Evansville Observer

Nostalgia: 2008: Tales From Normal, Mn: FICTION: There's a Concussion Problem in Normal, Mn.

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 10:45:50 -0600

Remember when you were young? When you used to watch or listen to Monday night football with Howard Cosell with his sidekick "Dandy" Don Meridith doing the color commentary? And then in the fourth quarter when the key play occurred, "Dandy". Don would sing "The Party's Over."

Spin forward now...when we have five chunky men in $1000 suits with one attractive woman to help with social skills, giving the detailed analysis and then the instant reply in case you missed it the first time...

All viewers watching players who suffer season ending injuries often and the remaining players are mostly thinking of retiring someday, soon, maybe, whenever their mind clears, and some real dreamers are thinking of settling down and raising a family. Nice.

Brain damage cannot be firmly diagnosed till one is dead. What a relief. It would be real hard to see the data during our lifetime.

Losing Your Identity. A Digital Update to the Bourne Identity. Reflection.

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 14:30:04 -0500

I've always loved the movie "The Bourne Identity," and especially the scene where Matt Damon tells his costar "I don't know who I am." And then she replies, "Well then let's work on it and figure it out".

In the business world, the "know your customer" rule is key. In a small town everyone knows you but in a larger town you have your drivers license. This has changed. Now you have to confirm your digital identity. a case study.

Recently I went to a brokerage firm to correct a detail on a custodial account. I showed the clerk my drivers license and he replied that that was not enough but needed to send me a 4 digit code to my cell phone. The problem was the cell tower was down and the cell phones did not work. I told him it was time to switch to rotary. He did not find that amusing. Finally he just got the code and brought it over to my phone. Presto.

The problem now is that we can't just switch to Rotary phones and for Wall Street the back up system in Jersey may be just fiction. America is not prepared for a digital holiday. Cash itself is a foreign concept.

Fiona Hill talked of this recently on Youtube. The preparedness level of Finland or Norway is very much higher than the United States. Our "just in time" culture is simply not ready for climate or digital chaos.

It's time to work on it. It's time to figure it out.

Nostalgia: 2008: Poems for the road: The Quarterback

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Thu, 1 Oct 2026 21:52:45 -0500

(Ed.note: I found this rumpled up and tossed aside in a restroom at Exit #4 at River Falls, Wisconsin. I have faithfully reproduced it as best I can.)

Snowing
the
visibility is
bad
the quarterback is
going
back
back
looking to throw----
no
no
no
rolling out to his left
looking
looking to
throw
no
no
now rolling the other way
looking
looking
no
no
moving to center now
seems unsure
what to do
looking down the
field
looking
looking
now he's in the
pocket
no..now he's out of the
pocket
looks like a Packer
uniform
no maybe
it's a Viking
uniform
looking
both ways now
seems unsure
in fact
that
may not
be a
quarterback
the field is real
snowy
vision bad
maybe this
is just
a dream
a bad
quarterback
dream

Nostalgia: 2005: The Coincidence of Opposites Or, Why Due Process Matters

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Thu, 1 Oct 2026 21:47:23 -0500

Thursday, November 17, 2005

The Coincidence of Opposites; Or, Why Due Process matters

In any dialogue, in any debate, in any reflection, there are two sides. Two points of view. From ancient times it has been known that the secret of wisdom is getting to the thing that unites them, the central thing they share. This is the "coincidencia oppositorum" or just simply the coincidence of opposites. Once you understand what this is, you can understand how to get beyond it.

You all know this. I say it's hot. She says it's cold. The thing that unites ---- the evaluation of life by temperature. There is more. To get to the more, you get separate heated seats or blankets or whatever. O.K.

This coicidence of opposites is why the US Military Lawyers are so insistent on the Geneva Convention. The enemy says all tactics, all terror is available. We say there is a code of conduct. Once we say everything is on the table, we are them. And, we lose. The thing that makes us free is the dignity we live by. That is why the Pentagon rank and file and all veterans want the Geneva Convention upheld. That is why John McCain, the war prisoner, is leading the way for a prohibition against terror tactics by the U.S. Military.

