After I got out of college, I worked in retail for a few years. When I was leaving my last retail job to start my first programming job, my co-workers gave me a mug with a design inspired by my dog who I talked about all the time.

For more than 20 years, I used the mug at work on a daily basis through 2 jobs and numerous office moves until Wednesday when it slipped from my hand. The handle broke and the mug cracked. Sadly, I picked up the pieces and wondered what I'd do for a replacement.

After a quick internet search for it, I discovered 2 on eBay. One is sitting on my desk at the moment. The other will arrive next week. The original will be repaired and kept for sentimental reasons.

I'm having a much better day as a result.

Star of "Danger Man" (better know as "Secret Agent" in the US), Patrick McGoohan has died at age 80. He had a long and varied career including creating and staring in "The Prisoner" about a former spy who is held prisoner in a mysterious colony. The show was spoofed on "The Simpsons" with McGoohan providing the voice of his character. He was one of my favorites. I'll miss him.

Just as I finished typing this, I saw a report that Ricardo Montalban has also died, but there aren't any details as yet. He was 88. He also had a long and varied career. What a great loss to the entertainment business.