Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page 1

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=78 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mogswebsite.com"><U><IMG SRC="175b300c0.png" border=0 width="48" height="12" ALT="Home" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A><A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Comprehensive Index"><U><IMG SRC="175c8f0c0.png" border=0 width="143" height="12" ALT="Comprehensive Index" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A><A HREF="id8.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Mogs"><U><IMG SRC="175d3d0c0.png" border=0 width="61" height="12" ALT="Contact" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A><A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/Mark4.Ram/MainGraphicsArea/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.tripod.com/Mark4.Ram/Main"><U><IMG SRC="175e4d0c0.png" border=0 width="77" height="12" ALT="Art Gallery" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A><A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/Mark4.Ram/MOGSPart2/index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.tripod.com/Mark4.Ram/MOGS"><U><IMG SRC="175f5e0d0.png" border=0 width="94" height="13" ALT="Photo Gallery" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A><A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/Mark4.Ram/Interviews/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.tripod.com/Mark4.Ram/Inte"><U><IMG SRC="17604c0c0.png" border=0 width="76" height="12" ALT="Interviews" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id345.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Tabl"><U><IMG SRC="18aab0190.jpg" border=0 width="432" height="25" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>PAGE 1</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CCCCFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>     </B></FONT><B>H </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#C0C0C0" FACE="Arial" ><B>= </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Humor     </B></FONT><B>S </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#C0C0C0" FACE="Arial" ><B>= </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Serious     </B></FONT><B>F </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#C0C0C0" FACE="Arial" ><B>= </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Fiction     </B></FONT><B>NF </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#C0C0C0" FACE="Arial" ><B>= </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>NonFiction</B></FONT></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=402 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div>  <A NAME="original_stories_by_mogs___page_one"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="home_pc_home"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT><A HREF="#ode_to_a_lizard" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>NEXT</U></A>     PREVIOUS     <A HREF="id345.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Tabl"><U>TABLE OF CONTENTS</U></A></div> <div> <B>Home  PC  Home</B></div> <bR> <div> I sit at the computer ready to go places,</div> <div> I sign online, and go through the paces.</div> <div> The Internet opens with a page called home,</div> <div> I'm connected to home by a modem, and phone?</div> <bR> <div> We check our e-mail, we should check them each day,</div> <div> If left unread, we've transpired delay.</div> <div> Out of the blue, comes an IM or two,</div> <div> Do we say Hello, or first check from who?</div> <bR> <div> They came from a friend, we chat for a few,</div> <div> Saying Goodbye is often hard to do.</div> <div> Go to your favorites, and click on an URL,</div> <div> At varying speeds, did you land on that pearl?</div> <bR> <div> Information comes up on our computer screens,</div> <div> More than we asked for, at times, it seems.</div> <div> We cut to the chase, and gather our thoughts,</div> <div> While ads show technology we still haven't bought?</div> <bR> <div> After minutes of searching we find that one link,</div> <div> It's the one we had looked for, I'm rather sure, I think.</div> <div> The screen becomes frozen, we let out a hoot,</div> <div> We lost our connection, we just got the boot!</div> <bR> <div> <I>     </I><I>        </I><I>- (c)</I><I> 2001</I><I> Mogs</I></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="ode_to_a_lizard"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT><A HREF="#being_motivated" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>NEXT</U></A>     <A HREF="#home_pc_home" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>PREVIOUS</U></A>     <A HREF="id345.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Tabl"><U>TABLE OF CONTENTS</U></A>     <A HREF="#original_stories_by_mogs___page_one" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>TOP OF PAGE</U></A></div> <div> <B>Ode to the Hot-Footed Desert Lizard</B><B>    </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#339966" FACE="Arial" ><B>H</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> While keeping two legs close to me,</div> <div> the other two stretch down,</div> <div> With two feet up, I'm balanced there,</div> <div> feeling like a clown.</div> <bR> <div> For me to simply stand there,</div> <div> it's really not an option,</div> <div> 'cause that sun heated sand,</div> <div> keeps my feet a hoppin'.</div> <bR> <div> There must be two feet off the sand,</div> <div> at any given time,</div> <div> I cannot take a sittin' break,</div> <div> I'd burn my lizard hind;</div> <bR> <div> The alternating two-step,</div> <div> is what I do,</div> <div> Steppin'-out in pairs,</div> <div> two by two.</div> <bR> <div> I'm a high-steppin' Lizard,</div> <div> yes, that's that what I am,</div> <div> My eyes sometimes twitch,</div> <div> in the blowin' hot sand.</div> <bR> <div> Our hoods usually flare,</div> <div> when we're trying to be ferocious,</div> <div> But my hood flares,</div> <div> when I'm trying to be precocious!</div> <bR> <div> I'm allergic to little rabbits,</div> <div> they make me sneeze,</div> <div> Out flies my tongue,</div> <div> with a Blat, and a wheeze.</div> <bR> <div> My tongue, it rolls out quickly,</div> <div> like a child's party favor,</div> <div> Gettin' the darned thing rolled back in,</div> <div> takes a certain amount of labor.</div> <bR> <div> So if you hear me YELLING,</div> <div> clear path enough for two,</div> <div> I'll be yellin' at my lung's top,</div> <div> Hot Feet!!!...Coming Through!!!</div> <bR> <div> I talk with a hiss,</div> <div> you might not understand,</div> <div> Move It! Or Lose It!</div> <div> My feet's on burnin' sand!!!</div> <bR> <div> The alternating two-step,</div> <div> is what I do,</div> <div> Steppin'-out in pairs,</div> <div> two by two.</div> <bR> <div> <I>             </I><I>- (c)  2001 Mogs</I></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0066FF" FACE="Tahoma" > <A NAME="disclaimer"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT><A HREF="#drive_to_bakerfield_pass" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>NEXT</U></A>     <A HREF="#ode_to_a_lizard" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>PREVIOUS</U></A>     <A HREF="id345.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Tabl"><U>TABLE OF CONTENTS</U></A>     <A HREF="#original_stories_by_mogs___page_one" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>TOP OF PAGE</U></A></div> <div> Disclaimer: There were no trees injured or destroyed during the writing of of these stories. That probably isn't true. They should have been many trees cut during the time I was writing these stories. Let me explain - if I were to stop writing stories and visit Lowes to shop for lumber ... I expect there to be some cut trees and milled lumber when I need them! Okay, I'm motivated now!</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" ><B> <A NAME="being_motivated"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></FONT><B>To the Point of Being Motivated</B><B>    </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#339966" FACE="Arial" ><B>H</B></FONT></div> <div> <B>  </B> Motivation.  We've all heard the word. We have seen the word and have even thought about the word.</div> <bR> <div> What does motivation really mean?  I'm not talking about the definition.</div> <bR> <div> I'm speaking of what it means to us as individuals and how it applies to our everyday lives.  