I spend some considerable amount of time in front of my computer for various reasons.  Sometimes I'm writing and other times I'm spouting off on political opinion boards. 

I don't do much playing of games although there is a "Texas Hold 'Em" play-money poker game that I am prone to engage in from time to time. 

When there's no real money involved, it's easy to build up to a million or so dollars.  But, by the same token, it's equally easy to lose it even faster. 

The aforementioned political opinion boards provide a place for a person to vent their built up passions over what is happening in government.  While hiding behind a screen name, writers can get mighty bold in their attacks on who they view as the opposition.

Some of the attacks are so insipid and slanted that they can't be considered anything but disgustingly laughable.  Strange how that kind always seems to come from the side with which I disagree. heh heh heh.

I have a little fun with a couple of screen names I use, one of which shows under my delightfully handsome picture (blushing... "awww shucks") accompanying this column. 

I use another one, Long John, to go along with the pirate theme.  All I have to do is throw in a few "Aaaaaarrrrrr's" and an occasional "avast there, matey" and I become a pirate just like my hero, Long John Silver, from the 1934 movie Treasure Island.

That movie is very special to me for a couple of reasons.  I read, and lived, the book several times when I was eight or nine years old and, for another reason, it was made in the year of my birth. 

I have viewed the Jackie Cooper-Wallace Beery-Lionel Barrymore film many times and enjoy it more each time.

Some of the folks with whom I have expressed my thoughts on the Internet have even taken to calling me "Cap'n" since a Texas man, who calls himself Bucky, started it. 

I must admit that I love it.  Good thing my wife hasn't caught on to it ... she'd demote me to 3rd mate or, worse yet, not-so-able-bodied seaman.

I won't mention here what side of the political "aisle" I tend to park my "bewtocks" on (although some of you may have guessed) but I'll admit to being outspoken with my opinions. 

I make it a point not to get political with this column however because I can't afford to lose any of my three readers.

I'll be wishin' alla yew swabs 'n' wenches a good day.  Aaaaaaarrrrrrr!