So, it is also that in all violence and abuse of power---- Whether it is local or national, the tendency is for the victim of abuse of power to turn to the same tactic. That is why the U.S. has the concept of due process. That is why we have the rule of law and not tribal eye for eye justice. Something to think about.

Nostalgia: 2013: Tales from Normal, Mn: FICTION: "Bystander arrested for thinking thoughts of possibly raising a question:

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Thu, 1 Oct 2026 21:40:48 -0500

Bystander arrested for thinking thoughts of possibly raising a question: Tales from Normal, Mn.: FICTION

Just got the text...seems a bass fisherman was walking around a state Capitol Near Normal, Mn and watching the horsemen on large horses patrolling, and the very heavily armed police...was thinking in his head of a question that might be asked...and he was promptly arrested...seems that even thinking a thought these days is considered wayward activity...so it's not just living the straight life...but thinkin the straight and narrow, very narrow life too that is the new thing in Normal, Mn..

Nostalgia: 1987: In times of crisis---drink ice water: a true story

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Thu, 1 Oct 2026 21:34:10 -0500

It was the stock market crash of 1987. On the telephone squack box the senior brokers from New York were advising the younger brokers not to jump----in our office, as I looked around I saw all the older brokers sipping ice water. It was no time for nerves now. Use lots of ice. Stay cool.

The last time I had seen such ice sipping was in the room of a patient close to death who could only sip ice water.

So---sip ice water. Stay cool. And pray that when the opportunity for decisive action comes you will have the cool to make the clear headed decision.

1987: Nostalgia: "Don't Jump"--a true story

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Thu, 1 Oct 2026 21:27:04 -0500

Back in 1987, I was a stockbroker with E.F. Hutton...yup...that was the firm that bragged that when E.F. Hutton spoke,...people listened...anyway...as the market opened on the day of the big crash...as the selling progressed, a senior broker came on the "squack box" and told us that we should not panic in this day of panic...that there was a lot to our lives besides money...and to consider what these assets were...ok...there was not a two way conversation...so the quants on wall street could not try to calculate what those intangible assets were...but still...in retrospect..it was a nice touch...

Nostalgia: Reflections: 2014: "Social Media". means you are good with clickers and mouses.

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:52:02 -0500

It is really breathtaking to behold the development of society from the olden days when folks gathered over coffee in the early morn to talk of issues...and for the locals, farmers gathered to talk of crops, weather, etc, and the ladies talked of other matters... Nowdays, with all the development of "social skills" kids can stop by a Starbucks...and well just stop in one and see what is happening...all the students with their headphones on, sipping a coffee, and checking their phone every couple of seconds to make sure that they will not be criticized for not responding fast enough to every little digital need... Nowdays, a "friend" is someone that you have clicked on, and "Liked"...How wonderful is that...pretty special and satisfying I would guess if one was a modern, and satisfied by clicking... So how about you?...time to take off the headphones and respond to the wonder....I just wonder how social you have become, and whether in your old age, with a weathered mouse and mousepad, you will be wonderfully happy alone.

Nostalgia: 2008: Tales from Normal, Mn: Memories of Custer's Last Stand: FICTION

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:47:55 -0500

Well what a buzz of activity as school days get ready to resume. The local High School Marching Band is practicing very hard to master those very famous tunes of General Custer on the way to The Little Big Horn. It is true that the tunes are easier when one is not on a horse. The 7th Cavalry Regimental Band was led by Italian born bandmaster. Felix Vinatieri.

As Custers regiment marched out of Fort Lincoln, the band played the official regimental marching song of the 7th Cavalry, "Garryowen", a famous 18th century Irish drinking song that was Custer's favorite.

The very last song the band played before the battle began was "The Girl I left Behind me." This is according to Libbie Custers diaries.

There is no truth to the rumor that right before the very end, Custer raised a sign asking for a Cease Fire.

