Toyota Tacoma 'unintended acceleration'

Something happened with our 2006 Toyota Tacoma while meeting friends for brunch. There was a instant of "unintended acceleration." Sort of like a ghost in the machine. At issue is the lack of physical connection between the foot feed and the throttle. Did you know that that has been computerized now? I'm going to state for the record that the "drive-by-wire" system is a BAD IDEA!!!! A moment of sheer panic and fear when the truck was out of control........

Beth was nearly plowing into parked cars attempting to stop the forward motion of the truck! With her foot firmly on the brake, the truck's engine continued to race and the tires dug into the pavement. With only a second to react, she put the vehicle in park and avoided an accident. We can only be grateful there were no injuries - THIS time!


After towing the vehicle to the dealership and having it checked out with the diagnostic computer, the results were as expected (please see article from MotorTrend below). There is nothing the dealership, the manufacturer, or the government can do for us.

We must trade-in this nearly new truck as soon as possible! We cannot trust that it will not happen again. We have experienced a huge financial blow with this situation......but are grateful no one has been hurt.


From MotorTrend:

Recently a wave of owner complaints drove the NHTSA to investigate 2004 - 2008 Toyota Tacoma pickups over a possible problem with sudden, unintended acceleration. All along, the automaker has insisted that, despite hearing of over 431 separate incidents, nothing is mechanically wrong with its truck, and now federal regulators are backing it up -- closing the inquiry, NHTSA says it cannot find a cause for the issue and concludes the acceleration must be from driver error. NOT SO! WE FIND THIS OFFENSIVE! AND IRRESPONSIBLE!

Previously, one Tacoma owner had petitioned NHTSA to look into the Tacoma problems, citing 33 total complaints from fellow drivers. Toyota also admitted it had gotten many more reports of the same issue, including 51 crashes and 12 injuries, OH, THOSE POOR PEOPLE!

while over the past couple years only a few other incidents of sudden acceleration were reported on all other pickup models sold in the U.S. combined. The agency launched an investigation into 775,000 Tacomas built since 2004, but is now concluding no specific defect was behind the problem. Toyota's own examination of the problem found most of the complaints dealt with minor engine-speed changes, which have no impact on the trucks' safety, and that many owners became nervous because of widespread publicity over the issue. That said, the Detroit Free Press previously noted the majority of sudden acceleration reports came before it gained any coverage in the media.

At issue is the Tacoma's drive-by-wire system, which uses a computer to replace the physical connection between the gas pedal and engine throttle. While some owners believe this system is unreliable, Toyota insists it includes a feature that will report an error if the accelerator and throttle ever become mismatched, and so far no Tacoma inspected by technicians or dealers has recorded a problem. THERE WAS NO PROOF - BUT IT WAS REAL!

Now that the NHTSA has ruled the Tacoma to be safe, however, Toyota can turn to more pressing issues like its reduced 2009 sales outlook instead.

From: Detroit Free Press

After 33 different complaints, the NHTSA has launched an investigation into possible sudden acceleration problems on 2006-07 Tacoma pickups. In one such incident Frank Visconi, a retired vehicle theft investigator, was on his way to a Toyota dealer to have his new Tacoma examined for sudden acceleration issues he had been experiencing. As he ran up on another car he tapped the brakes, but instead of slowing down Visconi claims the truck's engine revved suddenly. He lost control of the vehicle and jumped an embankment, causing the Tacoma to roll several times before finally coming to a stop. Miraculously, Visconi was able to walk away from the incident unhurt.