The reason this concept is weighing so heavily on my mind today is the fact that soon I need to make a decision.  A decision that will effect and change my entire day in direct proportion to the decision I decide on.  On top of that, my decision must be made soon.  However, first I need to find motivation to make yet another decision.  I have to identify the reason for what I'm about to do while never losing sight of the delicate balance of cause and effect.  Depending on the decision I make, my life will be effected for the rest of the day.</div> <bR> <div>    Perhaps I should do a mental recap of all the things I have learned through the years.  All the things that have gotten me thus far.  Those points of wisdom that have found their way into my library of thought.  Little lessons in life that permanently etch themselves into your brain.  Little things that could shed light on the dilemma I'm faced with today.  Not all of us are brain surgeons.  Not everyone has the gift of turning anything they touch into gold.  We are effected our entire lives by the choices we make.  Motivation also plays a role in how we are each effect.  Still, one way or another, these choices are ours to make.  We choose to see the forest or we choose to see the trees.  It is solely our decision.  Whatever the choices might be, many decisions have an impact on more than one area of our lives.  How we approach and react to everyday situations can mirror ourselves in other areas of our life.</div> <bR> <div>    This may sound like ramblings from a person that isn't capable of deciding which color socks to pull on in the morning.  Be patience.  The generous act of lending your eyes and ears to the dilemma I'm faced with should help me find balance of thought and reasoning.  Such balance will guide me through my decision.  I have found that translating thoughts into words on a piece of paper helps me sort those thoughts out in my head.  It has more to do with morphing these thoughts into something tangible. Something I can look at.  Something I can see.  Thoughts appear less abstract when written down and studied.  It provides an open book about a given situation.  To an outsider my written thoughts might be viewed as bizarre.  Maybe I'll keep them here in front of me - keep them to myself.  However, maybe we can would work out this dilemma together.</div> <bR> <div>    I'm feeling better about the situation as I type!  If I've offered just one person an idea on how to better organize thoughts, I'm winning two-fold.  I know what I have to do - this process has proven to work for me time and time again.  It has allowed me to made a good decision after reviewing the written facts and evaluating the ramifications involved with a decision like this one.</div> <bR> <div>    I've made a decision.  I know what has to be done.  I'm going to do it as soon as I step away from the keyboard.  I'm going to walk away and JUST DO IT!</div> <bR> <div>    I'm going to open the door and let our dog back in the house!</div> <bR> <div>    A fefw minutes ago I had let our dog outside for her morning stroll around the backyard.  Once I had done that I realized that when I invited her back inside my whole day would be effected!  When I let her back inside she is going to want a doggy treat. Then she'll parade around the room like she has just won first place in a Best Dog competition.</div> <bR> <div>    Why do dogs act that anyway?</div> <bR> <div>    She'll make two laps around the family room - holding a treat in her mouth - her head held high in the air - hoping everyone sees that she was deserving of a little crunchy biscuit!  Once she has settled down after consuming that crunchy little biscuit .... she'll want another one!  Next, she'll want her belly rubbed and after that she'll want fresh water!</div> <bR> <div>    Did I mention this decision was going to effect my whole day?</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>             </I><I>- (c)  2000 Mogs</I></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="drive_to_bakerfield_pass"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT><A HREF="#just_who_are_we" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>NEXT</U></A>     <A HREF="#being_motivated" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>PREVIOUS</U></A>     <A HREF="id345.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Tabl"><U>TABLE OF CONTENTS</U></A>     <A HREF="#original_stories_by_mogs___page_one" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>TOP OF PAGE</U></A></div> <div> <B>A Mid Evening's Drive to Bakerfield Pass</B><B>    </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#339966" FACE="Arial" ><B>S, NF</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> It was late in the afternoon on a Friday in March, that I was leaving the office with a delivery to Bakerfield Pass.  In the course of weekend traffic I finally made my way through town to the interstate and I was now on my way to Bakerfield Pass. A nice day had turned into an equally nice evening, the sun was setting in the west and I was driving toward the west.  Once the sun tucked below the tree line it was even nicer.  It was no longer in my line of vision and that warm orange-red color was glowing on the scattered clouds suspended overhead.</div> <bR> <div> Traffic was moving at it's usual brisk pace where you keep passing the same cars, all the while inching that much closer to your destination.  Time was passing at a casual tempo and all was well.  I was fast approaching an exit sign for the westbound traffic when over the next rise in terrain I saw the sight of red taillights attached to the rear of parked cars.  Now what really caught my eye was the fact that these cars were parked on the expressway, this wasn't a Parkway.  One thing that gives me patience in these situations is the fact that this was only an inconvenience for me, but there was at least one family whose life might have changed forever that night and that is a very humbling thought to contemplate sitting in traffic.</div> <bR> <div> Meanwhile, when I first saw this sight approaching me, I quickly alerted the drivers behind me.  They were only then cresting this side of the rolling hill, so I lightly tapped the brake pedal repeatedly about eight times in an attempt to relay to them that something was wrong up ahead.  We all arrived in a smooth, slow, stop behind a line of traffic that went as far as the eye could see.  Now this in itself wasn't too far, because a semi-tractor and trailer, just a few vehicles ahead, was as far as I could see.  Only when I did the 'pull toward the white line thing' (didn't matter which side), could I see around some of the traffic.  And to my surprise I saw traffic backed up as far as my eyes could see.</div> <bR> <div> As I sat there a while trying to remember the last exit that I had passed.  Something else began to weigh on my mind now.  I had left the downtown office with a rather large cup of cappuccino and it'd been empty for miles before I reached this traffic jam.  There was one small problem, I was not empty.  Where the cappuccino went, I don't know.  I must have reached for it a couple of times during those straight stretches of interstate, I'm sure.  One thing I was certain of, I was close to an exit.  I just didn't know how close considering the stalled traffic.  Funny, the things that will cross your mind in this predicament.  But when the tall SUVs or semis pull up beside you, it's then that you realize the options are few.</div> <bR> <div> I placed a phone call to my wife, telling her that I was sitting still on I-64 with no indication of when the movement of traffic return.  This was of some importance because I was delivering for a Home Infusion Service and this patient needed their medicine.  I was supposed to be arriving at their residence in about 20 minutes.  I wasn't even close to the exit that I needed and from there, it was a 15 minute drive to their house.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> _________________________</div> <bR> <div> Earlier, I had tuned the radio to WHAS 84, broadcasting out of Louisville, Kentucky.  They broadcast nationwide over the airwaves and since I was approaching their town, I had hoped to hear of the traffic problem on I-64.  However, there was no mention of it.  About 15 minutes later they broke in on the local sports call-in show and told of the accident, yet gave no estimate as to when the scene would be cleared.  