Nostalgia: 2014: The Legend of Theodore Robinson

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:26:00 -0500

Many years ago, Chris Eager, the then president of UBT bank, and activist in the move to create the Evansville Senior Center, came to a meeting of the Evansville School Board, to introduce the concept of the Evansville Community Center, and why it was expanded to a broader concept to get public support...during the question and answer period, he was asked why the middle school was called the "Theodore Robinson Middle School"--to which he replied, " Theodore Robinson was a student here who left and became a great painter in Europe, studying under some of the great masters...and our goal for our city and school should not be to be able to say that we have created graduates that have lived their whole lives in Evansville, but that we have launched students to form successful lives and families and careers." I who had favored the name "Grove School" was stunned, and recognized instantly that Chris was right....I hope to launch our children to the larger world, and even ouselves, and to be able to say to strangers, "I am from Evansville, Wisconsin."

Nostalgia: Memories of Phil Laut, author of "Money is my Friend"

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:22:00 -0500

Years ago, back in 1981 or so, Phil Laut came to Minneapolis and held an informal seminar with publishers and friends to discuss his book, Money is My Friend, and review his rough draft for a new book he was considering...One of the topics he went over that night was the concept of "Courage." Many folks envision "courage" as taking large bold moves. This he explained was the delusion of the young and inexperienced...and when teachers tell their students to be "extremely bold and be very big risk takers"---kids take that advice and proceed to do some really dumb things... The reality as he saw it, was that "courage" happens ONE step at a time....one step moving QUIETLY toward a destination is far more powerful than loud big steps...that one small step is done with the "fire within"... a quiet fire that allows one to proceed, one step at a time, which gathers steam over time... I always remember that seminar. Ya...courage is kind of like sipping a brandy slowly as opposed to yelling loudly for another cheap beer....and yes, out of a fine glass helps..

Nostalgia: Inherited Millionaires discuss how to solve the War on Poverty: 2014: Tales fromNormal, Mn.

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:16:00 -0500

The distinguished "Petunia Society", an association of ladies of distinction in the northern tundra of Normal, Mn. met Wednesday last to discuss how to solve the War on Poverty. A panel of two distinguished wives of local millionaires led a presentation of their best ideas....stay tuned as I follow this story.

Nostalgia: Tales from Normal, Mn 2020: "Your sins might NOT be forgiven"

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:07:00 -0500

Shocking news out of the Our Lady of Perpetual fishermen parish in Normal,Mn. It seems that after the annual comprehensive liturgical audit of the local diocese it was uncovered that at the baptism of Pastor Buddy, the very popular pastor of the local parish, the minister used the words "WE baptise you in the name of".... the deacon thus made a fatal error. The correct wording is "I baptise you"..... Following liturgical logic thus all religious events in the life of Pastor Buddy are null and void. From the purely divine perspective What does this mean for you oh devoted reader? It means that everything you ever confessed to Pastor Buddy over your lifetime must be reconfessed again. With no mistakes. Or you will surely suffer the flames of hell. it may be hard for some of you to remember it all. Sometimes our memory fades on where we have failed. What to do? Simply ask your spouse. Asking your old girlfriends might be impossible. I do not recommend it. Stay tuned as i follow this story.

Nostalgia; 9/20/2014: "After Two Manhattens, General Seeks a Wider War". Tales From Normal, Mn: FICTION

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:38:00 -0500

Just got the tweet....from my bass fishermen friends in Normal, Mn....who went to happy hour last Friday nite at a night club that will remain nameless...anyway...just after happy hour closed, which had been offering highballs on a two for one basis...a local retired General, who had been a legendary paratrooper in his younger years, stood up and announced to the crowd of elders surrounding him...that he was ready for a wider war...and would be seeking support among them....well...everybody cheered...as was usual after a bout of heavy drinking...stay tuned as I follow this story.

Nostalgia: December 2008: "The GOOD old Days---the poem

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:33:00 -0500

Whatever happened

to the GOOD old days.
in 1959
when even the Webster dictionary
didn't include the word "sex"
I know.
I checked. Maybe it was the
elementary school version.

Those were the days.
The GOOD days
before the liberals
and the radicals ruined the 60's
with all their bra burning.