Before this incident Visconi had sent several letters to Toyota chronicling instances where his Tacoma accelerated without warning, but the automaker denied finding any mechanical problems with their truck. The NHTSA has typically ruled that sudden acceleration issues are the result of driver error, but after retired journalist William Kronholm petitioned the agency, it decided to open an investigation.
The owner of a 2006 Tacoma, Kronholm claims his truck had two separate incidents of sudden acceleration in just two hours. He then discovered that compared to the number of complaints about the Tacoma, only four other incidents of sudden acceleration were reported over the same period on all other pickup models combined. The NHTSA investigation has just begun, and if the agency were to suggest a recall it would not happen for some time. For its part Toyota continues to insist their truck is mechanically sound.
Having already been forced to extend warranty coverage for rust on older Tacomas, this could potentially be a damaging blow to Toyota's reputation for quality if proven to be an issue. Hopefully the true cause of the problem will be determined soon, whatever it may be.

Shopping with 87 year olds.....Christmas 2008

Margaret and Bill Wimber (Beth's parents)......did not know how to use electric carts....never wanted to seem like they needed to......never had Beth there to show them how......would have said that surely others needed the carts more than they did......

Any doubts as to why this generation was called "The Greatest Generation"? Americans that do for themselves, and don't ask others for much, and when they must....they feel just a tad guilty for it?

So....here they are over the weekend....age 87....able to shop together for gifts, able to take their time and take it easy on their feet and knees......

Contrast this with the last trip to Wal-Mart!

December

Wal-Mart.....Wichita Kansas.....Christmas 2008

We were in the checkout line, Beth and I, with my cart first. I scanned my receipt and noticed that the cashier had double-charged me for an expensive item. I brought it to her attention, but since the sale was complete and she was already working on Beth's purchases, she told me I would have to go to customer service for a refund. I lifted up onto my tip-toes and looked at the customer service counter. The line stretched out into the aisle. sigh. So I went to stand in line, practicing yoga breathing and mountain pose. I was calm.....it was no big deal.....the line was moving. A sight-impaired young woman was in line with her beautiful golden service dog. She asked the customer service rep for a cart and the rep promised to call up front and get her one. Meanwhile, everyone was petting the service dog. The line moved on. The sight-impaired gal sat down and waited patiently, as did her dog.

I received my refund, and walked to the front of the store. The sight-impaired lady was still waiting. A male staff member (standing guard? or just standing?) said "have a good day" as we exited, and right then, I stopped and said "did you know that there is a sight-impaired woman waiting for an electric cart? And she has been waiting for awhile now?". He said, "No, customer service will take care of it."

A few feet away, we saw three overweight women fighting (verbally) over the electric carts. Voices were raised and the the "Welcome to Wal-Mart" lady was trying to keep the peace. We asked her: "did you know that there is a sight-impaired woman waiting for one of these carts? And she has been waiting for awhile?" The 'Welcome to Wal-Mart" cart lady said that no one from customer service had told her anything about reserving a cart.

Meanwhile, the fight over the three available carts raged on.

sigh.

hot yoga in Denver

I was in the mile high city of Denver on a business trip last week. On the second day, I was able to leave the Colorado Convention Center early and I quickly walked to my hotel room three blocks away. I changed into my yoga clothes and immediately left the hotel again. I was headed ten blocks in the other direction, past the Capitol building, past the bank skyscrapers, and away from the downtown hotels. I had located a yoga studio on the web before I left Wichita and with my miniature map, I found the location with no trouble at all.

The two young women behind the counter looked up expectantly when I entered the lobby. I asked when the next class started and the one on the left said "in 5 minutes". I said I didn't think I had time to fill out the required release forms and she agreed, letting me simply print and sign my name on the form. As I turned away, she said "It's a heated room you know" and I said, yes, I knew (but I wasn't sure which of the classes I had arrived for, there are several different classes each day at this studio......it turned out to be the hot yoga class).

Entering the studio I was greeted by a blast of hot air. The room, already crowded, still had spaces in the middle. The front row was full of young supple bodies. These yogi's stared at their reflections in a mirror no more than two or three inches in front of them as they "warmed up". Those in the back row and around the edges of the room were supine -relaxing in various yoga positions as they prepared for their class.

