The future of technology is upon us. If companies do not invest in tomorrow's systems today they are doomed. High-Tech directories are littered with the names of businesses that are no longer trading. Hardware and software developers need to continually monitor the horizons of zones of interest and concern themselves with more significant issues than password security.
Compiling phrases such as 'What is the name of your ugliest child?' or 'How old were you when you stopped trying?' are for people who cannot see that their world will shortly evaporate.
The next generation of data processing will be based on new protocols currently under development. These Formalised Meta Languages will enable cross-platform seamless integration with all devices and media.
These will incorporate the Boner Wave effect to reduce the consumption of memory and power and thus diminish the global reliance on cobalt, a major component of batteries for high-drain electronic devices.
*
"You can't embarrass me."
'Oh dear', thought Phil. His girlfriend was challenging him; this was going to be awesome.
"You know that. You can't do it". They were in the local supermarket, doing their weekly chore shopping. Chantelle was extraordinarily gorgeous with a mane of glossy auburn hair flowing over her shoulders.
Always perfectly made up, dressed to kill even for a shopping trip. Heels, sprayed-on tight jeans and a T shirt casually off one shoulder to show a brightly coloured lacy bra strap meant that she attracted looks from men constantly. Damn, he was punching above his weight.
They approached the pharmacy counter and Phil braced himself. He was a software developer by training and like many of that industry was inclined to self-obsession and could be uncomfortable in public situations. However the rewards to be gained by meeting the trials set by Chantelle were substantial and physical and he was now coming out of his shell where he had spent his youth hiding.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment. Then loudly and confidently he announced deliberately for everyone around to hear "I think we're out of contraceptives. Which are your favourites?"
Damn, he'd embarrassed himself as the other customers in the aisle turned to stare. Phil could feel himself reddening.
Chantelle however was unfazed. "I've had enough of condoms, I don't like the taste; have they got any caps?" She spoke just as loudly.
"How about the spermicidal gel that you stick up inside yourself? You tried it once, you loved it." He couldn't admit defeat this early.
"Have you seen the price of it? I'm not paying that much for sex." Everyone within sight was looking at them now.
"OK, if you feel like that, We'll just go bare-back." He grinned to himself. Right smart-ass; top that.
"I'm not risking getting pregnant again, you'll just have to stick it up my ass." That was it, she had him beat. She always defeated him at this sort of thing.
Quietly he walked past the contraceptive display and picked up a tube of toothpaste, which was all they actually needed.
* * *
Spring was in the air and Phil was due some time off work. He headed the team of programmers at a tech company, which was now at full stretch with orders for his revolutionary product. This was a form of electronic computer memory known as Write-Only Memory that could write store data on a device to produce 'Eternally Inaccessible Storage' known as EIS.
Development of the product with the associated hardware had been a long tough haul for Phil. Though his work was at completion and the project had been handed over to Manufacturing and Sales departments, the inevitable bug reports and revision requests would soon roll in. In the meantime he anticipated a quiet couple of weeks before the shit-storm. Ever onward, the world of ICT never sat still, it would soon be time to devise another TLA.
The management suggested a weekend conference break combined with team-building exercises. Phil had no intention of spending more time than necessary with that bunch of neck-beards and swiftly booked some time off.
He thought that he had just the idea for a short holiday, "Chantelle, do you fancy going on a break?"
"Sure, any time. What have you in mind?"
"I dunno, a few days away. Nothing fancy, just a hotel break in the countryside. I'll get something booked."
Chantelle studied him. He was always trying to prank her, it was time to get one back over him. He obviously had a period of fornication planned -- not that there was anything wrong with that -- but she had learned that it paid to be careful and not take anything he said at face value.
He was good looking, now that she had dragged him somewhere decent for a modern haircut and organised his wardrobe. Unfortunately he knew it and was always checking to see how he looked whenever he passed a window or mirror. Six feet tall and muscular, a good square jaw. She loved to smooth her hands over his thighs and feel the skin rippling to her touch.
She also loved to see him blush and knew that he wasn't as confident as he liked to make out. At work he was surrounded by nerds and shaggy-haired introverts but his outward appearance belied his profession.
"So where are we going?"
He paused. "I'll let you know when we get there. It'll be a surprise."
'Here we go', she thought. 'Let's organise a surprise if he wants one...'
* * *
A week later and they were packed and getting into his car with their cases. "Are you telling me where we're going now?" Phil still hadn't announced where they were staying.
"No, wait until we arrive. I'll tell you when we get there"
"Well before we go, I have a surprise for you."
Phil stopped dead. Her surprises were usually devastating and he had made plans. "What do you mean?"
"We have to stop off first, a couple of streets away."
A feeling of dread came over him. He didn't want this trip ruined.