Those were the days of bee bop,
Danny and the Juniors, "At the Hop",
and "Come let's Stroll" were the rage.

Those were the days
when ignorance was godliness.
When stupidity was a mission from God.
And
we were PROUD of it.

Maybe
If
We pray real hard
in 2008
that
stupidity
and godliness
will
return
Whoops
It
Has

Nostalgia: December 2007: "Cellphone Love"

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:27:00 -0500

Cellphone Love

(Ed. note. The Observer was surprised to find this little poem tucked into a book he was reading at the local library.)

Cell Phone Love

I love
The Way you love me
Cellphone
Always ready and
There for me

Always opening up
With the flip of the wrist
Always Ready
Unless
Your battery is
Low

I love how you fit on
My ear
Always ready
to hear my Every
Little
Word

I love how you
take my picture
constantly
even when noone
else cares

I love you
Cellphone
You are
all
mine
on a monthly basis
subject to disconnect

Nostalgia: March 30, 2007: The Decider's Prayer

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:18:00 -0500

believe
in academic
freedom
as long
as
there's no
time for
questions

I believe
in
diversity
as long as
there's no
time for
differences

I believe in
sharing
feelings
as long as
there's
no time for
change

I believe
in
globalization
as long as
there is
no interference
in corporate
takeover

I believe in
authority and
responsibility
as long as
there's no
micro
management of
my
performance

I believe in
war for
eternal
freedom
as long as
it
continues
forever....or
at least
till I
leave office

Nostalgia: 2025: The China Bromance is Dead

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:52:00 -0500

Back in 1972 the China Bromance began after Nixon visited China with Henry Kissinger. As the love story developed, I always thought we would buy their bargain priced goods and we would sell them our higher level technology, and along the way show them how democracy worked and the magic of human rights.

It's been 50 years. No deal. Seems we learned more about their authoritarian ways than they learned from us.

Being positive: We can go back to Rotary phones. There was a time we were adults and could use a map when we traveled. We could survive without our phone tracking our every step. We could speak without our TV or phone recording us secretly.

When we fish-- we can go back before electronic fish finders and go to our favorite spots on the lake. We can just pop the small trolling motor onto the boat and fish in the early morning with the family. No big pontoon with the luxury fish storage bin in the back. Yes the good old days.

And other good news: When couples go out to dinner, they won't be spending all their time staring at their phones and will actually talk to each other. It could be wonderful. A real reversal of attention deficit disorder.

And drivers will actually drive their cars rather than stare at their phones. Biking will be a lot safer. Yippie.

Nostalgia: 2008: Jesse Ventura Corner: Publishers Rush to remove lies from books

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:44:00 -0600

Just got the tweet from the bass fishermen at Betty Lou's---wild celebrations this morning with free coffee for all as they celebrated the legal victory of Jesse "the body" Ventura in his lawsuit for defamation....and in a postscript, the publisher of the book, HarperCollins is removing the chapter of the book in question...and all over New York this morning, and yes in Wisconsin too, publishers, who are people, cause corporations are people under the Constitution now---publishers are rushing to review their books to see whether they can paste over the lies, or maybe just remove the books from publication...and in related news, the Normal Minnesota Library announced today that they have removed 500 books from circulation...and they were non-fiction...they kept all the light romance novels...which are the most popular requests in the frozen tundra...and all over America online book publishers are wondering where to begin....their first thought is to just publish fiction....stay tuned as I follow this story.