They also mentioned that traffic was backed up on I-64 west bound and at exit US-79 also.  I was very aware of the back up on I-64.</div> <bR> <div> This was the time of year known as March Madness.  Listening to the radio, I soon learned that two big basketball games were being played on this date, the Louisville Cardinals had played earlier that day and had already been beaten, but the Kentucky Wildcats were still in the NCAA Play-offs.  Here I was sitting in traffic listening to the pre-game call in show on the radio, while the hosts waiting for movement on the floor in about three hours, while I was waiting for movement on the interstate.</div> <bR> <div> After another update on the radio, I knew it was a bad situation that I was sitting behind, so I attempted to place another call to my wife at the office to relay the update.  Funny how these cellular phones can work.  The whole network was busy and locked up ... Due in part to all of us sitting on the interstate placing phone calls.  It was a new phone and I hadn't used this one until this evening, but this time the call wouldn't go through and the power wouldn't shut off either.  The phone just kept trying to place the call.  I couldn't cancel or clear anything on it for several minutes.</div> <bR> <div> A short time passed, when the pharmacist from the office called me to see what was wrong.  The patient had already called the agency and was getting concerned about a late delivery of their infusion medications.  I briefly relayed the scene and told her there was no way to assess the time of actual delivery.  I suggested that she place a call to the resident since the cellular network was jammed from time to time and I hadn't been able to place any calls for several minutes.  In fact, she was probably lucky to reach me by phone in this area, due to the cellular congestion.  But shortly after that call, the cellular network resumed working properly, both receiving and transmitting.</div> <bR> <div> While methodically inching my way down the interstate for 40 minutes, I approached a sign reading, Rest Area Next Exit.  My only concern was how long it would take to reach that exit.  It seemed that the cappuccino might reach its exit first!  Finally, I reached the turn off for the Rest Area and pulled into it.  Not surprising, the lot was well stocked with cars, yet I parked a short way from the sidewalk leading into the building.  Many people were standing around talking both inside and outside, I was amazed upon entering the men's room that there was an open stall.  This was no small cappuccino mind you, you'll see why I mention this in just a minute.</div> <bR> <div> After exiting the building I walked toward the row of parked vehicles, removed my coat and got back into the truck.  As I backed out of the parking slip and made my way back onto the interstate, I merging back into stalled traffic, right beside the car that I was next to before pulling into the rest area.  Needless to say, I felt much better now and thought I could endure more waiting.  Earlier, I had started timing the progress of traffic.  We were moving 2/10 of a mile every 8 minutes, and this was once things actually started moving.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>   <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0066FF" FACE="Tahoma" >_________________________</FONT></div> <bR> <div> We're now at the stage where you're occasionally speaking to the person next to you in traffic.  Windows have been down on many vehicles for an hour or so ... People start needing more elbow room after a while.</div> <bR> <div> The passenger in the car passing next to me asked, "What's the hold up, do you know?"</div> <bR> <div> I replied, "An accident resulting in at least one fatality, exits are backed up also."</div> <bR> <div> "Why is it taking so long?" was his reply.</div> <bR> <div> "When there's a death involved, there's more involved. Interstate accidents are different than your typical in town fender bender." I responded.</div> <bR> <div> These were younger people and probably haven't logged nearly as many miles.  Anyhow, I explained the situation and also told him of some possible alternate routes for the direction they wanted to go.  I felt more seasoned, since I had been driving much longer and in the same predicament just a week ago on eastbound I-64.  The biggest difference was that I had five deliveries involved with that trip. </div> <bR> <div> After 15 more minutes, I reached the next exit.  It was Connersville.  I had already found an alternate route to link me to the Pulaski Freeway, on the roadmap while sitting on the interstate.  The Connersville exit connects to US79.  I-64 eastbound was closed at this point and everyone had to exit here.  It took a short while to reach US79, which I took to the Pulaski Freeway.  At this time it was announced on WHAS 84 that the scene had been cleared and I-64 would be reopened.  At least I was already in route to my destination, late, but safe.</div> <bR> <div> I made it to Bakerfield Pass in about 20-25 minutes with no problems and the patient was glad to see me.  Some of his friends were there, and they were watching the NCAA playoff games.  One of them wished me a safe trip home as I said goodbye.  As I started the drive back home, I couldn't resist thinking about all the traffic ... Zooming by on both eastbound and westbound I-64.  There were no signs of anything wrong. It sort of brought to mind that the world and life does go on.</div> <bR> <div> It was after 11:00 that night when I arrived back in town.  Once again, what was going to be a four hour delivery, proved somewhat different.  I parked the truck, finished filling out the logbook and drove home.  It was 11:30 and it had been a long evening.  This was a Friday night.</div> <bR> <div> The ringing of our telephone at 11:30 Saturday morning broke the morning routine at our house.  Nothing special was going on and my wife and I were just taking it easy.  She took the call. It was the nurse from the agency that administers the medications that I had delivered last night in Bakerfield Pass.  The doctor has changed the method of dispensing the patients medicine and a different form needs to be used.  It's now 11:45 and my wife is on the way to the pharmacy to fill this new order.  I will soon follow and meet her at the hospital, repeating the run that was made just 14 hours earlier.</div> <bR> <div> I've always heard that things happen in pairs ... Two backups in traffic, during the last two deliveries ... It might have merit, I'm still undecided.  They say that the third time's the charm ... It might be true. My last two deliveries were rather hectic, this third delivery went as smooth as silk and without a hitch.  There are a few other things this brings to mind also.  Like the cost of medical care.  These are sides of the story we rarely see when receiving treatment.  Sometimes many factors are involved in just a simple filling of a doctor's order.  Part of the costs pertain to accuracy and timing, knowledgeable staffs and a check and balancing system.  You're probably aware that a doctor's orders can be changed even after the fact due to many different variables.  Then, the whole process starts over.  Much went into filling this patient's prescription, much more than the recipient in Bakerfield Pass will ever know.</div> <bR> <div> This story is a true account.  The names and geographical landmarks were changed however and no confidentials were compromised.  I-64 was used, to anchor the story in continuity.  It was written over a year ago.</div> <bR> <div> <I>             - (c) 1999 Mogs</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="just_who_are_we"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#good_morning_and_thanks_for_shopping____" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>NEXT</U></A>     <A HREF="#drive_to_bakerfield_pass" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>PREVIOUS</U></A>     <A HREF="id345.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Tabl"><U>TABLE OF CONTENTS</U></A>     <A HREF="#original_stories_by_mogs___page_one" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>TOP OF PAGE</U></A></div> <div> We all started out as a single cell ... Why then,</div> <div> were we the particular cell that we were?</div> <div> <vbg> </div> <div> <B>Just who ARE we, Anyway?