The instructor entered, did not state her name, and we were off and running! She cranked up the music using a remote she carried around with her, changing the tempo or style whenever she felt like it, and started to belt out the sanskrit names of the poses (I was pleased that she pronounced them correctly). I barely had time to think "where's my warm up?" but you know - that WAS the warm up! Well, of course it wasn't long before we all started sweating profusely. I closed my eyes and made a small request that I not faint, throw up or do anything embarrassing during this class.

As it turned out, I didn't need to worry. Plenty of students paused at least once, and some left the room to cool themselves (or whatever they did outside the door). I noticed the class drinking water, using towels, and taking child's pose whenever they felt like it so I relaxed, kept moving and kept sweating. I felt pretty strong and was fine all the way through. I was introduced to one new variation of Warrior 3 and we did some great abdominal work toward the end - she had the class moaning out loud by this time. Some of the things the instructor said during final relaxation were funny to me - but hey, you slip in yogic philosophy whenever and however you can - even in downtown Denver. :)

As I left, as drenched as I would be if I had been standing in the rain for an hour, I had this feeling of lightness - especially in my legs. I walked partway back to my hotel, about 5 blocks. The weather was unseasonably warm (52 I think), and the light breeze felt great. I grabbed the 16th Street Mall Shuttle for the rest of the journey- to one of the best showers I've ever had.

"Hot yoga" in Denver in November was a unique, memorable, and satisfying experience for this 47+ year old yogi. Namaste to all who seek the wide and wonderful world of yoga - wherever they may be.

William J. H. Boetcker quote:

You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatreds.
You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.


William J. H. Boetcker, 1916

Yoga Teacher Training

Every other Saturday and soon to be EVERY Saturday, I've been in yoga teacher training.

Here are my friends and fellow teacher trainee's. We are halfway through the first of two modules.

Hi Rhonda, Debbie, Kasey, Brad and the divine (and supine) Letty!

More balloons! :)

Note: the spider is on one of the buildings at the Bergman's corn maze near Haysville.

What a beautiful morning for flying!

My town has a forum!

http://douglasandmain.wordpress.com/about/

Kirtan

I always meant to join a kirtan (chanting), just for the experience -I've been on an e-mail list for quite some time, but for some reason it never happened......until Friday, October 10th. I made plans to go to Riverview Retreat and participate in the kirtan at 7:30. In 47 years of living in Wichita, I had never been to this neighborhood, near 53rd Street North and Arkansas, where the houses are backed right up to the river.

Things hit a snag at work and I ended up staying at the office until 7:05. Beth came to get me. Now since the office is at 21st and Woodlawn, I took a deep breath and told her that we needed to be there on time. If we had trouble finding the place after dark or we arrived very late, it would be a sign that tonight was not the night for this new experience.....

We found the house with four minutes to spare and I went up to the door to make sure we were in the right spot (there are private residences in the area, as a matter-of-fact, the entrance says "private drive" -so it's not well marked). A woman wearing all black with a nose piercing answered the door, introduced herself and made us aware of the cushions and chairs available for our use. We settled in, taking note of our surroundings, a once fine and grand main house now used for various activities other than kirtan, like massage, silent retreats, potlucks and drumming (the drum in the living room is as big as my dining room table, and the fireplace, as big as my living room). http://riverviewretreat.com/images/DSC03140-web.jpg
The carpet was a 70's shade of chocolate brown, the decor somewhat Native American (besides the drum) and near the chairs there was a big stack of white pillows to use for sitting.

