[This is the last "Ask the Geek" for 2007, since the Stratford Star (the newspaper that publishes it) is going to sleep for the holidays. I thought it would be fitting to end the year with a technology-related holiday poem. I hope you enjoy it.]

The tree and the presents all sparkled with light.
My hard drive clicked once, then spun down for the night.
The kids were in bed but I knew they weren’t sleeping.
My wife took a book to the bedroom for reading.

I sat in the dark of the room for a while.
Thinking back on the year I realized with a smile that
On one hand I’m glad that it’s come to an end.
My mind raced with thoughts of the time that I spend.

For all of the PCs, the programs, the thumb drives,
The CDs and keyboards – devices of all size,
The Microsoft Windows I both love and hate,
And open-source software that makes life so great,

The viruses worming their way to our data,
The spyware that slows our computers and wait! there’s the
Downloads and uploads and reloads and boat loads of
Junk in our mail like when dumpsters explode.

These are the things that I deal with each day and
I’ll bet you do too, in your own different way.
While the hustle and bustle of holiday seasons just
Adds to the noise all around, for what reason?

It’s nice that we’ve got all the toys and the gadgets,
But sometimes it’s nice to escape all the racket and
Climb into bed for a “long winter’s nap,”
Or at least a few hours away from all that.

To remember the warmth of the covers at night,
And the smiles on the faces of loved ones who might
Still be with us – and those of the ones who have passed,
Since nothing electric/organic will last.

Nothing’s more precious than these mindful moments,
Alone with our memories of those who mean most so
I hope you’ll indulge yourself to them with cheer, and
From my Geek to yours, have a peaceful New Year.

To all of my readers and clients, I hope all of you enjoy a warm and relaxing holiday season, no matter what you celebrate or who you celebrate it with. It’s been a long, tough year in our country, but it is finally creeping to an end. I’m looking forward to the cleansing “reboot” that the New Year will bring.

***

[Author’s Note: “Ask the Geek” is published weekly in the Stratford Star - the penultimate reading experience for residents of Stratford, Texas, population 1,920. It is posted on WritersCafe.net for posterity. Feel free to comment, but I can’t promise you’ll make the Star.]