</B><B>    </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#339966" FACE="Arial" ><B>H</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> And why are you, who you are?</div> <div>    Was it your choice?</div> <div>    Was it my choice?</div> <div>    I'm just glad I'm not the neighbor down the street</div> <div>    that nobody gets along with!</div> <bR> <div> And why was I not my brother or sister, and in fact,</div> <div>    one of them were really me?</div> <div>    And if they were me, would I know?</div> <div>    After all, I am who I am ... Right?</div> <bR> <div> Maybe in fact, I really AM my brother's keeper ... Because in actuality,</div> <div>    he's me and I'm him! Yet, this is who I've ALWAYS been!</div> <div>    So really, I'm me and he's him!</div> <bR> <div>    It could get much weirder ... Suppose my brother is really a person that I'll never even meet and I'm living on an island somewhere in the Caribbean having the time of my life and I don't even know it because some guy making headlines in Silicon Valley is really me!  And that guy in the Valley is really a person doing landscaping in Arizona! Wait a minute, that COULDN'T be right! Nobody landscapes in Arizona! And if they did ... Why?</div> <bR> <div> OK, I've got this figured out now ...</div> <div>    If indeed, I AM my brother's keeper,</div> <div>    as far as I know, Bill Gates could BE my brother! ...</div> <bR> <div> Since I AM his keeper ...</div> <div>    I think I just found another dependent for a tax break!</div> <div>    And secondly, since he IS my brother,</div> <div>    maybe he'd like to give me something for 'keeping' him!</div> <div>    And oh, the money it's gonna take, to 'keep' THIS dude!  : )</div> <div>    </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>             - (c) 2000 Mogs</I></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="good_morning_and_thanks_for_shopping____"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT><A HREF="#isp_tattoo_parlors" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>NEXT</U></A>     <A HREF="#just_who_are_we" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>PREVIOUS</U></A>     <A HREF="id345.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Tabl"><U>TABLE OF CONTENTS</U></A>     <A HREF="#original_stories_by_mogs___page_one" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>TOP OF PAGE</U></A></div> <div> <B>Good Morning and Thanks For Shopping...</B><B>    </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#339966" FACE="Arial" ><B>H, F</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div>    I passed a business selling lottery tickets the other day.  Of little interest to you I had passed several businesses that sold lottery tickets.  I'd like to think there's at least one or two states that haven't sold out to the lottery.  This state sold out several years ago and we're still paying income taxes and sales taxes.  Let's not forget property taxes - we continue to pay for all those things each year.  It is difficult to forget the political ranting about all the money this state was losing because we didn't have a lottery.  I remember the politician that rationalize how the money would be used to fund better education and other neat stuff like that.  If one state has a lottery every state needs a lottery!  It's not enough to just pay taxes. Well, it has been for ME! ... I've bought only 1 lotto ticket in over 12 years.  We've now had a lottery in place for years and I hear very little about funding into education, etc.  Our taxes continue to rise.  Usually government falls all over itself - blowing it's own horn as to the good it is doing.</div> <bR> <div>    Being different is a bad thing - I had almost forgotten that.  I think back to when Greety*Mart began sweeping the countryside - every other box store jumped on the greeter bandwagon and employed a greeter!  If that wasn't enough other businesses also had to redesign their store layout so that they too could look like Greety*Mart.  Stores refurbished their square-footage so all their aisles could look more like Greety*Mart.  Department stores began selling groceries, opening pharmacies, selling eyeglasses, offering 1 hour photo processing! Adding a place to eat and in unisions boast the Greety*Mart American way!  All the while many of these companies were purchasing products made in foreign countries.  Our lives are now invaded by greeters each time we step into a business.  You can't approach a public restroom anymore without being confronting by a personal greeter.</div> <bR> <div> "Welcome to our friendly restrooms sir," you'd hear with a modestly paid friendly smile.  For awhile I feared that one day I'd be asked if everything came out alright upon my departure.  The pressure these greeters put on the average consumer nowadays - the added stress of being told to have a good day and be sure to come back and be greeted again!</div> <bR> <div> Could it be that they don't mind if you buy anything?</div> <bR> <div> Is it possible that the store's sole concern is that everyone in our town is greeted with a friendly smile - each day?</div> <div> What a public service places of business are providing us - they only want us to be happy - they care about our well being!</div> <bR> <div> Personally, I'd rather my purchase price didn't include the cost of a greeter.  Being greeted at the door by a stranger that acts like we're old friends, yet knows nothing about me, or my life, or my reason for being there just doesn't get it.  I like people - everyone needs a little space sometimes - greeters are often standing in my space.</div> <bR> <div>    One day I went to go to Greeter*Mart for an auto part.  I had a plan and standing at the front door answering questions from a greeter about how my day was going and how my family was doing wasn't a part of that plan.  I worked on my plan for what seemed liked days, although I may have spent five minutes in actual planning.  I would wear a blue vest with an American flag buttoned to it and push some of those abandoned shopping carts in the parking lot back into the store from as I entered - knowing a greeter would be stationed just inside the main entrance waiting to pounce on me.  This plan required entering through a little short and narrow door designed for shopping carts only.  I would slip in, park the oblonged wheeled shopping cart, and make a bee line for the auto parts department.  According to plan, the greeter would think I was an employee and everything would be fine.  I would ditch the blue vest and flag button as soon as I located my purchase.  Then I would find a checkout line and pay for the item - making a clean getaway without the knowledge of the store greeter! I had a plan.  It could work.  My amazing plan was about to unfold.</div> <bR> <div>    I had left the house early that morning and the south forty acres provided me a nice parking slot.  I answered numerous questions from exiting shoppers as they searched for their cars in the mammoth parking lot. Several employees on their way to work were greeted by me.  I made my voyage to the front entrance - pushing a twenty seven foot train of shopping carts.  The small narrow shopping cart access door was getting bigger and bigger as I closed in on the building.  My heart was racing - this was the day - I would bypass the friendly greeter -  for sure - this time!</div> <bR> <div>    Upon arrival at those small swinging shopping cart access doors, I pushed the train of shopping carts single file into the store.  It must have looked like the pro had arrived.  An older pro ... but a pro just the same!</div> <bR> <div>    A few people have learned during the course of their lives that things don't always go as planned - that fateful morning would be no different.  Shopping carts were rolling into the store alright and they didn't stop at the other side of the door - they just kept on rolling and rolling.  Shopping cats had made their way into the store - acrossing the lobby - crashing into cash registers and frightened cashiers.  Unfamilar with their audible code menu, an unfamilar siren like noise began to pierce the air.  Over the intercom something about an emergency in the front of the store could be heard - I had no idea what that was about.</div> <bR> <div>    Shopping carts began finding resting places. In the meantine two cash registers had been taken out by runwaway shopping carts - three candy dispensers had been demolished - a mound of checkout tabloids were scattered through the lobby like cheap carpet.  