The facilitator was in front of the fireplace, surrounded by his instruments, amplifier and mike and laptop. He intended to display the PowerPoint of the chants on the TV screen but the connections were not working. So we used the old-fashioned way, everyone was handed a sheet of paper with the words to the chants. We started with OM, it always tickles when multiple people join together in voicing the vibration of this word. Or tingles. I was pleased to see that I knew several chants (from CD's that I use for yoga, or workshops that I've been to) and the 2 hours (!) flew by like 15 minutes. Chanting is a vocal meditation.....you simply cannot worry about bills, or spreadsheets, or yardwork, or retirement when you are singing in a group - no matter what the song is.....you just "sing what you feel, and feel what you sing". Other than the sweet-ish smell of pot wafting in the partially open windows about 20 minutes in (I guess massage comes with extras at Riverview, grin) all was well for the duration. I did get a scratchy throat toward the end- not used to using it for that long I suppose, and there is a lingering hint of cigarette smoke in the building. I realize how chanting or singing can increase one's breath capacity and control. My singing career ended in oh, about the 6th grade - with "Do you love me Schroeder" from a stage production of Lucy and Charlie Brown.

All in all an interesting, not too "woo-woo" and very gentle experience.

Greece 2008

23 Sept 2008

After only around 4 hours of sleep -we hiked and climbed and made it to the top of the ruins in Athens. Took the E95 bus to the plaka...a center area with gardens and ruins and of course the Acropolis. Took some great pictures, and heard 6 languages-not counting English. By the end of the day we were experts at riding the buses. And at finding WC's (water closets).

















24 Sept 2008

Our Olympic Air flight left very early in the morning and we stopped at one small airport before arriving at the island of Lesvos. Our driver was waiting and then.......a harrowing speed-demon, passing on hills and in no passing zones, accelerating around pedestrians, all the while talking and waving his hands.....you can tell that Jorhos (George) loves his taxi job! God! The retreat site is beautiful, on the lushest and most abundant side of the island. Pomegranites, pears, figs, apples, oleander, vanilla, roses, just beautiful. Our first practice was the night we arrived, not having our bodies quite on Greece time yet, the teacher (Barbara Voinar) led a very restorative class, plenty of breathing and time to think about the place we were in (disconnect from the distance we travelled, she told us). Dinner...........my, oh my, it will take an entire e-mail to describe it.........Zucchini blossoms stuffed with cheese, thin eggplant baked w/spices, potato and garlic, fresh yogurt w/honey and walnuts, fruit, a wonderful lentil spread on the hard crust bread. We went to bed so full and so tired. Our 'apartment' is merely a cabin with windows on four sides, so the airflow is amazing. Our own small kichenette area and bathroom. Some of the other 19 participants are in gypsy cabins and share a bathroom and common kitchen area. The owners are from Germany - Ursula and Ireni (who spend winters back home in Frankfurt). They love plants and trees, the place is a riot of growth and gardens, including the rock gardens/labyrinth/stonework.

























25 Sept - 27 Sept 2008

The town of Molyvos is terraced - from a castle high on a hill down to the sea. We climbed up the narrow cobbled streets, past shops and homes, dodging cats, scooters and cars -the drivers in Greece are legendary for their daring and speed. Some touristy stuff/junk but also tucked in among the shops, you can find great treasure. For E 6.10 I bought a small beautiful sculpture made of alabaster. Took our time looking out over the land, the red tile roofs and the sea below. We purchased gifts and Coke (in 7 oz glass bottles) and pita chips at a spot next to the Agean. After a short rain shower, we found two lawn/sun chairs by the water (E 2.50 for the day), and spent several hours hunting rocks, reading and napping. Part of the beach is topless, part is not. I had my first alcohol in Greece, not Ouzo, but a draft beer called Mythos (like the character in Highlander -the oldest of the immortal).




















