Every New Year, during the first week or so, I write the wrong year in the date. Some years it lasts longer. I know what the correct year is, but still, out of habit, write or type last year's two digits year instead. This happens to me after every New Year. DUH! Makes me wonder what the heck I will do when 2000 comes! Creatures of habit, we?

I have not talked about this personal shortcoming to anyone before. No one has talked to me about this either. So, at the risk of being presumptuous, I named it (to myself) "Rob Michaels post new years date affliction."

Does anyone else suffer from this?

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), December 31, 1998

Answers

We all do that, Rob... at least I hope you and I aren't the only ones who do.

-- Vic Parker (rdrunner@internetwork.net), December 31, 1998.

Thanks Vic, I feel better already! The really interesting thing about this is the 'habit' part. Makes me question about just how high a percentage of things we humans do on 'autopilot', and what the implications of this are, even in a Y2K context. This could get interesting.

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), December 31, 1998.

Rob - A sniglet for that common affliction is "Checkuary", defined as "the period of time after New Year's during which you write the wropng year on all your checks."

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.com), December 31, 1998.

In one of his series "Old Ways--New Ways," Robert Waldrop mentions a custom that becomes universally practiced in the new century: People refer to dates using all four numerals (1998, 1999, 2000, etc)out of respect for those who have died during the rollover crisis.

That really got to me, so I'm considering it as one of my new year's resolutions. I've always ignored the printed "19" on my checks and forms. My custom has been to write dd/mm/yy on the blank line. I intend to continue this practice but, from now on, I'll be writing dd/mm/yyyy.

My very best to you, my friends. May you and yours enjoy a happy and healthy 1999.

Hallyx

"May your happiest yesterdays be your saddest tomorrows"---Irish toast

-- Hallyx (Hallyx@aol.com), December 31, 1998.

Yes, I too suffer from this affliction. In addition, I have on a handful of occasions substituted 7 for the 9 in the decade part of year during the 90's. What the hell is up with that? LOL!

NO, to answer your question. No drug usage.

MoVe Immediate

-- MVI (vtoc@aol.com), December 31, 1998.

Rob, banks have long known not to be as picky about old check dates when the month was January than for other months. I think that next week the average teller will be more likely to hesitate over depositing a check dated "Mar. 4, 1998" than over one dated "Jan. 4, 1998".

-- No Spam Please (anon@ymous.com), December 31, 1998.

Maybe we should all roll our checkbooks back to 1972. Would the banks be Y2K compliant then?

Diane, yes, I boo-boo too with the hastily scribbled dates

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), January 01, 1999.

I've forgotten how to write a check! We don't use checks in Japan - all payments are electronic or cash, cash and more cash from banks of ATM machines in bank lobbies.

I'm glad I don't have the same memory problem as you... but at least you have two more years to get ready for 2000.

-- PNG (png@gol.com), January 01, 1999.

Me too Rob, must be a sign of age!

To PNG, don't they have something weird in Japan with regard to ATM card PIN numbers? Seem to recall it was a problem with the last VISA- sponsored winter Olymics!

later, Andy

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), January 01, 1999.

Andy: During the Nagano Olympics, the Japanese had to create a special network for foreign credit cards...with the usual problems any new network has. Foreign issued credit cards are only electronically/network accepted at specific hotels and businesses that cater to tourists or business travelers. They're a nightmare to use anywhere else. They must call for special approval for foreign issued cards and you have to display your passport etc. Japanese banks issue two credit cards: one for Japanese use and another for international use. Using a foreign issued card AND trying to get cash with it from a Japanese bank ATM is never normally allowed, so the Olympics were a special challenge...for the Japanese and the visitors.

-- PNG (png@gol.com), January 01, 1999.

Andy: This affliction is a sign of Age? Hmmm,....now that I think about it, I forget! LOL.

Anyone care to discuss the "creatures of habit" notion?

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), January 01, 1999.