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This entry is dedicated to Pussinboots.

From my early days I had an affection for Rocky the Flying Squirrel and Bullwinkle cartoons but never thought as squirrels being on an endangered species or even being persecuted in any particular way.

Until today.

My workday started off on a gloomy note. Upon entering the AAA Call Center calltaker Carol told me to turn around and go home. This is news to no one who works at my place. That's just a basic survival instinct.

Her next words would freeze the blood in my veins then set them to a boil and and spasms were induced.

"The phone lines and computers are down."

Traditionally when this happens if a call hasn't been saved in the computer we have an irate motorist within two hours wondering why we don't know what they are talking about when they say they called in for a tow where are you??!!

I go to dispatch and confirm the end of the worldis indeed upon us and just deal. First shift sympathizers getting to leave in the next two hours--hmmph.

I go outside to break the news to Bob who's chattting with Shaun the fleet driver and smoking. He's not thrilled either but not as evil about it the last time it happened.

Even better it's the quiet part of the afternoon and we have only about 13 calls on board.

The shift starts and Manager Doug announces the problem is being looked into and we should be back up in about two hours.

Ten minutes later the problem has been narrowed down fromDayton to Columbus and they believe it an optic line in Vandalia.

Another 20 minutes the cause is identified as a workman who cut a line before calling in to check if THAT was the proper line to be working on. Figures.

A few minutes later the phones are back up and the line fixed and cleanup goes very smoothly.

It is then the persecution of squirrels begins. It's reported that a squirrel had chewed the line.

Slander--oh shameful slander. Rather then stick to the imcomptence of an overtrained rule breaking lineman zipping thru his work orders an innocent rodent is made culpable of putting hundreds of thousand dollars of software and phone out of commission with the judicial use of a pair of molars and a hearty attitude. I say thee NAY. An obvious attempt by workers unions to avoid responsibility and fines and reprisals. What has this country done that we point the fingers at a harmless productive member of the animal kingdom.. After all their tails make them cute unlike those MICE. I sense a plot. I read Animal Farm. And I know where the conspiracy people hang out.

Did I mention McCane was in town tonight to give a speech tomorrow at Wright State University? Se see at the highest levels.

I'm not really losing it people just wanted a fun warm up blog before we review the events of the past couple of interesting weeks of life in a rut and Litnet changes.