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Expensive Addresses

    Hey, everyone. Let me start by thanking Steve for his comment on yesterday's post about the U.S. Open. Feel free to comment at any time.
    This evening I saw an article on Google News about the new policy for web addresses.  This stuff is not my forte but I find it very interesting. ICANN, the Internet Governing Corporation, has changed their policy about domain names. In the past they only issued 22 different suffixes. (Stuff like .com and .org) Now they are going to expand that to include nearly every word in every language. For instance, if I wanted to brag on a favorite character from one of my novels, I could have a site that ended with .Centaur.
    Here's the wild part. Some of these web addresses are going to cost a whopping $185,000. It is clear to me that there is a segment of society that has a level of wealth and privilege of which I have no comprehension. To have a business and be able to write something like this off as the cost of doing business is certainly impressive. Of course this is pocket change to companies like Toyota and GM. There are thousands of companies that spend more on toilet paper every month than $185,000.
    Still, let's put this thing in perspective. You are buying something mythical, in a way. It is an address, but there is no house there, no stone or brick or mortar. Nowhere to hang a shingle or to lay your weary head at night. There is no view of the Grand Canyon nor is there running water or bars on the windows. Yet, you can make money there, sometimes tons of money. You can receive mail, advertise, communicate with clients, express your opinion. The whole deal is fascinating, in a way.
     In the days of the Pony Express, the earliest postal service in America, there were riders that rode horses across deserts and mountains to deliver letters. This was in the 1860's, I think. What would Wyatt Earp have said if the postal service had told him, "Sir, you can have an address that ends in Wyatt.Earp.Tombstone if you pay us $185,000." Wyatt would have probably pulled that Peacemaker Colt and ventilated someone.
     By the way, was Tombstone one of the greatest movies of all time or what? Val Kilmer's portrayal of Doc Holliday was worthy of an Academy Award. I can't recall talking to any guy that didn't love that show.
     Speaking of expensive addresses, the NFL owners are supposed to meet on Tuesday and perhaps Wednesday, on the subject of approval of a new agreement. They are not due to vote, I don't think, but it is a step in that direction. Early word is that the owners who are a bit more hardcore about negotiations do not have the votes needed to prevent an agreement. To pass an agreement, 24 out of 32 owners have to vote Yes. I hope a deal gets done.
    Back on the subject of addresses, I used to deliver mail. It was one of the toughest and most aggravating jobs I've ever had.  If you think keeping one lady happy is tough, try pleasing 535.
    From the author's green retreat, I'm CE Wills.

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