My phone winks at me

I stare at that phone a dozen times a day, half-expecting it to stare right back. Maybe even wink and nod. But it is still, lifeless for the majority of it's existence- perhaps even siphoning my life away everytime I search and fixate on it's digital display.

I know my phone is an inanimate product of 1's and 0's, but given the amount of attention we focus on various other digital displays, you would think they would soon begin to talk; or at least acknowledge our existence the way we do theirs.

But electronics don't have emotions. They are silicone-based aliens, sucking our lives into themselves- offering no explanation for their silence, while we declare like a crazed lover that we cannot live without them!

Members of Congress get $4,000 Pay Raise

AP
updated 2:44 p.m. MT, Wed., Jan. 9, 2008

WASHINGTON -
Fortunately for members of Congress, their pay isn't tied to their approval ratings.
Lawmakers in 2008 will receive salaries of $169,300, a boost of $4,100 over the pay they have lived with since January 2006.
That 2.5 percent increase is mirrored by similar raises for associate justices of the Supreme Court, who will see their pay go from $203,000 to $208,100, and Chief Justice John Roberts, whose pay will rise to $217,400 from $212,100.

Veterans recieving disability compensation, like me, recieved a 2.3% cost of living adjustment for 2008. That is a $26 increase for me, compared to your $4,100 raise. Thanks congress!

Members of Congress get $4,000 Pay Raise

Veteran's Compensation Rate Tables

An undoing

Isn't this today like
any other?
Predictably impaired with
restless hands
idled by
restless thoughts
as you shoot in and out
out and in
like once before
and once again
we make amends
and allege that
we are the best of friends,
(so long as
we never talk again)

Mike Brande 1/8/08