28 Sept 2008

Efftalou - thermal springs......it was nearly dusk when the four taxi's dropped our group next to a crashing sea, the salt spray a fine mist of scent and feeling. Cold -but refreshing at first! I thought he was dumping us in the middle of nowhere.....yet tucked among the rocks is a domed concrete structure that is over 500 years old. Inside, the public bath.......our group had reserved it for this evening. With everyone already in suits and water shoes, we were encouraged to first take a cold shower (outside a small doorway was a showerhead....just open to the sea and the rocks, on a concrete platform, with a on/off handle) before entering the hot water. Oh my--- the sensation of being so vulnerable to the elements, and cold, really exposed! Then, back through the small doorway and down...down....down.....stone steps, ducking our heads and passing through an iron gate to see a square stone depression full of hot water that smelled like a volcano (which it is).......and hot! Oh my, very very hot. Pebbles and rocks covered the bottom, you could get all in or sit around the ledge with just your feet/legs in the water. We sang, we soaked, our voices echoed up to the small square openings in the roof of the "building". Then some awkwardness as we all figured out the best way to dress for dinner (there is only one wooden screen, and there were 16 people) then thankfully some cooperation as we held towels for each other. Barbara had told us the story of two rooms this week, both with a beautiful table, an abundant feast....but only one utensil - a spoon so long that you could not reach your mouth with the end......one room was complaining and spilling food and not happy with their circumstances, but the other room.....well, they were feeding each other and sharing and having a wonderful time. It's our interconnectedness and our perspective that is the secret to happiness. Dinner next to the sea - our first meal out in Greece, fresh Dorado and tuna, octopus in a wonderful red sauce (just one bite, but yum!). Wine and cats (yes, cats roam around everywhere, even next to your table at dinner). Taxi's back - a sound sleep like never before in my life.

no birds.......

I take a walk around the neighborhood near my office on as many consecutive days as I can during the workweek. I try to get up from my desk and take a short mile and a quarter walk at around 10:30 a.m. (in all kinds of weather). If it isn't raining and the winds are calm, it's a very quiet neighborhood. If the mowers aren't in the condo complex right up the street- Monday is their day- it's a beautiful nature walk. In this area, most residents are at work when I walk so there are hardly any animals, or people, or vehicles to contend with.

Today being a Monday in September (still grass-growing season), the mowers & trimmers were out in full force. But - what I noticed most of all during this mindfulness walk was that there were no birds. Yes, the city is nearby, traffic, sirens and back-up beepers can be faintly heard while I concentrate on my steps and my breath. These urban threads of sound fade easily into the background. Yes, it's Indian Summer in the midwest and so the drone of insects in the grass and late season locusts in the cottonwoods are still an undercurrent of sound to accompany my footfalls, but where were the birds?

Usually on this mindfulness walk I can hear all kinds of birds, far away, close by, making a sound with their throats, chattering in the trees, honking or chirping at each other, or I just hear the beating of their wings as they fly by and around the roofs and treetops....but today, September 15th, there wasn't one single bird in the sky, in the trees, or in the yards. That seems very strange to me. Is it migration morning? Are the crows coming early this year? I only noticed because of the lack.....

Where are the birds?

old people fall and break bones......

Monday, September 1
on Labor Day, just as we finished dropping our friends off at the airport for their respective flights, Daddy Bill fell off of the front porch and broke his right hip. We arrived just as the ambulance did. The porch sits above the driveway, two steep steps up. The trash bin had been rolled up next to the porch for easy access. There is no need to go down the steps to toss a plastic bag of trash into the bin. Daddy Bill reached out to move the bin closer, then made the decision to step down one step. He never made it....he fell all the way to the driveway.

Wednesday, September 3
Bill is in surgery today to repair his hip. I understand from talking to others who have had this experience that this is very, very serious....not the broken bone(s), not the hospitalization, not even the surgery, but the chances at a full recovery without major complications are slim...... Daddy Bill is 87 years old.

Friday, September 5
Bethie off work again today, she hasn't been at work since August 23rd. She was filling out the FMLA paperwork as I left this morning, page after page of it that must be signed by Bill's doctor. Bill is moving to a Wesley rehab facility at 13th and Ridge/Tyler as I write this. He should be in rehab about 20 days, which means we will leave for Greece before he gets out. There is much to do to prepare the house for his return -especially on the outside. The stairs have got to go, or be covered up. The bathrooms (already somewhat ready for handicapped) will need additional retro-fitting. There is the matter of getting him back and forth to additional rehab after he returns home. Seems overwhelming right about now.

