(Continued from my previous post…and the post before that) I tried adding a cat, but Twospots didn’t like cats. At least it gave me another 4-letter password for the System 36, which we still used by the way. I could use “gone” or “dead.” I tried using “deadcat” but didn’t like it. It was too morbid!
When the passwords that required numbers came along, I changed Twospots, Threespots, and Fourspots names to 2Spots 3Spots, and 4Spots. It didn’t make any difference to them and they still came when called.
The real problem emerged with the password that had to be 9 characters in length, include at least 4 characters that were a number, two characters that were a symbol, and one capitalized letter. This was the last dog I ever got. I named her M944!2?28. She was a sweet dog but never did learn her name. And sad to say, she was never petted. Maybe it was because I couldn’t remember her name, and therefore never called her.
Fast forward to present time…I spend a lot of time at the computer trying to keep up with the barrage of User ID’s and passwords I use to log in and manage my accounts with credit card companies, utilities, on-line retail accounts, on-line bill paying, and my government retirement account.
And let’s not forget bank accounts. I have one bank account I know I have money in but can’t find out how much because I have not a clue what my User ID and password is. I opted for “paperless” banking and don’t get statements in the mail. Of course, I can print the statement out online but, you guessed it, I can’t get online. I think I’ll just write checks until I’m overdrawn and I bet they will use a $.44 stamp to send me a notice the “old fashioned way”…in the mail!
I even have to use a password for my toll-road EZ-Tag and to set up service for Jan’s car and my pick-up. Yep, one for Toyota and one for Ford! There are even two passwords and User ID’s to order Miss Lillie’s special diet for a diabetic dog. Jan has XM Radio in her car and I have Sirius Radio in my pick-up. You guessed it, two more passwords with their own unique rules.
And let’s not forget the social networks: YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Plaxo. They all have different User ID’s. We have a Netflix account so we can enjoy online movies in case we can’t find our AT&T User ID and password for our Uverse movie account. I even found one for the Houston Rodeo. What is that all about? And the list goes on…and on…and on!
I have decided against using dog’s names for passwords any more. I don’t want to exercise that many dogs. I’ve done a good job finding homes for the dogs and I am now down to two dogs – Miss Lillie and M944!2?28. Miss Lillie was the first, so she was a natural to stay, plus she and I enjoy eating chocolate chip cookies and Blue Bell Ice Cream together (don’t tell her Vet). I couldn’t break up a team like that! And I am happy to report that M944!2?28 will come running to me anytime I say a cuss word. She sure has been spending a lot of time in my lap lately as I rant and rave about having to maneuver through 139 User ID’s and passwords!
Isn’t life more fun when we simply look for the humor in it?
THE END! Finally!!
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Jim Bob, congratulations are in order that you are abandoning dogs’ names for passwords in the future.
I have no comfort in the two incongruous names remaining. They are about as compatible as a tent city and The Louvre. If you can abide it, and insist on keeping, M944!?28′s name intact, surely you could alter Miss Lillie’s somewhat–like, misslilliepute.carbine!special. They can handle name changes for you down to the courthouse for a fee. Should a wave of common sense rush through, why not simply change their names to “Mutt and Jeff,” and I’m dead sure certain that Miss Lillie will opt for the “Jeff” moniker!
Don, Miss Lillie said to mind your own business! She doesn’t want you messing with the deal she’s got!
Jim Bob, thank you for reminding us of how simple and uncomplicated our lives were before computers and all the rest that require Passwords. I am like you as I have probably 40 or so to keep up with and I think that I will use some of the names that you have used in the past to make them simpler to remember. My kids remind me that I am older when I tell a story of how it was when we worked for 50 cents per hour that was in the Dark Ages.
Keep the bright optimistic outlook on life and thanks for sharing and,
GOD BLESS You
Roy, Thanks for the comment. Your kids are probably right but I just can’t pass up the opportunity to let the younger generation know, in a humorous way, that we are trying hard – just have patience with us! Can’t wait to hear what their kids will tell them.