And here's the kicker - one individual walked through that entire mess while scratching off his lottery tickets - completely unaware of the disrruption.  He knew he had just purchased the winning Powerball Number.  Yeah.  Right.  Okie-dokie.</div> <bR> <div>    Things weren't going as planned. Not at all. So  I made a heroic leap through those tiny swinging shopping cart doors - parking lot pro the rescue!</div> <bR> <div> One small problem - as I leaped through the doors my temporary blue vest had snagged the upper right swinging door swivel - my feet left the ground and my body slammed to the floor.  Fortunately, a greeter was nearby and advised me of the special feature for that day displayed on the feature end of aisle four.  As Stunned and lying on the floor I looking up at him and refrained from asking him for details.  I now had a better grasp on the intercom message that had been broadcasted moments earlier.</div> <bR> <div> A small pack of dreadlocks wearing blue vests and American flag buttons came rushing towards me - appearing more dazed and confused than I was.  It was a sight to behold.  Dreadlocks were waving in the air like branches sprouting from a badly prunned tree.  There was a sea of blue vests waving like capes behind the pack - flag buttons flying through the air.  When the pack arrived, an air born flag button snagged me in the forehead.  The generation gap have been closed.  No longer would I stand. Thanks to my newly pierced eyebrow flag button.</div> <bR> <div> Next stop, the tattoo parlor.  However, that is another story!</div> <bR> <div> <I>             - (c) 1999 Mogs</I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="isp_tattoo_parlors"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT><A HREF="#connecting_with_strangers" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>NEXT</U></A>     <A HREF="#good_morning_and_thanks_for_shopping____" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>PREVIOUS</U></A>     <A HREF="id345.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Tabl"><U>TABLE OF CONTENTS</U></A>     <A HREF="#original_stories_by_mogs___page_one" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>TOP OF PAGE</U></A></div> <div> <B>ISP Tattoo Parlors</B><B>    </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#339966" FACE="Arial" ><B>H, F</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div>    It was a sunny afternoon in April and signs of life were in the air and all around me.  The grass was green, the trees were budding and some, were already in bloom.  Yes, it was springtime and a great day to be out and about.  There was a slight chill in the air, a result of the winds blowing in from the southwest.  There was a beautiful sky over head with hardly a cloud in sight to break the hue of blue.  You could see for miles.</div> <bR> <div>    I traveled down the road admiring this incredible blue sky, to the sounds of cars zipping by and the occasional buzz of a lawn mower doing it's spring duty.  The stark blue color of infinity was abruptly contrasted by a huge sign.  A sign that read, Tattoos While You Wait.  I took a second look at those words and the double take wasn't a matter of lust either.  It left me with questions ... What is it with these signs?  Tattoos While You Wait?  Is there another way?  Are they tattooing people waiting in line for something else?  And if you were in line for a tattoo, isn't staying and waiting for the work to be completed, a given?   Do you mean to tell me there's people that plan to drop off an arm, thigh, leg, shoulder, breast, etc., to be tattooed and picked up at a later date?  Can there POSSIBLY BE a way OTHER THAN while you wait?   This is REALLY getting on my nerves and painting a disturbing picture that I'd rather not dwell on.</div> <bR> <div>    After much thought and consideration, I'm of the opinion that once upon a time these tattoo establishments were in fact, Internet Service Providers.  And nothing more.  That's right, they were establishments that offered an ISP and had nothing whatsoever to do with tattoos.  Back then, these parlors housed computers and modem hookups that offered people Internet access.  However, computers were painfully slow in those days and the proprietors soon determined that they needed to offer their clients more.  Something to take their mind off their long waits to be connected to the Internet.  Even with so few servers in those days, the popularity of these parlors were growing at an extremely fast rate.  There were crowds of people huddled into, often times small, establishments waiting their turn for a vacant computer.  Another problem remained for the owners ... What would they offer their weary clients that sat and waited.</div> <bR> <div>    One day, a rough looking guy arrived in town, sporting a tattoo, wanting Internet service.  So typical in those days, he had to wait for an available computer and he became an occupant of the only vacant seat in the parlor.  He initiated conversation with the weather worn gentleman sitting next to him and learned that they had both served in wartime.  Of no surprise to anyone, one thing led to another and soon they were comparing war stories, tattoos and even women.  Eventually the seasoned gentleman said something to the effect that his tattoo had never been finished.</div> <bR> <div>    I felt, my train of thought might arrive at the station at any moment when presto, it was all beginning to make sense to me!  It was as though someone had just placed a light bulb over my head!  All of my thoughts and ponders collectively supported what I'm about to say ...This was how the ISP Tattoo Parlor was born!</div> <bR> <div>    If I may continue with the facts, according to my theory, in those days you could hardly crowd into these establishments.  The previously mentioned drifter, did not go unnoticed by the owners that day, nor did his conversations with the gentleman seated next to him.  Yep, those owners then knew what to offer their clients while waiting ... They'd offer them tattoos!  It wasn't long before the clients that weren't connected to the Internet were connected to a needle in the hands of a tattoo artist and business was booming.  Now you know the meaning of all those signs that you see around towns across America which read, Tattoos While You Wait.  It was just a matter of Tattoos While You Wait(ed) for your Internet connection.</div> <bR> <div>    If you think about this for a minute or two, I bet you haven't see many Tattoo Parlors in new buildings.  Simple logic told me that they were all originally in buildings configured for Internet Services and through the years they have evolved into Tattoo Parlors.  Those "Tattoos While You Wait" signs don't sound so strange to me now, in fact,  that was a service I could've used while waiting to be connected to the Internet via AOL version 3.0.  Once I added an entire room addition while waiting for version 3.0 to make a solid connection to the Internet.  Once the logging on process was completed, I was online just long enough to be told You've Got Mail!</div> <bR> <div> "Oh goody"  I thought,  "At this rate, I'll be reading that mail on AOL version 7.5!"</div> <bR> <div>    After much reflection, I've come to a better understanding of the phrase, Tattoos While You Wait. Here's a scary thought too ... Illustrate your entire body "While You Wait!"</div> <bR> <div> It's been said that science fiction often predicts the future.  Maybe those ISP Tattoo Parlors were nothing more than a spinoff of the old film, The Illustrated Man, with Rod Stiger.  After all, the character he played in the movie was captivated by something that he didn't quite understand.  And the woman at the Skin Illustration Parlor made her move when she placed a rose in his hand via a skin illustration ... In other words, a tattoo.</div> <bR> <div>    We were captivated too, when we first went online, by something that we didn't quite understand.  Yet, we kept returning for more.  We moved into the latter part of 1990 with AOL version 5.0.  They proclaimed that new and additional services were being offered.  One new feature was called "You've Got Pictures" ... it's not entirely new though ... what's new -- is the fact that they're no longer "Skin Illustrations."   : )</div> <bR> <div> <I>             - (c) 2001 Mogs</I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="connecting_with_strangers"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT><A HREF="#y2day_____1_1_2000" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>NEXT</U></A>     <A HREF="#isp_tattoo_parlors" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>PREVIOUS</U></A>     <A HREF="id345.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Tabl"><U>TABLE OF CONTENTS</U></A>     <A HREF="#original_stories_by_mogs___page_one" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>TOP OF PAGE</U></A></div> <div> <B>Connecting With Strangers</B><B>    </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#339966" FACE="Arial" ><B>S, NF</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div>    According to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 26.2 % of American households are using the Internet.  That's a lot of people! Combine that with the use by other counties and we start to realize just <I>how many</I> people are on the web.  There's a whole lot of <I>something</I> going on, but what about being connected via the Internet with strangers?</div> <div>    Well this is <I>my</I> story ... Not long after I subscribed to an ISP, I had a strange experience. It was like something out of the movies.  I was simply surfing the web and trying to learn what it's all about. Suddenly, out of nowhere my Explorer window disappeared and the whole screen was filled with numerals (Literally millions of them) and these digits were scrolling up my screen faster than <I>anyone</I> could interpret.  Oh Sh-t came out of my mouth in a panic reaction! For 2 to 3 seconds I didn't know <I>what</I> to do!  I just sat there, stunned.  However, <I>once those 3 seconds passed</I> I reached for the reboot button.  Just before the startup process began I shut down my whole computer.  At the time all I could think about was the movie, The Net.  Wow, someone got into my computer I thought! Online! ... Were they uploading info, or downloading viruses? And how?</div> <div>    Being the computer novice that I am, I was stunned.  I also had a new respect for the aforementioned movie!  But later that same night I was back online, browsing the internet.  I've had things go wrong from time to time, yet never again have I witnessed something like that.  To this day, I don't know what was happening that night or <I>why</I> it was happening.  All I could think  was, I had <I>connected</I> with a stranger.  Be it a person, be it an Internet Provider's Server, or just a glitch ... I was connected to something strange.</div> <div>    Now web surfing<I> will</I> go on even after a scare like that. Just <I>being connected</I> to the World Wide Web can be addicting.  At the present, I know several people who are online, yet hardly <I>ever</I> go beyond their e-mailboxes.</div> <div> "I don't venture out too far" one person offered.</div> <div> "I might meet up with someone and run off," they jokingly continued,</div> <div> "Leave my spouse, family ... My home!" ... "No, I don't go very far on the Internet."</div> <div> However, they are still <I>connecting with people</I> through their e-mails.  And this, they would prefer <I>not</I> to be without.</div> <div>    Then there's that group of people that <I>aren't</I> online at all.  For some of them it's ALL a dark mystery that's totally ridiculous and unfounded.  As an observer in different circles I've observed more than once, persons shaking their heads in disbelief or <I>total</I> <I>disgust</I> over people being <I>connected</I> online. Often times my thought has been, I wonder what "unfounded" thing <I>they're</I> interested in that lights <I>not even</I> a spark in some people.</div> <div>    Yep, golf is not for everyone! Well, not for me anyhow ... Yet I have a sort of understanding as to the thrill of being out there on the green with friends and a set of clubs.  Now this in itself is an accident waiting to happen.  Especially if the country club serves drinks.  I know <I>I want to be around</I> a bunch of people who have access to suds with <I>clubs</I> in their hand!</div> <div>    Honestly, although the game's not for me I respect the game for what it is.  In another time I'd have probably enjoyed the game myself. Now watching college basketball and pro hockey are more my style.  In my opinion, hockey is much underrated.  In-between the fighting, much skill is displayed on the ice.  I marvel at the maneuvers it takes for players to connect with one another by means of an itty-bitty puck.  It's fascinating for me, watching them handle the puck with their sticks, <I>and at times</I> even the blades of their skates!  I've watched players take the puck almost full ice by the blade of their skate while they were regaining balance enough to transfer it to the stick.  Whatever the situation, <I>it's all about "connecting."</I></div> <div>    I remember receiving my first e-mail ... I had <I>connected</I> with someone.  A short while after we went on the Internet I noticed Tammy sitting at the computer laughing.  And at times she was laughing frequently.  From the other room it seemed rather strange ... Someone sitting in another room, with a computer, laughing.  Tammy was reading a message board.  Not just any message board, it was the Buzz Board!  It wasn't long before she began relaying topics, stories, events, and even people's names to me.  It wasn't too long before I had to check this thing called the Buzz Board out.  I started reading posts. About a month went by, and I had to join in on the fun.  In some strange way ... I had connected.</div> <div>    Once you jump into to a setting like this, you realize that it isn't about a bunch of computers being joined by Fiber Optics and wires.  It's more than that. It's the <I>people</I> that are joined by a bunch of Fiber Optics and wires!  The computers are merely the <I>means</I> which grant this union of people and places.  Yes, there's a <I>person</I> in front of every home computer, and <I>they</I> are the ones that we're typing our messages to.  The days of the cold, <I>non thinking</I> machine is over.  The home computer has permitted the <I>union</I> of technology, information and people ... All wrapped up in a neat little package called the Internet.</div> <div> <I>   The Internet and the people connection</I>--These are people who share ideas, dreams, information and often a sense of humor.  It's a community of people that have allowed friendships to grow beyond their geographical boundaries.  It's a group of friends that now care about someone across the globe that they've never even seen face to face.  Yes, there should always be caution as to meeting people online, but it's our very <I>being</I>, <I>collectively</I>, that provides the Internet with a sense of humanity.</div> <div>    In the future I'm sure I'll be at more gatherings where a circle of friends will be discussing the silliness of talking to <I>strangers</I> on the Internet.  Funny ... At every job I've ever started, and at every party or social gatheri<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#EEEEEE" FACE="Arial" >ng that I've attended, there have always been at least a<I> few</I> strangers when I arrived.</FONT></div> <div> <I>             - (c) 2000 Mogs</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id170_connecting_with_strangers_part_2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>Connecting With Strangers: Part Two</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="y2day_____1_1_2000"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT><A HREF="#e_mail_____in_bulk" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>NEXT</U></A>    <A HREF="#connecting_with_strangers" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>PREVIOUS</U></A>     <A HREF="id345.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Tabl"><U>TABLE OF CONTENTS</U></A>     <A HREF="#original_stories_by_mogs___page_one" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>TOP OF PAGE</U></A></div> <div> <B>Y2KDay... </B>1<B>.</B>1<B>.