One week later:
The rehab facility may release Bill to come home for four hours on Sunday the 14th. There is a checklist of tasks he will have to accomplish when home. Of course, getting him IN the house is our challenge - we are not ready yet. We spent the last two days looking for a handyman or carpenter to assist us with porch modifications. Beth is meeting with someone who might help us at 3:30 this afternoon. Hope it isn't raining, but probably will be. Hurricane Ike may dump 10+ inches of rain on Wichita over the next 3 days - - so tonight we will attempt to frame out the steps to the front porch ourselves -with or without help, in the rain if necessary. We both work for the next two days, so time is running short to get it done by Sunday. A Department of Aging representative met with the Wimbers at Euclid on Thursday and toured the home. She explained what needed to be done to the house (specifically the bathrooms). The Wimber's are eligible for assistance, but there is a deductible that has to be paid by the homeowner(s). Basically we need to ditch the bathroom doors (replacing them with pocket doors), stabilize and cut one tub, and there is something called a transfer bench we may have to purchase for the master bath.

Saturday, September 13
The rented ramp is in place. The transfer bench is ready. We are installing the grab bars today. I had to kid Bethie that she put the mirror in our hallway too low for me to see the top of my head, I can only see my nose....so I reminded her to raise the grab bar on the front porch HIGHER! grin.

The careful assistant......a made-up story.....or is it?

Imagine a park, with a forest of trees and a river running through it. The forest is open to the public but doesn't get much traffic.

Imagine a park ranger, and her careful assistant (CA) working together for years....managing the park, keeping the trash picked up, monitoring for fires, and generally enjoying life.

The park becomes more popular and special new rules allow float trips on the river. CA is assigned the job. The park buys rafts, life vests, paddles, coolers and all the gear they need to start managing float trips. The park hires expert guides to ride in the rafts with the customers. CA learns how to give safety instructions, assign gear, load the boats with customers, and then starts organizing the float trips at the launch site near the forest. She gets everyone settled and sends them down the river with their expert guides before turning her attention to the next group waiting in line.

It's late summer and the forest is dry.

Several campers are in the forest and they are being closely watched by the park ranger.

One day, the ranger notices fire - and sends CA into the forest to investigate. "You make sure that the fires are small and pose no problem" the park ranger tells her.

So off into the forest goes CA, and when she gets there, the campers start shouting at her to leave them alone. So she backs away. But she is nervous.....she smells smoke. Yes, the fires she can see are small and pose no threat, but she is reluctant to leave.....what if a bigger fire is just down the path? But.....the park ranger said to check, and that's what she did, and since there seemed to be no immediate danger.......CA goes back to the river.

Customers are still lining up ready to go on their float trip and that keeps the CA busy for awhile.

The next day, the park ranger comes over and tells CA that there was some trash blowing out of the forest this morning, and to get over there and make sure the trash is picked up.

So off into the forest goes CA, and when she gets there, she sees that the campers have youngsters. Now the youngsters have been told to keep the trash picked up and to watch the fires, but they are inexperienced. When CA explains that blowing trash gets into the river, and small fires can become big ones, the camper parents get mad and chase her out of the forest -calling her names. They scream that they are responsible, and it's under control.....so just leave them alone.

I wonder what CA can do about the campers and still keep the float trips running smoothly?

Is the park ranger willing to step in?

my job consumes me..........

My job consumes me at this point in my life. But it is only one spoke.

The spokes:

Spiritual, social, career, family, education, finances, health.

The time management seminar I attended was more like a yoga class! Maybe I hear the yoga in everyday speech, I don't know.

Anyway, the talk at the end of the seminar was about the seven spokes to our wheels (life)- better keep them in balance!

Time Flies.....

My intent was to blog at least once every month, where did March and April and now May go? Here's a short summary:

I'll be back with more in June.................

