The computer opened up windows to allow travels of the mind through time, history and worldwide events. It also opened up corridors for business to access those private domains of the ordinary citizen via telephone. I understand that it is a matter of money. Unless one pays for everything with cash, that precious private domain of the individual is up for grabs to the highest bidder. Business transactions by way of check usually allow access to a private phone number.

It is possible to limit the amount of personal information by registering with a government agency, requesting shelter from annoying phone calls. That program has lovely little loopholes permitting calls by charity and political organizations to continue on their merry little way toward one’s private domain, requesting donations of money or whatever one is willing to donate for a good cause.

I don’t know about you, but I do know that my phone was ringing nonstop during the last days of that last campaign, asking me for my vote. Breakfast, lunch and supper were no longer private affairs for family and friends. Not a single, solitary politician overlooked the opportunity to interrupt my mealtime.

With the election a thing of the past, it was possible to dream of uninterrupted gatherings of family and friends. Unfortunately, like most dreams, that dream remained only a dream. Those annoying phone calls keep on rolling along. Insurance companies, services of all kinds, real estate companies, and scam artists continue to call.

One example that comes to mind is DISH. That business competes for dollars in exchange for viewing pleasure. Years ago Media.Com, then operating under a different name, offered TV viewing free of advertisement for a small fee. Advertisement-free TV soon changed from advertisement-free to more variety of viewing. Eventually the system became dishonest and the competition via satellite offered more for less; more choices, less money. DISH offered a lot of stations, programs, and apparently worthwhile ways of spending time in front of what was once known as the "boob tube." It was reasonable and the service was good. Of course, since then the amount of money requested for the same amount of viewing pleasure has doubled. Unfortunately, the quality of programs did not keep up with the rise of the price.

What I found unique about DISH was the tenacity of the sales technique. In the beginning I tried very patiently to explain that I already had a Dish. I responded to their calls, requesting that I be taken off their call list. DISH didn’t miss a day. Breakfast, lunch and supper, I had, "This is Gerry from DISH." Sometimes there were variations: "This is Ann from DISH," and so forth. DISH apparently had more manpower to mount the phones than brainpower to take the cash cow off the list. I finally resigned myself to the practice of picking up the phone and quietly placing it back onto the receiver. Slamming it down would have been more rewarding, but it wasn’t good for the phone.

We talked about that at one of those volunteer functions where we all sat around the table, stuffed envelopes, and talked about life in general and the unashamed tenacity of business invading that treasured private space of people. It must have resonated with the person next to me, who suddenly blurted out, "This is Gerry from DISH!" It was a perfect imitation of the sound coming across the wire at my house at least three times a day. Business, we all agreed, is necessary. Business provides jobs for those of us who had the misfortune of not being born with silver spoons in our mouths. Business used to content itself with door-to-door salesmen. People found a way of dealing with that. They displayed on the door, signs stating, "NO PEDDLERS ALLOWED." Since English wasn’t my first language, it took me awhile to understand the meaning of the word PEDDLER.

Nowadays peddlers are a dying breed. Now the selling technique has been given a new name. It is called "marketing." It has gotten past that barred door, into the heart of the home where it peskily rings away, invading the privacy of friend and foe alike.

Marketing, once known as peddling, has also invaded the realm of cyberspace. I get countless offers, from prescription drugs to male enhancement items. Never mind that I’m female. I tried responding back one time via reverse e-mail. I received a message that told me that the originator of the e-mail on my computer was not available for response commentary. I thought about printing all those offers and sending them to the legal authorities who are supposed to defend my right to privacy. Then I realized that this too was an exercise in futility. I thought about taking a vacation from business by shutting off the phone and the computer and barring the door. That doesn’t work either. My family worries when I don’t answer the phone and don’t respond to my e-mail. Caller ID helps only when the person calling offers the name that goes with the number. It is a surprising realization just how many numbers have no names. That includes "Gerry from DISH."

In a way, Gerry from DISH reminds me of an old Western 30-minute drama. It was titled "Have Gun Will Travel." It had a bland little theme song while the screen displayed a business card with a chess piece known as the knight also known as Paladin. I often wonder what became of him. I suppose he disappeared forever into that western sunset. If I’m lucky, the same thing will happen to "Gerry from DISH"!!!