Other having Sympatico/Usenet issues?

[Robatoy]

Not a feed in 4 days.. wondering WTF?

[jo4hn]

There is no cabal but we did take a vote to cut you off. Over developed sense of humor was the reason given. mahalo, anonymous

[WillR]

There was a problem. I called "tech Support". They acknowledged that=20 usenet would be slow to come back.

It cut out Friday noon last... Down 5 days...

Glacial is more like it.

--=20 Will R. Jewel Boxes and Wood Art

power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those=20 who have not got it.=94 George Bernard Shaw

[Robatoy]

*sigh*...I know, I know...I stopped taking my depressants against my vet's orders.

That does it... posters of my two super heroes, Marvin The Robot and Eeyore back on the wall.

From this day on; a dearth of mirth.

[Robatoy]

I got this really cool e-mail from them about this issue, to wit:

(condensed version):

We, at Bell, feel your pain. Our technicians are aware of the problem and you'll be back with your sawdust-making reprobate buddies before you can hook up a grease-nipple to your pogo stick.

... something like that.

[WillR]

You must move realllll slllooooowwwwwwww!!!!!!!!

--=20 Will R. Jewel Boxes and Wood Art

power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those=20 who have not got it.=94 George Bernard Shaw

[Robatoy]

[Randomly snipperized]

actual message: (names x'd out)

Hello Mr. Xxxxx,

You have reached Bell Internet Services, my name is Xxxxxx and I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

*****RRC:ebcppopdown,LID:carpeters*****

I understand you have been experiencing problems accessing different newsgroups recently.

We are currently experiencing Technical challenges with our newsgroup servers. Through extensive investigation, we are trying to isolate the cause of this problem.

A team of specialists is concentrating on enhancing the current system as well as optimizing its performance. We are confident that the situation will be corrected shortly.

We would like to thank you for your e-mail. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments you might have.

Thank you for choosing Bell and have a nice day.

Regards,

Xxxxx Electronic Customer Care Sympatico Member Services

[Buck Frobisher]

It's back now...

[jo4hn]

Did you mean Marvin the Martian? j4 (who thinks that Bugs is one of world's finest actors)

[Robatoy]

Bugs RULES! One of my all-time favourite scenes: Bugs is making up magical spells as this bat, flying behind him, keeps changing from beast to dragon to monster as Bugs is making up his own words like Abacadrosius, ...... just absolute silliness.

Not Marvin The Martian (although I have him on my key-chain). But Marvin The Depressed Robot (

) from Douglas Adams' Hitcher's Guide To The Galaxy.

[jo4hn]

I guess I forgot about that Marvin. Read the books but haven't seen any films since the BBC version in the early 80s. My favorite Bugs scene is the opening of Knight Must Fall where the camera pans down a line of knights in armor until it gets to the tips of two ears. Panning down reveals Bugs chomping on the last of a carrot. He looks about trying to decide what to do with the last of it (roach?) and ultimately steps on the spur of the knight next to him, which opens his backside. Bugs drops the remains in which starts the hoohaw. Great film. Should be up there with Casablanca and Kane. Maybe even Duck Soup. mahalo, jo4hn