May: 11.6 inches of rain in Wichita in a single month, shattering the old record set back in 1935. My first vacation (camping trip to Marion over Memorial Day) since last October.

April: The earliest this or any other camper of ours has been out, Friday April 4th. Brrrrr. Again -we head out two weeks later for a sunburn at Afton.

March: The job consumes me, day after day, week after week. I was promoted to a position responsible for implementing new accounting software........and my life changed almost instantly. We hire several new accountants to handle the flood of new companies and one of them used to be my boss back at Bank IV.

My Hot Tub

Six years ago, we bought a hot tub. We noticed the vendor in a corner of the Sport, Boat, and Travel Show one weekend and stopped by to check out his product. What was interesting about this hot tub (a SoftTub), was that, unlike conventional hot tubs with powerful heating elements and the need for 220 wiring, the SoftTub brand plugs right into a normal outlet and uses an electric motor to heat the water. It's the inefficiency of the motor heating up during use as it pumps water through the tubes that creates the desired temperature.

After some consideration, a bit of haggling, and some creative cash movement, we purchased the tub. It fit perfectly inside of the "pool room" (once home to a Valley brand, bar-weary, coin-operated pool table) and we enjoyed it year-round every year.

At Christmas, the circuit board (mainly the thermostat part) faulted, and the tub would only heat to 90 degrees before shutting off. We located a dealer-authorized repair specialist in Tulsa, Oklahoma who agreed to not only repair the electronics (his best guess was the too-often power outages from Kansas' many storms might have weakened the GFI and delicate circuitry of the tub), but to order and install a brand new liner as well. The liner was not torn or discolored in any way but it did have a ring of harder, puffier material that had, over time, been chemically damaged right at or near the water line.

We got up very early one Sunday, loaded the tub in the Toyota and headed to Tulsa. Another great feature of the SoftTub is it's portablity. Once empty, the motor detached, the tub rolls like a big hula hoop. It doesn't weigh much at all.

So off we go. We leave our tub with Calvin, and head to the casino for some gambling. We returned about 4 hours later to pick up the tub, pay Calvin and head home.

All is well and we are happy tubbing - a welcome respite from the cold Kansas winter we are having this year.

The story of a virus attack.....

At home, on the Saturday morning before Christmas, I logged on to MySpace. My nephew had tried to add me as a friend the night before. Nothing new there so I logged off. I checked e-mail at work and just as I was replying to a budgeting question, all hell broke loose on the home computer. We were attacked by a virus so malicious that it:

1. Disabled the 'current' virus protection (PC-cillin14) and deleted the built-in recovery points (a tool which is there in case you want to go back to 'before" an incident).
2. Accessed, downloaded, opened and/or stored a Trojan download virus that kept going out to the Internet to download more viruses- you should have seen the boxes that were popping up on the screen over and over and over again......
3. Locked up the computer.

Within the next 24 hours, as the attempt to fight back continued, this attack completely shut us down - the operating system shut down to prevent damage, and the computer wouldn't even boot in Safe Mode. This was brutal.

After a complete re-formatting of the computer hard drive(s), the operating system was re-installed and the home computer is back up and operational. Luckily, we had a zip drive and had important data backed up.....so other than the time to re-install various software and drivers.....the important stuff was safe. New Year's Eve was spent re-installing drivers and virus protection, recovering data from the zip drive and installing the connection to e-mail from the service provider.

Since we have a robust firewall at our office, and MySpace was the only site I was at on Saturday morning, and we have had viruses from MySpace at least once before that were discovered and quarantined by our software...... but took significant time and effort to identify, clean up, and quarantine, I am assuming that this attack came from MySpace.

In conclusion: I wish the people well who create and use these damaging viruses and hope that they can find an outlet for their talents that would benefit society and not harm others in the future.

Reminder: Please back up your data: music, e-mail, pictures, and other important files into a safe place (maybe an external drive would be worth the money).....even to CD's if they are precious to you.