Not so computer savy
Another family related story I am afraid.

Imagine is 1978, my soon to be father (man wearing a desperately unfashionable maroon suit and shit brown shirt). Mid way through his computer science degree, he had to go and do some work experience. So, he got a placement and off he trotted to Marconi (it is 1979 remember) my old man is well in radios and he loves this place. And dutifully they think he is smashing too.

So buoyed up by this experience he invites his girlfriend (my soon to be mother) to come and have a look at his ‘work’ and meet the people his works with. All is going well mother is making all the right noises ohhh ahhh, what does that do? Etc…

For my dad the excitement is building he is going to show her the one. In the large open plan office/work area, new colleagues present, he points and says ‘this is the new computer it's a Motorola blah blah blah’. Mother was slightly confused but said nothing.

Later that evening in the pub Mother chatting with friends retelling the days events Mother explained that at his work they have a Motorola blah blah blah, it’s a funny looking rolly computer. Father now slightly confused - rolly computer? Yeah, you know the thing you showed me. Then realisation dawned on Father; Mother had been looking at the rolodex.
(Free pens 100, 101, 102 is still counting on, Thu 24 Sep 2009, 14:40, Reply)