received some special attention from the Cyclone’s mascot “Twister”. The fact that we won 3 – 0 made the evening.

A smooth British accented voice is still droning on and on in the background. It is not very pleasant. I guess I’ll change the station when I get up to refill my mug.

Make it a great week everyone: have an especially happy Chanukah Jason, Cathy, and Marin.

Cheers,
Dirk