Fun at work

I'm going through boxes of old software here at work, trying to document everything and weed out the usable software to the archive-it-because-we-can't-throw-anything-out software.

There is a lot of stuff that is just a little-to-old or not-part-of-the-policy (for example microsoft works programs). Then there is the stuff on 3.5" floppies that proudly state "now Win95 compatible" or "Mac OS 7 supported". I'm surely dating myself by knowing most of the programs on the 5.25" floppies for the Apple GSII or IMB/Tandy machines.

The piece of software that amused me the most:

"Golden Oldies" is on a 5.25" floppy that is IBM XT, PC, PC Jr, compatible: 128 k. (There isn't a program in the world right now that can even start up with 128k). It was published in 1979 (Hey, I was still in high school!) and contains four "Computer Software Classics". Like computers had been around long enough by 1979 to warrant a "classic collection". The four programs were Adventure, Eliza, Life and Pong.

I will say that Life is a great and cool program. Still, the whole concept of "classic computer games" in 1979 amuses me.

Comfort music...

People talk about "comfort foods", but I have "comfort music".

It's the music that I can sing along to, that makes me feel content and capable. Songs that remind me of home and all night pool or ping-pong or dart-ball tournaments. Of playing 500 rummy on the kitchen table after my dad came home from his 3 - 11 shift. Of vacations spent in cars and campgrounds.

That is old time country. Haggard and Jones and Wynette. Hank Locklin and Johnny Cash. Hank Snow and Loretta Lynn.

It's the music that I can sing a cappella, even if I can't sing. Songs that make me feel loved and part of a loving and extended family. Songs that remind me of sing-alongs in the backseat as we drove back from Plainfield after picking gallons of strawberries. Of working in the garden with my mom and brother.

Those are all those almost forgotten sing-along songs. Songs like "In the Good-old Summer Time", "Red River Valley", and "Working on the Railroad". And "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" or "Down By the Old Mill Stream". Songs my daughter knows, too, like "Oh, Playmate" and "Shine on Harvest Moon".

It's the music of my faith, that fills me full of wonder and peace. Songs that I sing when everything is falling apart around me and makes everything manageable. Songs that remind me that I'm not alone in the world. Songs that connect me to something bigger than anything here on Earth.

It's all those classic hymns that only get pulled out on special occasions now. Songs that I can sing every verse to, like “Amazing Grace” and “Rock of Ages”. Old negro spirituals like “There is a Balm in Gilead” and “Dry Bones”. Songs that give me focus, like “I Must Walk this Lonesome Valley” and “I Love to Tell the Story”.

I should fill my life with this music because it is good music – in that it makes me feel good and want to go and do good things. This music centers me and refreshes my soul. It’s music that affirms that it’s small, everyday good and loving things that life is about.