</B>2000    <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#339966" FACE="Arial" ><B>NF</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> 1999 has MOVED aside,</div> <div> For the year 2000,</div> <div> Here's a GREETING to ride;</div> <bR> <div> May your DREAMS be realized,</div> <div> In ALL of their depth,</div> <div> Don't let one stone, unturned, be left;</div> <bR> <div> We wish you GOOD THINGS, In the year ahead,</div> <div> And ALWAYS kiss your loved ones,</div> <div> As you turn in for bed;</div> <bR> <div> We made the change... In calendars, and in our heads,</div> <div> The talk was of problems... THIS was the YEAR,</div> <div> Of the great Y2K DREAD;</div> <bR> <div> A few, made more money,</div> <div> By means of WORD spread,</div> <div> Stockpile your resources... Said some, as they led;</div> <bR> <div> We rang in a NEW YEAR... We witnessed the change,</div> <div> As it HAPPENED at midnight ...</div> <div> A lack of Y2K PROBLEMS, throughout the night RANG!</div> <bR> <div> <I>             - (c) 2000 Mogs</I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="e_mail_____in_bulk"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT><A HREF="#cyberterrorism" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>NEXT</U></A>     <A HREF="#y2day_____1_1_2000" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>PREVIOUS</U></A>     <A HREF="id345.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Tabl"><U>TABLE OF CONTENTS</U></A>     <A HREF="#original_stories_by_mogs___page_one" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>TOP OF PAGE</U></A></div> <div> <B>E-MAIL ... In Bulk!</B><B>    </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#339966" FACE="Arial" ><B>H, S</B></FONT></div> <div> <I>This Story was based on observations and listening ...</I></div> <div>    I received a (bulk) e-mail from a group of online friends the other day ... <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#DDDDDD" FACE="Arial" >These people are nuts! I laughed my ass off as I was reading my mail.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> "Where do they come up with this stuff", I thought to myself.</div> <bR> <div> Without pause I had to respond to this one.</div> <bR> <div>    I clicked on the "respond to all" button and started typing my reply.  Yep, I get tickled at my own replies sometimes ... Now I know that's not proper and all, but hey, we're Wackos!  I was typing away in a frantic fury.  Considering my two finger approach to typing, it's really less like a fury and more like a fall down the stairs!  Anyhow, I finally had my reply all typed out and ready to send.  It only took me twenty-four attempts, and I was ready! ... Ready to "send!"  So I clicked on that little "send now" button to the right of my window and moved on to other things.</div> <bR> <div>    One problem ... It didn't send!</div> <bR> <div>    "What the heck," I thought.  I like to think that I've been around long enough to know these screen names.  Then I looked at the "error message" again.  It said that, " - - - - " is not accepting e-mail from my account!  I thought to myself for a moment ... "What did I say, what did I do?"  Then it occurred to me that maybe they just don't like to be bothered with all of the silly topics ... Maybe they get their fix from the message boards.</div> <bR> <div>    My next thought was, "Hey, they're supposed to be part of the group!"</div> <bR> <div>    Yet, they're blocking and deleting my e-mails?  Now I always considered that once you become a message board pal there's bylaws and several other things that you have to abide by.  One being that you are required to accept e-mail!</div> <bR> <div>    Yes, you guessed it.  I couldn't leave well enough alone ... I had to stop and think some more.  You may not realize just how much actual thinking takes out of me!  That's when I really got mad! LOL.</div> <bR> <div>    "Great!" I thought, "Now they're wanting me to think!"</div> <div>    Hey ... Maybe that's not a bad idea!</div> <div>    And I plan to ... One of these days!</div> <bR> <div>    I bet you didn't think I'd start this quickly, huh.</div> <bR> <div>    One thing I know, people use their home computers and ISP for many different reasons;</div> <div>        Family, business, research, games, etc.</div> <div>        So, I offer this thought to you...</div> <bR> <div> "If someone blocks your e-mail, deletes your e-mail, or even answers your e-mail with a reply ... Don't take it personally and enjoy your online experience!  That's what it's all about! We can't begin to know everything that's going on in other people's lives."</div> <div> And remember ... Things aren't always what they seem to be!</div> <div> <I>             - (c) 1999 Mogs</I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="cyberterrorism"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT><A HREF="#lifenet_12_5_99" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>NEXT</U></A>     <A HREF="#e_mail_____in_bulk" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>PREVIOUS</U></A>     <A HREF="id345.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Tabl"><U>TABLE OF CONTENTS</U></A>     <A HREF="#original_stories_by_mogs___page_one" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>TOP OF PAGE</U></A></div> <div> <I><B>Cyber</B></I><B>terrorism</B><B>    </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#339966" FACE="Arial" ><B>S, NF</B></FONT></div> <div> My Two Cents Worth...</div> <div>    Moving right along at somewhat less than the speed of the most recent virus, let's ponder the aspects of the people who release Internet viruses. What kind of person does it take to develop and send viruses across the Internet? A smart person? Maybe ...</div> <bR> <div>    Then again, maybe it's just someone looking for their 15 minutes of fame that Andy Warhol theoretically allotted everyone. In either case it's pathetic that some people get their kicks in such a childlike manner. Is it really much different from the child who'll throw a temper tantrum ... Simply because he can?</div> <bR> <div>    I submit to you that these kindergarten hackers differ not in the least from a small spoiled child that has no sense of control and vies for attention.</div> <bR> <div>    Having knowledge and having control are two different things. At times the two can work together like hands on a clock, but often knowledge and control are worlds apart in terms of being within a person's grasp. Many people know how to do harm and many people have basic concepts of manipulation, but most people use that sort of information for the good if they use it at all!</div> <bR> <div>    Having knowledge of certain things can often help one to identify potential problems before they start. However, there'll always be a$$holes that'll use their knowledge for meanness to get attention.</div> <bR> <div>    There are people in the world that love to start trouble. For some they'd rather make trouble than eat. While most people will run from meanness, some will flock to it like flies to a dung pile.</div> <bR> <div>    What is the attraction?  I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that it's some twisted sense of glory and nothing more.</div> <bR> <div>    For the record, my hat is OFF to the brainchild of computer viruses ... Not in a salutation, but rather like swatting at a pesky fly. For when they go to the dung pile of meanness they will leave with a little on their feet. And sooner on later they'll leave a smelly trail that leads a path to their door.</div> <bR> <div>    Quite possibly their 15 minutes of fame will be offered to them twofold and with a little pathetic luck, they just might be captain of their cell block one day too. Then, maybe they can buy their whims and favors with a cigarette and a roll of toilet paper.</div> <bR> <div>    How ironic ... they flocked to the dung pile of cyber-meanness and now their wiping paper will be provided for them at OUR expense.  Maybe they're right ... Maybe they WILL have the last laugh. After all, then they'll be wiping their sorry butts with our tax dollars.</div> <bR> <div>    In the meantime I'll keep getting my laughs at the Comedy Club. Who knows, maybe there'll be a few jokes about them there! ... Of course, unless it's broad<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#EEEEEE" FACE="Arial" >casted they'll never see the pathetic joke that they really are.</FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>             - (c) 1999 Mogs</I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="lifenet_12_5_99"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT><A HREF="#site_why_not__1_22_2000" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>NEXT</U></A>     <A HREF="#cyberterrorism" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>PREVIOUS</U></A>     <A HREF="id345.