"service improvement"

received this morning:

An email was sent to you that we have identified as containing a virus. Below find the details of the infected message: (details deleted)

To protect you from destructive Internet viruses, your Cox High Speed Internet service now includes a free anti-virus security enhancement. This security enhancement detects and prevents the delivery of most viruses transmitted via email so that your personal computers will not be harmed.

This is an auto-generated message. Please do not reply. If a known virus is detected the service will delete the entire email message and send a notification to you explaining the email has been removed. The email notification message will be sent from Cox Virus Monitor. Update: Starting in July, Cox will no longer be sending virus notification messages. This service improvement is based on customer feedback regarding messages of this nature and is part of our continuing efforts to provide the best security and overall customer experience. (emphasis added)

Apparently the antivirus service was launched in April. I've never gotten one of these messages before, but I'm a bit troubled at the idea that mail will be getting deleted in the future when this bot decides it's infected and I'll have no intimation whatsoever. *Not* telling me something is a "service improvement"?

Boston marriage

In the 19th century, this term was used for households where two women lived together, independent of any male support. Whether these were lesbian relationships -- in the sexual sense -- is debatable and debated. The likelihood is that some were, some weren't. Today, the term "Boston marriage" is sometimes used for lesbian relationships -- two women living together -- which are not sexual.

from about.com; see also this article on the excellent celebratefriendship site.

I came across this phrase many, many years ago, and was using it just this morning in (email) conversation and was struck by how apt it has now become. :-)

good joke

Funny stolen from ( kellinator )

the president and the journalist

Sourced to my chum blueinva ( Read more... )

yaaaawwnnnn!

Tired. Sunny, warm afternoon. Want to go lie in my hammock. Don't want to sit here trying to locate incomprehensible Chinese corporations.