Dear John,

I am sending you this letter in a bogus software company envelope so that you will be sure to read it. Please forgive the deception, but I thought you should know what has been going on at home since your IBM computer entered our lives two years ago.

The children are doing well. Tommy is 7 now and is a bright, handsome boy. He has developed quite an interest in the arts. He drew a family portrait for a school project. All the figures were good, but yours was excellent! The chair and the back of your head are very realistic. You would be proud of him.

Little Jennifer turned 3 in September. She looks a lot like you did at that age. She is an attractive child and quite smart. She still remembers that you spent the whole afternoon with us on her birthday. What a grand day for Jen, despite the fact that it was stormy and the electricity was out.

I am also doing well. I went blonde about a year ago and was delighted to discover that it really is more fun. Lars–I mean Mr. Swenson, the department head, has taken an interest in my career and has become a good friend to us all. I have discovered that the household chores are much easier since I realized that you don’t mind being vacuumed around, although that feather duster does make you sneeze. The house is in good shape. I had the living room painted last spring. I’m not sure if you noticed it. I made sure that the painters cut air holes in the drop cloth so you wouldn’t smother. Well, dear, I must be going. Uncle Lars – Mr. Swenson, I mean, is taking us all on a ski trip and there is packing to do. I have hired a housekeeper to take care of thing while we are away. She’ll keep things in order, fill your coffee cup, and bring your meals to your desk, -just the way you like it. I hope you and IBM have a lovely time while we are gone.

Tommy, Jen and I think of you often – try to remember us while your disks are booting.

Love, Angela.

“You are a cheat!” shouted the attorney to his opponent.

“And you’re a liar!” bellowed the opposition.

Banging his gavel loudly, the judge interjected, “Now that both attorneys have been identified for the record, let’s get on with the case.”

The value of a program is proportional to the weight of its output.

The workbench is always untidier than last time.

The worse your line is tangled, the better is the fishing around you.

The yoo-hoo you you-hew into the forest is the yoo-hoo you get back.

There are no rules around here. We’re trying to accomplish something. – Thomas Edison, remarking about his laboratory

There are no winners in life…only survivors.

There are only two forces that unite men, fear and self-interest…Napoleon

There are three ways to get things done: do it yourself, hire someone to do it, or forbid your kids to do it.

There are two kinds of people who don’t say much: those who are quiet and those who talk a lot.

There are two rules for success in life: Rule 1 – Don’t tell people everything you know.

There is nothing so small that it can’t be blown out of proportion.

From “Late Show with David Letterman” on Tuesday, August 9, 1994

10. It’s hosted by Ed McMahon.

9. “Amplifiers” are just enormous dixie cups.

8. Every song contains a plug for Green Giant frozen vegetables.

7. You’re asked to put on a hat and sunglasses and the next thing you know, you’re being introduced as Bob Dylan.

6. One word: polkas.

5. Guy sitting next to you brought a glove and has caught three foul balls.

4. “Santana” turns out to be a jolly bearded guy with a sackful of presents.

3. They’re playing “May we turn the hose on you, please?” [All night Dave sprayed the crowd which gathers outside for each night's show with a hose.]

2. You spot Rush Limbaugh stage-diving.

1. The crowd is chanting, “Tito! Tito! Tito!”

My computer crashed and died today
And I thought, “oh well what the hey”
Now I’d have time to clean my house
And see if I still had a spouse

It started out with weird frustrations
Combined with mild heart palpitations
And then my ankles began to swell
Withdrawal symptoms from no AOL

Chills ran up and down my spine
Oh, God I had to get on-line
To greet my buds and check my mail
I began to feel helpless and frail

Then I remembered the Good Guy’s Store
And all those computers by the door
I’d go there and when alone
With no one looking I’d sign-on

I stepped up to a computer, clicked on AOL
The Sign-On screen came up, man it sure looked swell
I clicked on the Guest name, then came the modem sound
I was having cold-sweats, as my heart began to pound

Then I typed my password, and the computer said, “Goodbye”
And that’s what I kept hearing each time that I would try.
This was just an evil plot, the store was playing tricks
If only they had known how bad I need my AOL fix

I …slowly… typed… my… password… then…I… stood….and…waited
The darned thing said , “Goodbye” again and I got real frustrated
That’s when I shoved the keyboard thru the monitor screen
And the last thing I remember is my loud shrieking scream

When I woke I was handcuffed being booked
I think I asked the data entry cop, if he’d get me a drink
Now I’m sitting in his chair, and I know I can get well
If I can just use his computer to sign on AOL.