November 14,2023- There it was, mocking my best efforts to control its forays into my small coffers: Yet another unauthorized deduction from my account- with no goods or services offered in return. This time, though, yet another call went to the Fraud Department-and got a swift response. Essentially, the bank is tired of the elusive thief’s cat and mouse, no contact number, e-mail or website. The gig is up and the small, but irritating charges have been blocked and will not be allowed henceforth. Whoever it is, never bothered to even try to snooker me. He/she/they just glommed onto a legitimate start-up, which has since gone under-and stopped charging me, since she can’t provide her promised service. Not so the ghost outfit, who soldiered on, in the shadows, oblivious to my protests to the bank-until today. Deep breathing and thought won out.

Later in the day, a hurriedly prepared task was handed me, and its author headed out the door to a meeting. Predictably, when a key detail was left out, the program omitted any links to the next elements of the program. Those of us in the room were left using marker and white board to complete the tasks. I am fairly well-versed in technology, but navigation of a Chrome Book, with no mouse, still gives me fits-especially when a link just up and disappears-not even locatable on the bottom of the screen-which is the first place I look for an errant link. Somehow, with deep breathing, we got through a good part of the task, before an apologetic task writer came back in.

When all else fails, inhale, count to ten and exhale. Repeat 10x-no rinsing necessary.