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Tabl"><U>TABLE OF CONTENTS</U></A>     <A HREF="#original_stories_by_mogs___page_one" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>TOP OF PAGE</U></A></div> <div> <B>LIFE/NET </B>12.5.99<B>    </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#339966" FACE="Arial" ><B>S, NF</B></FONT></div> <div> Where we look is where we find it;</div> <div> Like on the "net" there can be bad behind it.</div> <bR> <div> If you look for the good, it's there you find it;</div> <div> When you look for the bad, it's there behind it.</div> <bR> <div> I speak in riddles, in hope you'll read it;</div> <div> The good is there, if you'll try to retrieve it.</div> <bR> <div> We type in words, and across the wire, we'll transmit;</div> <div> We get back from the wire, results in a transcript.</div> <bR> <div> So, let's look for the good, it's there to be had;</div> <div> Hold your head up high, and run from the bad.</div> <bR> <div> There's trouble abundant, on all roads we ride;</div> <div> And we rise above it, when we make great strides.</div> <bR> <div> It's the good, that should feed us, not the bad;</div> <div> It's a fact of life, at times, we'll be sad.</div> <bR> <div> But I say to you, look around and be glad;</div> <div> For, if we look for the good, it's there to be had.</div> <bR> <div> <I>             - (c) 1999 Mogs</I></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="site_why_not__1_22_2000"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT><A HREF="#buzz_board_sensibility" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>NEXT</U></A>    <A HREF="#lifenet_12_5_99" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>PREVIOUS</U></A>     <A HREF="id345.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Tabl"><U>TABLE OF CONTENTS</U></A>     <A HREF="#original_stories_by_mogs___page_one" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>TOP OF PAGE</U></A></div> <div> <B>SITE-</B><B>WHY NOT  </B>1.22.2000    <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#339966" FACE="Arial" ><B>NF</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> I started a Site, to help me shed light,</div> <div> As to this thing called the Web;</div> <div> I started it twice, then scraped it again,</div> <div> before I found a place to begin;</div> <bR> <div> It's been several months, and it's still there in place,</div> <div> It's sort of my "Favorites List", my friends;</div> <div> For as I find a new URL, I give it a whirl,</div> <div> and on my Web Site, it ends.</div> <bR> <div> <I>             - (c) 2000 Mogs</I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="buzz_board_sensibility"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT>NEXT     <A HREF="#site_why_not__1_22_2000" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>PREVIOUS</U></A>     <A HREF="id345.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Tabl"><U>TABLE OF CONTENTS</U></A>     <A HREF="#original_stories_by_mogs___page_one" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>TOP OF PAGE</U></A></div> <div> <B>Internet Message Board Sensibility    </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#339966" FACE="Arial" ><B>S, NF</B></FONT></div> <div> <I>Free advice is worth every penny that you pay for it ...</I></div> <div> At times, some posters take their message board memberships much too seriously, and an air of arrogance sets in.  This, my friends, is where things start to deteriorate ... And often, very fast.</div> <div> Recently, our message board witnessed an organized take over attempt. B ut the regulars WILL survive!   However, if we're going to take ourselves <I>SO</I> seriously, maybe we should be <I>offering</I> message board CE courses. LOL.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Consider<I> this </I>commentary,</div> <div> (-:   CE Course ... Message Boards 101: The Newbie Factors  :-)</div> <div> With this in mind, I'd like to address this whole issue of Newbies on message boards.  The purpose of this observation isn't meant to offend anyone.  Think of it as "thinking aloud" ... Nothing more.</div> <div> When a new poster or a group of new posters come to a message board several things can happen.  Let's consider a few of them;</div> <div> They might need a little <I>breaking in</I> from the regulars at times, this is sort of a tradition on some boards after all, but these <I>sporting</I> posts have a way of getting <I>out of hand</I>.  There's a difference between having fun and being arrogant. Ignoring a post is one thing and instigating bitterness is another.  If allowed, <I>Newbies</I> can split the regulars right down the middle and bring about their fall.</div> <div> How?   Here's some things you might want to consider;</div> <div> There's nothing in the rule books that say a Newbie can't <I>sometimes</I> be crafty ... Once a group of regular posters start turning on <I>each other</I>, the Newbies have won. It's no longer a matter of <I>who</I> wins... When they've turned us against each other the <I>Newbies</I> have already won.</div> <div> OK. So what if we just do the "click" thing ... They'll just go away, right?</div> <div> Posting a "Click" as a reply to a post that offends you isn't always in the best interest of the regular posters either.  It's not the same as merely <I>ignoring</I> a post.  Often, it's nothing more than being rude and instigating rude replies when it's done repeatedly.  In the past many of the regulars were known for their good humor and (sometimes) <I>sly</I> abilities.  Let's sharpen <I>these</I> skills.</div> <div> If a post or poster annoys you <I>too</I> much simply ignore them and bypass that particular thread altogether.  If nobody replies to their <I>poor taste</I>,<I> the thread should dismantle itself and much quicker</I> ... Or at the very least it'll be a thread made of <I>Newbies</I> only.  There's nothing that says we can't (monitor) that thread and keep an eye on 'em! If their sole purpose is to disrupt the board ... There ARE ways to get 'em if need be.</div> <div> Most everyone <I>started out</I> as a Newbie on a message board.  Some did more homework than others but it's still a new experience when you first go to a board and actually started posting. </div> <div> Presently, a number of the regular posters are <I>well seasoned</I> as far as message boards go.  M<I>ost of the time</I> we can <I>take 'em</I> <I>without much effort</I> if we'll only <I>stop and think</I> about the <I>strategies </I>available.  Often, trouble makers <I>aren't</I> <I>nearly</I> as skillful as to <I>these</I> tactics.</div> <div> Remember, there's <I>neat folks</I> out there <I>from time to time</I> trying out the board also.  If a <I>Newbie</I> posts something that <I>catches my attention?</I>  Well, depending on the tone of the post, I might have a little fun with it.  Hehehe.  But I will also offer <I>some</I> <I>form</I> of advice, be it straight out or cleverly designed in an attempt to make that poster<I> think</I>.</div> <div> If a post turns sour I won't contribute to bad blood or attempt to keep it going.  Why? ... For starters, the posters <I>don't own</I> public message boards, <I>AOL owns the boards I'm speaking of</I> and AOL can <I>shut down</I> these boards.</div> <div> I've made many neat friends that were Newbies when I met them and there'll be more in the future.  It's been proven that if we keep a keen eye we can tell the true trouble makers.  And those that blew the lid off of this latest <I>hostile attempt</I> by Newbies have my thanks.</div> <div> Again ... free advice is worth every penny that you paid for it ... And this advice IS free.     : )</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>             - (c) 1999 Mogs</I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#original_stories_by_mogs___page_one" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>TOP OF PAGE</U></A>    <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#9999FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>PAGE 1</B></FONT>    <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>PAGE 2</U></A>    <A HREF="id170.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>PAGE 3</U></A>   <A HREF="id196.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Essays, Editorials, Humor: Page"><U>PAGE 4</U></A></div> <bR> <div> Website Design by Mark McKinley ~ Logos & Photos (C) 1999-2012 Mark's Online Graphics Site</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>