"Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto"
-- Styx
It's a harried, digital, disposable world. But there's been three unexpected bright spots in recent weeks, and I thought I'd share them.
Firstly, in a fit of frenzied cleaning, I decided to wash one of my jackets - some synthetic job from L.L. Bean. Unbeknownst to me until after a lengthy wash and machine dry, my cell phone - a Motorola StarTAC - was in the pocket. Motorola has always made good stuff, but it was still quite the pleasant surprise to find it still works perfectly.
Secondly, I left for work right when the US Postal Service pulled up to drop off my mail. I walked up to the driver to collect the mail personally, and he asked, ever so friendly, how the original owners - except, of course, he asked about them by name - were doing and when they were expected to return. Now, for all I know, the local post office has been doing nothing but bouncing mail for them for two years solid, and my friends' name is often used only in the presence of expletives. But I found it impressive nonetheless, this mail carrier in the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area, in this time of antrax letters and the Christmas rush.
Finally, C-SPAN, of all stations, had an excellent special on the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) and the 13th MEU(SOC) last night. No war-mongering. No over-the-top heroics. Just a decent representation of oft-detested people doing a difficult and unglorious job. Makes me wonder where I would be under different circumstances.