Book Review: The Art of War: Key points to remember and Quiz

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:45:00 -0600

Ten Key Points from The Art of War

Win Without Fighting: The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy's resistance without a battle, using superior strategy, diplomacy, and positioning.
Know Yourself and Your Enemy: To ensure victory, you must have a deep understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of your opponent. If you know neither, you will succumb in every battle.
All Warfare is Based on Deception: Achieve strategic advantage by misleading the enemy. Appear weak when you are strong, strong when you are weak, far when near, and near when far.
Preparation and Planning are Paramount: Victory is determined before the battle is fought through meticulous calculation and planning. A victorious general makes many calculations in their temple before a battle, while a defeated general makes few.
Avoid Strength, Strike Weakness: Military tactics are like water: water avoids high places and rushes to low ground. In war, avoid the enemy's strengths and strong points and attack where they are unprepared and weak.
Adaptability and Flexibility are Key: There are no constant conditions in warfare. A skilled commander adapts tactics to changing circumstances, just as water shapes its course according to the ground over which it flows.
Speed is the Essence of War: Protracted warfare drains an army's strength, morale, and a state's resources. Campaigns should be swift and decisive to achieve victory at minimum cost.
Leadership Matters: A good commander embodies virtues like wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage, and strictness. A disciplined and unified army, where all ranks share the same spirit, is essential for success.
Utilize Intelligence and Espionage: Information is a vital asset. The use of spies (local, inward, converted, doomed, and surviving) is crucial for gathering intelligence and keeping the enemy in the dark about your own intentions.
Choose Your Battles Wisely: Focus your energy and resources on battles that offer an advantage and a high probability of success. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.

Multiple Choice Quiz

According to Sun Tzu, what represents "supreme excellence" in the art of war?
A) Winning every battle
B) Achieving victory without fighting
C) Successfully besieging a city
D) Direct combat
What is essential for ensuring victory in every engagement?
A) A larger army
B) Understanding yourself and your enemy
C) Government support
D) Surprise attacks
Sun Tzu states that all warfare is based on _________.
A) Power
B) Bravery
C) Deception
D) Swiftness
If the enemy is stronger, what tactic does Sun Tzu suggest?
A) Immediate assault
B) Provocation
C) Evasion or retreat
D) Siege tactics
What natural element does Sun Tzu use to illustrate the adaptability of military strategy?
A) Fire
B) Wind
C) Rock
D) Water
According to Sun Tzu, what undertaking is detrimental to a state?
A) Diplomacy
B) Prolonged conflict
C) Using spies
D) Training troops
Which quality is NOT listed as a potential flaw in a general?
A) Recklessness
B) Cowardice
C) Wisdom
D) Impatience
What is the function of "doomed spies"?
A) To collect enemy intelligence
B) To persuade enemy personnel
C) To be sacrificed to mislead the enemy
D) To gather local information
When does a victorious general make numerous calculations?
A) During combat
B) Before engaging in battle
C) After the enemy's initial move
D) Based on troop morale
The concentrated "energy" of troops can be compared to what?
A) A bent crossbow
B) A swift river
C) A sudden storm
D) An unassailable position

Answer Sheet

B) Achieving victory without fighting
B) Understanding yourself and your enemy
C) Deception
C) Evasion or retreat
D) Water
B) Prolonged conflict
C) Wisdom (Wisdom is considered a virtue)
C) To be sacrificed to mislead the enemy
B) Before engaging in battle
A) A bent crossbow

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Nostalgia: 2008: Bear Trader writes about "self-reliance". About the secrets of Walden Pond

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:39:00 -0600

(Ed.note: Last Sunday, in conversing with "Bear Trader" he made a comment on the simple life to come if the markets came down this week, and one of the group mentioned Thoreau---and then Bear Trader made a comment about Thoreau having his mom do his laundry--which I disputed. Here is his reply:)

We were talking last Sunday about H. D. Thoreau. I made a reference to
Thoreau, while at Walden Pond, having his mother and sister do his
washing. I remember reading this in an edition of Walden. Here is the
excerpt.

From pages xxii and xxiv of Stephen Fender's introduction to the Oxford
World Classics edition of Walden, available at Amazon.

