>http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/02/22/501364/main20034691.shtml
>
>All, two of those on board were friends of my aunt.

Very sorry to hear that, Tracy. That news story really made me mad. For a while I was amused that there are still pirates in the modern world. That amusement vanished. My feeling is Kuhnian -- take them out, no trial, no questions. The victims were killed for no reason other than that they were American. There is so much crap going on in the world, I wouldn't even know where to start. The world we grew up in is gone.

I know I said I would be away for a long time. I have made some positive changes and am back on an occasional and provisional basis. If I can't behave myself I will be gone again.

A personal apology to you. Charles and Tamar both dinged me for replying to one of your messages three times. Unsurprisingly, I have no recollection of doing so. I am back under control, learning a lot about .NET and staying sober. My presence here will be nowhere near as regular but I don't want to leave completely. Now all I need is a job.