So, I'm out riding my bicycle around downtown Chicago this morning. I decide to pedal out to the end of Navy Pier to catch the lake breeze on this beautiful day.

I park my bike and sit on a bench watching the sailboats on the gentle waves.

Then, suddenly, a hush comes over the pier and all becomes silent and somber.

From nowhere an honor guard from Great Lakes Naval Base appears and proceeds to ring 21 ''bells."

The ''bells" are immediately followed by the Star spangled banner, blaring from the Pier's sound system, accompanied by a massive fireworks display.

In the distant sky appears the Naperville Lima Lima acrobatic air team - as their planes weave through complex air maneuvers the trailing smoke spells out: "for wills and testaments see . . ." before the lake breeze obsures the sky writing rendering it unintelligable.

I am confused by all of this but strangely, somehow, I have become overwhelmed by a strong sentiment concerning juris prudence for dead people.

So, befuddled and amazed by what I have just witnessed, I shrug it off and log on to PDA phonehome. Once I do the meaning of all that has just taken place is revealed.

Congrats Iprob8!! Welcome aboard matey!!

PS written while "sitting on a dock in the bay" (okay make that sitting on a pier in the lake) using transcriber on my i730