Computer programs are like spouses. More than ten years later, and I still haven't gotten over my break-up with Lotus, Wordperfect and Quick Books. I loved those programs like a starter wife. I actually ran two businesses with those three programs for years. It was just that they didn't fit in the new commercial circles I found myself moving in as I moved up in life, if you know what I mean.

My new relationships with Quicken at home, and The Office Suite at work, don't quite match up with the intimacy I had with Wordperfect and Quick Books. I still dream of going back to my first loves, now that I'm retired. I could do anything with those helpmates.

Recently I met someone whom I've fallen in love with, however. She'x so sexy and efficient that she drives me up a wall sometimes, but like my first loves (personal and programs) she very "bendy!" you know. She's by a company I hadn't heard before, called Provenio, and her name is Say .... Say The Time. She's filled the hole in my life after I gave up my secretary and my last small business venture. She tells me everything I ever need to hear in order to stay centered on things. She's actually allowed me to set back my plans for a real life personal assistant until I can actually afford one again.

Anyone who's ever had a really good personal assistant, one who functions more like a partner than an employee will understand what I mean. This program is really something I had longed for for a long time. I had intended to write one, if I couldn't find one somewhere. Which brings me back to another touchy topic. Do you think someone out there was monitoring my searches on Google?