"The central question is, who is 'Thoreau" There is the man who wrote
Walden and the voice that talks to us out of its pages. The 'Thoreau'
inside Walden 'can do without the post office' and disparages
newspapers. But according to his contemporary, and Walden's first
editor, Frank Sanborn, 'few residents in Concord frequented the post
office more punctually or read the newspapers...more eagerly than
Thoreau'. What looks like a solitary life in the woods was nothing of
the kind. The woods themselves were sparser around Concord and Walden
than at any time before or since in the natural history of the area.
(That is why Emerson wanted Thoreau to plant new trees there.) Walden
Pond was not a wilderness, but a popular resort of the townspeople.
Thoreau did not really 'live' at Walden - more like camp out - and his
life was anything but solitary. He was continually in and out of town,
or receiving visitors at his cabin. Though on p.56 he slyly admits to
having 'dined out occasionally', in fact he ate regularly at other
people's houses in Concord in return for odd jobs. Walter Harding notes
that almost every Sunday dinner was shared with Emerson and his family,
and that on his way back from Concord to the Pond he would call in on
Edmund Hosmer, often staying for supper. Emerson's house was just over
a mile from Walden down Brister's Hill. With equal frequency Thoreau
would call in at the house of his mother and sister on Main St., a walk
of a mile and a half down the railroad tracks to Concord, to eat a meal
and get his washing and mending done, sometimes in return for odd jobs."
ReplyReply All Move...Spam

Nostalgia: 2005: Tales from Normal, Mn : "Milk Baby Milk"

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:26:00 -0600

Well all the dairy farmers in the midwest are getting ready-----ready to milk all the cows 24/7 since many,...most of their milking staff could be deported. In short the cost of milk could be going through the roof.

It has surely been a while since those dairy farms were a small family affair..no vacations etc all the very large milking machines changed that so it will be interesting to see all those aging baby boomers picking up the mantle. Stay tuned.

Nostalgia: 2014: Tales from Normal, Mn: FICTION : 450 new Craft Beers---No new jobs

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:46:00 -0600

Just got the tweet---from the economic development committee of Normal, Mn.---local pubs in Normal, Mn have added 450 new craft beers....but there are NO new jobs to report in this community....and this seems to be the norm in America...stay tuned.

Nostalgia: 2022: National Day of Fraud Repentence scheduled in Normal, Mn.: FICTION

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:35:00 -0600

A national Day of Fraud repentance will be celebrated on Sunday January 30,2022 in Normal, Minnesota. This will be a day long event held at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Because of the overwhelming interest in this event reservations are required. This event is principally designed for penitant corporate executives. Trained evangelical ministers will be available to hear your confession and prosecutors will also be available to suggest plea agreements. This is a special opportunity for corporate whistleblowers to invite their CEO's to attend this event. There is no admission charge and in fact the whistleblower with the largest fraud referral will receive a special prize

Nostalgia: 2006: "The Christmas Story"---a true Story

fre2observe@yahoo.com (The Evansville Observer) — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 13:25:00 -0500

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2006

"The Christmas Story"---a true story

Some years ago, I had the pleasure of being a computer salesman in a retail store. It was a cold and snowy Christmas Season, and as of December 15th, I had not seen the surge of Christmas Shoppers that I had expected. Then it happened.

One night right before closing, a young man entered the store and announced, " I am looking for a computer to give my child for Christmas."

"Alleluia," I silently exclaimed.

"Well " I said, "What are you looking for?"

" I want nothing but the best for my child," he replied.

So, I went and showed him the very best computer I had. I told him of the need for extra ram memory and also why a super resolution graphics card could be a big plus for him.

He was enthusiastic.

"I like what I see," he said. "I want the best."

I then went over monitors, and explained why a child might like a larger monitor so if several kids were playing at the computer, both could comfortably see the screen.

"I want the best," he exclaimed. "That high res. one looks best."

Then I happened to be playing a space rocket game and showed him how the high quality joy sticks worked and why they were expensive, but well worth it.

He tried his hand at the controls, and was impressed. " I want the best joy sticks you have."

I carefully wrapped all the equipment up and containing my excitement processed his Mastercard------it was approved. Bravo! It was the largest sale I had ever made. In my mind, I began ordering Chinese from the neighborhood restaurant for a special treat for the family.

Then I helped him load the equipment into his car.

"Merry Christmas," I exclaimed. "And by the way, how old is this lucky child of yours?"

"Two months," he said, "But he'll grown it. I want nothing but the best for my child. "