Time Out

Lesser gods

Having been ejected from “Surfdom” I decided to set out on a journey to discover why this misfortune had befallen me and perhaps to recover what rightfully had been mine. I knew that my answers could only come from those most high keepers of the Web, Tech Support, but I also knew that in my quest for truth I would have to prove myself worthy of any and all discourse with such important persons as these. Patiently I proved myself as their minions tested my ability and understanding in an attempt to prove me silly or stupid thereby sparing the exalted ones of the task. There were a few close calls where, had I been left to their subjection, I would have found place in such class but I persevered and pressed my point until finally on day two I found myself voice to voice with the Most Exalted Grand Wizard of the Technical Support Staff. He listened quietly as once more I related all I had seen and done both prior to and after my fall from their favor. Once again I was called on to prove my worthiness to surf in his kingdom and he tried me on all points. I tried this, I tried that, and I booted and was booted. I was even made privileged to see things no mortal surfer had ever seen but still my answer eluded me. Was all this for naught? Was this to be my fate? My heart sank at the prospect of returning to those lesser means of access than that which I considered myself worthy of. Even now his words burn in my ears as I recall his final judgment on my person, my system and even me.

“You’ve probably got a problem with your modem. We can send a repair person to check it or send you a new one.” How could this be? Had my own system turned itself against me leaving me less than a blogger, nay even less than a surfer? I retraced my journey examining every step I had taken and, though knowing my place, the flames of indignation burned bright within my heart. Was it pride than fanned these flames or was my vision clear in all of this? Could it really be that once the curtain is drawn and the light shines within that those most exalted ones are only mere mortals as you and I and prone to such foolishness as blame? My world began to crumble about me. “I don’t think that’s the problem. If it were then…” I pleaded. Please let this be only a flaw, and the only flaw, to be found in such a wise one as this. “I’m afraid we’ll have to send…” he continued and slowly I relented. I was tired. I was beaten. He must be right, after all, who was I to question him? Perhaps I had missed something. Yes, that was it. There’s something unknown to me and in his glory and wisdom he’s lead me to my need for their services.

I waited for the repairman as a condemned man waits for the executioner. In my mind the repair bill kept growing but I knew I would pay. I would pay anything to rejoin my fellow bloggers and friends. No price, no sacrifice was too great. The minutes ticked by and my anxiety reached epic proportions. The appointed hour came and went with not so much as a call explaining why I had waited without hope. In silent desperation I decided to make one last attempt to run freely the fruited fields of the blogsphere and then to woefully accept my fate as a castaway. I clicked the little blue “E” like I had done so many times before, taking for granted that it would always be there to fling open my electronic window on the world. My heart jumped in my chest as one by one the images began to appear. I thought for a moment that I must be dreaming then it hit me this could be a mere cache of days gone by, only a ghost of what once was but would never be again. I clicked the refresh button and my despair turned to joy as once more the page fully appeared. All of this without even a visit! No calls! Not even a configuration change and best of all, no charges!

It seems, upon reflection, that when all is said and done that we’re all at the mercy of those with more knowledge and power than ourselves. Even the guru’s of Tech support are subject to the higher powers that manage ebb and flow of the Web. I still click the blue “E” with anticipation but these days I’m not as assuming as before. My confidence in those I once trusted with all my electronic existence has been replaced with a healthy skepticism in all. I will never again subject myself to their determinations against my better judgment.

;-)

Proving a point

The previous article on controversy found it’s way to the number one spot at Yahoo for all searching “Just so you know”. Take a look at the snippet they’ve posted and see if you can determine why this article floated to the top. MSN closely agreed and placed it number 7 on their list but it seems Google is much more discriminating.

The best for last

There’s so much more to come, I’m sure, but for now I can’t even begin to describe how this one little person is impacting my life. May God bless him to be raised in the way he should go. To Him be the glory in all things.